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Commission continues decision on as‑built pergola at 1551 Los Montez Drive after neighbors complain of blocked Bay view
Summary
Commissioners continued a Hillside Area Construction Permit for an as‑built 360‑sq‑ft pergola that staff recommended denying because it obstructs distant views to San Francisco Bay; the applicant agreed to remove horizontal framing while the applicant and neighbor test story poles and seek alternatives.
The Burlingame Planning Commission on Jan. 13 continued action on a Hillside Area Construction Permit for an as‑built freestanding pergola at 1551 Los Montez Drive after neighbors said the structure blocks distant views to San Francisco Bay.
Staff told the commission that code enforcement received a complaint in September 2024 and that photos show the 18‑by‑20 (360‑square‑foot) pergola obstructs distant views from a primary indoor living area at the adjacent property, citing hillside overlay code section 25.20.040. Staff recommended denial of the permit because the structure obstructs protected views.
Project manager Chris Algarro, representing the applicant, said the structure was designed to minimize impact: "We definitely don't wanna impede on anybody's, you know, day views... on a cloudy day, it's almost invisible with the color." Algarro said the company typically scans sites in 3‑D and is willing to explore relocating or reducing the structure.
Neighbor and homeowner Yi Zhou testified the pergola "does intrude, quite a lot into the view" from the family room and urged a prompt fix; commissioners noted the emotional impact on a family that uses the room often. Commissioners discussed technical options (lowering the structure, moving it, or installing story poles to let neighbors visualize changes). The applicant offered to remove the horizontal framing on top immediately while revising options with the neighbor.
Commissioner Schmidt moved to continue the item for two months with a requirement for story poles and neighbor coordination so alternatives can be evaluated; Commissioner Seay seconded. The motion to continue, with the applicant's interim offer to remove horizontal framing, passed 7–0. Staff and code enforcement will coordinate any timeline constraints from the enforcement action.
Next steps: the applicant must post story poles and meet with neighbors to seek an agreeable relocation or modification; the commission set a two‑month target for return. If the commission later denies the permit, the neighbor retains appeal rights.
