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Commissions review SAHA plan for 48-unit affordable building at 949 Moraga Road; no formal action taken
Summary
City planning bodies reviewed a SAHA/Sunflower Hill proposal for a 100% affordable, 48-unit building at 949 Moraga Road. Staff said commissions may only provide advisory feedback because state density-bonus laws make the project ministerial; the project will move to City Council for confirmation of waivers.
The Joint Design Review and Planning Commission met Feb. 23, 2026, to review a density-bonus request from the Satellite Affordable Housing Association (SAHA) and Sunflower Hill for a 48-unit, 100% affordable housing project at 949 Moraga Road. Stephanie DeMantis, assistant planning director, told commissioners their role was advisory on the density-bonus waivers and that no formal discretionary approval would be taken at the meeting.
That advisory review matters because the project requests multiple objective-standard waivers under state density-bonus law and local rules. Staff described the proposal as 47 low‑income units plus one on‑site manager's unit on a 0.181‑acre parcel across from Lafayette Elementary School, organized as a four‑story building just under 55 feet with about 25 surface parking spaces and bike storage. According to staff, the property’s base capacity is 29 units; the combination of an 80% density bonus tied to the affordability level and a modest additional bonus from the housing element program would allow more units than the base density, and the applicant is proposing 48 units.
The application asks for waivers on setbacks and stepbacks, height, floor‑area ratio (staff noted a proposed FAR of 1.6 versus a 1.0 base for the zoning district), and for flexibility on open‑space and landscape standards where some required dimensions are smaller than the code minimums. Staff also said the project is categorically exempt under the city’s infill development exemption, and that grading, tree removal and lot‑merger permits would be handled at the ministerial building‑permit stage.
Architect Adrienne Steichen and project lead Rosemary Kerbonk described design changes since a May 2025 study session: fewer exterior material palettes, pitched roofs to house photovoltaics, a second‑floor courtyard and adjustments intended to reduce the project’s visual bulk. "We are trying to snuggle ourselves into the hill, and present a warm facade to Moraga Road," Steichen said. The design team said they intend to maximize solar PV where feasible and to specify durable finishes appropriate for long‑term affordable housing.
Commissioners pressed on technical items. Questions addressed the second‑floor open space configuration, tandem parking operations (the applicant said parking will be shared rather than assigned), window rhythm and consistency between renderings and elevation drawings, mechanical ducting coordination, and the scale of grading work. A commissioner noted that the county fire protection district had provided comments and cautioned that "substantial design change is gonna be required to accommodate the requirements of the fire department," a concern the applicant said they would address through redesign as necessary.
Landscape and street‑front treatment were a recurring theme. Commissioners and public speakers encouraged screening of the surface parking, taller planting where possible, and attention to bioretention details that balance stormwater treatment with visual screening along Moraga Road. Staff said they are coordinating civil and landscape design to refine bioretention locations and to respond to city engineer comments about sidewalk alignment.
Public testimony was strongly supportive. Rebecca Callahan Klein, whose adult daughter Lillian has autism, said, "She is so excited about this project," and described the importance of on‑site community spaces, caregiver lounges and options that allow residents with developmental disabilities to age in place. Several other speakers said the building would add needed housing and urged refinement of design details rather than rejection.
Because state law makes the use ministerial for a qualifying affordable project, the commissions provided feedback only; staff said the project will proceed to City Council for confirmation of the waivers and concessions the applicant requests. No formal vote or adoption of design approvals occurred at the Feb. 23 meeting. Staff and the applicant will continue to coordinate with the fire district, city engineer and landscape/civil consultants prior to the council hearing.
