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3 . 1 Town Of Los Altos Hills July 22, 1998 Staff Report to the Planning Commission RE: REQUEST FOR SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT FOR A NEW RESIDENCE; VARIANCE TO ALLOW EXISTING STRUCTURES TO ENCROACH INTO THE SIDE SETBACK; AND A REQUEST FOR A LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT; LANDS OF KORMAN; 26157 ALTADENA DRIVE; FILE#76-98ZP-SD-GD-VAR-LLA FROM: Curtis S. Williams, Planning Dire%3 RECOMMENDATION That the Planning Commission: Approve the requested Site Development Permit and Variance, citing the findings outlined in Attachment 2, and recommend approval of the requested Lot Line Adjustment, subject to the attached conditions of approval (Attachment 1). BACKGROUND On July 8, 1998, the Planning Commission discussed this proposal and continued the item to allow the applicant to address several concerns: 1) moving the residence to the west and/or rotating the residence and/or breaking up the wall to minimize visibility of the west wall of the structure to neighbors and provide more room for landscape screening; 2) adjusting the lot line to better accommodate a shift in the house; 3) modifications to the heights of the portico and the chimney; 4) the size of the skylight; 5) the stone wall connecting the two properties; and 6) assuring that upon subdivision or sale of parcel A, the house is made conforming. The applicant has made a number of changes to the plans, including a revised lot line adjustment, to respond to the Commission's concerns (see attached letters from architect and applicant). The applicant has also provided an aerial photograph (attached) to better indicate the distance between the proposed house and neighboring residences. DISCUSSION Revised plans, including the lot line adjustment, accompany the staff report. A final grading and drainage plan, reflecting the revised site layout, is required as part of the conditions of approval. The issues of concern to I the Commission are addressed as follows: Lot Line Adjustment The lot line adjustment has been revised to provide for greater lot width, allowing the house to.be shifted while maintaining at least a 30 foot setback from the existing home. The lot sizes were not changed, so that the allowable development on each lot would remain the same. Positioning of House The revised lot line adjustment has allowed the applicant to shift the proposed home site to the east by 15 to 20 feet, away from the neighbors. The house was rotated only slightly, but the distance to the closest residence (the Jeffery's) would be 175 feet, as shown on the aerial photo. The increased setback should readily provide extensive room for landscape screening along the west elevation.