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Town Of Los Altos Hills October 28, 1998 Staff Report to the Planning Commission RE: REVIEW OF THE PLANNING DIRECTOR'S DECISION TO APPROVE A SECONDARY DRIVEWAY; LANDS OF SHIDELER; 27994 VIA VENTANA; FILE#175-98-ZP-SD. FROM: Suzanne Davis, Associate Planner SD APPROVED BY: Curtis Williams, Planning Director, RECOMMENDATION That the Planning Commission: Approve the request for a site development permit for a secondary driveway over a private access easement, subject to the recommended conditions in Attachment 1. CODE REQUIREMENTS Section 10-2.301(b)(6) of the Site Development Ordinance states that after notice and public hearing, the Planning Director shall review and act on applications for construction of a private vehicular access or driveway which results in a new or relocated access point to a public or private road. The proposed driveway is already existing, but is not presently paved. BACKGROUND On September 15, 1998, a site development hearing was held to consider the subject application. A number of interested neighbors attended the hea:ing, with both concerns and support being stated for the project. Following discussion and a presentation by the applicant, the Planning Director approved the application subject to conditions (see Attachment 2). DISCUSSION - As noted in the minutes of the September 15, 1998 site development hearing, there was considerable discussion and participation on the part of neighbors who access their properties from Via Ventana. The majority of neighbors supported the request to pave the lower portion of the access easement. Concerns about the proposal include preservation of oak trees, the visual impact of paving the driveway, drainage and safety. Tree Preservation The applicants submitted a letter from the project arborist stating that the oak tree on the Kells/Curtis/Gilbert property would not be adversely impacted (see Attachment 4). The letter also comments that excavation could damage tree roots, although none is proposed