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Neighbors say teen center plans will 'permanently alter' homes; raise parking, privacy and CEQA concerns
Summary
Adjacent homeowners presented a 70-signature petition and argued that proposed interior and exterior modifications at 1155 West 10th Street will produce a commercialized building, worsen parking and threaten privacy; staff and supporters disputed those claims and said conditions will mitigate impacts.
A group of residents opposing the Kyle Hyland Foundation ecision to move its teen center to 1155 West 10th Street told the City Council the proposed alterations will permanently change a single-family home into a nonresidential building and undermine neighborhood character.
Eli Nolan, who said he shares a fence with the property, presented a list of about 70 neighbors and detailed alleged structural changes including elimination of upstairs bedrooms, removal of the kitchen and master bath, installation of an elevator and exterior stair, and new parking areas. "These are major structural modifications that move this property away from its intended use as a home and convert it into a commercial grade teen center," Nolan said in his 15-minute presentation.
Opponents said the staff and applicant parking calculations are inconsistent with the municipal code. Nolan argued that under code-counting rules the project requires 19 spaces and that the applicant sked for a reduction that would remove 14 required spaces. Multiple neighbors raised privacy concerns tied to an exterior stair and the visibility of neighbor backyards from a landing.
Planning staff and supporters countered that the use permit criteria allow the proposal with conditions, and that the conversion analysis for CEQA centers on exterior changes, not interior reconfiguration. "The commission made the appropriate findings and determined the project is exempt," Planning Manager Jason Haid said. Applicant Barbara Gervaisi said the foundation operates with supervision, maintained a low maximum program occupancy (25) and documented that most teens walk from nearby schools.
Council members said their role was to decide whether the record supported the specific legal findings necessary for a conditional use permit, not to adjudicate competing site-selection arguments, and ultimately voted to uphold the Planning Commission.
