Portola Valley ASCC approves exterior changes at 95 South Drive with tree‑removal and invasive‑species conditions

The Architectural Site Control Commission (ASCC) approved an application for exterior modifications, landscape work and a small second‑story addition at 95 South Drive in Portola Valley during its March 23 meeting. Staff recommended approval after presenting the applicant’s plans, and commissioners voted to approve the project with added conditions covering tree removal and invasive species control.

Brandon Digus, contract senior planner, summarized the proposal as an architectural review and site development permit covering exterior modifications, a modest second‑story addition (approximately 44 square feet net increase) and site improvements including a reoriented pool, two cabanas (outdoor kitchen/dining), revised stairways and updated materials that staff said comply with design guidelines and light‑reflectivity standards. Digus said the project would cause the site to exceed the 85% AMFA threshold by a small amount and reported proposed impervious surface and lighting counts.

Members of the applicant team said the additions are intended to provide a bathroom for the primary suite and a covered entry and that alternative designs that would enclose lower void space were considered but declined for cost and owner preference. "We really tried to work with what was there to minimize functionality," the applicant said, describing the work as simplifying and decluttering the house.

During discussion commissioners expressed broad support for the design while urging stronger conditions on vegetation. Commissioner Lance and others pointed to declining or leaning pines and recommended removing certain front pines and invasive plants such as Algerian ivy, scotch broom and bamboo to improve the health of mature oaks on the site. An online commenter, Steven Zadeski, asked the commission to make approval conditional on a construction staging and pedestrian safety plan because of narrow sight lines on the road and children walking to school. Staff replied that construction staging and safety measures are addressed through the town’s building permit and construction review process and that staff would work with the applicant to minimize impacts.

A commissioner moved to approve the application "as drawn and presented" with added conditions requiring removal of the identified pines, invasive species control (an existing condition), and assignment of one commissioner to review tree removals. The commission voted to approve the motion by voice vote; the mover and seconder were not identified on the record. Chair Breen clarified that the invasive‑species condition already existed in the staff recommendation and that the added condition specifically addresses the pine removals discussed at the meeting.

The ASCC approval is conditioned on the items agreed at the hearing and on the staff‑recommended conditions of approval that are part of the project record; staff will incorporate the conservation committee’s recommendations into conditions where they have already been addressed in the plans. Further details on construction staging, permitting and code enforcement will be handled through the town’s building permit process.

The commission also discussed follow‑up steps including the assigned commissioner inspecting or reviewing proposed tree removals and continued coordination with staff on permit conditions and implementation.