Summary
The developer wants to cut the promised 8-10 foot buffer mound behind Kensington Drive homes to 2-3 feet to save mature trees and manage stormwater. Some commissioners worry it looks like breaking a promise to neighbors, so the decision was tabled to February while the city mails detailed letters to residents.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Feb 4, 2026.
Impact analysis
Removing mature dying trees can cost homeowners thousands, which is partly why the smaller mound was proposed.
Kensington homeowners whose mature trees would survive; the environment keeps old-growth trees.
Kensington residents may feel the visual buffer they were promised is being scaled back.
Mentions & discussions (2)
Planning Commission - Feb 4, 2026
Residents of the Kensington and Oakhurst neighborhoods say an 8-foot buffer mound with trees was promised to shield them from the new Redwood apartment development's noise, light, and sightlines. Staff and the city forester say a 3-foot mound is the maximum that won't kill the mature trees or conflict with required stormwater work. The commission couldn't get enough votes to approve the reduction, so the original 8-foot standard stands for now.
Planning Commission - Jan 7, 2026
The developer wants to cut the promised 8-10 foot buffer mound behind Kensington Drive homes to 2-3 feet to save mature trees and manage stormwater. Some commissioners worry it looks like breaking a promise to neighbors, so the decision was tabled to February while the city mails detailed letters to residents.
Related development
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