Danville Council To Weigh Appeal Of 68-Unit Church Housing Project

DANVILLE, CA — The Danville Town Council will consider an appeal to a 12-acre mixed-use redevelopment project at Community Presbyterian Church at 222 W. El Pintado Road. The Danville Planning Commission unanimously approved the project, but ten neighboring residents have appealed the decision.

According to a city staff report, the project replaces 21 existing homes with 49 townhouses and 19 attached accessory dwelling units. It also expands church and educational facilities with a new youth/ministry building, a larger sanctuary, outdoor pavilion, soccer field, and basketball courts.

It also calls to remove 269 trees, including 47 protected trees and three heritage trees. The applicant would plant 273 replacement trees – more than required by Danville’s Tree Preservation Ordinance – and submit a detailed tree mitigation plan before construction. Biological, hydrological, and geotechnical studies found no significant impacts, according to a staff report.

Despite that, the project is exempt from a CEQA review due to AB 130, which exempts CEQA review for infill housing projects under 20 acres that are located in urban areas, meet minimum density requirements, and are consistent with local zoning.

Neighboring residents filed an appeal against the Planning Commission’s approval, arguing that the traffic analysis understated congestion on surrounding streets, especially Ilo Lane, Charles Lane, West El Pintado, Diablo Road, and El Cerro Boulevard; did not account for its effects on church events or school pick-up and drop-off; and did not adequately address emergency access or wildfire concerns.

Town staff noted that state law prevents the town from rejecting the project based on these concerns, but conditions of approval would require transportation management measures, construction controls, and other traffic-related improvements.

Staff asked the Town Council to deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commission’s decision.

See here for more information, and here for Tuesday’s full agenda.