Site and Architectural Commission approves garage and ADU conversion at 17860 Andrews Street

The Monte Sereno Site and Architectural Commission on July 9 approved a site-development permit for 17860 Andrews Street to construct a new one-car garage of roughly 386 square feet and convert the existing detached garage into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). The commission voted unanimously to approve the permit, application 20253037.

Danielle Gonzales, consulting assistant planner, summarized the request during the meeting, saying: "Tonight, I'm presenting a request for the site development permit to construct a 1, new car garage ... 386 square feet at 17860 Andrews Street." Gonzales told commissioners that no tree removal was proposed and that the ADU conversion did not require separate commission approval; staff recommended approval as conditioned in the draft memorandum of decision.

The property owner told the commission the ADU is for a family member and said the project replaces the existing garage. "We're just converting our existing detached garage into an ADU for our daughter because she's a teacher," the owner said, describing the family need for on-site housing. Commissioners asked technical questions about trees and building-code requirements; staff replied the apricot trees on site did not meet size thresholds for protection and would not be retained under those protections.

Commissioners also asked whether the new garage would trigger electric-vehicle (EV) charger requirements. A commissioner asked, "is it required that an electric charger be installed, or is that only on new build homes?" Staff answered, "That would be required for the new garage," and added that the requirement would be captured during the building-permit review as a comment on the permit package.

The commission opened the public hearing, heard no public comment, closed the hearing, and approved the site-development permit by unanimous vote. Chair Connolly offered the owner well wishes on the project after the vote.