HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRB 2017-08-22 Minutes
IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL, August 22, 2017
Regular Meeting
San Rafael Design Review Board Minutes
For a complete video of this meeting, go to http://www.cityofsanrafael.org/meetings.
CALL TO ORDER
Present: Eric Spielman, Chair
Cheryl Lentini
Jeff Kent
Bob Huntsberry
Don Blayney, Alternate
Berenice Davidson, PC Liaison
Absent: Stewart Summers
Also Present: Steve Stafford, Senior Planner
Alan Montes, Assistant Planner
STAFF COMMUNICATION
BOARD COMMUNICATION
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Minutes June 20, 2017
Jeff Kent moved and Cheryl Lentini seconded to approve Minutes as presented. The vote is as follows:
AYES: Eric Spielman, Chair, Cheryl Lentini, Jeff Kent, Bob Huntsberry, Don Blayney, Alternate
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
CONSENT
NEW BUSINESS
2. 25 Edgewood Way – Environmental Design Review for a new retaining wall exceeding four
feet (4’) in height located in the required front yard setback: APN: 010-000-34; Single
Family Residential Zoning District Hillside Overlay (R20-H); Alex Witte, Applicant; David
Maher, Owner; Fairhills Neighborhood. Project Planner: Alan Montes
Staff Report
Jeff Kent moved and Cheryl Lentini seconded to recommend approval of extension of existing 6’-tall
downslope retaining wall and site landscaping with the following comments:
• Downslope landslide area below the retaining wall shall be hydroseeded with a mixture of native
grasses; and
• Replacement trees along the downslope landslide area shall be Valley Oak trees.
AYES: Eric Spielman, Chair, Cheryl Lentini, Jeff Kent, Don Blayney, Alternate
NOES: Bob Huntsberry
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
3. Vacant lots on Clayton (Tentative address 41 Clayton (Lot 59) and 33 Clayton (Lot 60)-
Conceptual Design Review for construction of two new single family homes on two
existing legal lots on Clayton Street and a new access roadway off Ross Street. Also
proposed is an adjustment to the parcel boundaries between Lots 59 and Lot 60. APNs:
012-141-59, 012-141-60; Single Family Residential (R7.5) Zoning District; Francisco Matos,
Applicant; Coby Freidman, Owner; Gerstle Park Neighborhood. Project Planner: Caron
Parker
Staff Report
This item was a Concept review so no formal action taken by Board. The Board acknowledged that
providing access to the vacant lots is extraordinarily challenging and encouraged staff to meet with all
stakeholders, including SRFD, neighbors and the applicant’s team, to help find a solution. Comments
provided included:
• Due to the necessity of overwhelmingly tall retaining walls, the Ross St. Terrace access option
should be discouraged and access to the site should be from Clayton St.
• If project continues to propose access along Ross Street Terrace, ownership issues surrounding
the roadway right-of-way (ROW) need to be resolved. If owned by the City, abandonment should
be considered and allow the project to meet private driveway standards rather than public
roadway standards.
• All guest parking should be on each parcel and not located off-site, within the new roadway
ROW.
• If meeting the required Natural State standard is difficult, a shared access driveway should be
considered and/or an Exception.
• The ‘flag pole’ portion of the flag lot should be included in the Natural State calculation.
• The Lot Line Adjustment should not create the proposed rear ‘dog leg’ area on the lower lot.
• Contemporary design of residences may be OK though it needs refinement such as lower ceiling
heights and better stepbacks.
• The removal of ‘significant’ trees should be replaced on a 3:1 ratio, if possible. Better landscape
plans needed with additional details.
• Cross-sections should be added to plans showing the sites, the proposed residences and the
new roadway.
• Provide story poles for the proposed new structures and staking the location and height of the
new roadway retaining walls.
ADJOURNMENT
___________________________________
ANNE DERRICK, Administrative Assistant III
APPROVED THIS_____DAY____OF_______, 2017
_____________________________________
Eric Spielman, Chair