The South Valley Area Planning Commission approved several variances and exceptions for the construction of a new 5,500 square foot, two-story, single-family dwelling (SFD) with a 600 square foot attached two-car garage and a 3,000 square foot underground basement on a 197,435 square foot lot. The project involves converting an existing 2,018 SFD into an Accessory Living Quarter. The approvals include a Zone Variance to allow a second kitchen in the new dwelling without removing the existing kitchen in the original dwelling (relief from LAMC Section 12.07.01 A.1), a Zoning Administrator's Determination to permit three retaining walls up to 10 feet instead of two (LAMC Section 12.21 C.8(a)), and a Zoning Administrator’s Determination to allow 28,012 cubic yards of grading (in lieu of maximum “by-right” quantities per LAMC Section 12.21C.10(f)(1) and (2)). Additionally, a Specific Plan Exception was granted to permit construction within 50 feet of a prominent ridgeline (Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan Section 5.B.1), and a Project Permit Compliance and Design Review were approved as required by the Mulholland Scenic Parkway Specific Plan. The project also involves the removal of 28 non-protected trees and one protected Toyon tree, with haul route approval if needed. The total residential floor area of the new structure is 5,700 SF with a maximum height of 29 feet. The existing structure, an Historic-Cultural Monument #563 designed by Lloyd Wright, will be converted to an Accessory Living Quarter. Appeals were filed by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority, and the Federation of Hillside and Canyon Associations, Inc., raising concerns about excessive grading, the conversion of the historic home to an ADU with a kitchen, the 3,000 SF basement not counting as living space, and fire access issues.