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Commission requires landscaping or screening to protect neighbor privacy at 728 New Hall Road
Summary
After a neighbor testified the new house at 728 New Hall Road would remove an existing green buffer and expose their yard, the Burlingame Planning Commission approved the design with a condition requiring the applicant to work with the Parks division on evergreen screening or a fence to restore privacy.
The Burlingame Planning Commission on Sept. 8 approved a new two-story house and detached garage at 728 New Hall Road, adding a condition that the applicant work with the Parks Division to identify an appropriate privacy screen after a nearby resident testified the project would remove a natural buffer.
Staff described the project as a major design review and special-permit request for first-floor plate-height (10 feet where 9 feet is usually allowed), a detached 756 sq ft accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and a proposed dwelling floor area near 413–417 sq ft (staff noted the project was designed to meet residential design guidelines). Staff also stated that ADU review is administrative under state law but that the proposed ADU complies with code standards. Staff recommended approval with 14 conditions.
At the public hearing, a resident of 724 New Hall Road said the property’s existing driveway trees and shrubs provide a forest-like buffer that will be removed and leave their home exposed, reducing light and privacy. The resident asked the commission to “consider recommending the inclusion of landscaping that reinstates the natural buffer of privacy,” including tall trees or other plantings.
Commissioners discussed possible remedies, including specifying the length of screening, minimum planted size and spacing, or allowing a compatible fence where permitted by fence-height rules. Staff said a condition could require the applicant to work with the Parks Division to identify an appropriate evergreen hedge, with planting details (type, gallon size and spacing) included on building-permit plans.
Commissioner Loenthal moved to approve the project per staff findings and special permits, adding a condition requiring coordination with the Parks Division on a mutually agreeable screening (vegetation and/or fence) to address the neighbor’s privacy concerns. Commissioner Fuff seconded; the motion passed on a 4–0 roll-call vote.
The commission’s approval is appealable to the city council within 10 days; appeals must be filed in writing with a $924 fee.
