At 160 Marina Vista Avenue, a sagging roof becomes a 610-square-foot addition — approved 4-0

At 160 Marina Vista Avenue, owners Joshua Willes and Nicoley Collins asked the Planning Commission for design review of a 139-square-foot addition to the main level and a new 471-square-foot second story — 610 square feet in all (project PLN25-043). The plans replace a sagging flat roof with a new second-story gable, remove a wing wall separating the garage, and raise an interior ceiling area. Fire sprinklers and metal roofing are included for fire safety.

“The impetus for starting the project was the gable roof that was starting to sag... they're preparing for expanded family with grandchildren and really wanted this additional bedroom suite.”— Nick Miller, architect for the 160 Marina Vista Avenue project

Staff recommended the commission hold the hearing, take testimony, and approve the project subject to findings, conditions of approval, and a Class 1 CEQA exemption. Architect Nick Miller explained what got the project moving in the first place, and what the family is planning for.

One commissioner pressed staff on what looked like a height-limit exceedance on the east elevation and on a property line that appeared to run into the road; staff said the height complies because of varying grade, and that property lines extend to the road centerline per the assessor's map. A neighbor from across the street joined by Zoom to ask about the construction timeline and to raise concerns that construction traffic could block their sole driveway access — while saying the addition itself was welcome news.

Commissioner Wagstaff was won over: "I think it's great. That's one of my favorite hikes is along Marina Vista... I think it'll make a nice addition to the house." The commission approved the project 4-0, with one commissioner absent, subject to a 10-day appeal period.

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'I don't want to be a policeman': Diane Lane resident says an approved frosted window came in clear

Under non-agenda public comment, Judy Smith of 50 Diane Lane told the commission that a window at the neighboring property, 56 Diane Lane, was approved on plans as an opaque, frosted window — and was installed as clear glass. She said the developer offered a removable film rather than true frosted glass.

“I don't want to be a policeman... I don't want to antagonize a neighbor... So what I'm requesting is that you adhere to the plans that said it was going to be an opaque frosted window.”— Judy Smith, 50 Diane Lane

Staff from Community Development said that because the frosted window is a condition of approval on an entitlement, the city can go back and enforce it, but that code enforcement operates on a complaint basis.

Acting Chair Campbell suggested staff consider writing future conditions of approval to require that the glass itself be opaque, rather than simply specifying "frosted," to close the kind of loophole a peel-off film would create. No formal action was taken on the Diane Lane window.