Woodbury Highlands to Offer 99 Housing Units

The Lafayette Planning Commission offered feedback to the developer on the revised plans of the Woodbury Highlands project but warned of concerns over the landscaping, noise and increased traffic on Mt. Diablo Boulevard.

Developer Matt Branagh and architect Scott Thomson presented the plan Sept. 19 to construct 99 dwelling units on the 6.5-acre plateau above the existing Woodbury Homes development in the west end of Lafayette, replacing two existing office buildings. The plan proposes to lessen the impact of increased traffic to downtown by providing pedestrian and bike access from the elevated location of the project down to the East Bay Municipal Utility District aqueduct right-of-way connecting to the Lennar Project via a pathway that the developer will build.

Branagh explained the development is designed to create a thriving multi-generational community featuring a range of dwellings, from two- and three-story row houses, to interlocked town houses and condos. Thompson outlined the proposed community spaces, including a large two-story Clubhouse and Vista Park where the developer will provide community gardens, lounge chairs, picnic benches and bocce ball. The plans include the planting of local trees and about five acres of open space.

Following the presentation the commissioners all gave feedback, with the main concerns being the aesthetics and the number and types of trees required to hide the development from the main road, the potential for bounce-back noise off the wall separating the homes from Highway 24 and increased traffic on Mt. Diablo Boulevard.

Commissioner Will Lovitt said that he was happy to see design improvements that avoid the imposing straight lines that design review chair Gordon Chong observed in Woodbury 1. Commissioner Kathryn Lyddan wondered about the effect of losing office space and the cumulative effect on traffic of all the housing while commission chair Patricia Curtin said she is supportive of the project, pointing out that existing office buildings have gone past their active life with more people working from home. She said it was a great site, tucked away and having less visual impact, and that she is grateful for the mix of housing.

The plans will go before other city commissions before eventually coming back to the Planning Commission.



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