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  Burton Ridge Development
 

Although it may come as a surprise to many people, Burton Ridge consists almost entirely of privately-owned land.  While BurtonValley.com has worked very hard to restrict development in the most visible areas of Burton Ridge, we need to recognize that the owners of this land are entitled to develop their properties.

 

It is our role to:

  • Keep the community informed about development on Burton Ridge and other major ridgelines in Lafayette

  • Ensure that the provisions in our General Plan, Zoning, and Hillside Development ordinances that are intended to preserve our precious ridgelines and open space are adhered to

Map of Burton Ridge

 

 

Currently unapproved Burton Ridge parcels:

 

Owner:  Eric Strand

APN:  238-08-0035

Parcel size:  approximately 5 acres

Zoning:  LR-10

Application #:  HPD70-04

City Planner:  Greg Wolff (925-299-3204, gwolff@ci.lafayette.ca.us)

Development history:  This lot was created by the aforementioned lot-line adjustment between Liviakis and Moore.  Mr. Strand purchased the property from Sohrab Nazari on 12/31/04 and wants to build a single-family residence.  A study session was held with the Design Review Commission on 8/10/04.  Heard by the Planning Commission on 2/17/05 - applicant was advised to seek alternative locations given the extreme visibility of the proposed homesite.  Burtonvalley.com has written to the Planning Commission and recommended considering the back "triangle" on the backside of the ridgeline as an alternate homesite.  At its 4/7/05 hearing, the Planning Commission agreed with staff's recommendation to consider three sites (proposed, triangle, and another near proposed), and conducted a public site visit on 4/14/05.  At its 5/5/05 hearing, the Planning Commission recommended Site 2s, one of the two sites near the dead oak tree, be referred to the Design Review Commission for evaluation of full development plans with a home design not to exceed 2000 square feet (excluding garage), and formally approved it on 5/19/05.  Design for a 3500sf house has been submitted to the Design Review Commission, and story poles are in place.  The Design Review Commission heard the design on 9/5/06, and provided recommendations and comments to the Planning Commission on 10/10/06.  The Planning Commission continued the hearing on 10/19/06 to allow the applicant to prepare additional materials. Strand then withdrew the application and indicated he would resubmit a new application in the future.  Strand resubmitted a new application in December 2006, but still did not follow the Planning Commission's instructions to submit a 2000sf design, instead submitting another 3500-4000sf design.  At its 1/18/07 hearing, the Planning Commission ignored staff's recommendation to deny the application, and removed the 2000sf baseline design criteria after the applicant threatened to take legal action.  The applicant has agreed to submit a scaled-down redesign.  No substantial design changes were made, and the Planning Commission denied the application on 3/1/07.  The applicant appealed to the City Council, which held an appeal hearing on 4/23/07.  The City Council conducted a site visit on 5/21/07 to better understand site constraints.  On 6/11/07, the City Council voted to deny Strand's appeal without prejudice and draft a memo to provide future guidance when he submits a new application.  The City Council discussed a draft denial resolution on 7/9/07 and approved it with one minor modification on 7/23/07.

Current status:  Awaiting submittal of a new application.  The City Council granted the applicant a waiver of normal application fees for up to five years.

 

More information:

Owner:  Sohrab Nazari (formerly owned by James Moore)

APN:  238-08-0036

Parcel size:  approximately 65 acres

Zoning:  LR-10

Application #:  HDP83-03, TR7978

Planner:  Christine Sinnette (925-299-3241, csinnette@lovelafayette.org)

Development history: Mr. Nazari purchased an option to buy this land from James Moore, who had attempted to subdivide it on several occasions, most recently 13-home application that was withdrawn in 2002.  Mr. Moore filed suit against the city following the 2002 adoption of the new Hillside Ordinance and General Plan.  The court found in favor of the city and was not appealed.  We have met with Mr. Nazari regarding potential home siting on the property and are encouraged by his willingness to comply with the Hillside Ordinance and sensitivity toward community concerns.  On 2/3/05, the Planning Commission approved the scope of an EIR.  Additional EIR scoping occurred at a Design Review Commission hearing on 4/12/05.

