Commission approves renovation and modest addition at 1112 Lombard Street despite DR requests from Lombardia residents

The Planning Commission voted 6–1 on June 19 to approve a renovation and modest vertical addition at 1112 Lombard Street and to deny two discretionary review requests filed by adjacent residents of the Lombardia condominium. Planning staff found the proposal consistent with residential design guidelines and not to present exceptional or extraordinary circumstances requiring a full DR hearing.

Mark Lewellen presented the application: a one‑story vertical addition, infill of a rear second‑floor deck, excavation to create a basement level and interior remodel on an irregular L‑shaped lot. Several condominium residents from 1150 Lombard (the Lombardia) urged the commission to take DR, citing loss of eastern light, the possible enclosure of a deck and concerns about excavation and foundations. Roma Pellets, an occupant of an affected unit, said the proposal “will eliminate all of our light,” and others asked for small plan adjustments or additional engineering studies.

Applicant counsel and the sponsor presented a detailed shadow study and revisions intended to reduce impacts and set the top addition well back from neighboring units. The design review team requested the top addition be set back so it would not be visible from the street; the sponsor revised the design accordingly.

After questioning and rebuttals from both sides, several commissioners said the project appeared to meet code requirements and that shadow impacts on the Lombardia units were limited; some commissioners also noted that structural and excavation concerns are outside the commission’s DR scope and are DBI matters. Commissioner Sugaiya dissented from the motion to not take DR and approve the project; the motion carried 6–1.

Staff will prepare the approval letter and permit conditions; any construction will proceed subject to standard building and safety review and the project’s approved design.