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File #: 25-4454    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Discussion Item Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 9/10/2025 In control: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
On agenda: 10/21/2025 Final action:
Title: HEARING to consider an appeal of the County Planning Commission’s approval of a development plan and Kensington design review to allow for the construction of a new, approximately 1,780-square-foot, single-family residence located at 279 Colusa Avenue in the unincorporated Kensington area (County File No. CDDP24-03060) (Thomas Biggs, Applicant; Robel Asefaw, Owner) (David and Sandra Gerstel, Appellants). (Everett Louie, Department of Conservation and Development)
Attachments: 1. Attachment A CDDP24-03060 Findings, 2. Attachment B CDDP24-03060 Plans, 3. Attachment C CDDP24-03060 BOS Appeal Letter date stamped1.pdf, 4. Attachment D CDDP24-03060 Zoning Administrator Staff Report, 5. Attachment E CDDP24-03060 County Planning Commission Staff Report.pdf, 6. Attachment F - Additional Public Comment, 7. Attachment G CDDP24-03060 BOS Presentation
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To: Board of Supervisors
From: John Kopchik, Director, Conservation and Development
Report Title: Appeal of the County Planning Commission's Approval of a Development Plan and Kensington Design Review for 279 Colusa Ave (County File #CDDP24-03060)
?Recommendation of the County Administrator ? Recommendation of Board Committee


RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. OPEN the public hearing on an appeal of the County Planning Commission's approval of a Development Plan and Kensington design review for 279 Colusa Avenue in the unincorporated Kensington area; RECEIVE testimony; and CLOSE the public hearing.
2. DENY the appeal of David and Sandra Gerstel.
3. DETERMINE that the proposed project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines Section 15303(a) [new construction of a single-family residence].
4. APPROVE the Development Plan and Kensington Design Review to allow for the construction of a new, 1,780-square-foot, single-family residence at 279 Colusa Avenue (CDDP24-03060).
5. APPROVE the attached findings in support of the project.
6. APPROVE the project conditions of approval.
7. DIRECT the Director of Conservation and Development to file a Notice of Exemption with the County Clerk.


FISCAL IMPACT:

The applicant has paid the necessary application deposit and is obligated to pay supplemental fees to cover all additional costs associated with the application process.

BACKGROUND:

This hearing is an appeal of the County Planning Commission's August 27, 2025, decision to approve a Development Plan and Kensington Design Review for the construction of a new single-family residence located at 279 Colusa Ave. in the Kensington area, County File #CDDP24-03060.

The Development Plan and Design Review application was submitted to the Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) on December 12, 2024. The project was scheduled for a public hearing before the Zoning Administrator on May 19, 2025. At the hearing the Zoning Administrator opened ...

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