Lafayette’s latest and largest proposed housing development has been re-released with a new name and drastic new look after it was peppered by criticism during its initial trial run last year.
“The Homes at Deer Hill” project, formerly known as The Terraces, is the latest attempt by its developers to placate the official and civilian criticism the project – which would sprawl across old quarry lands and hillsides across from Acalanes High School – received during its initial rollout, during which one local planning commission blasted it as “train wreck architecture.”
With hyperbole running high from both developers and public alike, Lafayette city officials suggested that project architects scale back the proposed 315-unit plan for homes along Deer Hill Road and come up with something more in line with the sensibilities held by locals – namely a new soccer field, dog park, unmolested oak trees and parking – and a more palatable 45 single family homes.
The new design, seen above in our gallery and here, was released in just the last few days and will begin its travel through the public review process in the weeks to come. So far, there has been little word from members of the public who had initially criticized The Terraces for its scope and approach to land use. It remains to be seen if the latest renderings will ease public concerns over traffic and scope expressed earlier in the project’s design phase.
