Claremont commission approves two‑story addition at 1155 Harvard Ave with fence and privacy conditions

The Claremont Architectural and Preservation Commission on Tuesday approved Architectural and Site Plan Review No. 25A05 for a two‑story addition and basement renovation at 1155 Harvard Avenue, finding the project exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act.

Assistant Planner Daniel Kim told the commission the project, submitted by applicant Tucker Schumann Venture, includes a 223‑square‑foot first‑floor connector to the garage, a 450‑square‑foot second‑story primary bedroom addition and a 628‑square‑foot basement guest room. The property sits in the historic Claremont 7500 zoning district and the proposed changes respond to concerns raised at a prior preliminary hearing.

Staff recommended approval but flagged the existing fence along the north property line as a visual and privacy concern. The commission added a condition (condition C) requiring the existing 6‑ft fence to be reduced to a maximum height of 36 inches or relocated 24 inches south and landscaped, subject to staff review. Commissioners also added a condition (renumbered as condition G) requiring obscure glass on west‑ and south‑facing bathroom windows and the south closet window to address privacy.

Commissioner Perry, who expressed continuing concern about the addition’s mass in relation to the small house immediately to the west, said the design’s scale remained troubling: “the mass and scale of this is overwhelming, particularly to the residents to the west.” The project architect responded that the current drawings incorporate “nuanced changes” to reduce contemporary elements, remove Ipe siding and lower rooflines so the addition “fade[s] away” from street view.

Several commissioners said the revised roof forms, wider painted lap siding and the decision to pull back the balcony reduced the addition’s prominence. Chair Nyberg and other members noted that the house’s corner location makes the design especially visible but that the revised approach better aligns with the design ideas discussed in the commission’s draft guidelines.

A motion to adopt the resolution approving the project and finding it exempt from CEQA passed unanimously. The commission’s approval includes the two conditions addressing the fence height/setback and obscure glazing. The applicant has 10 days to file an appeal of the decision.

The commission’s action resolves the current design review; any future change that intensifies the existing nonconforming fence, material choices or massing would require separate review or permits.