Commission declines discretionary review and clears Second Avenue addition

The Planning Commission voted unanimously on Dec. 15 to decline a public-initiated request for discretionary review of a third-story addition at 11030 Second Avenue and to allow the project to proceed. Staff recommended not taking discretionary review because the proposed addition met code and design guidelines, and the zoning administrator supported staff's recommendation.

The adjacent neighbor, Sanford Garfinkel, spoke at the hearing and asked that three windows facing his property be replaced "in kind," expressing concern about privacy and light impacts. The project sponsor and architect said multiple permits and an updated application included window replacement work; the sponsor clarified that existing glass types (obscured vs. clear) would be replaced like-for-like where applicable and that concessions had been made in the design to reduce overlooking.

After brief deliberation, a motion to not take discretionary review and approve the project as proposed passed unanimously 7–0. The zoning administrator noted the project will proceed under standard permit conditions and the documented MMRP/department review procedures for construction impacts.