Zoning administrator approves design changes for Burbank Avenue Apartments, allows slight height increase and parking conversion for solar gear

The Santa Rosa zoning administrator approved a minor design-review revision to previously approved plans for the Burbank Avenue Apartments, allowing a modest increase in building height for gabled architectural features and the conversion of four parking spaces to motorcycle spaces to accommodate solar equipment.

Staff told the zoning administrator the revision applies to apartment structures located at 1120, 1130 and 1140 Fenway Drive and at 1499 Yankee Drive (project identified in staff materials as “Burbank Avenue Apartments”). The applicant requested raising portions of the buildings to 36 feet, 2 inches; staff said the zoning code permits gables to exceed the district height limit with design-review approval. Staff also said four parking spaces would be reconfigured as motorcycle spaces to make room for solar equipment and that the overall site plan continues to meet or exceed the minimum parking requirements in the zoning code.

The planner said the project is under construction and that the visual change from the slight height increase would be marginal and not readily visible from public rights-of-way. Staff reported no unresolved issues and no public comments submitted in writing prior to the hearing. During the meeting one resident asked about unit sizes; the planner replied that the development includes one-, two- and three-bedroom units and that specific unit square footage was not included in the staff report. A resident speculated sizes verbally (estimates attributed to the resident) but the planner did not confirm those numbers.

The planner told the zoning administrator the project has been reviewed for consistency with prior design-review decisions and that the revision is statutorily exempt from CEQA. The zoning administrator agreed with staff that the marginal height exceedance would not significantly add to massing nor cause incompatibility with surrounding land uses and approved the minor design-review modification.

The zoning administrator noted this approval is final unless an appeal is filed with the Planning and Economic Development Department within 10 calendar days; staff stated the appeal deadline for this item as Monday, May 12, 2025.