| | Published November 12th, 2008
| Eden Comes to Lafayette Long awaited senior housing nears fruition
| | By Cathy Tyson |  | | Architectural rendering courtesy of Van Meter Williams Pollack
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It took five years to get to this point, but additional senior housing is finally coming to Lafayette. Eden Housing, Inc. is well on its way to having its land use permit request granted. Both the Planning Commission and the Senior Housing Task Force expressed their enthusiastic support of the project. Some paperwork on Conditions and Findings needs to be completed before the final okay, which should be granted at the Planning Commission's next meeting.
The proposed 52, 000 square foot structure on .8 acre, will contain 46 senior apartments. The central location between Brown Avenue and Blackwood Lane, next to the Forge at 3426 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, is ideal. Architect Van Meter Williams Pollack designed the three story building to be set back from the street, and it features two interior courtyards for the residents to enjoy. Almost all of the units, 97%, will be deemed "affordable."
"City staff is very supportive of the changes made," said Glenda Warmoth, Assistant Planner of the richer, darker color scheme, the two variations of the front façade, widening the sidewalk, and moving the driveway slightly to align with the easement to the Post Office Annex.
"The Task Force has been looking for a site for at least two years, looking at over twenty sites and examining proximity to amenities. This met our basic criteria," said Council Member Carol Federighi of the Senior Housing Task Force. They recently voted unanimously to recommend the sloped roof versus the flat roof option for the front elevation, noting that it made the building seem more residential than urban.
"Eden has done a marvelous job on something that's badly needed in Lafayette, said Ruth McCahan of the Senior Services Commission. "I encourage you to approve this plan."
Mary Miller, also of the Senior Housing Task Force commented that the architects, "did a fine job of turning a sows ear into a silk purse," referring to the design and very constrained lot.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA