COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES AGENCY

DATE:

February 16, 2006

BOARD MEETING DATE:

March 7, 2006

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

10 days, within 300 ft.

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Marcia Raines, Director of Environmental Services

SUBJECT:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Consideration of a Coastside Design Review Permit and Coastal Development Exemption to construct a new 399 sq. ft. addition to an existing 1,965 sq. ft. single-family dwelling on a 6,000 sq. ft. parcel located at 930 Ventura Street in the unincorporated El Granada area of San Mateo County (appeal of the decision by the Planning Commission for approval). This project is not appealable to the California Coastal Commission.

RECOMMENDATION

Deny the appeal and uphold the decision of the Planning Commission to approve the project, County File No. PLN 2004-00578, by making the required findings and adopting the conditions of approval.

PROPOSAL

The applicant is proposing to construct a 399 sq. ft. addition to an existing 1,965 sq. ft. single-family residence on a 6,000 sq. ft. parcel.

PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION

The Planning Commission, at its September 28, 2005 public hearing, voted 3-2 (Commissioners Bomberger and Wong dissenting) to deny the appeal of the Coastside Design Review Committee’s (the Committee) decision and approved the project.

VISION ALIGNMENT

Commitment: The proposed project furthers commitment (number 9) “Responsive, Effective, and Collaborative Government” and commitment (number 4) “Offer a full range of housing choices.”

Goal: The project furthers Goal No. 20, which states that: “Government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact, rather than temporary relief or immediate gain.” The Planning Commission carefully considered the proposed project and found that the project complies with the General Plan, LCP Policies and Zoning Regulations. The project also furthers Goal No. 9, which states: “Housing exists for all people at all income levels and for all generations of families.” The proposal to construct an addition to an existing new single-family residence in an urban area furthers this commitment.

SUMMARY

The key issues of the appeal are the project’s non-compliance with Coastside Design Review Standards: (1) elements of design, creating a third story, (2) relationship to existing topography, and (3) architectural style, building mass, shape and scale, and neighborhood scale.

The Committee and, in turn, the Planning Commission found that the proposal was consistent and architecturally compatible with other homes in the vicinity, and that the project is in compliance with Coastside Design Review Standards.

FISCAL IMPACT

None.