Planning Commission approves remodel and addition at 748 Maple Avenue, conditions retention of street tree

The Carpinteria City Planning Commission voted 5-0 on Nov. 3 to approve a conditional use permit for a remodel and addition to the Burgess residence at 748 Maple Avenue, accepting a California Environmental Quality Act categorical exemption and adding a condition to retain a city street jacaranda tree if feasible.

Planning staff described the project as 1,836 square feet of additions to an existing 997-square-foot single-family residence, resulting in a total floor area of 2,833 square feet. The work includes 258 square feet of first-floor living area, a new 400-square-foot first-floor garage, and a second story of 1,178 square feet. The maximum height is 21 feet, 10 inches above average finished grade, staff said. The project also calls for converting a 287-square-foot detached garage bay to storage and new landscaping within the public right-of-way, which public works said could be required to be removed for future city activities.

Staff told the commission that the property contains a front house and a rear unit built in 1947…