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Commission approves Spanish‑Mediterranean residence at 4949 Dorrance Way; minor guideline variance noted
Summary
Planning Commission approved a two-story, 3,433 sq ft residence at 4949 Dorrance Way with required front-yard setback modification; commissioners discussed second-story coverage and neighborhood character and voted 3–0 to approve.
The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a development plan and coastal development permit for a new two-story residence at 4949 Dorrance Way, a Spanish-Mediterranean–style house with approximately 3,433 square feet of total area and a 377-square-foot attached garage.
Staff described the proposal as slab-on-grade construction that required a front-yard setback modification because a portion of the enclosed entry alcove, a small area of an upstairs bedroom and the front portion of the garage would encroach within the city’s 50-foot-from-centerline front-yard standard. Staff recommended approval of the modification under the city’s criteria because the project provides roughly 44 percent of the lot area as open space and landscaping (exceeding the 20 percent minimum).
The design was refined after an Architectural Review Board (ARB) hearing to add articulation and reduce height; staff noted the second-floor coverage would be about 41 percent of the overall building, a small exceedance of the 40 percent guideline that had been discussed for a separate nearby submittal. The architect and staff presented story-pole photos and massing studies and explained the articulation and roof forms that were intended to reduce perceived bulk.
Public commenters expressed concern about the trend toward larger houses and the prospect of short-term rentals in the beach neighborhood; staff and the applicant responded that the ARB review produced design changes and that the visitor-serving Steinhaus building nearby provided a contextual precedent.
The motion to adopt Resolution PC25-005 approving the project carried 3–0 (Lafeverse — yes; Van Antwerp — yes; Vice Chair Moyer — yes). Staff will finalize landscaping and coordinate final ARB or staff sign-off before issuing building permits.
Ending: With approval, the project moves to final plan checks and building-permit processing; staff will ensure ARB comments on landscaping and articulation are addressed prior to permit issuance.
