7.1 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Planning Commission Minutes DRAFT December 10, 1997 Page 3 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7:00 P.M. 4.1 LANDS OF WHEATLEY, 26644 Purissima Road (203-97-ZP-SD); A request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence. The Planning Director introduced this item noting the receipt of a letter of support from Mr. and Mrs. Sandman, a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Seidel voicing two general concerns (excessive illumination, and the requested dedication of a 30 foot wide half-width public right of way along Purissima Road), and a letter from the applicants. He discussed the Lands of Kash dedicated easements on Burke Road. The assistant engineer discussed the required easements and the natural swale on this property. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Robert Wheatley, 26644 Purissima Road, applicant, discussed the swale and the history of the property. He is looking forward to this project which will move the house and the garage out of setbacks and farther away from the street. Some compromises where made with staff. The design has a single story appearance with the upper bedrooms tucked in. They are well under the maximum development area numbers. He further discussed the following: condition #21; the improbable street widening; conditions #19 and #20; the requirement to dedicate a 40 foot wide conservation easement centered over the drainage swale in the rear of the property; and an irrevocable offer to grant a 40 foot wide storm drain easement over the drainage swale in the rear of the property. The swale through the property is dry for seven months of the year with a trickle of water about a foot wide running through it, as it does currently, for the remainder of the year, with few exceptions. Staff has proposed a much wider easement area which seems unnecessary to the expressed needs of the Town and very restrictive to the owners. He stated properties in the area had managed nicely for 50 years without any easement, asking for a smaller requirement of ten feet to each side from the center line of the swale with a restriction on planting therein to native species and to allow a small plank bridge over the swale that can be used to get over the swale when it is muddy or wet. He asked the Commission not to take more than what is absolutely necessary just because the Town wields the power to do so. He has no problem with the request for native plantings within the easement. He does not want development numbers reduced due to the conservation easement. He felt the proposed design is no more prominent than the current house. Staff provided a choice of either two recommendations. Mr. Wheatley asked that#1 be approved as he prefers the area on one level for ease. He also requested only a 20 foot easement, if the Planning Commission found one necessary. When asked about lowering the entire house, Mr. Wheatley explained they were trying to keep the drainage away from the house. Also, it would make the house appear to be in a hole. No one would benefit from lowering the house. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING