Walnut Creek Design Review Commission Study Session for Joy Bound Animal Daycare - March 18, 2026

The Walnut Creek Design Review Commission held a study session on March 18, 2026, to review the design of a proposed 12,577-square-foot animal daycare building at 2890 Mitchell Drive, part of the Joy Bound (formerly Animal Rescue Foundation) campus. The project includes outdoor training areas, four exercise yards, new parking, landscaping, and signage. Commissioners provided feedback and reached consensus to recommend the project move forward to the Planning Commission, with specific design suggestions.

Consent Calendar

• No items on the consent calendar.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the public comment period.

Discussion Items

• Project Overview: Senior Planner Simmer Gill introduced the proposal, noting the site is a 10-acre business park zone. The new building will support existing animal rescue and shelter operations, including 11 programs such as training, pet adoptions, and service animal placement for veterans. The project requires removal of 13 trees (3 already approved by the city arborist due to poor health) and will plant 55 new trees. The building design features cement stucco in a cream/light color with beige and brown accents, metal panels, and dark-framed windows. Two wall signs (one illuminated, one non-illuminated) total 61 square feet, within city allowances. Parking exceeds requirements (207 stalls vs. 197 required). CEQA environmental review is ongoing. Staff recommended the commission review and comment on design topics and provide a positive recommendation to the Planning Commission.
• Commissioner Questions and Feedback:
  • Commissioner Newsom asked about campus color consistency (existing colors appeared yellow/orange but applicant noted they were updated to match the proposed cream/beige), visibility from Oak Grove Road (no signage there; commissioner suggested adding sign on that side), arrival hierarchy (whether the new building should be the primary entrance), pedestrian crossing placement (near handicap stalls), fencing design (CMU walls with metal grille to match existing site), lighting (25-foot poles with cutoff shields), and landscaping along Mitchell Drive (coastal live oaks and native shrubs for screening and identity).
  • Commissioner Pros inquired about wayfinding signage (applicant confirmed it will be added, calling it "long awaited"), planting around kennel walls (vegetated beds planned), drainage connections (wash-down drains and roof runoff will go to bioretention facilities), and new vehicle gates (for security, open during day; fire department access will be ensured via Knox boxes).
  • Commissioner Riley asked about the building sign content (placeholder "Pet Care Center" will be replaced with "Liberty Center" after a donor naming), noise mitigation (walls, berms, and planned exercise yards; applicant noted they will have more dogs outside than currently, but aim to remain a quiet neighbor), surface material (artificial turf designed to stay cool, combined with shade structures and tree canopy), and rainwater collection (none planned, but applicant mentioned existing pump from canal that needs funding for repair; commissioner suggested considering rainwater harvesting).
• Commissioner Comments and Consensus: All three present commissioners (Newsom, Pros, Riley) expressed support for the institution and the project. Key areas for refinement included:
  • Improving wayfinding and building identification (especially from Oak Grove Road and upon entry).
  • Evaluating acoustics and ensuring walls adequately mitigate noise from kennels, particularly along the property line adjacent to a future senior housing development.
  • Providing cut sheets for fully shielded, cutoff lighting.
  • Enhancing planting density along the Oak Grove edge for additional sound mitigation. Commissioner Newsom noted the project's identity is currently weak and welcomed the Liberty Center naming. Commissioner Riley added that wayfinding could be integrated into marketing materials. All agreed on the need for signage and acoustic review. No formal vote was taken, but the chair confirmed consensus to support the project and recommend it to Planning Commission.

Key Outcomes

• The Commission reached consensus to provide a positive recommendation to the Planning Commission, subject to addressing the following design comments:
  • Develop comprehensive wayfinding and building identification signage for the campus, including visibility from Oak Grove Road.
  • Provide acoustic analysis and ensure kennel walls offer adequate noise mitigation, especially near adjacent residential zoning.
  • Submit cut sheets for fully shielded, cutoff light fixtures for site lighting.
  • Consider denser planting along the Oak Grove frontage to further buffer sound.
• The project will proceed to the Planning Commission with the feedback from this study session.