Commission continues review of proposed two‑story Sunset Avenue home after staff recommends denial

The Design Review Commission on Oct. 27 continued consideration of planning case SPR25‑012 — a proposed two‑story single‑family residence with an attached two‑story accessory dwelling unit at 301 East Sunset Avenue — to a date uncertain, after staff recommended denial and the applicant requested time to revise plans.

Staff told the commission the 7,500‑square‑foot lot had been vacant since a demolition permit in 1997 and that the proposed new home would total 2,289 square feet (1,154 ground floor; 1,061 second floor). The staff report and city architect found the design inconsistent with the Central San Gabriel Special Planning District and the city’s single‑family residential design guidelines, citing specific concerns: a large paved area in the front yard (identified on the plan as a walkway but totaling about 340 square feet and exceeding the allowable walkway width of 42 inches), insufficient landscape detail, and a second‑story massing that did not gently integrate into the predominantly one‑story neighborhood. Staff also referenced municipal code requirements for neighborhood analysis within a 300‑foot radius.

City architect Ron and staff recounted multiple rounds of comments and noted that successive submittals had not addressed several key recommendations. The staff recommendation was denial. Applicant Danny Tang said he and his wife have invested personal savings in the project and requested three items for the commission’s consideration: permission for a second driveway on Sunset (the lot is a corner site with an existing driveway on Euclid that the applicant proposes to convert for the ADU), relief from the city’s requirement that a licensed landscape architect prepare residential landscape plans, and clarity on what the city architect seeks in terms of “detail and substance.” Tang said he met repeatedly with staff and the city architect and that complying with repeated requests has imposed added cost and delay.

Commissioners explained the purpose of the Central San Gabriel Planning District and related design guidelines (adopted by the city council in 2003, amended 2010), emphasizing the expectation that new two‑story homes be “gently inserted” into a predominantly one‑story context. Commissioners expressed sympathy for applicants who face cost and timing pressures but said the commission’s role is to ensure compatibility and neighborhood character. Several commissioners indicated they would prefer a continuance to allow the applicant and staff to resolve outstanding issues rather than vote on denial.

Commissioner Chang moved to continue the item to a date uncertain to allow applicant‑staff redesign and further coordination; Commissioner Lopez seconded. The motion carried on a 3‑0 roll call with two commissioners absent.

What happens next: the applicant may work with staff, the city architect and a landscape professional to revise plans and resubmit. A continuance preserves the active case; a denial would require the applicant to refile.

Provenance: staff presentation and recommended denial at 00:17:36; applicant presentation and details at 00:25:28; motion to continue and vote at 01:22:10.

Clarifying details: lot size is 7,500 square feet; proposed home area is 2,289 square feet (1,154 ground / 1,061 second); proposed front paved area about 340 square feet and claimed as a walkway but exceeds allowable walkway width of 42 inches; neighborhood analysis requirement covers 300‑foot radius and staff identified five nearby two‑story residences; applicant reported landscape‑professional costs up to $5,000 based on market quotes and requested an exemption from city requirement for residential landscape architect certification.