Current status:  Awaiting draft EIR. 

More information: 

 

Previously approved Burton Ridge parcels:

 

Owner:  Soldier Field (Greg Woehrle)

Architect:  Ward-Young Architects

Project name:  Lucas Ranch

APN:  238-08-0019

Parcel size:  approximately 88 acres

Zoning:  LR-10

Application #:  TR6569, HPD86-04

Planner:  Christine Sinnette (925-299-3241, csinnette@lovelafayette.org)

Development history:  Soldier Field originally applied for a 28-home subdivision in January 2000.  The application was later reduced to 25 homes and was denied by the Planning Commission in April 2001.  The denial was appealed and upheld by the City Council in July 2001.  Soldier Field filed suit against the city following the adoption of the new Hillside Ordinance and General Plan revision in July 2002.  The court initially ruled in favor of the city, and was appealed by Soldier Field.  The two parties eventually agreed on a settlement in August 2004 in which Soldier Field agreed to submit a new application compliant with the current General Plan and Hillside Ordinance rules, and reserve the right to re-file its appeal of the lawsuit if they were unable to gain approval for eight homesites.  On 2/17/05, the Planning Commission approved the environmental scoping and authorized undertaking an Environmental Impact Report.  Additional EIR scoping occurred at a Design Review Commission hearing on 4/12/05.  On 10/07/05, the city issued a Notice of Availability of the Draft EIR, indicating that there are NO environmental impacts associated with the project that could not be mitigated to a less than significant level.  The Planning Commission conducted public hearings on the DEIR on 11/3/05, 11/17/05, and 12/1/05.  The Final EIR was certified by the Planning Commission on 3/9/06.  It also conducted a hearing to discuss the merits of the development on 1/19/06, 4/6/06, 5/4/06, 5/18/06, and 6/22/06.  The Planning Commission approved a revised eight home subdivision on 7/6/06.  That decision has been appealed to the City Council.  The City Council denied the appeal on 9/11/06.  The Planning Commission met on 9/20/07 to consider design review guidelines and the tentative map.

 

Status:

Final design review guidelines to be approved by the Planning Commission on 1/17/08.

 

More information:

Owner:  Paul and Alison Cocotis

Architect:  Ward-Young Architects

APN:  238-190-002

Parcel size:  approximately 6 acres

Zoning:  R-20

Application #:  HDP18-05

City Planner:  Glenda Warmoth, Tel 925-299-3257, gwarmoth@ci.lafayette.ca.us

Development history:  The property exists near a Class II ridgeline off Lucas Circle.  The applicant wants to construct a one-story, single-family residence in a very visible location and is seeking an exception to permit development within a Class II ridgeline setback.  On 4/21/05, the Planning Commission approved one of the hilltop sites, Scheme A, under the proviso that it be moved further back into the trees and scaled down from its proposed 5900 square foot size, and referred it back to the Design Review Commission.  The DRC heard the application on 11/08/05, and raised concerns about the size of the structure, which was still at 5973sf, and other issues, including landscaping, grading, and the driveway.  They asked the applicant to address these concerns, and prove the applicant's assertion that the size of the structure doesn't affect its visibility.  The Design Review Commission approved the development with conditions on 1/24/06, and the Planning Commission approved it on 3/2/06.  The approval was appealed by Mayor Ivor Samson on 3/16/06, heard by the City Council on 3/27/06, and overturned.  The City Council heard the application on 5/8/06 and requested more information on the landscaping plan, which called for significant use of mature trees to conceal the house.  On 6/12/06, the City Council approved the development as proposed, pending conditions that call for the applicant to ensure the health and effectiveness of the landscaping, and clarifications of the Hillside Ordinance language that would allow it to be properly interpreted and findings be made.  The City Council approved the project on 7/10/06, with conditions that the trees will be replaced if they die, and a review will be made in five years to ensure that the landscaping is properly concealing the house with the understanding that the then-current owner would have to pay up to $15,000 for additional landscaping if necessary.

 

More information: