The Lafayette Design Review Commission on Monday approved a design review application for a new three‑story single‑family residence with an attached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 221 Lafayette Circle, unanimously finding the project exempt from CEQA per staff recommendation and adopting conditions that include substituting Italian cypress with a less flammable species and requiring a lighter accent color for staff approval.

Nicole, the planning staff representative, described the proposal as a by‑right project in the RB (residential business) zoning district: a 3‑story primary residence of 2,487 square feet with a 548‑square‑foot ground‑floor ADU (total living area 3,035 square feet) and a maximum height of 35 feet. The site is a former parking lot in the Shield Block area of Lafayette Circle; the applicant proposes to remove two protected trees and install 17 replacement trees, as shown in the staff report.

Applicant Rick Rosenbaum, senior project manager with Lenox Homes, said the design uses stepped roof forms, varied materials and landscaping to reduce perceived bulk and provide screening for adjacent multifamily neighbors. He told the commission the design complies with underlying zoning and the downtown specific plan and that the project team coordinated with the local fire district on access and safety requirements.

Commissioners examined driveway materials, stormwater handling and landscape species. The city engineer’s email (read into the record) said permeable pavers typically require a subdrain and that the flat site at 221 Lafayette Circle may not accommodate the necessary outlet without placing it below the curb flow line; staff and the applicant therefore proposed a stamped concrete driveway draining to a planting strip. Commissioner concerns about fire risk led to a specific direction: substitute Italian cypress with a less flammable screening species (staff will approve the alternative) and tone down a proposed dark accent color (staff will approve final color selection).

Commissioner Richard moved to find the project exempt from CEQA under the referenced exemption, approve it with staff‑recommended conditions and the additional planting and color conditions; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Staff will record the conditions in the project resolution and proceed with final plan checks and permits.