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Planning Commission Moves Closer to Developing New Garage Policy

October 17, 2006

The Planning Commission has held another informational discussion on its proposed policy regarding standards for review of permit applications for new garages in existing residential structures. In the past, all such permit applications were approved over-the-counter by the planning staff. The zoning administrator has issued two draft bulletins which were attached to an earlier article on the subject appearing in the September 19, 2006, issue of REALTOR® Advantage Online. The bulletins are intended to formalize the review process for new garages in existing buildings—historic and otherwise. The bulletins are summarized below.

Procedures and Criteria for Adding Garages (Zoning Administrator Bulletin 2006.1a)

All applications are reviewed first at the Planning Information Counter. An initial determination is made by the staff as to whether the subject structure is a potential "historic resource." For the purposes of this bulletin, a potential historic resource is a structure which was either (a) previously evaluated and included on the specific registers or surveys, or (b) constructed in or before 1913 and which, based on available information and staff review, appears to be of historic or architectural merit. Any application to add a new garage in a structure considered to be such a resource must be reviewed by one of the department's preservation specialists and is subject to the supplemental review process set forth in Zoning Administrator Bulletin 2006.1b.

For all other structures, the planning staff at the Planning Information Counter will determine compliance with the Planning Code, the General Plan, the Residential design Guidelines and other specific criteria. Should the proposed project meet all of these criteria, the application may be approved over-the-counter.

Additional Procedures for Adding Garages to Potential Historic Resources (Zoning Administrator Bulletin 2006.1b)

Garages should be inserted, whenever possible, on facades other than the main elevation. In cases where a garage is proposed on the main elevation, additional review by the planning department staff may be required. Some of the "character-defining features" that, if altered, may trigger review are:

• Architecture (Bays, decorative features, front entries)
• Massing and Scale (Height front setbacks)
• Relationship to adjacent buildings and streetscape (DPW significant trees, historic fences)

In cases where a garage opening may be appropriate, great care should be taken in the design and execution of the work. In addition to the criteria set forth in Zoning Administrator Bulletin 2006.1a, there are additional criteria that apply to the review of new garages in potentially historic buildings.

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