Walden and other neighbors submitted comments and questions regarding the removal of toxic soil from the site prior to construction. The California Dept of Substance Control has approved the removal process, providing responses to all of the questions in the attached document. Work will commence shortly, after a one week in advance courtesy notice to local residences is sent. |
The project has received final approval by the BOS, and work has commenced this month - October 2020. Attached are our final comments prepared for the BOS review of the project. |
There's still time to SIGN the PETITION if you haven't already done so. |
Walden was asked and have provided feedback to the County planners regarding the last development piece of the Pleasant Hill BART Transit Village, dated December 2019, and received in June 2020 for our review. See attached letter for our comments. |
The Contra Costa Planning commission approved the modestly revised plan which required multiple variances from current zoning. No requirements were made to reduce proposed density, height, parking, and acknowledged it will create condition F traffic at Las Juntas and Coggins every business day. Attached are the Walden Boards extensive comments on the original design plan. Basically nothing was changed. It is a terrible example of poor land planning by the county as this project dwarfs the the projects which surround it to the East, South and West. |
On August 19th the annual meeting of Walden will once again take place at the re-branded Bay Club Walnut Creek, 2508 Jones Rd, Walnut Creek, at 6:30pm for registration. Our guest speakers will be • County Supervisor Mitchoff • Linsey Willis (Contra Costa County Transportation Authority) In the Newsletter section our 2019 letter is now posted. |
October 18th, Club Rennaisance Sport Hotel 6pm. Please consider attending this important review of this project which is a proposed six story apt complex adjacent to the Avalon apts on Las Juntas. Your perspective and input is needed. |
Notice of Walden Public Meeting, April 24, 2017
The Walden Board of Directors invites you to attend our annual public meeting. This will include a discussion about the proposed affordable housing development by Habitat for Humanity (HFH) at 1250 Las Juntas Way. The meeting will be held at 7PM (registration at 6:30) on Monday evening, April 24, at the Renaissance Club Sport on Jones Road. The developer has been invited to present the project for our review. We will also be discussing ways to improve the increased traffic congestion along Cherry Lane during commute hours.
As you may be aware, Walden members and friends are opposing the HFH development. In doing so, we will be developing a position that addresses our concerns yet recognizes the reality of various forces at work on this project.
We respect the goals of HFH, and we are not, per se, against a development on the subject property. This parcel, however, is zoned for transition between single-family homes and multifamily condos and apartments in the area. A project consisting of up to 29 condos is consistent with this zoning.
However, at the Las Juntas site, HFH is proposing to construct 45 units on this 2-acre site. The City of Walnut Creek, because of its goal of fulfilling its obligations for affordable housing, is supporting this development. Walden objects to the proposed density, as it vastly exceeds that which the zoning permits. Habit for Humanity has recently constructed only ten housing units on a similar-sized lot near the Walnut Creek BART station. Why should our neighborhood accept a project that is over four times as dense? We feel that the attendant impacts on traffic and population are an unfair burden on us.
We ask HFH what kind of a development is possible on this site that is consistent with the existing zoning rather than relying on multiple variances and concessions? What kind of a project would allow the retention of the trees on the boundaries of the sites and comply with required setbacks on the borders of the site and between structures? What kind of a project consisting of two levels would be considerate of single-family homes bordering the site? How can the residents of this project be protected from up to 100 decibel noise levels we have recorded coming from BART?
We would like to see Habitat for Humanity address these and other questions that our members will be raising. We hope that you will be able to attend our meeting on April 24, voice your concerns and, hopefully, get some answers.
We will also be discussing the huge increase in commuting traffic on Cherry Lane. We have learned that this increase is not necessarily the result of opening up left turns off Treat Boulevard onto Southbound Cherry Lane. Rather, this increase originates from residences to the North of Treat, as well as increased diverted freeway traffic from the south. In response to entreaties by Walden, the County has implemented some measures to slow the traffic. We will be seeking input from our members as to what more can be done to actually reduce the volume in both directions.
Free parking is available at the John Muir parking lot on 1400 Treat Boulevard. Those using this lot should leave a note on their windshield indicating they will be at the Walden meeting.
Jeffrey Peckham, President Walden District Improvement Association
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This is Walden's formal written response to the january 18th Design Review of the project, which lacked appropriate notice. There will be a formal objection letter covering the 'pre-application review' by the planning commission scheduled for Feb 9th, later this week. |
Walden plus members Peter and Judith Duncan have joined forces with the Iron Horse Trail Committee to fund 5 new trees on the IHT in the Walden I space. |
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View the CC County & John Muir Health's Traffic Study. |
The MAC meeting will include a presentation of the results of the recent traffic study of Cherry Lane paid for by John Muir. Your attention is invited to the attached findings of that study and you are encouraged to attend tomorrow's meeting. We will also be examining the results of that study and Supervisor Mitchoff's latest position on the subject at the Annual Meeting of our Association scheduled for March 10. Stay tuned for the announcement conveying the details of our meeting. At that meeting we will also be discussing the expected proposal by the Transit Village developer to construct more apartments on Block C rather than owner-occupied townhouses as specified in the approved development plan. The Walden Board vehemently opposes this proposal which will eliminate any possible integration of Transit Village residents into our neighborhood. Larry McEwen, Secretary Walden District Improvement Association Contra Costa County - MAC Municipal Advisory Council Meeting 5:00 PM Tuesday, February 18, 2014 Contra Costa Transit Authority Bldg. 2999 Oak Road #110, Walnut Creek (Across from Pleasant Hill BART) Park at BART – no charge at night |
Walnut Creek portion of the project now awaiting sign off by the CPUC -target end of June 2014 for the Pleasant Hill portion. Landscaping project will be complete in mid-February 2014. See updated timeline below... |
Had it with traffic in our area? It’s about to get worse! Want to do something about it? Come to our Public Meeting, sponsored by your Walden District Improvement Association Monday, December 8, 2014 7 PM Renaissance Club Sport, 2805 Jones Road Subject: Developer’s Proposed Change for Block C of the Contra Costa Centre Transit Village (empty lot next to plaza fountain and BART) Impact: Twice as much area traffic as in the currently approved plan Proposal: 200 apartments instead of 100 approved condos Walden vehemently opposes this proposal: It violates the 15 year-old agreement approved by the Community, BART, CC County and the developer. Come! Have your say about this proposal and its impact on our neighborhood! Free parking is available at 1400 Treat Blvd. (John Muir: please leave “Walden” note on your dash board) RSVP: Larry McEwen at elmwoode@comcast.net
Learn more about it; Visit Walden’s Web Site. Review the developer’s study which claims that condo construction doesn’t “pencil out”. |
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We will be posting details of this upcoming meeting after the BART MAC meeting today, Nov 18th, at which Avalon Bay will be presenting a proposal to change the General Plan for the PH BART transit village, replacing for-sale condominiums with rental units on Block C. The Walden Board vigorously opposes this proposal, and will host a community meeting on December 8th. Details and a summary of the issue will be posted here. - Jeffrey Peckham, President.... |