Commission approves demolition and four-story replacement at 3020 Laguna Street

The Planning Commission approved proposals for 3020 Laguna Street, permitting demolition of an existing two-story residence and construction of a four-story, two-unit building with variances requested for setback and rear-yard conditions.

Staff planner Gwen Cabarrus summarized that mandatory discretionary review is required because the project proposes residential demolition; staff recommended that the commission not take discretionary review and instead allow the demolition and new construction as proposed. The sponsor's architect said the existing building is distressed and that a replacement building with improved foundation work would better address seismic safety and provide livable space for a young family.

Neighbors expressed concerns about construction staging and lost parking on Laguna during construction. Commissioners discussed parking calculations and code compliance; planning staff explained that two independently accessible spaces are required but that tandem arrangements can be counted under recent code changes and that the applicant's garage configuration could be counted as two spaces with an additional tandem space. On that basis, a motion to approve demolition and construction as proposed carried unanimously.

The commission's approval included findings on massing and consistency with neighborhood scale and noted the possibility of appeal within 10 days for variance decisions.