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Zoning administrator approves parking-deck, variance for 15 McCoy Road in San Rafael
Summary
The City of San Rafael zoning administrator approved a design review and variance allowing a new parking deck, garage, entry gate and stairs at 15 McCoy Road, concluding the project meets hillside standards and is CEQA-exempt as small new construction. A five-business-day appeal period was announced.
Renee McEnig, associate planner for the City of San Rafael, presented and the zoning administrator approved a design review and variance for a new parking deck, garage, entry gate and associated stairs at 15 McCoy Road.
"This is a request for an environmental and design review and a variance to construct a new parking deck, garage, entry gate, and other associated access stairs, at on a hillside property," McEnig said, adding the portions of the project inside the property boundaries meet the city's hillside standards and that the structure height would be 24 feet, below the district standard. McEnig said the California Environmental Quality Act review found the project is exempt as small new construction and that staff determined there is no reasonable alternative location on the parcel for the parking deck.
Why it matters: the decision allows the owner to build vehicle access and parking on a steep parcel where topography limits alternative configurations. The approval included standard design-review conditions and additional conditions requested by the Department of Public Works, which staff said the applicant had reviewed.
The hearing officer opened public comment and received none before moving to decision. "Staff did a wonderful job with the staff report," the hearing officer said before announcing approval "subject to the findings and conditions of approval." The officer set a five-business-day appeal period ending the following Wednesday at 5 p.m.
What the record shows: staff cited compliance with local hillside development standards, a 24-foot structure height limit consistent with the district, and a CEQA exemption for small new construction. Two letters of support were noted in the staff file. The record also shows the Department of Public Works added conditions the applicant reviewed.
Next steps: the decision may be appealed by a party that files the required appeal paperwork and fee within five business days. If no appeal is filed, the decision will remain in effect after the appeal period closes.
