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Planning Commission Minutes DRApr March 6, 2008 Page 2 size. The Environmental Design Committee commented that they would prefer the plants grouped in clustered arrangements rather than planted primarily around the perimeter of the property. The Committee also recommended that the three proposed bay trees should be moved away from the oaks and the ceambus shrubs should be moved to receive more sunlight. The applicant asserts that relocating the house would be beneficial to some neighbors while being detrimental to others. The previously proposed masonry wall at the property boundary adjacent Highway 280 has been replaced on the plan with a wooden fence. Concerns over construction parking have been addressed in Condition 19, the Construction Operation Plan, requiring that all construction puking will be accommodated on the site. The location of the air conditioning units has been moved to the northwest side of the building. The trash containers remain in the original location with a six-foot tall fence and shrubs for screening. Dipesh Gupta, Applicant, reviewed the Commission directives and neighbor concerns from the January 17, 2008 Planning Commission meeting. To mitigate neighborhood impact, the air conditioning units have been moved to the northwest side of the structure with additional screening planned. The a/c units are closer to another neighbor now but the applicants are willing to consider relocating them again. The sound wall has been eliminated from the plan. All construction parking will be on the site and will be included on the construction operations plan. He acknowledged the increased landscape deposit of $20,000. The initial landscape screening plan has been submitted after consultation with the neighbors. They had worked closely with the architect to evaluate various options for relocating the house 15 to 20 feet. The guiding principle for the landscape screening plan had been to come up with a plan that blends with the neighborhood and utilizes native, drought tolerant vegetation that is evergreen with dense foliage. Special attention was paid to the height of the trees at planting. Before construction begins, 25 trees between 12 to 18 feet high and 16 trees 10 to 12 feet high will be installed. Also planted in strategic locations will be 15-gallon shrubs for screening purposes. The bay trees will be replaced by any selection recommended by the Planning Commission. Screening will be planted to mitigate the headlight impact from the driveway and to screen the trash containers. Regarding the view impact from Mr. Kirkpatrick's home, 75 percent of the new residence will be below the floor level of the first floor of the Kirkpatrick house. There is an approximate difference of 22 feet in the first floor level height of the two homes and a distance of 110 feet apart. After completion of the new residence, two thirds of Mr. Kirkpatrick's house will probably still be visible from Purissima Road. The implications of moving the house 15 to 20 feet would violate the Town's side yard setback, requiring a complete redesign of the structure. Other options were investigated for relocation and the impacts deemed worse. The applicant's best efforts were used to mitigate neighbor impact. He felt the initial impact to Mr. Kirkpatrick's residence was not as significant as originally perceived. The project was in total compliance with Town codes and to require change would create significant impact to them. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING George Kirkpatrick, Purissima Road, commented on the metal roof section and skylight of the new house that would be in direct view from the second floor of his home. He was concerned that solar panels might be installed on the roof in the future and cause reflected glare in the direction of his residence. The lighting on the back of the building would create a "streetlight effect" with a big glow a great deal of the time. He was pleased with the landscaping plan. He