Ross ADR urges council to allow in-kind siding replacements to be administratively approved, staff to draft code language

At its April 16 meeting the Ross ADR recommended that town staff and council amend the demolition permit and design review rules to allow administrative approval for in-kind exterior siding replacements and to require ADR review only when the material or appearance is changed.

Staff explained the problem: under current rules any project altering more than 25% of a residenceexterior wall coverings triggers design review and a demolition permit process that can take several weeks (ADR then council). Planning staff warned that forming a small standing committee of ADR members to review siding samples would itself create a standing committee subject to the Brown Act and would not speed the process.

"That would be considered a standing committee, which is still subject to the Brown Act," staff said, noting that routine review by the same small group would require public notices and hearings and therefore would not shorten timelines. ADR members proposed a simpler administrative path: allow in-kind replacements or matches in texture and color to be approved by staff with a short submission (email, photos and a material sample) rather than full ADR and council review. Several ADR members said they supported that approach while keeping safeguards to prevent low-quality or dramatically different finishes.

The ADR asked staff to draft code amendments clarifying that the 25% threshold does not apply when a replacement is in kind and that material changes (for example, from siding to stucco) would still require design review. Staff agreed to prepare draft language and circulate it back to Steven Sutro and other members before it goes to council.

Next steps: staff will draft and circulate proposed code language; ADR will forward its recommendation to council for consideration.