Pacifica planning commission approves variance for second-story addition at 140 Gordon Way

The Pacifica Planning Commission voted 3–1 on Dec. 15 to grant a site-development permit, a variance to the upper-story front setback and the floor-area ratio (FAR), and a parking exception for a second-story addition at 140 Gordon Way.

Samantha, the city planner presenting the staff report, told the commission the project concerns a substandard lot of roughly 2,900–2,967 square feet and proposes a second-story addition of about 1,060 square feet over the existing footprint. Staff recommended approval based on findings for substandard lots and neighborhood compatibility and said the addition would step back from the street and keep the building height under the 25-foot limit described in the zoning standards.

Homeowner Kishore Kolipara, appearing by Zoom, said the family has lived in the house for five years and needs more functional space for two…