North Main Apartments Go To Public Hearing Tonight

It's four inches high and growing.

That's the stack of documents for the City Council to consider this evening as it holds a public hearing on a four-story, 126-apartment building on North Main Street.

The council meets at 7 o'clock this evening at City Hall, 1666 N. Main St.

It has been lawyers' dueling documents since the Carpenters Union Local 152 in August appealed a conditional use permit grant by Walnut Creek's Planning Commission.

The Mill Creek Residential Trust's plans for Walnut Creek Apartments are for 1960 Main St., the former site of the Walnut Creek Motor Lodge, which was demolished in May.

A report from the city's Community Development Department recommends that the City Council deny the appeal and affirm the Planning Commission finding that the project is exempt under the state environmental law, CEQA.

The union's papers say the project requires CEQA review because of effects such as population growth, hazardous materials, traffic, air quality and land use. The project is inconsistent with the city's general plan, the union adds.

Last month, the city Arts Commission approved public art for the project. There are plans for images of valley oaks and walnuts, laser-cut from a veneer product that allows artists to use different shades and opacity to create a layered image on exterior glass panels.