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Planning commission approves design review for 639 San Gabriel Avenue
Summary
The Albany Planning Commission voted unanimously April 22 to approve a two-story, 248-square-foot rear addition at 639 San Gabriel Avenue. Staff said the project meets R1 standards; there were no public comments and the approval is subject to a two-week appeal period.
The Albany Planning Commission on April 22 approved a design-review permit for a two-story rear addition at 639 San Gabriel Avenue, following a staff recommendation and a unanimous vote by the three commissioners present.
Staff described the site as a roughly 5,800-square-foot lot with an existing house of about 2,300 square feet built in 1938 and said the proposal would add a 248-square-foot two-story addition (124 square feet on each floor) to expand the kitchen and convert an existing bedroom into a master suite with a walk-in closet and full bathroom. Staff told the panel the addition would match the existing roof ridge and have a maximum height of 23 feet, 9 inches, and that the project meets the development standards of the R1 zoning district and the city's residential design guidelines. Staff recommended approval subject to the findings and conditions on the record.
During review, a commissioner asked whether the green overlay in the presentation—used to show where the addition would be located—was part of the submitted plan set. A staff member said the overlay was prepared for the presentation and explained that the city will require applicants to provide that visual information in future submissions. The same staff member acknowledged an inconsistency between one rendering (which lacked a front-yard tree) and the plot plans, and confirmed the plot-plan pages indicate existing trees are to remain.
The public hearing was opened and closed with no members of the public speaking. Commissioners who discussed the project described the design as thoughtful and compatible with the existing home and voted to approve the application as submitted, with a minor correction requested to the findings and conditions to fix a spelling error. The commission recorded yes votes from Commissioner Mman, Commissioner Pilch, and Chair Pearson; the approval carries a two-week appeal period before it becomes final.
Staff also announced that the agenda item for 1038 Cornell Avenue was continued to the May 13 meeting and reported that City Council recently ratified the appointment of Nelson Pang as a new planning and zoning commissioner; staff said Pang may be sworn in for the May 13 meeting.
Votes at a glance: PA26-005 (639 San Gabriel Avenue) — Approved (yes: Commissioner Mman; yes: Commissioner Pilch; yes: Chair Pearson). Consent calendar (minutes, April 8, 2026) — Approved (same recorded yes votes).
