| | Published July 4th, 2012
| Draft Environmental Report on Terraces Raises Questions
| | By Cathy Tyson | | |
Lots of questions, not many answers at this time regarding the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the large multi-family Terraces of Lafayette project, at the corner of Pleasant Hill Road and Deer Hill Road presented at the June 18 Planning Commission meeting.
Along with the questions there was a bit of anger expressed by Alan Moore, the attorney for the developer and the landowner, who stated that he was "very, very disappointed in the EIR," calling it "just a travesty" and a "violation of right to due process." Moore believes the project is not within the boundaries of the Hillside Overlay District, assertively arguing that "the ridgeline is 650 feet to the west of our project line." He also took issue with conclusions based on topographical maps that are decades old.
According to Moore, the environmental engineering firm ENGEO produced an independent report on the Terraces that details the boundaries, declaring the project is not within the Hillside Overlay area. Moore was not happy this fact was not discussed or referenced or attached to the EIR.
Lafayette established Hillside Overlay Districts (HOD) in 2002 to protect the "health, safety and welfare of the city." Development within the HOD requires a hillside development permit. In addition the city has regulations governing ridgeline protection, which is classified as either I, II, III - depending on location, height and significance. Not surprisingly, there are lots of requirements for building in the HOD and along a ridgeline.
The city attorney will be looking at all the documentation, said Project Planner Ann Merideth. She explained that the project's environmental report covers certain things and CEQA, the California Environmental Quality Act, covers other things. It's unclear at this time where the dispute about the boundary will fall.
There was public testimony from a variety of speakers concerning gridlock, noise, school and aesthetic impacts and traffic counts. "Everything that was submitted will be reviewed," said Merideth. "Questions and comments will be addressed in the final EIR" that is expected to be complete in early fall.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA