During a recent government meeting, officials discussed a proposal for a new single-family residence at 5810 Kolodny Drive in Old Agora. The project, presented by principal planner Robbie Nesovic, seeks a conditional use permit, site plan and architectural review permit, and an oak tree permit to construct a 5,265 square foot home, which will include a 429 square foot attached garage and 856 square feet of patios.

The existing 904 square foot house on the property will be converted into an accessory dwelling unit. Additional improvements include a new swimming pool, a fire department turnaround, a new septic system, and partial demolition of the existing garage. The total floor area after the project will be 6,198 square feet, which is 37 square feet below the maximum allowed for the lot. The project will also maintain an impermeable surface coverage of 21%, under the allowable limit of 25%.

A significant aspect of the proposal involves encroachment into the protected zone of an oak tree on the property. The applicant plans to demolish parts of the existing garage and barn that are within this zone, which is expected to enhance soil quality around the tree. Trenching for a proposed storm drain will occur within the protected zone but not within the root or canopy zone of the oak tree. An arborist will be on-site during this work to mitigate any potential impacts to the tree's roots.

The design of the new residence aims to reflect the eclectic rural style encouraged by the Old Agora overlay district, incorporating natural materials and rustic elements. The single-story home will comply with all hillside height limits and is expected to be minimally visible from Kolodny Drive due to its setback of approximately 255 feet from the street and the presence of large trees.

The project is exempt from further environmental review under CEQA guidelines, as it involves the construction of a single-family residence in a residential zone, and no protected species were identified on the site. The proposal is now under consideration for approval by the commission.