Lafayette planning panel approves Park Theater restoration, adopts Resolution PC 2024-12

The Lafayette Planning Commission voted 4-0 to approve a redevelopment plan for the Park Theater in the city’s Plaza District, finding the project exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act and adopting Planning Commission Resolution 2024-12 to approve the proposal subject to conditions.

Planning staff told commissioners the project would restore the circa-1941 building and convert the vacant theater into two auditoriums, a community room and a rooftop terrace. Staff recommended approval with conditions including an underground PG&E transformer along Golden Gateway, a recorded trail easement to support a future Lafayette Creek path, mitigation planting for four removed protected trees, and required bicycle parking. "Staff recommends the Planning Commission find the project exempt from CEQA and adopt Resolution 2024-12 to approve the project subject to conditions," staff said during the presentation.

Applicant and design team representatives said the Park Theatre Trust, a volunteer nonprofit that purchased the building in December 2021, has secured community funding and…