San Gabriel panel approves 2‑story home at 514 N. Alamar with expanded tree‑protection conditions

The City of San Gabriel Design Review Commission voted 3‑0 on Sept. 22 to approve planning case SPR24‑038, allowing construction of a two‑story, 4,975‑square‑foot single‑family residence with an attached three‑car garage at 514 North Alamar, subject to additional conditions addressing tree protection, pruning, replacement plantings and fence engineering.

Staff presented the project as conforming to R‑1 development standards for lot coverage, floor‑area ratio, height, setbacks and parking and said the project is exempt from CEQA under Guideline 15303 (Class 3, new construction). The applicant, identified in the staff report as Brian Chen, and his design team answered commissioner questions before public comment.

Neighbors objected to the two‑story massing and raised safety and canopy concerns. Stuart White, who said he has lived next door 29 years, told the commission the proposed house would dwarf nearby homes: "This is 2 and a half times the size of the average residence," he said, adding that the two‑story height will be visible from his property. Other residents pointed to tree health, ivy coverage and a tree with a severe lean…