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Staff Report to the Planning Commission Lands of Ascension Development LLC 26491 Ascension Drive June 5, 2008 Page 6 of 18 for building siting are addressed in Section 10-2.702.c of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code: "The location of all structures should create as little disturbance as possible to the natural landscape. The amount of grading, excavation, or fell shall be the minimum necessary to accommodate proposed structures, unless grading is proposed to lower the profile of buildings. Additional grading may be allowed for the purpose of lowering the profile of the building provided that at the completion of the project the visual alteration of the natural terrain is minimized The removal of vegetation and alteration of drainage patterns shall be the minimum necessary to accommodate the proposed structure. " The Grading Policy is intended to be used by staff in evaluation and making recommendations to the Planning Commission and/or City Council regarding site development applications, and as guidance for applicants. Individual sites may dictate a need to deviate from the criteria, to the extent permitted by the Planning Commission and/or City Council. If the proposed grading were to occur on a hillside or ridgeline property, the excavation for the driveway and basement garage would result in massive retaining walls that are highly visible and substantial visual alteration of the natural terrain in violation of Section 10-2.702.c of the Site Development Code. However, in this case, the affected area is relatively flat and the proposed grading will help lower the profile of the new home. Portions of the retaining walls will be below natural grade and will not be highly visible from surrounding properties. In addition, the retaining walls facing the Ascension Drive right of way will be terraced (4' max height) with planting areas in between to minimize the visual impact to surrounding neighbors. If the Commission decides to approve the Grading Policy Exception for the driveway and backup area adjacent to the basement garage, Findings of Approval in Attachment 2 should be cited. 2. Pool, spa, rear yard, and access ramp to secondary dwelling unit Per the Town's Grading Policy, the maximum allowable cut for decks, yards, and other areas is 4'. The applicant is requesting up to 7' of cut in the rear yard over an area of approximately 11,600 square feet to create a flat pad for the pool, spa, and outdoor living space. In addition, up to 16'6" of cut along the north property line is requested to accommodate an access ramp to the secondary dwelling unit in the basement. The purpose of the Town's grading policy is to assure that construction retains the existing contours and basic landform of the site to the greatest extent feasible. In