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ADR raises design and square‑footage questions on 230 Wellington; asks for fenestration and parking clarifications
Summary
Designers presented a large house and garage proposal at 230 Wellington that drew split ADR reactions: neighbors praised parking and fire‑safety improvements, but several ADR members pressed the applicant to reduce or justify extra garage square footage and to revise lower‑level fenestration that could read as future living space.
The ADR reviewed a substantial proposal at 230 Wellington that includes demolition and construction of a new two‑story house, a larger garage and related site work. Designer Stephen Sutro said the current plan moves ADU square footage into the main house and seeks a variance for roughly 520 square feet (primarily to expand a garage and associated features). He also described material changes and a larger deck; landscape consultant spoke to planned plantings and fire‑department coordination, including removal of bay trees.
Neighbors spoke in support of the proposal: Carla (210 Wellington) said the project would improve parking and neighborhood fire safety. Several ADR members, however, pressed the team on specific items. One member objected to an additional ~222 square feet beyond what he believed was necessary for a two‑car garage: "I can't support an additional 222 square feet," he said. Others questioned an unusually deep lower‑level floor plate and fenestration that appeared to read as habitable rooms; the designer said the lower level is currently drawn as sub‑7‑foot headroom non‑habitable space but acknowledged it was arranged so it could be adapted if code changes later.
The ADR's direction: members asked the applicant to clarify the lower‑level program and to revise fenestration so elevations do not appear to be designed as future living space, to document the garage square‑footage rationale, and to show covered parking solutions. Several ADR members said they would support the project if those clarifications and adjustments are made before council consideration.
