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Commission approves 2‑to‑1 dwelling‑unit merger at 19 Child Street with recorded notice to encourage reversibility
Summary
After debate over housing‑element goals and family housing needs, the commission approved a merger to create a three‑generation home at 19 Child Street but required a recorded notice of recommended next steps so future owners are informed about options to reestablish separate units.
The Planning Commission approved a proposal on Jan. 19 to merge two dwelling units into a single three‑generation residence at 19 Child Street, after deliberation over the city’s housing‑element objectives and the applicant family’s needs.
Applicants Anne Fung and Jeff Sternberg described the merger as necessary to accommodate an infant and an aging relative in a single, accessible household. “We are asking to create an opening between the front entryways so that our family and Sophie can travel between the two units,” Anne Fung said, explaining the safety and caregiving rationale.
Planning staff (Aaron Hollister) advised the commission that the department’s analysis found the merger did not fully meet all dwelling‑unit‑merger criteria, particularly policies that favor preservation and production of family‑size rental housing in RH‑3 zones. Commissioners traded arguments about neighborhood context, lot size constraints and policy precedent. Commissioner Antonini emphasized the shortage of larger family units and urged approval; some colleagues pressed for safeguards to protect housing stock in the future.
The commission ultimately approved the merger but asked staff to record a notice of special restriction (NSR) so a future owner would be informed and the city would have an administrative route to consider re‑separating the units if appropriate. Planning staff and applicant counsel agreed the final NSR wording would be reviewed by the city attorney to ensure legal effect and clarity. The commission framed the action as balancing an identified family need for larger, safer living space with the city’s broader housing goals.
The project will proceed with building‑permit review to ensure compliance with code and to document utilities and features so that, if a future owner seeks to re‑establish separate units, the necessary process and constraints are clear.
