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Project Title: |
Development Plan for a Kensington Design Review and Variance for a Residential Addition |
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County File(s): |
CDDP25-03032 |
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Applicant Owner |
Greg VanMechelen | VanMechelen Architects Ken and Julie Kurtzman (Owner) |
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Zoning: |
R-6 Single-Family Residential District (R-6), Kensington Combining District (-K), Tree Obstruction of Views Combining District (-TOV) |
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General Plan: |
Residential Medium Density (RM) |
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Site Address/Location: |
210 Amherst Avenue, Kensington (Assessor’s Parcel Number 570-050-004) |
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California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Status: |
Categorical Exemption, CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(e)-Additions to existing structures |
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Project Planner: |
Diana Lecca, Project Planner (925) 655-2869 diana.lecca@dcd.cccounty.us |
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Staff Recommendation: |
Continue (See Section II for Full Recommendation) |
I. PROJECT SUMMARY
The applicant requests approval of a Kensington Design Review Development plan to allow a 398 square-foot addition to the existing residence as well as an 88-square-foot deck addition. The project results in a gross floor area (GFA) of 3,131 square feet, where 2,500 square feet is the GFA threshold necessitating public hearing. The project scope also includes a Variance for rear setback of 5-foot 10-inches (where 15 feet is the minimum).
II. RECOMMENDATION
Department of Conservation and Development, Community Development Division (CDD) staff recommends that the Zoning Administrator:
A. OPEN the public hearing for the Development Plan, Variance and Kensington Design Review (County File #CDDP25-03032), RECEIVE testimony, and CONTINUE the Development Plan as an open item for a Zoning Administrator decision, at a noticed public hearing, to be held on a date to be determined.
III. BACKGROUND
This Development Plan, Variance and Kensington Design Review application was considered by the Zoning Administrator during a noticed public hearing held on August 17, 2026. During the meeting, the Zoning Administrator opened the public hearing and heard testimony from the applicant. After discussion, the Zoning Administrator determined that they could not support the rear yard Variance request. All other elements of the application were supported and could be approved. The Zoning Administrator gave the applicant the option to redesign the project, thus continuing the item to the October 19, 2026 meeting, and leaving it as an open public hearing.
IV. CONCLUSION
The applicant has requested a continuance of their item while they revisit design options to meet the comments and recommendations provided by the Zoning Administrator at the August 17, 2026 public hearing. Therefore, CDD staff recommends that the Development Plan, Variance and Kensington Design Review application be continued indefinitely to allow additional time for the applicant to address the comments and update the project to remove the rear yard variance request.