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Commission denies garage roof-deck at 308 Duncan after neighbors cite privacy impacts
Summary
The Planning Commission, acting on a public-initiated discretionary review, denied a building permit to construct a roof deck over a detached garage at 308 Duncan Street, citing privacy and neighborhood character concerns. The motion to deny passed 5-1.
After a public-initiated discretionary review, the Planning Commission voted to deny a building permit to construct a roof deck over a detached garage at 308 Duncan Street.
The doctor requester, Kim McShane, said the proposed terrace would be unusually intrusive because it would directly overlook small rear yards and create noise and privacy impacts for adjacent homes. Staff architect David Winslow reviewed the permit drawings and recommended modifications to mitigate privacy impacts, including side setbacks and in-ground planting; the applicant offered a possible increased setback and said the proposed terrace provides private outdoor space for a single unit.
Neighbors described tight lot patterns, close sightlines and loss of privacy. Commissioners debated whether the proposed deck—located over a garage at roughly 10 feet above grade—was materially different from rooftop decks higher on buildings. Several commissioners concluded that allowing a low, visible garage roof deck would set a precedent and unduly harm nearby yards. The motion to take discretionary review and deny the garage roof deck passed 5-1.
