02/18/2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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John Vidovich, neighbor, commented that he understood the Council's dilemma given the presentation that had been made and the request for massive cutting. He offered that the • lot was exceedingly narrow and steep and cutting was the only solution to make the lot buildable. Cutting would reduce the height of the proposed home and remove the poor, unstable soil. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Council Discussion: Councilmember Summit commented on the staff s Findings of Denial for the Grading Policy exceptions for the new residence. She supported their determination and expressed her concern that the home had a three story fagade and was massive in appearance. Summit did not believe that the house design was appropriate for the location/lot. Councilmember Larsen expressed his concern that approval of the application would not be within the Town's standards and requirements. Councilmember Mordo concurred with the applicant's assessment that the lot was challenging. However, he did not agree that the necessity for the cut had been dictated by a plan to save the trees or the fire truck turnaround but was to accommodate the large basement, bunker and courtyard. Mordo suggested that a stepped down approach for the design would be better. He agreed that there should be some flexibility if the request was reasonable but he did not believe it was warranted for this application. • Mayor Pro Tem Kerr expressed his concern that approval of the project and grading exceptions would be facilitating a larger residence with a large carbon footprint than what should be built on the site. Mayor Warshawsky stated he appreciated the applicant's efforts to resolve the neighbor's concerns regarding drainage and screening. The primary concern was with the project's requirements for excessive cuts. He noted he was willing to be flexible and work towards a resolution. Council discussion ensued regarding their options for determination for the project. City Attorney Steve Mattas advised Council that an alternative approach would be for the City Council to offer the applicant the option to continue the project and to return with a project plan that addressed the Council's direction that had been identified during their discussions for the project to substantially conform to the Town's Grading Policy. He suggested that the applicant should acknowledge on the record if they were in agreement to the continuation prior to the Council making its final determination. Council provided some suggestions to the applicant if they were to concur with the continuance. They included the inclusion in the project of energy saving features, a reduction in the three story fagade and a reduction in the cut to substantially meet the Town's Grading Policy. Mordo noted that if the cut was required for a 3,000 basement, he most likely could not support approval of the project. • 9 City Council Special Meeting Minutes February 18,2010