Brentwood ARB approves two Magdalene homes with trim, roof-pitch and setback changes

The City of Brentwood Architectural Review Board on Aug. 21 approved plans for two new single-family houses at 8737 and 8741 Magdalene, subject to staff markups calling for lower front-gable pitches, added trim boards on side elevations and a modest setback change. The board voted to “approve as noted” after discussion and public comment.

The projects were presented by Josh Peterman of Renaissance Living, the owner-developer, who described demolition of the existing houses and construction of two two‑story brick-and-siding residences. Board members pressed for design changes to reduce the visual height where the new two‑story houses will sit next to predominantly one‑story cottages on the block.

Board member Carl Carlin said the board could lower the perceived height with small framing adjustments: “If we could get 4 feet and get lined up with the house to the east and we go to the 8 and 12, I think we're in a really good position.” Carlin and other members recommended dropping some front-gable slopes from roughly 10/12 to 8/12 (and leaving the main roof at a lower slope), adding horizontal trim boards on the sides and returning some brick for stronger transitions. Peterman agreed to evaluate those changes but said he was sensitive to market preferences for steeper front gables.

A nearby resident, Mary Anne Bradford of 8734 Florence, spoke during the meeting’s remote public-comment period about proximity and scale: “I just feel like, the house I've got is gonna be kind of overshadowed by a couple of big hulking things back behind me,” and she asked for the distance between her yard and the proposed structures. The project team told her the existing house sits about 59 feet from the rear property line and the proposed new house would be about 28–29 feet from that line if the applicant moved the front plane back slightly as discussed. Staff also said the two new houses would be about 10 feet apart side‑to‑side and roughly 12–15 feet from neighboring houses on the other sides, and that both lots meet the zoning setback requirements.

The board emphasized context and differentiation between the two houses, noting they should not present as two identical units. Suggestions included different siding/trim treatments (for example, vertical siding in the side gable of one house), small porch and garage detail adjustments, and continuing trim boards around to the rear where appropriate. Staff said the city is implementing residential design guidelines soon and used the draft guidance as context during the review.

Formal action: a motion to approve the plans “as noted” passed on a roll call vote; the board recorded Carl Carlin and Matt Forman as voting yes. The approval was conditioned on the applicant submitting permit documents that reflect the board’s markups (roof-pitch adjustments, trim boards on sides and back, and a four‑foot setback adjustment where feasible). The board will forward final marked-up drawings to staff to verify updates match the comments.

The board’s comments focused on visual massing rather than zoning compliance: staff confirmed the proposed houses comply with the current zoning setbacks but encouraged modest design moves to reduce perceived height and improve the streetscape fit. The ARB did not require any changes that would alter interior room function. The applicant will incorporate the markups into permit documents for staff review.