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to apply slrictly, but generally as it has been applied to the other lots, and that the proposed location by Mr. Roberts be approved, along with the design. The motion died for lack of a second. Commissioner Roberts stated that this is an extremely difficult site because it is an infill site with lots of neighbors who need to be satisfied. She stated that she does not fault the Groves for the way they designed their home, because they probably did not assume that there would be a huge, high house on the property within their view, when there is such a large building pad. Commissioner Robel~cs stated that she feels a 4,000 or 5,000-square-foot home would not chunage the neighborhood and she feels that a single-story home could be designed to not impact the neighbors. She stated that she agrees that the Groves' view is not vested, but that it should be considered. She further stated that the house needs to be integrated with the site and that a step pattern would help considerably, noting that it would rninimize the grading and blend with the neighborhood more. She advised that she feels the house can be redesigned and a single-story, stepped-down design can be done creatively. She comment~l that she would prefer to see the house at the front of the lot, even it means the 7,500-square-foot requirement cannot be met. She voiced support for staff's determinations number 2 and 3, but that she would like more discussion about the grading. Commissioner Maas star, el that she concurs with Commissioner Roberts. She noted that she does not want to deny Mr. Robert's right as a property owner to build, but that she emphasizes with the Groves and she would like to see the applicant work with the Groves in trying to reach a compromise. Commissioner Arkin noted that he spoke with the Groves and Mr. Roberts, and that he has walked the site. He stated that he doesn't want to deny Mr. Roberts his right to build on this lot, b~ that he believes Mr. Roberts needs to show concern for the existing neighbors. He further stated that he believes what the Groves are asking for is not unreasonable and he is a proponent of moving the house toward the street. He noted that the current location of the proposed house puts 95% of the pain on the Groves and he would like to see a plan that distributes the pain more evenly. He noted that he would be in favor of removing the 7,$00-square-foot grading limit if the pain of this house can be redistributed more fairly and the house can be relocated closer to the street. Chairperson Sullivan noted that he has met with Mr. Roberts and Mr. Grove. He stated that he believes the off-site visibility impacts of the proposed house are fairly high, noting that the proposed house is quite massive and doesn't blend with the existing neighborhood. He noted that another issue to him is the grading and the environmental suitability of the proposed grading, and that he does not believe that a fiat pad in the middle of the lot in the proposed location is suitable. He stated that he would like to see contour grading. He noted that the biggest impacts are on the Groves, the Schmidts, and the Butts. He believes that the least impact on the neighbors would be to try to relocatc the house on the north side of the lot, with contour grading, and reconsideration of the size of the house. He stated that the issue of property rights needs to be weighted against the impacts and the fights of the greater community. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES September 13, 2000 Page 7