Seacliff Drive concept review continued; board asks applicant to study wall heights, material transitions and reduce garage height

The Single Family Design Board continued concept review Nov. 3 for a remodel and additions at 3070 Seacliff Drive and asked the applicant to study wall heights, material transitions and reduce the proposed garage height so that the additions better relate to the existing residence.

Case planner Sebastian Harrix said the proposal includes an 1,100-square-foot single-story addition, a new 580-square-foot two-car garage, a new pool and landscaping. The project proposes removal of five trees; total proposed development is 4,575 square feet on a 48,351-square-foot lot (about 91% of the guideline floor-area ratio). The applicant explained some elements of the site history: portions of a prior permit were constructed by a previous owner, and the current owner is revising the prior permit scope. The application shows planned replanting of coast live oaks and an avocado orchard that the architect said will be preserved where possible.

Architect Thomas Moss (Anacapa Architecture) presented design intent: new volumes that flank the existing mid-century residence, a revised arrival sequence with a gated entry and an enclosed interior courtyard for privacy, and material studies that include warm thin brick veneer and light textured wood accents. The applicant said the previously permitted gate will be constructed and described a six-foot gate in the front setback and 10-foot-8 parapet heights for new brick walls intended to balance existing ridge heights.

Board members said they could support the general concept but expressed concerns that the tall enclosing walls as shown from Sea Cliff read as fortress-like and lack sufficient openings for approachability. Board members asked the applicant to study relief or openings in that north-facing wall and to revisit the material transition where brick turns to wood in the renderings. Members also asked the applicant to reduce the garage height (currently shown at a higher plate/parapet than the main house in the materials provided) and return with a comprehensive landscape plan showing how the avocado orchard and other trees will be preserved or replaced.

The board voted unanimously to continue the item indefinitely to the full board with the requested studies.