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File #: 25-3435    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Discussion Item Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 8/21/2025 In control: Contra Costa County Planning Commission
On agenda: 8/27/2025 Final action:
Title: THOMAS BIGGS (Applicant) - ROBEL ASEFAW (Owner) – DAVID AND SANDRA GERSTEL (Appellants), County File #CDDP24-03060: This is an appeal of the Zoning Administrator’s decision to approve a Development Plan and Design Review to allow for the construction of a new approximately 1,643-square-foot, two-story single-family residence with an approximately 54-square-foot covered front porch and an approximately 83-square-foot covered second story balcony. The project is located at 279 Colusa Ave, in the Kensington area of Contra Costa County. (Zoning: R-6 Single-Family Residential District, -TOV Tree Obstruction of Views, -K Kensington Combining District) (Assessor’s Parcel Number: 571-350-018) EL
Attachments: 1. Attachment A Findings and Conditions of approval CDDP24-03060, 2. Attachment B CDDP24-03060 Appeal Letter - Copy, 3. Attachment C CDDP24-03060 ZA Staff Report - Copy, 4. Attachment D CDDP24-03060 3.31.2025 plans - Copy, 5. Attachment E CDDP24-03060 Site Photographs - Copy, 6. Attachment F CDDP24-03060 PPT
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Project Title:
Appeal of Kensington Design Review and Development Plan for New Single-Family Residence on Colusa Ave.


County File Number:
CDDP24-03060


Appellants:
David and Sandra Gerstel


Applicant:
Thomas Biggs


Owner:
Robel Asefaw


Zoning/General Plan:
R-6 Single-Family Residential District (R-6), Kensington Combining District (-K), Tree Obstruction of Views Combining District (-TOV)/ Residential Medium Density (RM)


Site Address/Location:
279 Colusa Ave, Kensington / APN: 571-350-018


California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Status:
Categorical Exemption, CEQA Guidelines Section 15303(a)-One Single-Family residence.


Project Planner:
Everett Louie, Planner III - Phone: (925) 655-2873
Email: everett.louie@dcd.cccounty.us


Staff Recommendation:
Approve (See section II for full recommendation)


I. PROJECT SUMMARY

This is a hearing on an appeal of the Zoning Administrator's decision to approve a Kensington Development Plan and Design Review to convert the existing residence to a dwelling unit (ADU) and construct a new approximately 1,643-square-foot, two-story, single-family residence with an approximately 54-square-foot covered front porch and an approximately 83-square-foot covered second story balcony. The combined gross floor area of the new residence and ADU will be 3,235 square feet, where the threshold is 2,600 square feet for triggering a development plan hearing.

II. RECOMMENDATION

The Department of Conservation and Development, Community Development Division (CDD) Staff recommends that the County Planning Commission:

A. OPEN the public hearing, RECEIVE testimony, and CLOSE the public hearing.

B. DENY the appeal by David and Sandra Gerstel.

C. FIND that the proposed project is exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15303(a).

D. APPROVE the Development Plan and Design Review for the construction of a new two-story single-family residence (CDDP24-03060).

E. APPROVE the findings in support of the project.

F. APPROVE the project con...

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