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'Planning Commission Minutes Approved 7/26/00 July 12, 2000 Page 5 discussed the Santa Barbara style of architecture, the use of earthtone colors and roof to blend with the hill. Tom Fisher, Mid Peninsula Open Space District, reviewed and summarized the District Manager's letter noting the following concerns: project remains largely unchanged from previous submittal; project being inconsistent with the General Plan; the significant adverse impact on the resource values in the surrounding community; aggressive from an engineering standpoint; visibility of the retaining walls; and conditions 7 & 8 not sufficient to mitigate the visual impact of the project on District's land. They would like the opportunity to meet with Town staff and the applicant to discuss other appropriate locations for a trail. He concluded by requesting the Commission deny this project application. Liz Dana, 25700 Bassett Lane, noted that the project has been turned down three times by the Commission and Council asking what was so different with this submittal. She was concerned with building on ridges. She provided a 1989 San Jose Mercury News editorial regarding Measure B which would keep the ridges clear. She opposed any building on a ridge. David Nieh, 18269 McCoy Avenue, Saratoga, a registered architect and a certified planner, noted that Los Altos Hills has made an effort to maintain the rural atmosphere. He provided a graph of the ridge discussing the upper site at approximately the 800 foot elevation exceeds the development line. He asked that the Commission consider the image of Los Altos Hills. The approval will set a precedence, requesting denial of the project. Peter Nieh, 25765 Bassett Road, felt the property violates the General Plan. There was a petition collected today with 100% of the people not in favor of the project. He asked that the Commission uphold what was intended for the area and deny the request. Michael Marshall, Los Altos, quoted a letter from the applicants which appeared in the local paper in November, 1998, stating facts regarding their on-going project. He noted two points: the purchase of the property was a gamble by the applicants; and do not be pressured to accept this application. He further discussed the geographical special nature of the woodland ridgeline, surrounded by forested and chaparral lands, house would be widely visible from many places, the massive driveway and retaining walls, wildlife habitat, distinctive fingerprint ridge. He further quoted from the General Plan (land use and circulation). He requested denial of the application, leaving the land as beautiful as it is. Louise Goodman, 11989 Rhus Ridge Road, from her home, she cannot see any homes. She felt a house of this size in this location would effect the value of her property. Dot Schreiner, 14301 Saddle Mountain Drive, was happy that the previous speakers made a point that an approval of the project would set a precedent for the Town. The key issues are still the same. The project has been reviewed for two to three years with a thorough analysis by the Planning Commission and the engineering consultant. The feasibility of the driveway is still a main issue (visibility, grading, retaining walls, scaring the area). The house is 32 feet high from highest to lowest which is not a one story on a ridgeline. The same problems still exist which were denied previously.