Planning commission approves special-structures permit for pool at 180 Isabella Avenue

The Atherton Planning Commission voted to approve a special-structures permit for 180 Isabella Avenue that allows the applicant to locate a 600-square-foot in-ground swimming pool aligned with the front line of the main residence rather than the usual 30-foot accessory setback.

Jerry Martin, assistant planner, presented the application and said the project also includes demolition of the existing residence and detached garage and construction of a roughly 8,000-square-foot, single-story home (with a small basement). Martin told commissioners the pool's forward-most edge would be about 60 feet from the front right-of-way and that staff recommended approval based on the findings in the staff report and subject to standard conditions of approval.

Martin argued the pool is largely screened by the proposed building footprint and would be located within a courtyard so as not to negatively impact neighbor privacy or view. He told the commission the project otherwise complies with the Atherton Municipal Code except for the location of the pool, which requires the special-structures permit.

No members of the public offered opposing testimony on this item. After brief commissioner questions and confirmation that no neighbor correspondence opposed the project, a commissioner moved to approve the permit; the motion was seconded and adopted by voice vote. The record shows the motion passed (voice vote; mover and seconder are not specified in the commission minutes).

The approval is conditioned on the findings and conditions listed in the staff report; the permit will be effective according to the terms specified in that certificate of approval.