Item 7.1 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Planning Commission Minutes DRAFT July 17, 2008 Page 4 Shad Shakralla replied that the garage had been removed from the basement to the detached location outside of the residence because the basement then would not be counted as floor area. Commissioner Abraham said that even though the garage is not technically connected to the main structure, the view from the street makes the residence appear as a three story structure with a height of 38'6". Chairman Harpootlain felt that more than 50 percent of the basement was exposed and so did not meet Basement Ordinance guidelines. He wondered if the entire level should be counted as floor area. Willem Roclandts, applicant, stated that the basement was totally underground. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Charlie Perrell, Eshner Court, liked the design and location of the proposed house and garage. He asked that the contractors follow the Town's construction hours, keep the neighborhood free of litter, practice fire safety, use precautions to prevent disruption of underground utility services and restore Eshner Court and the pathway to preconstruction condition. Ginger Summitt, Lenox Way, expressed concern over the danger presented by the deep cut in the hillside for the rear lightwell. It would present a safety hazard for people and animals that may fall 24 feet down onto the hard surface. Sandy Humphries, Fremont Road, asked if the Town had abandoned the idea of requesting that homes fit with the land. In the past, homes were designed to "step up" with the hillside rather than be straight up in the back. She felt that if the proposed garage was moved to the other side of the site and the house "stepped up" with the hillside, the residence would better fit the property and the trees may not need to be removed. Chairman Harpootlian commented that unintended consequences had come with passage of the Basement Ordinance that allowed designers to present interesting alternatives to gain floor area. Nancy Girton, Natoma Road, felt that moving the house would help it stay within the grading guidelines. Chi-Foon Chan, Julietta Lane, explained that his property shares approximately 200 feet of property boundary with the Roclandts. The master bedroom, bathroom and music room of his home face the site and new house. He requested that the existing trees that screen his home from the proposed residence remain on the site to provide privacy. More screening trees should be planted but not so to block the other neighbor's views. Terry Oldberg, Julietta Lane, expressed concern in preserving the view of the Santa Clara Valley from his home. He said that replacing the two heritage oaks proposed to be removed with six more oak trees would not be in his favor and would not conform to the Town's View Ordinance. He felt there were better choices for landscape screening than oak trees for the Roelandt's project