Millbrae online rental house renovation proposal rejected

Officials disallowed the proposal Monday, March 4, due to concerns the plans were inadequate and suggested designs be clarified before the application could return for further discussion.

“This needs a bit of work,” said Chair Maureen Davis, when encouraging architect Yung Chen and property owner Linyan Wang to improve their remodel proposal.

Commissioner Catherine Quigg shared a similar perspective.

“I really think you can do something that will benefit both your client and the neighborhood,” said Quigg to Chen.

Officials shared concerns the proposal to add a second floor and expand the livable area downstairs was an inefficient use of space, and suggested that a more refined plan would be better received.

Some of the concerns from officials alluded to the frustrations held by neighborhood residents who claimed the house is used primarily for short-term rentals, which frequently invites inconsiderate guests.

“There’s a lot of pressure on communities to provide more housing and more units so there is more usable residential places for people in the Bay Area. But I would suggest if the owner is looking at permanent rental units, or temporary rental units, they look at properties that are zoned property for multi-family units,” said Commissioner Alan Wong.

Commissioners were disallowed from considering the short-term rentals when voting on the renovation, but ultimately found sufficient justification in the proposal’s shortcomings to adhere to neighbors’ calls to reject the request.

Nearby residents lined up to share their frustrations with the property though, which they claimed frequently hosted visitors who disrupt the otherwise quiet neighborhood.

“We moved here 25 years ago, it’s a great place to raise your kids and we just don’t want a place that is next to an in-and-out hotel,” said neighbor Robert Vonni.

Neighbor Norm Lee agreed that the property is a nuisance, and feared the extra space sought would only be used to accommodate more renters.

“My concern is what that additional space will be used for,” he said.

Several residents testified at the meeting suggesting the house caused parking problems, trash and garbage issues and strange behavior by occupants who arrived and departed at all hours of the night.

“We, along with our neighbors, are concerned for the safety of our families,” said Lee.

The applicant though said the extra 700 square feet sought in the remodel would be used to accommodate the property owner who plans to move back into the home after the birth of their child in May. Once the child is born, the property owner’s grandparents will move from China to help raise the baby and they will live upstairs. The owner’s occupancy will also cut down on the amount of short-term rentals hosted at the site, said Chen.

The neighborhood uproar over rental homes at the meeting arrived in the wake of a party at a different house which outraged residents after the gathering ended in gunshots. While no one was injured in the incident, the community concern invited a decision by the Millbrae City Council last year to establish regulations on short-term rentals hosted in neighborhoods.

Commissioners at the most recent meeting called on the applicant to assure the house is being rented in adherence with the short-term rental policy, which would require a business permit and contributions to the city’s hotel tax fund, among other obligations.

In recognition of the variety of concerns, plus the shortcomings associated with the proposed design, Quigg synthesized the frustrations held by officials and residents.

“I just don’t feel comfortable about the way it is now,” she said.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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