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Planning Commission Lands of Burger July 17, 2008 Page 4 of 13 Requirements for building siting are addressed in Section 10-2.702(c) of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code: "Disturbance to the site. The location of all structures should create as little disturbance as possible to the natural landscape. The amount of grading, excavation, or fill 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 used by staff in evaluation of development projects and making recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council. Individual sites may dictate a need to deviate from the criteria, to the extent permitted by the Planning Commission or City Council. The proposed daylighted basement affords the property owner a two level design with the profile of a single story building when viewed from the street. The proposed ridge height is actually six inches lower than the existing residence ridge. The additional grading with this design is balanced by a significant reduction in visible building bulk as opposed to a typical two story design. Drainage Pursuant to Section 10-2.503, Drainage Facilities Standards, of the Municipal Code, the Engineering Department has reviewed and determined that the proposed drainage design complies with Town requirements. Water runoff generated from the proposed development will be collected in a detention basin and metered to a vegetated swale. The swale will collect runoff and intercept sheet flow not captured by the primary system, spread water for absorption onsite, and prevent draining to downhill properties. Fire Department Review The Santa Clara County Fire Department reviewed the plans and has required that the building be sprinklered. The proposed driveway complies with standard D-1 for emergency vehicle access with a slope less than 15%. No onsite was required. Committee Review The Pathways Committee recommended that the property owner rededicate an existing 10 foot wide equestrian easement along the southeasterly and northeasterly portions of the property for public use. The existing easement is a perimeter trail with use rights exclusively for property owners within the original Foothill Ranch subdivision. The