Neighbors urge stronger protections on wall, lighting and school impacts at Union Crossing hearing

Multiple neighbors and a student addressed the Planning Commission during the Union Crossing item with concerns about privacy, light and school capacity.

Zoom commenter Sudhakar asked for larger setbacks between some buildings and nearby single-family homes to reduce privacy impacts. Sixth-grader Amay Kranjkar said, "the parking lot, spotlight will shine through my window, and I don't think I'll be able to go to sleep," and other residents expressed worries that the development’s students would add to Veritas Elementary’s drop-off traffic and capacity strain. Resident Ravi Kiran Karanjkar asked whether a masonry (CMU) wall along the property line is required and requested details on height and whether a wall would be in place before grading.

Planning staff responded that the CMU wall is not a code-required separation between multifamily and single-family properties but if the developer included a CMU wall on the approved plan set the developer will be required to construct it. Staff also said site plan review requires a photometric plan, fixtures must be shielded and downward cast, and property-line foot-candle levels are effectively near zero; staff noted planners inspect completed projects and can require fixture replacements if lighting violates conditions. The developer confirmed a CMU wall appears on the submitted landscape plans and construction drawings and said they will build what is on the approved plans.

The commission did not add a new condition requiring a wall but amended the project resolution only to correct the expiration date and approved the modification.