Design Commission Continues Mixed-Use Project After Traffic and Privacy Concerns Arise

Local residents near a proposed 2771 East Foothill development voiced strong objections over traffic congestion, parking shortages, and privacy issues at Tuesday’s meeting of the Design Commission.

The Commission ultimately voted to continue the review of the mixed-use project, which involves demolishing two existing buildings to construct a new three-to-four-story structure with ground floor commercial space and 20 residential units.

The project, designed by Jon Kelly of Tyler + Kelly Architecture, is described as “vernacular industrial” in style, reflecting the local context of commercial buildings along East Foothill Boulevard. It includes 4,318 square feet of commercial space and provides both at-grade parking for commercial use, accessible from Wagner Alley, and subterranean parking for residents, accessible from East Foothill Boulevard.

Multiple residents expressed concerns about the project’s impact on the adjacent residential neighborhood to the north, particularly regarding privacy and traffic congestion on Wagner Alley, which reportedly already experiences backups from the neighboring Starbucks drive-through.

Residents noted that the windows on the upper floors of the proposed building would overlook their backyards and bedrooms, significantly affecting their privacy.

Commission Chair Julianna Delgado raised aesthetic concerns about the design, suggesting it needs further simplification.

“I think if you’re going to go with vernacular industrial, you need to be authentic and the faux parapets, the faux gables, I don’t see that as part of this,” she said.

Commissioner David DiCristofaro questioned the placement of the parking entrance on Foothill Boulevard, suggesting it would be safer to relocate it.

“That whole orientation of the way that plot is designed seems off to me,” he noted, recommending the applicant provide traffic flow diagrams when they return to the Commission.

Several Commissioners also expressed support for adding trees along the northern property line to create a buffer between the development and adjacent homes.

The Commission’s decision to continue the project allows the applicant to address these concerns before returning for another review.

Kelly acknowledged the criticisms, noting, “Traffic and parking are paramount concerns. It seems like there are adjacent businesses that seem to be the main culprit of this, which is to some extent or to most extent out of our control.”

The Design Commission’s next regular meeting is scheduled for April 22, 2025, since the April 8 meeting has been canceled.