Plan to Rebuild Larkspur Plaza Tennis Complex Heads to Commission

At 1 Larkspur Plaza Drive, owner 1 Larkspur Plaza LLC and applicant J. Hulett Jones want to tear down everything currently on the site and start over: 14 new structures totaling 10,750 square feet, eight new tennis courts, and 77 parking spaces.

The project needs a stack of discretionary approvals beyond ordinary design review. Applicants are seeking a Height Exception to let part of the new clubhouse roof rise above the city's limit, a Fence Height Exception for vegetative barriers taller than code allows, a Heritage Tree Removal Permit to take out six heritage-sized trees, and a Grading Permit because the work involves more than 1,000 cubic yards of earthwork.

No staff recommendation or public comment has been posted yet in the agenda packet, and the item goes before the Planning Commission for the first time on Aug. 11. Given the number of exceptions requested "

the height variance, the fence height variance, the heritage trees, and grading all in one package " this is likely to be a long hearing, and it's the kind of project where neighbors' reactions could shape what gets approved.