Lundgren Design Review (P4719)

The applicant requests Design Review approval to construct the following improvements to an existing two-story single-family residence located on a developed lot within an unincorporated area of Mill Valley (the community of Strawberry): a new 2,483-square-foot roof that would reach a maximum height of 29 feet, 9 inches above grade; a 350-square-foot single-story addition on the upper level; a 401-square-foot single-story addition on the lower level; an 853-square-foot upper-story deck; an 419-square-foot lower-story deck; a retaining wall; and a trash enclosure. The 751 square feet of proposed development—calculated from the total increase to floor area from the proposed additions, per the definition of floor area to Marin County Code Section 22.130.030—would result in a 34 percent floor area ratio on the 10,994-square-foot lot, based on the area of the lot not subject to tidal action. The maximum height and minimum setbacks of the proposed improvements are described below.

The proposed 2,483-square-foot roof would reach a maximum height of 29 feet, 9 inches above grade, and would maintain the subsequent minimum setbacks from its exterior: 24 feet, 3 inches from the western front property line; 8 feet, 4 ½ inches from the southern side property line; 6 feet, 8 ½ inches from the northern side property line; and 118 feet, 10 inches from the eastern rear property line.

The proposed 350-square-foot single-story addition on the upper level would reach a maximum height of 18 feet, 10 ½ inches above grade, and would maintain the subsequent minimum setbacks from its exterior walls: 48 feet, 6 inches from the western front property line; 13 feet, 8 ¾ inches from the southern side property line; 31 feet, 2 inches from the northern side property line; and 151 feet, 4 inches from the eastern rear property line.

The proposed 401-square-foot single-story addition on the lower level would reach a maximum height of 15 feet, 8 ½ inches above grade, and would maintain the subsequent minimum setbacks from its exterior walls: 81 feet, 11 ¾ inches from the western front property line; 46 feet, 2 ¼ inches from the southern side property line; 9 feet, 8 inches from the northern side property line; and 99 feet, 9 ½ inches from the eastern rear property line.

The proposed 853-sqaure-foot upper-story deck would reach a maximum height of 15 feet, 8 ½  inches above grade, and would maintain the subsequent minimum setbacks from its exterior: 74 feet, 6 inches from the western front property line; 9 feet, 6 inches to the southern side property line; 9 feet, 8  inches from the northern side property line; and 102 feet, 6 ½ inches from the eastern rear property line.

The proposed 419-sqaure-foot lower-story deck would reach a maximum height of 5 feet, 6 inches above grade, and would maintain the subsequent minimum setbacks from its exterior: 73 feet, 3 inches from the western front property line; 10 feet to the southern side property line; 31 feet, 11 inches from the northern side property line; and 117 feet, 11 ¼ inches from the eastern rear property line.

The proposed retaining wall (identified as a modified landscaping wall) would reach a maximum height of 4 feet, 3 inches above grade, and would maintain the subsequent minimum setbacks from its exterior: 25 feet, ¾ inches from the western front property line; 49 feet, 3 ¼ inches from the southern side property line; 2 feet, 10 ½ inches from the northern side property line; and 170 feet, ¼ inches from the eastern rear property line.

The proposed trash enclosure would reach a maximum height of 8 feet, 2 inches above grade and would maintain the subsequent minimum setbacks from its exterior: 65 feet, 10 inches from the southern side property line; 2 feet, 5 ¼  inches from the northern side property line; and 196 feet, 8 ½ inches from the eastern rear property line. The improvement would not have front yard setback to the western front property line.

The proposed development would also entail various other site improvements, including modifications to the exterior of the single-family residence, such as the replacement of exterior materials and treatments, as well as changes to fenestration. Alterations to the access and hardscaping are also proposed, including the reconfiguration of the parking area, the installation of a stairway with integrated retaining walls to provide direct pedestrian access from East Strawberry Drive, and the addition of new minor landscaping elements.

Design Review approval is required pursuant to Marin County Code Section 22.42.020(A) because the project involves development that cannot be exempt from the Design Review approval requirement.

Land Use Info

Zoning: RSP-4.36-BFC (Residential Single-Family Planned District with a Density of 0.2294 Acres per Unit (equivalent to 4.36 Units per Acre), combined with the Bayfront Bay Combining District)
Countywide Plan Designation: SF6 (Low Density Residential)
Community Plan: Strawberry Community Plan (1973)