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Commission approves five single‑family infill at 590 Leland with massing modification after park access concerns
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a discretionary review for a five‑unit single‑family infill at 590 Leland Avenue after protracted public comment from Visitation Valley residents and park advocates concerned about lost views, shadows and pedestrian access to McLaren Park; the applicant agreed to modify the footprint of 598 Leland to reduce massing and the commission approved the project with that amendment.
The Planning Commission voted to approve a discretionary review for a private infill project at 590 Leland Avenue in Visitation Valley after the project sponsor agreed to a modification to reduce the apparent massing of one lot facing the park.
Planning staff described a proposal to demolish a vacant church building and construct five three‑story single‑family homes along Leland and Raymond Avenues. The site abuts John McLaren Park; staff reported environmental planning surveys that found no rare plants on the project site and concluded the project is exempt from CEQA under section 15332 given the absence of observed rare plants during ESA biologist surveys.
Opponents, including the Visitation Valley Planning Alliance and park advocates, contended the development would obstruct views from the park, harm native plant habitat and narrow a key proposed pathway linking the neighborhood to McLaren Park. Fran Martin, speaking for Visitation Valley groups, urged the commission to protect the last open parcel near the park and pointed to perceived inconsistencies in the staff analysis.
Sponsor representatives emphasized the site is private property, that the existing path and access would remain intact, and proposed landscape buffering and a see‑through willow‑wood fence to minimize visual obstruction. Commissioners discussed possible mitigation and massing changes; Commissioner Moore and others urged design adjustments to reduce the largest building's edge condition. The sponsor agreed to revise the design for 598 Leland to follow a 25‑foot module and reduce the protruding mass.
The commission approved the discretionary review with the amendment that 598 Leland maintain the 25‑foot module to reduce massing along the park edge. Commissioners noted that while the community strongly prefers preserving open space, the site is private and purchase/acquisition options have budget and financing constraints.
Ending: Approval includes the massing modification for 598 Leland; the sponsor must finalize construction drawings and comply with standard permitting requirements. Community groups said they will continue exploring open‑space preservation options with the supervisor’s office.
