Legislation Details

File #: 26-3550    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Discussion Item Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 8/10/2026 In control: Contra Costa County Zoning Administrator
On agenda: 8/17/2026 Final action:
Title: GREG VANMECHELEN | VANMECHELEN ARCHITECTS (Applicant) - KEN AND JULIE KURTZMAN (Owners), County File CDDP25-03032: The applicant is seeking 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). The subject property is located at 210 Amherst Avenue in the Kensington area of unincorporated Contra Costa County (APN: 570-050-004, Zoning R-6 Single-Family Residential, -TOV Tree Obstruction of Views Combining District, -K Kensington Combining District) DL
Attachments: 1. Attachment A - Findings and Conditions of approval.pdf, 2. Attachment B - Maps.pdf, 3. Attachment C - Agency Comments.pdf, 4. Attachment D - Project Plans.pdf
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Project Title:

Development Plan for a Kensington Design Review and Variance for a Residential Addition
County File(s):
CDDP25-03032
Applicant:
Owner:
Greg VanMechelen | VanMechelen Architects
Ken and Julie Kurtzman
Zoning:
R-6 Single-Family Residential District (R-6), Kensington Combining District (-K), Tree Obstruction of Views Combining District (-TOV)
General Plan:
Residential Medium Density (RM)
Site Address/Location
210 Amherst Avenue, Kensington / APN: 570-050-004
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Status:
Categorical Exemption, CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(e)-Additions to existing structures.
Project Planner:
Diana Lecca, Project Planner - phone: (925) 655-2869 and email: diana.lecca@dcd.cccounty.us
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 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

The Department of Conservation and Development, Community Development Division (CDD) staff recommends that the Zoning Administrator:
1. OPEN the public hearing for the Development Plan, Variance and Kensington Design Review (County File #CDDP25-03032), ACCEPT public testimony, and CLOSE the public hearing.
2. DETERMINE that the proposed project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(e);
3. APPROVE the Development Plan, Variance and Kensington Design Review (County File #CDDP25-03032), based on the attached Findings and Conditions of Approval;
4. DIRECT staff to file a Notice of Exemption with the County Clerk.

III. GENERAL INFORMATION
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