The Compliance and Technical Advisory Board approved staff recommendations to allow the already-installed widening "wings" of an existing historic driveway apron at 210 Hermine Boulevard but denied the applicants requests for a new curb cut and a long gravel driveway in the front yard.

Staff recommended approving item 1, the increase in width of the existing concrete apron wings, but recommended denial of item 2 (a new concrete curb cut and apron 18' wide tapering to 15') and item 3 (a 15-foot-by-48-foot gravel driveway). Staff advised the applicant that landscape-based approaches and properly specified drainage work that meet the guidelines could be considered in an administrative request and encouraged coordination to mitigate stormwater impacts.

Homeowner Yolanda Jimenez told the board she has experienced repeated foundation and stormwater problems at the property and that earlier city street repairs had required multiple fixes. She said the widened apron and the additional gravel area were installed to route water away from the house; she presented a petition with 51 signatures in support. Multiple neighbors and neighborhood organizations opposed the change, saying the work was done without permits, that the gravel is an eyesore and may spread into neighboring yards and the street, and that the applicant did not notify the neighborhood association prior to the work. Several voicemail comments and in-person speakers opposed the gravel apron; one caller supported repairing the site.

Commissioners clarified that staff recommends approving only the existing apron wing enlargement (item 1) and denying the added curb cut and gravel area (items 2 and 3). The board approved staff recommendations on a 7-1 roll call (Flores recorded as Nay; Garcia, Brigard, Setzer, Fullerton, Pollock, Vasquez and Sepulveda recorded as Aye). The motion included direction to staff to work with the applicant on compliant landscaping and drainage alternatives consistent with historic-district guidelines.

Action: Approve staff recommendation to allow widening of existing driveway apron wings; deny new curb cut and long gravel driveway. Vote recorded: Flores (Nay), Garcia (Aye), Brigard (Aye), Setzer (Aye), Fullerton (Aye), Pollock (Aye), Vasquez (Aye), Sepulveda (Aye).