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Planning commission approves garage and loft at 8 William Avenue with conditions
Summary
The Larkspur City Planning Commission approved design review PLN25-047 for 8 William Avenue to replace a detached garage with a 660 sq ft attached garage and a 330 sq ft loft, subject to findings, conditions and a 10-day appeal period; staff will include standard public-right-of-way parking/encroachment conditions to address a neighbor's concerns.
The Larkspur City Planning Commission on May 12 approved PLN25-047, a design-review application to demolish a detached garage and build a new 660-square-foot attached garage with a 330-square-foot second-floor loft at 8 William Avenue. The decision was unanimous, 5-0, and is subject to a 10-day appeal period.
Staff told the commission the project meets state requirements for ministerial review and recommended approval with findings, conditions and a Class 1 CEQA exemption. The project site sits at the corner of William and Hulcom streets with a multi-use path immediately to the east, and staff highlighted the floor plans, elevations and a loft section drawing during the presentation.
Architect Eric Leighton described the design to the commission, saying the garage will accommodate two cars and the loft occupies roughly the western half of the second floor. He noted the structure is set back about 20 feet from Hulcom and is screened by vegetation while acknowledging that several small, non-heritage trees would likely be removed for the ADU and that one tree adjacent to the garage would need removal to meet fire-safety setbacks.
Neighbor Rick Adler urged limits on contractor parking and equipment placement during construction, asking that workers park east of the walking path on William or on the Hulcom-side of the street and that dumpsters and heavy equipment be kept off William Avenue. Commissioners said the city can place requirements on encroachment permits and the public-right-of-way to address such construction impacts, while also noting enforcement can be difficult in practice.
After discussion, Commissioner Brock moved to approve PLN25-047; the motion passed on a 5-0 roll call. Staff said the approval will include standard encroachment-permit and public-parking requirements to respond to the neighbor's concern. Interested parties have 10 days to file an appeal with the city clerk under the applicable appeal procedures.
The commission's action covers only the design review for the garage and loft; the ADU shown on the plans was noted by staff as provided for context and, where applicable, subject to ministerial review under state law.
