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Commission unanimously approves elevator and FAR exception at 129 Laquesta
Summary
The commission approved design review, a floor‑area‑ratio exception and a slope‑use permit for 129 Laquesta to add an elevator and 268 sq ft of space, with staff and applicant emphasizing hillside stability, fire‑safe landscaping and minimal visibility from the street.
The Larkspur Planning Commission unanimously approved PLN25‑030 on Aug. 26, allowing a modest addition at 129 Laquesta (APN 070‑321‑09) that includes a new elevator to provide access to all floors and a net addition of roughly 268 square feet.
Staff described the property as steeply sloped and explained that because of past approvals and slope conditions some existing floor area is exempt from the FAR calculation; with the proposed addition the property’s effective floor‑area ratio would remain within the lower third of nearby properties. The addition includes an elevator shaft and small interior changes; the roof pitch of the proposed addition differs from the existing roof, and the project will require a slope‑use permit because of prior slope‑related approvals.
Architect Rich Pearlstein and owner Jennifer Tu said significant landscape removals had been driven by fire‑safety compliance and that geotechnical and civil engineers reviewed hillside stability and drainage, reporting that the site’s existing uphill debris catchment and drainage measures are functioning. Pearlstein said the proposed elevator location minimizes interior disruption and concentrates work in a central court area.
Commissioners said the work is not visible from the street and stressed the accessibility benefits of adding an elevator. Several commissioners said they could make the necessary findings for design review, FAR exception and slope‑use permit. Commissioner Liam Campbell moved to approve PLN25‑030; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. A 10‑day appeal period was announced.
What happens next: The approval is subject to the standard appeal period and the project must meet conditions of approval and any required engineering or landscaping follow‑ups.
