Millbrae planning commission approves design review for 321 Marcello Way

The Millbrae City Planning Commission on Dec. 1 approved a design review permit to demolish an existing one‑story single‑family residence and construct a new one‑story single‑family home at 321 Marcello Way.

Jennifer Lim, associate planner, presented the proposal and told the commission the existing home is about 1,950 square feet on an approximately 9,100‑square‑foot interior lot in the Mills Estates neighborhood. The application seeks 4,550 square feet of new gross floor area in the R‑1 single‑family zoning district. Staff said the proposed project meets development standards, showed proposed elevations and a 3‑D rendering, and reported that eight adjacent owner consultation forms were mailed; six were returned in support and two were not returned.

The proposed house would remain single‑story with high ceilings, include five bedrooms and four bathrooms, and an attached two‑car garage. The project increases the roof height in places from about 15 feet 3 inches to about 21 feet 4 inches, uses a combination of horizontal siding and stucco, and features black‑colored shingle roofing and fiberglass windows with black trim. Staff recommended approval of the design review permit.

The applicant, identified in the record as the owner and designer, said he and his family have lived in Millbrae for years and designed the project so they can remain in the neighborhood. Commissioners asked technical questions about the front‑entry configuration shown in the 3‑D rendering versus the elevation; the applicant said the rendering showed the doors ajar (a software artifact) and confirmed the intent is to include two sidelights with obscure glass. Commissioners also asked about drainage at the garage roof; the applicant said the roof will have a slight slope and gutters to carry water to scuppers rather than being flat.

A commissioner also asked whether comparable projects that meet forthcoming objective design standards could be handled ministerially rather than coming before the commission. Planning staff said thresholds are still under development and that historically major remodels and new construction have been forwarded to the commission; staff recommended the commission and city council continue a policy conversation about ministerial thresholds.

A commissioner moved to approve the design review permit to allow demolition of the existing structure and construction of the new single‑family residence at 321 Marcello Way; the motion was seconded and passed on a 4–0 vote. Staff said the planning commission action is final pending a 10‑day appeal period and payment of the required appeal fee and provided contact information for the city clerk and the Millbrae City website for appeal instructions.

The approval covers the design review findings that the architecture, landscaping and general appearance are in keeping with neighborhood character; the project complies with applicable development regulations; the project will not cause significant visual impacts to neighboring principal room views; and the proposal is not detrimental to orderly and harmonious development in the neighborhood.

Next steps: the 10‑day appeal period begins on the date of the action; any interested party must follow the appeal procedures published by the city and pay the applicable fee to initiate an appeal of the commission’s decision.