Eric, the homeowner and applicant for 700 Hawthorne, told the Tiburon Town Design Review Board he and his family want to raise living‑room ceilings from 8 feet toward a 9–10 foot interior height to make the home more livable and compatible with neighboring houses. He said the remodel would leave solar panels on lower roof areas and that the family aimed to minimize neighbor impacts ("we're trying to be neighborly") (SEG 1936–1944, SEG 2671–2680).

Neighbors and several board members raised concerns about a proposed northwest corner that bulges toward a narrow view corridor used by nearby homes at 699 and 705 Hawthorne. One neighbor said a 2‑foot roof rise would be "an egregious amount" for their longstanding view (Zoom speaker identifying herself as Dr. Shefaghi said the change would "significantly decrease" her home's view and value) (SEG 2608–2616). Others requested clearer details on a requested 9‑foot corner fence variance and on 13 proposed skylights. Planning staff noted the code requires skylights not be used as light wells and that panel and skylight placement may conflict.

Board members suggested several changes that could permit approval without further loss of neighbor views: reduce the number of skylights, consolidate them, or modestly pull in or reconfigure the northwest corner of the addition to preserve important sight lines. Staff and board asked for a more precise planting/landscape plan, a section illustrating roof and retaining‑wall heights, and clarification on which skylights are essential. Several members suggested the applicant investigate lower‑profile solar panels and to relocate panels to the lower roof face to reduce perceived height impact.

Because the board could not reach a full agreement on mitigation at the hearing, a motion to continue the item to a date uncertain passed 4–0 to allow the applicant to submit revised plans showing a narrower corner, a clearer landscape/planting plan, and a reduced skylight count.

Next steps: the applicant will provide revised drawings and a landscaping/section package to address the northwest corner, skylights and fence/retaining details for the board and staff to review before the item returns to the board.