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Commission continues controversial Cow Hollow rooftop‑deck matter to Oct. 22 after hours of testimony
Summary
After extensive public testimony both for and against, the Planning Commission continued the discretionary‑review request for a rooftop deck, elevator penthouse and windscreens at 2720 Lyon to Oct. 22 to allow redesign and negotiation, voting 4–2 to continue.
The Commission continued the discretionary‑review hearing for 2720 Lyon to Oct. 22 after more than two hours of public testimony from neighbors and the project sponsor.
Staff described the proposal as a roof deck with a penthouse containing an elevator and a small landing, a roof‑level spiral stair and windscreens; the deck footprint in the submittal is approximately 641 square feet with roughly 383 square feet of usable space. The Doctor requester and a broad coalition of Cow Hollow Association members said the proposal would change the neighborhood roofline, intrude on direct views and skylights for adjacent properties, and set a precedent for similar penthouses and large windscreens. They urged elimination of the elevator penthouse, a reduced deck footprint, 3‑foot side setbacks, and windscreens lowered to 42 inches.
The sponsor and architect said the design had been revised in response to neighbor input (including lowering the finished deck 15 inches below the existing roofline, proposing permanent planters set back from property lines, and offering a covered landing in front of the elevator) and that the elevator was necessary for accessibility to permit aging or mobility‑impaired family members to use the home safely. Expert testimony and written letters on both sides described available lift/elevator technologies and tradeoffs for exterior platform lifts versus residential elevators.
After extended deliberation the Commission directed parties to return with revisions. The motion to continue (moved by Commissioner Hillis, seconded by Commissioner Antonini) set direction to reduce rooftop massing and reconsider windscreen height and setbacks; the motion passed on a 4–2 vote (Antonini, Hillis, Richards and President Fong in favor; Commissioners Johnson and Wu opposed). The item will return to the Commission on Oct. 22 with revised drawings and a clarified list of outstanding code and accessibility issues.
