CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

Committee Meeting Minutes - Final

Contra Costa County Zoning Administrator

1:30 PM

Monday, May 4, 2026

30 Muir Road, Martinez

Zoom: https://cccounty-us.zoom.us/j/85491390617

Webinar ID: 854 9139 0617 Call in: (855) 758-1310 or (408) 961-3928

ZA: W Nelson

Staff: A. Sylva, L. Theis (PW), and D. Reckmeyer-Walton

The Zoning Administrator meeting will be accessible in-person, via telephone, and via live-streaming to

all members of the public. Zoning Administrator meetings can be viewed live online at:

http://contra-costa.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=13.

Persons who wish to address the Zoning Administrator during public comment or with respect to an item

on the agenda may comment in person or may call in during the meeting by dialing (855)758-1310 US

Toll Free or (408) 961-3928. A caller should indicate they wish to speak on an agenda item, by pushing

"#2" on their phone.

Access via Zoom is also available using the following link

https://cccounty-us.zoom.us/j/85491390617 Webinar ID: 854 9139 0617.

Those participating via Zoom should indicate they wish to speak on an agenda item by using the “raise

your hand” feature in the Zoom app. Public comments may also be submitted before the meeting by

email at planninghearing@dcd.cccounty.us or by voicemail at (925) 655-2860.

Commenters will generally be limited to three (3) minutes each. Comments submitted by email or

voicemail will be included in the record of the meeting but will not be read or played aloud during the

meeting. The Zoning Administrator may reduce the amount of time allotted per commenter at the

beginning of each item or public comment period depending on the number of commenters and the

business of the day. The Zoning Administrator may alter the order of agenda items at the meeting. Your

patience is appreciated.

The Community Development Division of the Department of Conservation and Development will

provide reasonable accommodations to those persons needing translation services and for persons with

disabilities who wish to participate in Zoning Administrator meetings. Please contact Hiliana Li at least

48 hours before the meeting at (925) 655-2860.

There were no Public Comments.

2. VARIANCE: CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING

PUBLIC COMMENTS

BACILIA MACIAS, BACILIA MACIAS ARCHITECTURE

26-1851

(APPLICANT) & EDUARDO LANDEROS (OWNER), County File

CDVR24-01044: The applicant requests approval of a Variance to allow a

9-foot front yard setback (where 20 feet is the minimum required) and a Tree

Permit for the removal of two code-protected Coast Live Oak trees, for the

construction of a 2,128-square-foot two-story single-family residence on a

vacant lot. The application includes Small Lot Design Review of the new

single-family residence on a lot that is substandard in area and average

width. The project site is located at 1518 Barth Avenue in the San Pablo area

of unincorporated Contra Costa County. (Zoning: R-6 Single-Family

Residential District) (Assessor’s Parcel Number: 419-192-015)

CONTINUED FROM APRIL 20, 2026 DL

Open public hearing for new information only, there were two members of the

public who spoke in opposition to the project: 6198 N. Arlington Boulevard

and 5998 Harbor View Avenue. Concerns were brought up about soil stability

being compromised by the proposed tree removal and the impact the project

will have on Barth Avenue as a section in front of the subject property is

slumping. Applicant mentioned that they have taken action by consulting with

a different geotechnical engineer who specializes in landslide properties.

ZA discussion:

Acknowledged the comment letters that were emailed prior to the meeting

and provided clarification on the “order of operations” for a discretionary

review process.

ZA and Project Planner met with the County Geologist to discuss

geotechnical report, which is inadequate. Proposed foundation design

raises concerns. ZA advised that per the County Geologist, the house itself

will have to function as a retaining wall or additional retaining walls will be

necessary. Depending on design, additional retaining walls could require

another Variance.

Reiterated the small lot design review findings (location, size, height and

design) and indicated that the project is compatible with the eclectic

character of the surrounding neighborhood. Indicated that the proposed

residence is consistent with the square footage of the following homes:

APN

ADDRESS

HOME SQUARE FOOTAGE

419-141-019 5928 Harbor View Avenue 2,442 SF

419-141-018 5940 Harbor View Avenue 2,058 SF

419-141-017 5946 Harbor View Avenue 2,338 SF

419-192-001 1500 Barth Avenue

3,100 SF

419-191-003 5931 Capitol Hill Avenue 3,288 SF

419-191-002 5943 Capitol Hill Avenue 3,330 SF

Reiterated that General Plan policy HS-P11.5, pertaining to development

on steep slopes, does not prohibit development of the subject property.

Cited entitlements for homes on Harbor View Avenue, dating back to 1956,

where a similar front setback Variance was approved because of the slopes.

The same issues that relate to the subject property were present in 1956.

Stated that all three findings are present to support approval of the

Variance.

ZA determination:

APPROVE County File #CDVR24-01044 based on staff’s findings and

subject to staff’s recommended COAs w/ the following modifications:

o Supplement findings to cite residential square footages and Harbor

View Avenue setback Variance discussed above.

o COA #7 - add “within” before “60 days” and change “effective

date” to “approval date”

o COA #26 - change “Cesar Chavez Day” to “Farm Workers Day”

FIND that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to

Section 15303 (a) of the CEQA Guidelines;

DIRECT staff to file a Notice of Exemption with the County Clerk.

PLEASE NOTE: THE NEXT MEETING OF THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY ZONING

ADMINISTRATOR WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026.