Daly City planning commission backs four-lot subdivision and design review at Crocker Avenue

The Daly City Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a minor subdivision and design review for 933–969 Crocker Avenue, clearing the way for four new single-family residences each with an accessory dwelling unit, producing eight residential units in total.

Staff planner Sam Fieldings told the commission the 13,051-square-foot site sits on a roughly 25% downhill slope and is proposed to be divided into four parcels with one primary residence and one ADU on each parcel. The project includes design and landscaping plans, permeable grass-paver driveways, sidewalks and stormwater biotreatment at the rear of the properties. Fieldings said staff completed environmental review and determined the project is categorically exempt under CEQA guidelines for infill development and recommended the subdivision map and design review be approved.

"The existing site is a 13,051 square foot vacant lot," Fieldings said in presenting the entitlements, and staff concluded that the plans meet the required findings for subdivision and Section 17.45 design review of the municipal code.

Neighbors raised privacy and tree-removal concerns. Berman Louie, who said he owns a house directly behind the site, asked whether the existing eucalyptus trees would remain and how close the new construction would come to his property. "I was just wondering what happens to those trees — do those get cut down and how far are they building towards my property?" Louie asked. Staff and the project architect replied that the large eucalyptus trees are not protected and would be removed as part of the project, and that the project includes a fenced biotreatment area to filter stormwater.

Architect Wing Lee described coordination with the North County Fire Department on defensible-space landscaping and said the team is not proposing tall trees near the homes because of fire-safety concerns. "All the tall trees will be gone," Lee said, adding the team will pursue plantings compatible with fire safety and neighborhood character.

Commissioners pressed the project team on foundation and geotechnical approaches for the steep slope; Lee said the design will rely on deep foundation piers and concrete work informed by updated soil reports and coordination with licensed geotechnical and structural engineers. The presentation noted the buildings would appear as two stories from Crocker Avenue and about four stories at the rear, with an approximate front parapet height of 22 feet 3 inches and an overall rear elevation near 55 feet.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to affirm the environmental assessment and approve SUB 0724016596 and DR0824016609; the motion was seconded and passed on roll call. The commission's recommendation will be considered by the Daly City Council on Feb. 23.

The approval includes conditions identified in the staff report and requires permitting-level review (foundation, geotechnical, and fire-defensible landscaping) before building permits are issued. The commission record shows the project team committed to updated engineering and to compliance with city design standards and required parking (four on-site parking spaces per residence).