Council says home can be remodeled: Proposal on Verdun Avenue in San Mateo gets OK despite neighborhood dispute

The San Mateo City Council approved a residential proposal to build a second-story addition that would obscure part of a neighbors view of the Bay but, in doing so, was forced to confront a public divide over how to make room for growing families while maintaining homeowners interests in their properties.

On Monday, the council considered Verdun Avenue resident Karen Trudells request to appeal the Planning Commissions June decision to allow her downhill neighbors, Terri and Michael Schmier, from a remodel that would block her bedroom and part of her living room views.

While the Schmiers said their plans are aimed at making room for the likelihood that their parents may soon need to move in with them, Trudell said she would be left to bare the cost of losing a view shes enjoyed for 20 years.

Numerous residents with views said they feared the case would set a precedent and requested clarification of the citys single-family design guidelines, which were established 12 years ago in response to a similar proposal on the same street.

The current guidelines include provisions for those who remodel to respect a neighbors existing views and that additions should result in equitable views for both homeowners.

Councilman Jack Matthews, who served on the Planning Commission when the guidelines were developed, said uniformly preventing second-story additions when it blocks a neighbors view wouldnt be realistic.

I think thats a very regressive way at looking at things. Were a community experiencing change and we need to embrace that and allow for it to happen in a very positive way, Matthews said. One thing that hasnt worked so well, is that its pretty hard on the applicants and the neighbors when you cant reach a compromise.

The Schmiers bought their home, with 1,700-square-feet of livable space, 14 years ago and recently applied to build an 889-square-foot second-story addition with a 149-square-foot patio atop the street side portion of their home.

The Schmiers said theyve revised their plans four times, incurred $18,000 in city permit fees and added it would be more costly to find a new home than to remodel. But Trudell, whos lived on Verdun Avenue for 20 years, said losing her view would mean losing equity in her home.

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Council says home can be remodeled: Proposal on Verdun Avenue in San Mateo gets OK despite neighborhood dispute