Moraga planning commissioners approve Hetfield Estates design review with conditions after neighbors press size and fire‑safety concerns

Moraga — The Planning Commission on Tuesday voted 4–0 to approve design review DR‑0624 and grading permit GR01‑25 for Hetfield Estates, a seven‑home project in southeast Moraga, after a night of public testimony focused on home size, visual impacts, landscaping and fire‑safety compliance.

The commission’s approval includes amendments requiring windows to have a two‑inch trim or two‑inch recessed edge to create a shadow line, use of cementitious or equivalent high‑quality roofing material, façade articulation that steps at least 24 inches from the building plane for visual relief, and at least one 36‑inch‑box tree in each front yard; accessory dwelling units (ADUs) must comply with the same design conditions when submitted. The motion to approve was made by Commissioner Halber and seconded by Commissioner Weber; the resolution passed unanimously by the four commissioners present. A 10‑day appeal period applies.

The project site sits in a small valley off Sanders Drive and is to be accessed by a bridge from Hetfield Place, with Larch Creek and riparian habitat along the northern edge of the property. Staff described the requested action as…