Seaside commission continues review of second‑story addition at 1828 Yuseite after neighbors raise shared‑garage risks

The Seaside Planning Commission on June 24 continued consideration of an application for a second‑story addition, rooftop deck and minor use permit at 1828 Yuseite after neighbors and several commissioners raised concerns about a shared garage and potential long‑term risks.

Senior planner Beth Roach told the commission the proposal would add a second story over the existing single‑story footprint and maintain several nonconforming side setbacks (as narrow as 4 feet 7 inches where 5 feet is required). Roach said the project complies with floor‑area‑ratio and lot‑coverage limits and that staking and flagging for the project were verified on June 5.

Architect Thomas Retinwender, speaking for property owner Peter Maciel, described the plan as "a dream come true for the Maciel family," citing an aim to create multigenerational housing and structural choices intended to keep costs manageable by "stacking" walls and using existing garage walls for support.

Neighbors urged greater caution. Erica Sabin, the adjacent homeowner who shares the attached garage, said the minor use permit request is not minor in practice because the garages are "structurally intertwined," raising access, maintenance and insurance issues. Sabin asked the commission to deny the MUP for the connector and the garage deck unless the structural and liability questions are resolved. Other neighbors cited loss of view corridors and the massing of new second stories on the block.

Staff repeatedly said structural-footing, load and fire‑safety questions will be addressed at the building permit stage when engineered plans and calculations are submitted. Commissioners acknowledged that legal notice requirements had been met and that flagging was in place, but they said the close physical connection between neighboring garages warranted further discussion between the property owners and a revised plan.

Given the concerns, multiple commissioners urged the applicant to consider detaching or setting back the garage. The commission voted unanimously to continue the application to the July 8 meeting to allow the applicant to respond to the commission's and neighbors' concerns and to prepare any plan revisions.