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Commission approves therapy pool at 36 Bayview to serve resident with cerebral palsy
Summary
Belvedere planners approved design review for a small in-ground therapy pool at 36 Bayview Avenue; staff reported the pool meets noise guidelines and two letters were received (one in support, one objecting).
The Belvedere Planning Commission on Oct. 12 approved design review for a new in-ground therapy pool at 36 Bayview Avenue intended to provide aquatic therapy for the applicant’s child.
Staff told the commission the proposed therapy pool would be 10 feet by 15 feet, set back 9 feet 6 inches from the left-side property line and 24 feet from the rear property line on an 8,159-square-foot lot in the R-15 zoning district. Staff said pool-related mechanical equipment would be located below the lawn surface and was stated to have a sound rating of 45 decibels, which the staff report said complies with the city’s general-plan noise element limit of 55 decibels at the property line. Staff also said the project would be exempt from CEQA.
Contractor Brian Henry described the project as meeting a medical need: “the project was really designed about an around the need of their child who's got cerebral palsy,” and the applicant explained the pool is intended as a therapy device rather than a conventional swimming pool. The applicant said the proposed unit functions similarly to a larger hot tub to allow assisted walking and movement in warm water. The applicant added that the equipment is low-profile and that the submitted specifications place the mechanical equipment below-grade.
Staff reported receiving two neighbor letters: one in support from 40 Bayview Avenue and one objecting (the objecting address was not specified in the staff summary). Commissioners who visited the site said the pool would be largely concealed by existing hedges and the house; the contractor added the pool would have LED lighting aimed away from adjacent homes, an automatic safety cover, and a portable lift option to assist access.
During discussion commissioners raised visibility and noise concerns but said they could make the required design-review findings after site visits and review of plans. A motion to adopt the resolution granting design review passed by voice vote; the transcript records affirmative votes with no opposition or abstentions.
Staff will process permits and building-department reviews for structural, mechanical and accessibility features; the commission’s approval is the discretionary land-use decision to allow installation.
