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Commission approves variance to repair and reconstruct portions of 1936 home at 70 Linda Vista
Summary
The commission approved a variance permitting reconstruction of legally nonconforming parts of a 1936 residence at 70 Linda Vista Avenue after the contractor found hidden rot and removed nonconforming portions; staff said the rebuilt work maintains the original footprint and does not increase square footage.
The Atherton Planning Commission approved a variance to allow reconstruction of portions of an older home at 70 Linda Vista Avenue that are located within required yard setbacks.
Senior planner Tom Ford (speaker 2) described the lot and said portions of the existing residence are legally nonconforming. Staff reviewed building and demolition work and concluded the proposed reconstruction would not intensify the building footprint or increase square footage; photographs and an attachment documenting rot and structural deterioration were included in the staff report.
The chief building official inspected the site and found that a portion of the building within the side setback had been removed, prompting a stop-work notice and a request that the applicant pursue a variance to regularize the reconstruction. John (speaker 13) of Peninsula Custom Homes said the contractor encountered significant hidden rot and degraded foundation elements and submitted engineered repairs to the building department. He said the team is rebuilding within the original footprint, replacing decayed framing and upgrading the foundation to current seismic standards.
Commissioners visited the site and expressed that the reduced rear setback on a one-acre lot was not problematic; they accepted the applicant's explanation that the work preserves the existing footprint and voted to approve the variance. The motion passed by voice vote (mover and seconder not specified in transcript).
