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Commission approves third‑story addition at 70 Linda Street with design conditions
Summary
After extensive neighbor testimony about historic character and a pending DBI notice of violation, the Planning Commission approved a discretionary one‑story vertical addition at 70 Linda Street with design revisions (stucco siding, mansard roof, modified windows) and conditions; DBI must abate a notice of violation before a building permit can be issued.
The Planning Commission approved a discretionary review and conditional approval for a one‑story vertical addition to a two‑story dwelling at 70 Linda Street (case 2009.075D) after lengthy public testimony and design revisions aimed at reducing visual impact.
Corey Teague of the Planning Department described the proposal: a one‑story vertical addition set well back from the front facade, limited visibility from the public right of way, and planning staff's conclusion that the project did not meet the threshold for "exceptional or extraordinary" discretionary review. "The proposal is entirely within the buildable area of the lot, and the building is well within the norm for massing and design on this block," Teague said.
Neighbors and the doctor requester argued the addition would harm the historic character of Linda Street. Doctor requester Janet Marble said neighbors had prepared alternative plans and raised concerns about inconsistent square‑footage figures and an existing notice of violation related to prior garage work. "Our estimates show that the total current living space is over 2,000 square feet," Marble said, and neighbors urged the commission to delay action until the separate DBI case was resolved.
Supporters and the project sponsor argued the design revisions reduce impacts and that the addition meets residential design standards. Homeowner Cameron Laughlin said the family needs space for a growing household: "We love our home and we love our neighborhood. We really want to stay in the city and raise our kids here," Laughlin said, asking commissioners to approve the carefully revised plan.
During deliberations the commission directed several design modifications presented at the hearing — replacing the originally proposed board siding with stucco, adding a mansard roof form and parapet treatments to better match neighboring houses, and adjusting window sizes and locations to improve facade rhythm. Commissioners noted the staff and sponsor commitments to incorporate those revisions into permit plans and that DBI's notice of violation for earlier garage work must be abated before issuance of a building permit for the addition.
Commissioner Antonini moved to take discretionary review and approve the project as modified with conditions including larger window openings where feasible and a preference for a tile roof (not made a condition for cost reasons). The motion passed unanimously.
The commission's action permits the Laughlin family to pursue the revised addition; any final building permit will be contingent on resolving outstanding DBI violations and submitting the finalized designs that reflect the changes adopted in the hearing.
