San Rafael commission recommends approval of parking deck and rear deck at 38 Miraflores, adds Public Works review

The San Rafael Planning Commission voted unanimously June 24 to recommend that the City Council approve a major environmental and design review permit, an exception to specified hillside development standards and a variance for a project at 38 Miraflores Avenue that would add a two‑car detached parking deck at the front of the lot and an elevated open deck at the rear.

The commission’s recommendation — which comes after a staff presentation and a public hearing with the applicant team — includes an added condition directing City of San Rafael Public Works to review a nearby retaining wall to determine whether portions of it are in the public right of way and whether repairs or coordination with the property owner are needed before the matter advances to council.

Renee Nikkinek, associate planner for the city, told the commissioners the hearing was to review the proposed detached parking deck at the front property lines and a new attached open deck at the rear, plus related landscaping and access paths. "The purpose of this hearing is to review a proposed project for a new detached parking deck at the front and side property lines and a new attached open deck at…