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ARB grants preliminary and final approval for Grokenberger residence addition
Summary
The board approved a 475‑square‑foot addition to a single‑family home at 5398 El Caro Avenue, removing an unpermitted patio cover and maintaining neighborhood architectural features; board members recommended minor adjustments for privacy, roof massing and window proportions.
The Architectural Review Board granted preliminary and final approval July 16 for a remodel and 475‑square‑foot addition to the Grokenberger residence at 5398 El Caro Avenue, after hearing staff and applicant presentations and asking design clarifying questions.
Staff described the project as a 475‑square‑foot addition to an existing 1,816‑square‑foot single‑family dwelling for a resulting 2,291 square feet, removal of a 168‑square‑foot unpermitted patio cover, retention of existing landscaping and a proposed neutral color palette. "The roof ridge height would be nearly 16 feet which would be an increase of approximately 2 feet over the existing ridge height," staff said, noting the project remains under the 16‑foot limit and that exterior fixtures are proposed as night‑sky compliant.
Architect Adam Grosslands (Becker) detailed plan and elevation changes, said the addition extends to the east and that the design keeps Dutch gable elements consistent with the street character. Board members asked technical questions about layout, plumbing and utility adjustments, suggested options to preserve privacy in a bedroom corridor (pocket doors, alternate door swing) and recommended studying the west roof plane so neighbors would not face an undifferentiated massing. "You might wanna think about a dormer or something that breaks up that sort of big flat roof," one board member said.
After discussion the board moved to approve the project based on the comments provided and, with board concurrence, combined preliminary and final review and voted to grant final approval.
The approval included standard conditions typical for ARB reviews (final plans consistent with the approved architectural details, night‑sky compliant exterior lighting and required demolition of the unpermitted patio cover). No litigation, code conflict or outstanding referral items were raised during the hearing.
