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• 3• `/ TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS January 14, 1998 Staff Report to the Planning Commission RE: SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT FOR A NEW RESIDENCE AND POOL AND VARIANCE TO ALLOW GRADING OVER A PROPERTY LINE; LANDS OF WYTHE &VITU; 13826 MOON LANE (PARCEL 2); FILE#46-96-ZP-SD-GD. r-, FROM: Suzanne Davis, Planner APPROVED BY: Curtis S. Williams, Planning Dire RECOMMENDATION That the Planning Commission: 1. Make the findings as required by section 10-1.1107(2) of the Zoning Ordinance for the granting of a variance and approve the site development permit for the new residence and pool, subject to the recommended conditions; OR 2. Make the findings as required by section 10-1.1107(2) of the Zoning Ordinance for the granting of a variance and direct the applicants to make design changes to the house and/or pool area, working with staff to achieve the requested plan revisions, subject to the recommended conditions, modifying condition #1 accordingly; OR 3. Continue the application to February 11, 1998 and direct the applicants to redesign the residence to eliminate or reduce the basement and/or upper floor level and bring the project as close as possible to the Town's Grading Policy. BACKGROUND The Planning Commission considered plans for new residences for parcel 2 (subject property) and parcel 3 (adjacent lot) on April 23, 1997. After discussion and public input, the Commission continued the applications for redesign. The Commission then continued the applications from April 30 to May 14, 1997, since there had not been enough time to review new plans prior to the meeting. On May 14, following discussion and further testimony from neighbors, the Commission voted 4-0 to deny the site development permit. The Commission stated concerns about the size and height of the proposed homes, the lack of stepping elements down the hill, exterior materials, volume of grading and the height and number of retaining walls. Attachments 6 and 7 are the minutes from the Planning Commission meetings where discussion took place. The Commission's decision was appealed by Mayor Casey. The City Council considered the applications on June 4, 1997, and directed the applicants to redesign. There was not a consensus on particular changes that should occur, although the Council did state that the homes should better fit the sites (see Council minutes, Attachment 5). Some Council members suggested that as part of this project, Moon Lane should be widened from Page Mill Road to the joint driveway that will provide access to the sites. The subject property was created as part of a three lot subdivision (Lands of Vucinich - Parcel Map 679-M-41-44) that was approved by the City Council on December 7, 1994. The final map was recorded in July 1996. The property is located on the north side of Moon Lane, a private road off the east side of Page Mill Road. This lot and the adjacent lot to the east are vacant. All other surrounding properties are developed with single family homes. The subdivision was purchased by the applicants,who have completed the