Applicant, local resident urge approval of ADUs, cite housing and investment

At the public hearing portion of the meeting, applicant representatives and a long-term resident urged the planning commission to approve the ADU project at 205 Pecan Avenue. Marcus Keemer, identified in the staff introduction as the applicant, said the project team understood state ADU rules and that the current application focuses solely on the ADUs without altering existing parking. The applicant said the team expected the project to comply with state and local permitting requirements under the plan presented to the commission.

Resident Rochelle Crociello, who said she has lived in Huntington Beach since 1973 and serves as project manager for the property, described the family and economic context for the proposal and outlined money already invested. "We put $50,000 into this project so far," Crociello said, and added that the team anticipated putting nearly $1,000,000 into improving the three parcels that make up the site. She said the ADUs would allow family members to remain in Huntington Beach and that the team had worked with staff throughout the application process.

Supporters noted that staff had updated the record to an updated site plan that did not propose encroachment into the existing parking area; several commissioners thanked the applicant for cooperating on updated plans while expressing broader policy concerns about ADUs and parking. The commission nevertheless voted to deny the appeal and allow the permitting to proceed under the updated findings and conditions.