CDRC approves Montara addition and deck replacement with condition to show shielded lighting

April 10, 2025 — The San Mateo County Coastal Design Review Committee approved a design review permit Thursday for additions and remodeling at a single‑family residence at 840 Edison Street in Montara, finding the project exempt from CEQA under the existing‑facilities exemption.

Staff described the project (file TLN2024‑00313) as a 339‑square‑foot first‑floor addition, a 65‑square‑foot second‑story addition, and a 407‑square‑foot deck replacement on a parcel listed in the staff report as 625 square feet; the presentation also referenced a combined total that staff and the applicant discussed during the hearing. The project includes minor grading and removal of one tree, and staff recommended the committee determine the project exempt under CEQA Guidelines section 15301(e) (Class 1: additions to existing structures under certain thresholds). The application was deemed complete March 11, 2025; Randall Cohen was listed as the project planner.

The applicant’s representative described filling in a narrow rear void to enlarge the kitchen and said the front of the house will remain unchanged. New windows are proposed to be vinyl with black exterior frames and white interiors to replace older aluminum windows. The committee asked that exterior lighting be shown as fully shielded on final plans; the applicant said shielded fixtures would be used and that plans would be clarified to show that detail.

A motion to approve carried on a roll‑call vote with April Bingham and Moshe Porter recorded as voting yes. The committee’s conditions included providing details of shielded exterior lighting on the final plan set and clarifying that new exterior finishes match existing materials where applicable.

The staff report noted the project is not appealable to the California Coastal Commission and listed the planner and application completeness date.