Planning panel approves Oak Hill changes, trims project to 85 units and shifts BMR allocation

Gene Iceberg, a contract planner for the city, told the Lafayette Planning Commission on June 1 that the applicant is requesting a narrow change of conditions for the Oak Hill project at 10001 Oakhill Road to update approved plans and the below‑market‑rate regulatory agreement.

Iceberg said the principal changes are a reduction in total units from 90 to 85, a drop in vehicle parking from 178 stalls to 155, and a reallocation of the 11 required below‑market‑rate (BMR) units so that four would be very‑low income and seven would be moderate income. She said there is no change to the building massing, height or stories and that the commercial floor area remains roughly 2,000 square feet.

The staff presentation described several frontage design changes driven by building‑code and site constraints, including relocation of one electrical transformer to the Oakhill Road frontage, alterations to the residential and commercial entries to meet grade and egress requirements, and a new hardscape landscape feature intended in part to screen the transformer. Iceberg noted the transformer enclosure is shown as a three‑sided CMU faced with stucco about six feet tall and that PG&E has specific access requirements that could affect the final appearance.

Applicant Jeff Stone said the development team has secured construction financing and that detailed construction drawings and market feedback informed the changes. "I've got good news that we've secured construction financing," Stone said, and added that "unfortunately, PG&E is not allowing us to underground these transformers any longer," which prompted design measures to screen the above‑grade equipment.

Commissioners pressed staff and the applicant on the unit‑type math and a table in the staff report; staff acknowledged an error in the entitled‑project column and clarified the unit‑type changes: one‑bedrooms from 28 to 24, two‑bedrooms from 39 to 35 and three‑bedrooms from 23 to 26. Iceberg confirmed the total BMR obligation remains 11 units to meet the city's 15% inclusionary requirement, with only the income allocation changing because the project no longer relies on the same density bonus calculation.

No in‑person or online public speakers addressed the item. After discussion, Commissioner Deorgio moved to adopt a resolution (recorded in the meeting as Resolution 2026‑04) approving the change of conditions and finding the project exempt from SQUA; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The commission also noted a 14‑day appeal period to the City Council.

The commission vote modifies the previously council‑approved entitlement and allows the applicant to proceed toward building‑permit submittal with the updated plan set and BMR breakdown. Next steps include any administrative follow‑up on the clarified plan tables, finalization of the transformer enclosure design consistent with PG&E access requirements, and the 14‑day appeal window before the resolution takes full effect.