RESOLUTION NO. 01- 26
A RESOLUTION OF THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION, CITY OF
PLEASANT HILL, RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF A PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT, CONCEPT PLAN, AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW PERMIT (ENT-2024-0032) FOR THE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FOUR-UNIT SINGLEFAMILY RESIDENTIAL MINOR SUBDIVISION AT 85 WOODSWORTH LANE WHEREAS, the applicant, Habitat for Humanity, submitted a Planned Unit Development District and Architectural Review Permit application (ENT-2024-0032) for an attached, singlefamily home subdivision project at 85 Woodsworth Lane, APN 150-150-071, that includes a Rezoning, Minor Subdivision, Development Plan Permit, General Plan Amendment and Architectural Review Permit for the development; and
WHEREAS, General Plan Amendment ENT-2024-0032 proposes to modify the General Plan designation of the project site at 85 Woodsworth Lane (APN 150-150-071), from the current Multi-Family Low Density General Plan Land Use designation to a Multi-Family Medium Density General Plan Land Use designation; and
WHEREAS, Rezone Application (ENT-2024-0032) proposes to rezone a 2.1-acre site, consisting of 22 legal parcels along Woodsworth Lane, including APNs 150-280-001 through 150- 280-015, 150-280-017, 150-150-065, and 150-150-067 through 150-150-071, from PUD-347 to a new PUD (Planned Unit Development); and
WHEREAS, Minor Subdivision application (ENT-2024-0032) would subdivide an existing, undeveloped parcel at 85 Woodsworth Lane. (APN 150-150-071) into four legal parcels; and
WHEREAS, Development Plan and Architectural Review Permit (ENT-2024-0032) allows four attached, affordable single-family homes within two separate structures, across the four resulting parcels, including associated site, landscape and frontage improvements; and WHEREAS, after notice thereof having been duly, regularly and lawfully given, a public hearing was held by the Architectural Review Commission on February 5, 2026 regarding the proposed Planned Unit Development District rezoning, associated Concept Plan, and Architectural Review Permit application, ENT-2025-0032, at which time all interested parties were invited to provide comments on the proposal; and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to Section 15303 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) of 1970, as amended, the Planning Commission finds the project is determined to be a Class 3 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) categorical exemption, which exempts the construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures including a duplex or similar multi-family residential structure totaling no more than four dwelling units, and in urbanized areas up to six dwelling units. Thus, since the project scope involves the construction of four dwellings, including site and landscaping improvements, in an urbanized area, and would therefore not result in a significant impact on the environment NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Architectural Review Commission of the City of Pleasant Hill, in accordance with Section 18.30.060(A) of the PHMC, recommends approval of the Planned Unit Development District rezoning, associated Concept Plan, and Habitat for Humanity Four Attached Single-Family Homes – ENT-2024-0032 February 5, 2026
Architectural Review Permit application, ENT-2025-0032 based upon the following findings and conditions of approval contained in Exhibit A and Concept Plan contained in Exhibit B:
(1) The design of the structures conforms to the topographic features of the particular site.
The majority of the site is relatively flat; as a result, all four single-family dwelling units within the two structures would have approximately the same building height from the perspective of adjacent private properties and the public right-of-way. In addition to the new residential units, the proposed Concept Plan will include private open space areas, either as a private front yard for Unit #1, or private rear yard for Units #2, 3 and 4. The Concept Plan proposes development to be allowed for a 14-ft. 5.5-in. minimum front yard setback (a 10-ft. front yard setback is otherwise allowed in the Multi-Family Medium Density zoning district) and a 17-ft 6.75-in rear yard setback (a 15-ft. rear yard setback is otherwise allowed in the Multi-Family Medium Density (MRM) zoning district). The Concept Plan also proposes the following setback reductions: (a) a 3-ft. corner side yard setback where the minimum allowance is 10-feet (70% reduction), (b) a 7-ft. 3-in. side yard setback to the adjoining parcel where the minimum allowance is 10-ft (27.5% reduction), and (c) a 0-ft. side yard setback within the subject development project site where the minimum allowance is 10-ft.
Section 18.30.050E (PUD/PPD) of the Zoning Ordinance allows for all yard setbacks to be reduced by no more than 20% when located in a PUD or PPD zoning district; except that residential projects on sites that have a Multiple-Family or Mixed-Use General Plan land use designation shall not be limited to a 20% maximum reduction in setback requirements.
The applicant is proposing two, 2-story structures, with a total overall height of 23-ft. 6-in. In the MRM zoning district, there is no limit on the number of stories and has a maximum allowed building height of 40-ft.
Finally, the applicant is proposing a 45 percent lot coverage where a maximum 50 percent lot coverage is allowed in the MRM zoning district. (2) The design of the structures enhances the natural attributes of the particular site.
