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Tiburon design board approves staircase and most fence modifications at 110 Las Lomas Lane
Summary
The Tiburon Town Design Review Board approved variances allowing an existing metal spiral staircase that encroaches about 1 foot 4 inches and retained most of an 8-foot fence/trellis after ordering removal of the lattice above the street-facing doorway; the board also found the project categorically exempt from CEQA.
TIBURON, Calif. — The Tiburon Town Design Review Board on Sept. 4 approved variances for 110 Las Lomas Lane that allow an existing metal spiral staircase to remain and keep most of an 8-foot fence and trellis, but ordered removal of the two-foot lattice above the street-facing doorway and its short return.
The board voted to categorize the project as exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act and to adopt a draft resolution that requires the applicant to remove the portion of lattice that raises the fence from six to eight feet at the Los Lomas Lane-facing doorway and the immediate return above that doorway.
The decision resolves a formal public hearing (PH-1) on a permit package the applicant submitted after purchasing the house about two and a half years ago. Applicant Elizabeth Satterstrom told the board the metal spiral staircase was “in place when I bought the property” and that she is seeking variances because the spiral encroaches approximately 1 foot 4 inches beyond the standard setback and the trellis she added raised a previously six-foot fence to eight feet for privacy and safety during years of nearby construction.
Why it matters: the staircase serves as an additional egress route between the home’s levels on the site’s steep, narrow lot, and the fence change raised questions about visual impacts, privacy and whether post‑installation work should affect the board’s analysis.
Board discussion focused on three issues: whether the spiral stair improves egress given the property’s steep, narrow configuration; whether privacy and limited planting area for the downhill neighbor constitute a hardship justifying a taller fence; and how to treat work done without prior permits. Several members said the staircase materially improves circulation and evacuation options on the parcel. Members also noted the trellis had been added without a permit, but several said the board should evaluate the request “as if” it were new construction and make findings based on existing site conditions.
Staff said the hot tub shown in the application conforms to applicable standards and did not require a variance. The applicant confirmed the hot tub and an earlier-approved deck were not part of the variance request. Planning staff also noted that the spiral staircase does not appear to support the upper deck and that the stair was added by the previous owner.
After discussion, a board member moved that the project be found categorically exempt from CEQA and that the board adopt the draft resolution with the condition that the two-foot trellis/lattice rising above six feet at the Los Lomas Lane doorway and its return be removed. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Other board business that evening included adoption of the Aug. 7 minutes and approval of the consent calendar (23 Mercury Avenue), both approved by unanimous vote before the public hearing proceeded.
The board’s resolution imposes the lattice-removal condition but allows the spiral staircase to remain despite the limited encroachment. The decision leaves the remainder of the eight-foot fence/trellis in place, subject to the condition, and the town will process permit documentation to regularize the approved elements.
