Planning Commission Meeting Agenda Packet 05132026

Appeal of P26-0136, 2986 Liberty Drive Planning Commission, May 13, 2026 2 of 7 Pursuant to the Pleasanton Municipal Code (PMC), additions exceeding 15 feet in height are subject to Single-Family Design Review approval. As conditioned, staff finds that the project satisfies all applicable design review findings and development standards. Therefore, staff recommends the Planning Commission deny the appeal and affirm approval. BACKGROUND On February 23, 2026, the applicant submitted a Single-Family Design Review application to construct the proposed addition on the west street-side of the residence. Staff determined the project complied with applicable development standards and issued public notification to property owners and occupants within a 300-foot radius of the project site. In response to the notification, opposition of the project was received from the adjacent east property owner (2982 Liberty Drive), two rear property owners (2902 and 2906 Liberty Drive), and the property owner at 2966 Liberty Drive. The two rear property owners formally requested a Zoning Administrator hearing. Consistent with City procedures, notice of the Zoning Administrator hearing was provided to the parties involved. While additional mailed noticing is not required, one neighbor regarding the hearing to all subdivision residents, resulting in higher Zoning Administrator public attendance. At the March 18, 2026, Zoning Administrator public hearing, concerns were raised regarding the scale and massing of the addition, potential neighborhood precedent, construction-related impacts (noise, dust, and safety), shadowing, and proximity to adjacent rear properties. After consideration of all testimony and materials, the Zoning Administrator made the required findings and approved the project, subject to conditions of approval. The decision was subsequently appealed on March 30, 2026, and is now before the Planning Commission, at which the Commission will independently consider the project and render its own determination based on the record. SITE AND AREA DESCRIPTION The project site is a flat, approximately 5,540-square-foot corner lot developed with a two-story single-family residence of approximately 1,400 square feet and an attached 478-square-foot garage. The site adjoins one side (east) and two rear (south) property lines shared with detached single-family residences. The property is located within the Shadow Cliff Village subdivision, a 200-unit detached single- family residential neighborhood developed in the late 1980s, consisting primarily of two-story homes (188 two-story and 12 single-story homes). The subdivision is bordered by East Bay Regional Park District land to the north and east, detached single-family neighborhoods to the southeast and south, and manufactured housing to the west. Figures 1 and 2 provide site and area context.