Board upholds planning approval for 568-sq-ft rooftop deck in Kensington, adds screening conditions

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on March 25 denied an appeal and approved a design-review plan to allow a 568-square-foot rooftop deck and Juliet balcony at 2 Highland Boulevard in Kensington.

The board voted 4-0 to uphold the Planning Commission’s decision and adopt a revised condition requiring the applicant to install and maintain evergreen, drought-tolerant vegetative screening that extends at least 6 feet above the existing fence line and at least 8 feet wide between the properties. The condition requires landscaping plans at least 30 days before building-permit issuance and says the screening must provide sufficient coverage to prevent unobstructed views into the kitchen and dining room windows of the adjoining property at 7 Arlington Avenue before a building permit is issued. The board also added a requirement that the applicant use best efforts to mitigate winter leaf loss with durable…