Point Reyes Light - October 16, 2003
Muir home wins OK despite neighbors
By Ian Fein
County supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday to let the Qualls family build a new home on their undeveloped lot at 60 Seacape Drive in Muir Beach.
Community Development Agency staff originally denied the project, but reversed their position after the Planning Commission voted in July to overturn the hearing officer’s decision.
Muir Beach residents Alexandra Lake Smith and Michael Llewellyn-Willams then appealed the commissioners’ approval, claiming that the house would impact views and the Qualls’ septic permit was issued in error.
An end to the back-and-forth
Supervisors put an end to the rollercoaster on Tuesday, denying the appeal after hearing testimony from other neighbors in support of the Qualls, as well as a lengthy discussion about the efficacy of the proposed septic system.
"It’s a great relief," Dan Qualls said of the supervisors’ decision. "It was a very long and expensive process, unfortunately, but we can’t wait to get started. We hope to break ground this spring."
Qualls, who has lived in another Muir Beach home for 18 years, said from the very beginning he and his wife Anna Tom worked with their architect to design a home that would fit into the neighborhood.
The proposed 2,080-square-foot home is below the height limit of 25 feet and allows setbacks of at least 20 feet from all property lines.
No home smaller
"In my experience as secretary of the Seacape Architecture Review Committee, I had not seen a single house that is smaller than Qualls’ proposal," said Edward Hyman, a Muir Beach resident of 27 years.
"Also, unlike the appellants, I live below the lot and would receive the downhill run-off of any future septic problems. I have a lot of confidence in our county and this system," Hyman said.