Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Residential Redevelopment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Melker application to raise house and add garage carried to allow revised plans
Summary
Owners of 7403 Long Beach Boulevard asked to amend plans to remove an exterior staircase and consider converting the duplex to single-family; the Land Use Board voted to carry the application to the next meeting so amended plans can be filed.
The Land Use Board agreed Nov. 20 to carry the Melker application for 7403 Long Beach Boulevard to its next regular meeting so the applicants can submit revised plans.
Nina Melker, sworn in as the applicant, and designer Jeffrey Stocklos described plans to lift the existing house above base flood elevation to create a garage level for off-street parking and to add decks at each floor. The revised design removes an east-side exterior staircase previously proposed and replaces it with an interior switchback stair to avoid new setback encroachments; the south-side staircase in the revised plan remains. The owners said they would like an eventual in-home lift to reach all floors.
Planner Tom Stern (AICP, PP) testified the property is preexisting and nonconforming in the RA zone as a duplex and said adding a garage and improving site circulation would be a net improvement without negative impacts on adjacent homes. Board members questioned whether converting the building to single-family use might resolve many zoning issues; planners and the applicant noted interior space constraints that limit adding interior stairs.
Mayor John Imperiale and Commissioner Joe Gieger recused themselves from the Melker hearing because of a D-variance; the remaining seated board members voted to allow the applicants to withdraw the D-variance request and return with amended plans. Board attorney Kevin Quinlan explained that if the applicants withdraw the D-variance and amend the application to single-family, they can return without new public notice provided new plans are submitted at least 10 days before the next meeting.
A member of the public, Judie Putt, asked whether an elevator would be part of the plan. The applicant confirmed the elevator was part of eventual plans but not part of the immediate revised submission.
Mindy Berman moved to carry the application and allow plan revisions; the motion was seconded by Chairman Robert Romano and carried with YES votes from Romano, Richard Warren, Mindy Berman, Alcides Andril, Thomas Griffith, Russell Harle and Fred Bercari.
