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Commission approves addition at 29 Eastfield Drive; neighbor raises privacy and noise concerns
Summary
After hearing from staff, the project architect and a nearby neighbor, the commission approved Resolution 2026-13 allowing front-setback construction and waiving the barn set-aside for a steep 1.5-acre lot at 29 Eastfield Drive; staff cited slope, easements and access limitations.
The Planning Commission voted to approve site plan review and related variances for 29 Eastfield Drive (zoning case 26-55), including construction in the front-yard setback and a waiver of the municipal stable/corral set-aside. Staff told the commission the property’s steep topography, association easements and limited access make a compliant set-aside impractical.
Planning staff outlined the project: a 1,899-square-foot existing residence with proposed work that includes an 868-square-foot addition, a 129-square-foot garage addition and a 374-square-foot covered porch, with 15 cubic yards of nonexempt fill for site grading. Staff also noted that a prior entitlement had expired in March 2026 and that the applicant submitted a new application in April 2026. The project was determined categorically exempt from CEQA and property owners within a 1,000-foot radius were noticed; staff reported no written public comments but said a neighbor spoke during a morning field trip about landscaping and privacy.
At the public hearing the project architect, Brett Buckman, introduced himself and described design revisions that scaled back previous plans to reduce the number of caissons (he said the earlier design required roughly 40 caissons) and pulled the design away from the slope. Buckman said access prevents using flatter land near the trail and that, even without the variance, other variances would be required to site a barn. Neighbor Judith Hainel (31 Eastfield) said she did not oppose the addition but raised concerns about ceiling heights, limitations on landscaping within an easement, privacy and increased garage activity impacting noise and backing lights.
Commissioners discussed the 35-foot buffer requirement between a residence and a barn, whether the existing shed (about 300 sq ft) could satisfy set-aside needs, and access to rear areas near the trail. After deliberation commissioners agreed the lot’s physical constraints make a barn or set-aside impractical and approved Resolution 2026-13 by roll call.
