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Project Title: |
60 Arlington Avenue Kensington Design Review Development Plan |
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County File(s): |
CDDP24-03061 |
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Applicant Owner: |
Michael Waxman James & Elizabeth Thomsen |
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Zoning/General Plan: |
R-6 Single-Family Residential District, -TOV Tree Obstruction of Views Combining District, -K Kensington Combining District / RLM Residential Low-Medium Density |
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Site Address/Location: |
60 Arlington Avenue in the Kensington area of unincorporated Contra Costa County (APN: 572-202-016) |
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California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Status: |
Categorical Exemption, CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(e)(1) |
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Project Planner: |
Adrian Veliz, Senior Planner (925) 655-2879 adrian.veliz@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 Kensington Design Review Development Plan to allow a 218-square-foot single-story addition to the rear of an existing single-family residence. The project results in a gross floor area (GFA) of 3,746 square feet, where 3,600 square feet is the GFA threshold necessitating a public hearing. The proposed addition is located within the building envelope of an existing single-family residence on the subject property, beneath a recently constructed elevated deck, with no expansion to the established building footprint.
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 15301(e)(1) of the CEQA Guidelines.
B. APPROVE Kensington Design Review Development Plan CDDP24-03061 to allow a 218-square-foot single-story addition to an existing single-family residence, subject to the attached findings and conditions of approval.
C. DIRECT staff to file a Notice of Exemption with the County Clerk.
III. BACKGROUND
This Kensington Design Review Development Plan application was considered by the Zoning Administrator during a noticed public hearing held on May 19, 2025. During the meeting, the Zoning Administrator opened the public hearing and heard testimony from the applicant in support of the project. After discussion, the Zoning Administrator determined that additional clarification regarding retaining wall and landscaping improvements shown on the project plans was needed prior to making a decision and continued the item as an open public hearing for a decision at the June 16, 2025, meeting.
On June 2, 2025, the applicant provided a plan exhibit depicting the height an location of an as-built retaining wall, as well as the location of 1,047 square feet of rehabilitated landscaping area in the rear yard of the project site. The State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) requires administrative review for projects involving 500 square feet or more of new landscaped areas, or 2,500 square feet or more of rehabilitated landscape areas. Upon review of the plan exhibit, CDD staff has determined that the landscaping element of the project is not subject to review because it does not exceed the applicable 2,500 square-foot threshold triggering such review for landscape rehabilitation.
A 35-inch-tall retaining wall depicted on the exhibit submitted June 2, 2025 was constructed at the rear of the home without permits. Although retaining walls three feet in height or less are not considered structures, as defined in County Ordinance section 82-4.271(2), a building permit is still required for this existing improvement. Therefore, if approved, the project will be conditioned to require the applicant to obtain issuance of a building permit for the as-built retaining wall prior to final occupancy of the 218 square-foot residential addition.
IV. CONCLUSION
Construction of the proposed residential addition is consistent with the SH Residential Low-Medium Density (RLM) General Plan land use designation and complies with the intent and purpose of the R-6 Single-Family Residential Zoning District and the -K Kensington Combining District. Therefore, staff recommends approval of Kensington Design Review Development Plan CDDP24-03061 to allow a 218-square-foot addition to an existing single-family residence, subject to the attached findings and conditions of approval.
Attachments:
1. Revised Findings_COA
2. Plan Exhibit 06.02.25
3. ZA Staff Report 05.19.25