Albany planning commission approves two‑story addition at 625 Evelyn despite neighbors' privacy objections

The Planning and Zoning Commission on April 23 approved a use permit and design review application (PA25‑008) for a two‑story addition at 625 Evelyn Avenue after public comment raised privacy and light concerns.

The commission approved the project by unanimous vote, with commissioners present saying the addition is consistent with nearby homes and that staff findings supported approval. Staff had recommended the commission review and approve the proposed project subject to the findings and standard conditions of approval.

The project proposes a two‑story expansion that would add a 295‑square‑foot lower‑level addition (including a one‑car garage) and a second‑story addition with a bay projection and a roughly 28‑square‑foot balcony over the garage. Staff described the finished house as a four‑bedroom, two‑and‑a‑half‑bath, 2,082‑square‑foot single‑family dwelling with a maximum height of 26 feet, 2 inches. The addition would horizontally extend existing nonconforming front yard conditions — staff said the existing nonconforming setbacks are about 14 feet and five feet for the porch and stairs where the Albany Municipal Code requires 15 feet and nine feet respectively.

Associate Planner Mira Han presented the staff analysis and told the commission, “Staff recommends that the Planning and Zoning Commission review and approve the proposed project subject to the findings and standard conditions of approval.” Han also described window placement and distances to property lines: lower‑level south windows are about 8 feet 11 inches from the property line and face an existing 6‑foot fence, while other windows are substantially farther from neighboring property lines.

Two neighbors spoke during public comment. Monica Cummings, a 30‑year resident immediately behind the property, said the addition “will have a significant negative impact on my property” and argued the proposal would “more than double its square footage and height,” reduce sunlight to her drought‑tolerant garden, and create direct sight lines from new upper‑floor windows into her home and yard. Bill Shea, a neighbor who said he recently closed on a home east of the site, also objected, citing loss of privacy for his young children and concerns about construction noise.

Commissioners discussed the application as a nonconformity extension to the front yard setback and weighed the neighbors’ privacy concerns against the context of other two‑story additions on the block. Commissioner Waddie, who said he grew up nearby, noted nearby parcels already have similar two‑story additions and observed that some of the upper windows are small or serve closets. Several commissioners urged applicants and neighbors to confer informally to reduce friction.

After discussion, a commissioner made a motion to approve item 3‑2 (PA25‑008, 625 Evelyn Avenue) “as proposed.” The motion was seconded and carried on a roll‑call vote with all commissioners present voting to approve. The commission chair noted a 14‑day appeal period and reminded the applicant to keep story poles up through the appeal period.

The approval authorizes the use permit and design review findings recorded in the staff report and is conditioned on the standard conditions of approval in that report. The commission’s action does not itself override any building permit, code compliance, or other review that follows; construction remains subject to applicable permits and inspections.

The commission closed the item and proceeded with the remainder of the agenda.