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Project Title: |
1518 Barth Avenue Variance, Tree Permit, and Small Lot Design Review |
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County File(s): |
CDVR24-01044 |
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Applicant: Owner: |
Bacilia Macias, Bacilia Macias Architecture (Applicant) Eduardo Landeros |
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Zoning/General Plan: |
R-6 Single-Family Residential District / RM Residential Medium Density |
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Site Address/Location: |
1518 Barth Avenue in the San Pablo area of unincorporated Contra Costa County (Assessor’s Parcel Number: 419-192-015) |
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California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Status: |
The proposed project is exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15303(a) New Construction - One Single Family Residence. |
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Project Planner: |
Diana Lecca, Project Planner (925) 655-2869 Diana.Lecca@dcd.cccounty.us |
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Staff Recommendation: |
Approve (See Section II for Full Recommendation) |
I. PROJECT SUMMARY
The applicant requests approval of a Variance to allow a 9-foot front yard setback (where 20 feet is the minimum required) and a Tree Permit for the removal of two code-protected Coast Live Oak trees, for the construction of a 2,128 square-foot two-story single-family residence on a vacant lot. The application includes Small Lot Design Review of the new single-family residence on a lot that is substandard in area and average width.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Department of Conservation and Development, Community Development Division (CDD) staff recommends that the Zoning Administrator:
A. FIND that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA under Section 15303(a) of the CEQA Guidelines.
B. APPROVE Variance Permit, Tree Permit, and Small Lot Design Review CDVR24-01044 for construction of a 2,128 square-foot two-story single-family residence on a vacant lot, based on the attached findings and subject to the attached conditions of approval.
C. DIRECT Staff to file a Notice of Exemption with the County Clerk.
III. BACKGROUND
This Variance and Small Lot Design Review application was considered by the Zoning Administrator during a noticed public hearing held on April 20, 2026. During the meeting, the Zoning Administrator opened the public hearing and heard testimony from the applicant in support of the project, numerous neighboring property owners who appeared in opposition to the proposed residence, as well as a few neighbors in support. After discussion, the Zoning Administrator determined that additional information and geotechnical consultation was necessary before proceeding. Therefore, the Zoning Administrator continued the item as an open public hearing for additional consideration at the May 4, 2026, meeting.
IV. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
At the direction of the Zoning Administrator, Staff consulted with the County Geologist to further assess the submitted geotechnical report prepared by John Campbell + Associates, as well as further review of a previous geotechnical report prepared by Cal Engineering & Geology (CEG), given the difference in foundation recommendations and overall preliminary recommendations for the project. As a result, the County Geologist has provided a second Geologic Peer Review letter identifying additional conditions and comments, which have been included as conditions of approval in an updated version of Attachment A - Findings and Conditions of Approval. The second Geologic Peer Review has been included as part of Attachment C - Geotechnical Report and Peer Review.
Staff also reached out to the City of Richmond’s Planning and Public Works departments to inquire about any comments or concerns they may have, given that the primary access road to the proposed project, Barth Avenue, is under the jurisdiction of the City of Richmond. City Staff responded indicating that their planning team had no comments, and their Public Works department recommended a geotechnical evaluation by a licensed geotechnical engineer should be provided to assess on-site slope stability and potential off-site impacts, and to ensure no adverse effects to the public right-of-way or City-maintained facilities, which is in alignment to the recommendations already set by County Staff.
In order to maintain the integrity of Barth Avenue, two separate conditions requiring road surveillance of Barth Avenue have also been added as COAs #20 and #21.
Additionally, due to the property being located within a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone in the Local Responsibility Area (LRA), an additional condition of approval (COA #19) has been included to ensure proper evacuation measures in case of an emergency during construction periods.
V. CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the Zoning Administrator APPROVE County file #CDVR24-01044 based on the attached findings and updated conditions of approval.