Commission grants discretionary review for Scott Street addition with privacy and setback modifications

The Planning Commission on July 28 took discretionary review of a proposed vertical addition and side/rear expansions at 3624 Scott Street in the Marina and approved the project with modifications intended to reduce privacy impacts on adjacent homes.

Adjacent neighbors filed two Doctor requests, arguing the proposed four‑ or five‑level top massing is out of scale for a block dominated by two‑ and three‑story homes, that the proposed rooftop deck and rear decks would substantially reduce light and privacy, and that the commission should require story poles to gauge actual visual impacts. Project opponents requested eliminating the top story and moving or deleting decks to preserve neighborhood character.

Planning staff acknowledged compatibility concerns but recommended approval with modifications: mirroring light wells where appropriate, setting back the rear second‑floor deck/guardrail and making the third‑floor guardrail opaque to reduce sight lines. The sponsor and architect proposed a planter and a slightly different setback (4'3") and offered to relocate the roof deck parapet to reduce visible massing.

After rebuttals, commissioners voted to approve discretionary review with staff modifications; the motion included a five‑foot setback for the top roof deck and treatments to reduce visibility and privacy intrusions. The vote passed 4–2 with Commissioners Koppel and Moore voting no.