Council approves 12 Garden Road remodel and 1,200 sq ft deed‑restricted ADU with screening condition

The Ross Town Council voted to approve a remodel at 12 Garden Road that includes a 703-square-foot second-story addition and an attached, rent‑restricted 1,200-square-foot accessory dwelling unit integrated within the existing structure.

Planning staff explained the nonconformity permit request would extend an existing north-side setback and that required findings — including no significant adverse impacts to adjacent properties, adequate drainage designed by a licensed engineer, and sufficient water supply for firefighting — could be made. Staff also said the ADU’s rent restriction runs with the land; a future owner could seek removal of the restriction after 20 years but that would require town council approval.

The applicant team said they had letters of neighbor support and offered a slightly darker stucco sample requested during advisory review. Neighbor Diane Holly, who shares a rear fence with the property, said she supported the project but asked that three removed guava trees be replaced with equal-sized screening to preserve privacy.

Council Member (Speaker 10) moved to approve the project with a condition requiring appropriate screening along the back fence; the motion was seconded by Speaker 14 and passed 4–0 (Mayor Breckis recused herself from the item because she lives nearby and stepped out during deliberation).