Commission grants retroactive approval for landing and rear deck at 915 Taylor St.

The City of Albany Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 12 approved a use permit and design review for 915 Taylor Street that authorizes a 39‑square‑foot exterior landing with stairs at the lower‑unit entrance and retroactive design review for an approximately 300‑square‑foot rear deck.

Staff said the landing and stairs are required to bring the lower‑unit entry up to code. The proposal requests a use permit to maintain an existing nonconforming 6‑foot front‑yard setback for the landing where the code requires a 9‑foot setback for landings and stairs; the rear deck conforms to all development standards and required only design review. Staff reported no written correspondence about the project and recommended approval subject to findings and conditions.

Planner Mira Hahn described the proposed exterior materials: a dark treated wood for the front landing and stairs (to be painted to match existing black trim) and redwood for the rear deck, which has already been constructed. Applicant Sanjay, identified himself as the owner of 915 Taylor, answered questions from the commission and confirmed the materials and color scheme align with the house’s white exterior and black trim.

Commissioners framed the application as routine and focused on ensuring the lower unit’s entry met code and that the nonconforming condition was not expanded. One commissioner noted the relocation of stairs to the rear as a positive step to remove the encroachment from the front setback. The commission voted to approve the application; the motion passed 4–0. A 14‑day appeal period applies.