508 Gerona Avenue appeal

Speaking for the owners, asked the council to uphold the Design Review Commission's unanimous 4-0 approval.

The property owner said the home is for her growing family and asked the council to rely on professional review rather than subjective design preferences.

A 30-year Gerona resident said he never saw notice of the community meeting and asked why the existing home's facade couldn't be preserved.

Urged the council to grant the appeal, saying design review must go beyond minimum zoning standards and that the project sets a neighborhood precedent.

Supported the owners, saying the new home will let their grandchildren visit and stay with them.

Asked the council to uphold the commission's decision on behalf of the stressed family.

A 47-year real estate agent argued San Gabriel loses buyers who want larger homes, and said the new design is beautiful and fits the street.

The Segovia Avenue homeowner whose remodeled house was used as a comparison spoke in support of the project.

Joined his wife in supporting the project as reasonable neighborhood investment.

The direct south neighbor at 504 Gerona asked for the AC unit to be relocated, reduced height, larger setbacks, and a boundary survey.

The 504 Gerona co-owner detailed unresolved privacy, scale, and public-comment concerns, noting the plan sits 0.01 percent below maximum floor area ratio.

A 40-year neighbor across the street described years of property neglect, an unpermitted-feeling tree removal, and supported a new home but not the handling.

The Historic Preservation Commission chair urged the council not to dismiss properties outside potential historic districts and to approve the appeal.

Cited the nearly 80-signature petition and DRC Commissioner Cheng's June instructions to work with neighbors, urging the appeal be granted.

A 58-year resident with a design career said the house doesn't fit but could with modest redesign.

An audiologist demonstrated the decibel impact the proposed AC placement would have on the 504 Gerona neighbor and asked for collaboration.

A Gerona resident since 1993 urged the owners to add on rather than demolish, preserving the street's charm.