Planning commission approves Grace Church variance and design review; easement for ingress/egress required, AB 2097 cited for parking

The San Anselmo Planning Commission unanimously approved design review and a setback variance for Grace Church at 921 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, allowing a roughly 340-square-foot infill, a new accessible entrance and lift, replacement courtyard stairs, a small mechanical shed to house HVAC equipment, and other accessibility and interior upgrades.

Associate Planner Jackson Deroney summarized the staff recommendation, telling the commission that the project "does not change the use of the existing church nor does it increase its intensity" and describing the proposed work, which includes grading of about 79 cubic yards and a new site drainage system. In discussing parking, Deroney noted a correction in the staff report and cited state law: "AB 2097 ... prohibits local agencies from imposing minimum parking requirements on projects located within a half mile of a major transit stop," meaning the town cannot require minimum parking for the site.

Applicant representatives said the breezeway infill is driven by safety and accessibility needs. Michael Snearley, who identified himself as pastor at Grace Church of Marin, said closing the breezeway would reduce instances of people sheltering there and allow the church to provide an ADA lift to reach the second floor gym that the town and community use. "That breezeway invites guests, especially at night, who often will spend the night under there," Snearley said. John Pappas, a church building-committee member, added that an existing access easement off Seis Avenue currently lacks a curb cut, making certain turns difficult: "That access easement off of Seis does not have a curb cut. You can't even make that turn."

Commissioners pressed staff and the applicant on formalizing off-site access. One commissioner urged striking the word "parking" from the recommended condition so the town would require only recorded easements securing ingress and egress rights rather than attempting to require parking on neighboring parcels: "I would recommend that we strike the word parking so that we are only requiring them to record a formal easement securing ingress and egress rights, but not parking," the commissioner said. Staff confirmed the town cannot compel property owners to grant parking easements but can request recorded ingress/egress easements or accept a revised circulation plan; a temporary certificate of occupancy is an available administrative option if additional time is needed.

After questions about curb cuts and mechanical equipment placement, a commissioner moved to approve the staff recommendation with the amendment proposed by the vice chair; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The commission recorded that formal easement(s) securing ingress and egress or an acceptable alternative circulation plan are required as a condition of approval. The chair noted the 10-day appeal period.