A private school wants to set up shop on Lafayette's main commercial strip, and the Planning Commission will decide Monday whether to let it.
Tilden Preparatory School is seeking a land-use permit to operate at 3435 Mt. Diablo Blvd., a property zoned General Commercial District 1, the city's primary retail corridor designation. Property owner Kenneth Kosich filed the application, listed as Case L04-26 on the commission's Aug. 17 agenda. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center's Don Tatzin Community Hall.
City staff recommends approval. According to the agenda, staff recommends the commission adopt Resolution 2026-07, granting the permit subject to conditions and revoking two prior land-use permits at the same address (L02-11 and L02-84). Project planner Kraig Tambornini determined the project is exempt from environmental review under CEQA Section 15303(c), which covers conversion of a commercial structure under 10,000 square feet to another use.
The school, formally called the School for Independent Learners, is a WASC-accredited college-prep program for grades 6 through 12 that uses one-on-one and small-group instruction. It currently operates campuses in Albany and Walnut Creek and already draws part-time students from Acalanes High School in Lafayette and Campolindo High School in Moraga. A Lafayette location would be its third campus.
What previously occupied the 3435 Mt. Diablo Blvd. space is unclear from public records. The two permits being revoked suggest a different commercial use held the site, but the agenda does not describe it.
Free ADU designs also on the agenda
Commissioners will also get their first look at pre-approved accessory dwelling unit designs developed through a joint Lamorinda program. Lafayette, Orinda and Moraga partnered with design firm RRM Design Group to create a library of permit-ready ADU plans available to homeowners at no cost, funded by a grant. The Town of Moraga is running a public survey on the draft designs through Aug. 31.
The commission and invited Design Review Commission members will review the prototypes and offer feedback on architectural design, functionality and site adaptability before final plans are prepared. Project planner Madison Church is leading the item. No vote is scheduled.
Moraga's Town Council is expected to consider formal adoption of the plans in September.
What's next
Monday's session is the commission's first since the Aug. 3 meeting was canceled. If the permit is approved, Tilden Prep would gain its first campus on Lafayette's retail corridor, joining a stretch of Mt. Diablo Boulevard otherwise occupied by shops, restaurants and service businesses.
