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Planning Commission approves rear‑addition and ADUs at Twentieth Street after neighbor objections
Summary
The commission approved a discretionary review allowing a 3‑story rear addition to a 1923 two‑family building to add two accessory dwelling units. Neighbors objected citing privacy, light and an irregular lot pattern; staff and the commission concluded the project met code and approved it unanimously.
A public‑initiated discretionary review for an addition at a historic 1923 two‑family residence on Twentieth Street was before the commission April 7. The application proposed a three‑story horizontal rear addition to accommodate two accessory dwelling units.
Neighbors objected at hearing, arguing the addition would extend beyond the existing footprint, 'box in' a corner lot, reduce light to a mid‑block common open area and intrude on privacy. They referenced an earlier, similar 1982 proposal that the commission rejected as precedent. The requesters also said the project required planning waivers and should not be treated as routine.
Applicant representatives and staff disagreed: planning staff’s presentation concluded the project is code‑compliant, that setbacks and window placement avoid extraordinary privacy and light impacts, and that the design matches adjacent building depths. The project designer presented a shadow comparison to show minimal incremental shadow impacts.
After rebuttals from both sides the commission debated context and concluded there was insufficient evidence of the "exceptional and extraordinary" circumstances needed to deny the project. The commission voted unanimously to approve the discretionary review and allow the addition as proposed.
Next steps: the sponsor may proceed with permit processing consistent with the approval and applicable building permit requirements; neighbors may pursue any administrative appeal options that remain available by code.