The project site is situated along Woodsworth Lane where multi-family uses and single-family uses abut one another. The site is bordered on two sides by single-family dwellings and duplex dwellings to the east and north. The site adjoins the Woodsworth Lane public right-of-way to the south and the Treadway Lane public right-of-way to the west. Across Woodsworth Lane is the Two Worlds mixed-use site, which combines residential and commercial uses, and across Treadway Lane are condominium dwelling units. The proposed project would enhance the site by introducing visually interesting architectural design, using high-quality, durable materials, as well as installing new landscaping throughout, resulting in an improved appearance at a prominent site. (3) The scale and bulk of the structures are appropriate to the particular site.
The project incorporates architectural details into the two, two-story structures, such as varied roof heights, setbacks, materials, colors and forms, so as to be compatible with the scale and bulk of the surrounding neighborhood, which consists of a mixture of single and two-story structures, and a blend of exterior roof forms, materials and colors.
Habitat for Humanity Four Attached Single-Family Homes – ENT-2024-0032 February 5, 2026
(4) The landscape plan is appropriate to the particular site.
The proposed landscape plan provides a plant palette consisting of three new trees and drought-tolerant plantings to complement the existing landscape in the neighborhood area. The landscape plan is in substantial compliance with City Wide Design Guidelines. This ensures that the project includes landscaping that is compatible and complementary to the site and neighborhood and will further soften the appearance of development from nearby views. The project will satisfy the 30 percent site landscaping requirement of the MRM zoning district by providing 33 percent total landscape area.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Architectural Review Commission of the City of Pleasant Hill, in accordance with Section 18.120 of the PHMC, recommends approval of the Architectural Review Permit ENT-2024-0032 based upon the following findings and conditions of approval contained in Attachment A and Concept Plan contained in Attachment B:
Architectural Review Permit Findings
1. Ensure excellence of architectural design. The project incorporates residential structures that have articulated and varied elevations. The dwelling units have covered entry features that provide visual identification to the main entrances and have architectural features, such as variable setbacks, first-story roof elements, project window bays, trim details and trellis structures, that create visual interest. In addition, the buildings use a variety of building materials and colors that complement each other and are of high quality and long lasting. The site plan is designed to relate to the surrounding development, provide for private open space and allow for off-street parking. Lastly, the proposed landscape plan will include new trees, shrubs, flowering plants and ground cover, as well as water retention basins to handle storm water runoff.
2. Ensure that siting and architectural design of structures, including their materials and colors, are visually harmonious with surrounding development and with the natural landforms and vegetation of the areas in which they are proposed to be located. The project incorporates a color palette of earth-toned blues, greens and beiges, along with grays and whites, that will complement the surrounding single- and multi-family properties, which include a variety of colors, including but not limited to earth-toned blues, greens and beiges, along with grays and whites. No design/material/color elements proposed will be inconsistent with the surrounding residential development.
The project incorporates cement fiber siding, with wood trim-elements, and pitched roofs that can be found within the immediate residential neighborhoods. The project will create a drought-tolerant landscape design, to include a mix of deciduous trees that will also complement the existing neighborhood. Lastly, the project includes wood perimeter privacy fences that do not exceed 6-feet in height.
3. Ensure that plans for the landscaping of open spaces conform with the requirements of this chapter and that they provide visually pleasing settings for structures on the site and on adjoining and nearby sites, and blend harmoniously with the natural landscape.
The proposed landscape plan will complement the new buildings while providing Habitat for Humanity Four Attached Single-Family Homes – ENT-2024-0032 February 5, 2026
cohesion to the site. The plant palette is complementary and consistent with the remainder of the neighborhood through the use of deciduous trees and incorporated drought-tolerant plantings. As the surrounding area is built-out and features an urban landscape, the project will continue this type of landscape treatment and be compatible to the surrounding area.
4. Prevent excessive and unsightly grading of hillsides, and preserve natural landforms and existing vegetation. The project is relatively flat with no existing vegetation, therefore grading of hillsides and preservation of natural landforms and existing vegetation is not applicable.
5. Ensure compliance with Citywide Design Guidelines and applicable provisions of the proposed PUD Concept Development Plan. As noted in Attachment H, City Wide Design Guidelines & Objective Design Standards Summary, of the Architectural Review Commission staff report, the project, as modified by the required conditions of approval, is consistent with applicable City-wide design guidelines and provisions of the proposed PUD Concept Development Plan.
ADOPTED by the Architectural Review Commission of the City of Pleasant Hill, on the 5th day of February, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES: Pathare, Kapoor, Weir, Nelson.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
RECUSE: Brandess.
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TROY FUJIMOTO, Zoning Administrator