Planning Commission Regular Meeting – March 12, 2026

The Walnut Creek Planning Commission held its regular meeting on March 12, 2026, beginning at approximately 2:00 PM PT. The meeting included the election of new officers and a single public hearing on the proposed eight-lot single-family residential subdivision at 1725 Sunnyvale Avenue. After public testimony and commission deliberation, the project was approved unanimously.

Election of Officers

• Chair: Commissioner Pam Needing was elected Chair by a unanimous vote (6-0, with Commissioner Count absent).
• Vice Chair: Commissioner Molly Klopp was elected Vice Chair by a unanimous vote.
• Outgoing Chair Anderson was thanked for her service, noting she guided the commission through several major projects including the first builder’s remedy project.

Consent Calendar

• There were no items on the consent calendar.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Shua Dia (1715 Central Avenue) expressed concerns about the project’s density, stating that eight homes on the lot would bring an estimated 32 new neighbors, increasing traffic and noise. He noted the existing neighborhood is less dense and urged the commission to consider the impact on quality of life and tree removal.
• Hillary Heivall (Maggie Lane) reiterated her prior request to flip the project layout so that the homes face the Taiwanese Cultural Center rather than adjacent neighbors. She argued that drainage concerns are surmountable given the scale of site disturbance, and that saving tree 14 (a large valley oak) should be a priority. She also requested that bullet windows facing neighbors be made opaque to ensure privacy.
• No other public comments were submitted.

Discussion Items

• Project Overview: Assistant Planner Gerardo Victoria presented the proposed subdivision at 1725 Sunnyvale Avenue. The project would demolish two existing homes and accessory structures, construct an eight-lot subdivision with a private street, eight two-story homes (each with an optional attached ADU or fourth bedroom), new landscaping, a bioretention area, retaining walls, and seven-foot privacy fences. 32 trees would be removed, 11 of which are highly protected. The project includes one low-income (BMR) unit, triggering a density bonus of 17%, which allows a 30.5% increase in density – from a base of six units to eight units. The applicant requested 14 waivers from local standards (e.g., reduced rear yard setback to 11 feet, reduced lot dimensions). Staff recommended approval, finding the project consistent with objective standards and eligible for a Class 32 CEQA categorical exemption.
• Commission Questions: Commissioners asked about the ADU/BMR interaction, density bonus calculations, drainage design, and the feasibility of flipping the layout. Civil engineer Justin confirmed that drainage is handled via a collection system that flows into bioretention and a storage pipe, mitigating post-project flows to pre-project levels. The applicant stated that flipping the layout would require a massive redesign, deeper cuts against existing homes, and potentially make the project economically infeasible. The commission noted that the bullet windows are high (six feet to sill), fixed, and small, and that the design review recommendations from the earlier study session were addressed (e.g., taller fences, native tree species).
• Commissioner Comments: Commissioners acknowledged the concerns of neighbors but noted that the state density bonus law limits city discretion and that the project meets objective standards. Commissioner Strongman explained the density bonus math and noted the project’s creative use of ADU/fourth bedroom options. Chair Needing thanked the public for speaking and the applicant for being responsive to design review suggestions.

Key Outcomes

• Motion: Vice Chair Klopp moved to approve the resolution for the major subdivision (vesting tentative map), density bonus with 14 waivers, design review, tree removal, and tree drip line encroachment permits for Application Y-25-048 at 1725 Sunnyvale Avenue. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously (6-0, with Commissioner Count absent).
• Appeal Period: Staff noted the decision is appealable within 10 days after the resolution is mailed (expected March 13, 2026).
• Other Business: Commissioner Strongman reported on the TransPAC meeting regarding Measure J funding for senior and disability transportation, with three Walnut Creek applications among 11 submitted. Commissioner Anderson reported progress on the sign ordinance update, with feedback provided to consultants.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at approximately 3:30 PM PT.

Note: No agenda or minutes were provided; the summary is based solely on the raw transcript.