A proposed two-story home on a steep Reliez Valley Road lot that would require removing 20 trees and a zoning variance goes before Lafayette's Planning Commission on Monday, Aug. 3.
The commission also takes up citywide objective design standards that, if approved, would advance to the City Council for final action.
Both are public hearings. Residents can speak before commissioners vote.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center's Don Tatzin Community Hall, 3491 Mount Diablo Blvd., according to the posted agenda.
Hillside home at 1716 Reliez Valley Road
Property owner Thomas Butzbach is seeking five approvals to build a 1,993-square-foot single-family house on a vacant lot in the Hillside Overlay District. The project would grade 1,268 cubic yards of earth, remove 20 trees, and place parking in the side yard setback, which requires a variance from the city's R-40 zoning code.
The proposed home would stand 20 feet, 7 inches tall.
City staff recommends approval, subject to conditions, under PC Resolution 2026-08. The project is categorically exempt from environmental review under CEQA Section 15303(a), which covers new construction of small single-family residences. Project planner Arly Cassidy is handling the application.
Objective Design Standards — Phase 2
The commission will review a proposed amendment to the Lafayette Municipal Code adding Chapter 6-39, which would establish objective design standards as part of the city's Housing Element implementation. An Environmental Impact Report with an addendum was previously certified for the broader Housing Element work.
Staff recommends commissioners provide feedback on the draft standards and adopt PC Resolution 2026-05, sending the amendment to the City Council. Cassidy is also the project planner for this item.
Other business
Commissioners will pick a representative to serve on the city's Multi-Modal Mobility Advisory Committee, a temporary advisory body created in 2026.
How to participate
Residents who want to speak must fill out a speaker slip and hand it to staff before their item is called. Each speaker gets up to three minutes. Written comments on non-agenda items must reach the City Clerk at least 10 days before the next regularly scheduled meeting.
Residents needing disability accommodations should contact City Clerk Joanne Robbins at (925) 299-3210 at least 48 hours before the meeting.
The city is also accepting applications to fill two vacancies on the Planning Commission. Interested residents can email Robbins at [email protected] or visit the city's volunteer webpage at lovelafayette.org.
