Planning Commission OKs setback and outdoor-space variances for 811 Spencer Street with landscaping condition

The Redondo Beach Planning Commission on June 19 approved an exemption declaration and variances to allow a first- and second-floor addition to an existing two-story single-family residence at 811 Spencer Street, including reduced front- and side-yard setbacks and reduced outdoor living space. The commission voted unanimously to adopt the staff-recommended resolution with an added Condition 16 requiring native landscaping in the rear and southern side yards and additional front-yard landscaping as shown in the applicant's renderings.

Staff said the lot is substandard for the R-3 low-density multiple-family residential zoning in Redondo Beach: the parcel is about 2,980 square feet, well below the typical 5,000-square-foot minimum. Senior Planner Steven Jiang told the commission, "The zoning code currently requires an 800 square feet outdoor living space," and staff argued the proposal's removal of two rear storage sheds would increase on-site outdoor living from about 300 square feet to 583 square feet even though it does not meet the 800-square-foot standard.

The project would expand the second story over an existing two-car garage, add a first-floor entry and a 78-square-foot front porch, and create a roughly 482-square-foot master bedroom and a 107-square-foot balcony on the second floor. The existing house is approximately 2,058 square feet and was built around 1963. Staff recommended approval on the basis that the lot's irregular shape and substandard size, plus prior nonconforming setbacks, create special circumstances that justify relief.

Commissioners asked about neighborhood input and engineering checks. Staff said no formal letters of support or opposition were received, only an e-comment packet placed in the commission's blue folder. Staff also confirmed with the traffic engineering division that reorienting the garage to a direct driveway met visibility and driveway-length standards and that curb-cut replacement conditions would be required. The city's minimum driveway length noted during the hearing is about 9 feet; staff said the revised driveway would allow two cars to park.

Several commissioners raised landscaping and neighborhood-compatibility concerns. Commissioner Hazeltine pressed the applicant for plantings and asked the applicant to avoid artificial turf; the applicant replied, "we are happy to bring on 1 of our landscape architect" to develop planting plans. Commissioner Hazeltine told the chamber, "We'll make this a condition," and the commission added Condition 16 to the resolution to require additional native hedges or climbing vines in the rear and southern side yards and the additional landscaping shown in the renderings.

The commission's action was framed as allowing modest, compatible infill on a legally nonconforming lot; staff cited prior variances approved nearby for similar substandard lots. Commissioners also noted state-level planning and subdivision rules could affect future development patterns but said those broader policy issues did not change the evaluation of this single project.

The motion to approve the exemption declaration and the variances, including the added landscaping condition, passed on a roll-call vote with all voting members in favor. Staff advised that construction will be subject to standard requirements including site fencing, signage, and notifications to adjacent property owners during construction.

The commission closed the public hearing after the vote. The planning department indicated the commission will next engage on General Plan element work beginning in July, which will include land-use and floor-area-ratio discussions.