Commission denies discretionary review request and clears owner’s rear‑addition permit in Sunset neighborhood

The Planning Commission voted to approve a three‑story rear horizontal addition to a single‑family dwelling at 627 Sixteenth Avenue after staff concluded the application complied with the planning code and residential design guidelines.

David Winslow, staff architect, described the public‑initiated discretionary review request from a neighbor who raised privacy and stormwater concerns. Winslow said staff found the addition’s massing respects setbacks and floor‑area‑relationship guidelines and that typical oversight for stormwater is handled by building‑department review.

The owner and project sponsor noted design adjustments to respect adjacent properties; the commission found no exceptional or extraordinary circumstances meriting discretionary review and approved the permit as proposed (unanimous vote). The commission asked staff to coordinate with Public Works on a curb/sidewalk condition raised in public testimony.