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Commission grants variance and exception for 660 Oak Lane despite neighbor objections
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a variance and a front-setback exception for a new home at 660 Oak Lane, allowing a reduced garage setback and a slightly smaller front-yard setback; neighbors cited notice issues and pedestrian-safety concerns.
The Sonoma City Planning Commission approved a variance reducing the garage setback and an exception reducing the front-yard setback for a proposed single-family dwelling at 660 Oak Lane.
Staff said the lot is smaller and shallower than many other parcels in the Vintage Estates subdivision; the proposed plan complies with the subdivision map—s minimum garage setback measured from the right-of-way but requests relief relative to the city—s current development code. The applicant also sought an exception that would reduce the front setback from the code-standard (25 feet) to 22 feet, 5.5 inches.
Architect Robert Baumann again represented the applicants and said the proposed front-yard variation was intended to create visual interest consistent with the subdivision—s historic patterns. "Staff supported the property owners' request," he said during the hearing.
Several neighbors reiterated objections earlier raised at the adjacent-lot hearing, including concerns about on-site noticing and safety. Paul Luca, a nearby resident, urged the commission to respect the modern setback rules and argued that granting variances to permit larger houses on small lots could raise prices and reduce affordability. "If the purpose is to include more people in the neighborhood, granting the variances is antithetical to that," Luca said.
Appellant and neighbor Richard Preis again warned of procedural defects in noticing and asked the commission to require that the houses be built as shown in the submitted plans if it granted approval.
Commissioners discussed the exception alongside the variance. Several commissioners said the requested front-yard deviation of roughly 2.5 feet was modest and that historic development patterns in the subdivision show a range of front-yard offsets. Vice Chair Wyrick, Commissioner Willers, and others said the lot-specific constraints and the proposal—s compliance with the subdivision map supported approval.
After deliberation the commission voted unanimously to approve the variance and the exception. Commissioners asked staff to track permit activity and to respond to any post-approval complaints about construction activity or noncompliance with plan details.
