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Albany City planning commission approves two rear-addition projects at Ventura and Curtis
Summary
The Albany City Planning and Zoning Commission on Nov. 1 approved two residential design-review projects — PA25-037 at 1006 Ventura Avenue and PA25-036 at 1037 Curtis Street — by 5–0 votes. Staff noted required setbacks, rooftop decks, and added landscaping conditions; applicants and neighbors described mitigation measures and support.
The Albany City Planning and Zoning Commission approved two rear-addition projects in separate votes during its Nov. 1 meeting.
Associate planner Mira Han presented the first project, planning application PA25-037 for 1006 Ventura Avenue, describing a proposed two-story, approximately 754-square-foot rear addition that would remodel the home into an estimated 1,821-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath residence. Han said the work requires excavating the existing basement and extending the main level and basement toward the rear and that the addition would extend an existing nonconforming 2-foot-4-inch north-side setback, triggering a use permit. Han described a 261-square-foot rooftop deck with a fire-rated parapet, windows located 7 feet 6 inches from the side lot line and 21–29 feet from the rear property line, and an overall height change from about 19.5 feet to about 20.4 feet because of the lot's downward slope.
"The project requires a use permit" and staff recommended approval "subject to the findings and standard conditions of approval," Han said.
The project applicant, architect Gabriel Guerrero of Cary Designs Architecture, told the commission the design evolved through meetings with staff and neighbors. Guerrero said owner Fred Zimmerman "has committed to helping make sure those contractor vehicles won't be parking in front of the neighbor's lot" during construction and that the team prepared shadow studies and agreed to mitigation including a bamboo hedge, a fence adjustment and hiring an arborist to protect a large palm tree.
Commissioners voiced support for retaining the home's front facade and for the applicant's neighbor outreach. A commissioner noted the extension of the nonconforming setback is a common occurrence on small lots and indicated support. The commission voted 5'0 to approve PA25-037; the chair announced a 14-day appeal period.
Han then presented planning application PA25-036 for 1037 Curtis Street, a proposed 632-square-foot second-story rear addition with a 284-square-foot roof deck that would convert the house to a four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath, two-story dwelling with a maximum height of 27 feet 9 inches. Han said the addition is set back enough to meet the 3-foot-6-inch side-yard minimum so "this project does not require a use permit." Staff noted the submitted landscape plan lacked sufficient detail and recommended a condition of approval requiring front-yard landscape improvements and a complete plant species list.
Neighbors who spoke included Richard Weiss, who said the addition "blocks a bit of our view" but described the addition as modest and acceptable, and homeowner John Moss, who said he and his wife are expanding their family and appreciate the commission's consideration.
Commissioners expressed general support for improving housing suitable for growing families, moved and seconded approval, and the commission carried PA25-036 by a 5'0 vote. The chair again noted a 14-day appeal period.
Votes at a glance: PA25-037 (1006 Ventura Ave) '1 Motion to approve passed 5'0; PA25-036 (1037 Curtis St) '1 Motion to approve passed 5'0. The chair said both approvals are subject to the standard conditions and any added landscape-condition language, and each project is subject to a 14-day appeal period.
The commission closed the agenda items and moved to announcements.
