Proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit at 411 E. Columbia Avenue

Original title: 1. Major Certificate of Appropriateness (MAJCOA-000607-2025) Project Address: 411 E. Columbia Avenue Project Applicant: Manuel Badiola Project Planner: Karina Diaz, Assistant Planner Council District: Council District 4 A request for a Major Certificate of Appropriateness (MAJCOA-000607-2025) for the conversion of an existing detached garage with an addition into a 640 square foot Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) at the rear of a contributing resource within the Lincoln Park Historic District. Pursuant to the Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the proposed project meets the criteria for a Categorical Exemption in compliance with Article 19, Section 15303, Class 3 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) and Section 15331, Class 31 (Historic Resource Restoration/Rehabilitation) in that the project consists of the construction of a small structure and is consistent with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The proposed project described above hereby meets the guidelines for a Categorical Exemption, therefore, no further environmental review is required. Recommendation Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission approve MAJCOA-000607-2025 and adopt HPC Resolution No. 26-010, subject to conditions.

Record date · March 4, 2026

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What This Bill Does

The Historic Preservation Commission is reviewing a request to convert a detached garage into a 640-square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) at 411 E. Columbia Avenue. The project is located within the Lincoln Park Historic District and is recommended for approval by city staff.

Why it matters

This project determines whether a specific property owner in the Lincoln Park Historic District can proceed with building a 640-square-foot ADU, which is exempt from further environmental review under state law.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Manuel Badiola

The applicant must receive commission approval to proceed with the proposed construction and conversion.

Directly affected

Lincoln Park Historic District residents

Property owners in the district are subject to the standards applied to this project regarding historic resource preservation.

Key Facts

The project involves converting an existing detached garage and adding space to create a 640-square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).
The property is located at 411 E. Columbia Avenue within the Lincoln Park Historic District.
City staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission approve the Major Certificate of Appropriateness (MAJCOA-000607-2025).
The project is recommended for approval subject to specific conditions.

Show all 8 facts

The project is classified as a Categorical Exemption under CEQA, meaning no further environmental review is required.
The project qualifies for exemption under Article 19, Section 15303 (Class 3) and Section 15331 (Class 31) of the CEQA guidelines.
The project is deemed consistent with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
The proposal is associated with HPC Resolution No. 26-010.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Major Certificate of Appropriateness?

It is a formal approval required for significant changes or construction projects within a designated historic district to ensure they align with historic preservation standards.

Will this project require an environmental impact report?

No, the project has been granted a under the California Environmental Quality Act () because it meets specific criteria for small structures and historic rehabilitation.

What is an ADU?

An Accessory Dwelling Unit is a secondary housing unit on a single-family residential lot, such as a converted garage or a small detached building.

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Full breakdown

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Related Legislation

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Proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit at 411 E. Columbia Avenue

The Historic Preservation Commission is reviewing a request to convert a detached garage into a 640-square-foot Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) at 411 E

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

ADU Integration in Historic Districts

The project demonstrates the city's process for integrating modern ADU development within protected historic districts while maintaining compliance with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards.

Lincoln Park Historic District