PC 09/22/99 - Laserfiche WebLink

Chairperson Roberts stated that one of her concems with the Braddock & Logan project was that she felt it should be assiciated with the Downtown Specific Plan which was being developed at that poim. She commented that she likes staff's suggestion of transitioning to the larger homes more slowly and allowing some moderate-housing to occur in the project. She stated that she would like to finalize this matter. She advised that she had spoke with Elizabeth Brennan, a renter of one of the homes on Division Street, and Ms. Brennan commented that she is renting an 800-square-foot house, so why would she want to rent an 800-square-foot secondary attached unit. Chairperson Roberts commented that there are so many first-time buyers in the community who cannot afford the median (about $350,000). She noted that Ms. Brennan is looking past Vasco Road and other out-lying areas. She commented that she sees this as a wonderful opportunity to actually have moderate homes within a project, and that the design should be that the homes do not obscure the views of the homes on Division Street. She stated that she agrees that there should be more single-story homes and likes the fact that individual driveways to not come out on the road that could possibly be extended. She commented that she likes the double fence if it helps to serve as a soundbarrier for the back yards. She stated that she wants the runoff to come towards Rose Avenue and wants to protect the Arroyo. She agreed that the setbacks are appropriate, because of the sidewalk separation and mowing strip, and these make the streets friendlier. She expressed a desire to get some additional funds for the maintenance of the trail and park. She indicated that she appreciates the Monday through Friday construction hours. She advised that she believes the traffic studies are adequate, and she likes the fact that all of the traffic from the development is not being piled-out in one place. She noted that the traffic circles should slow the traffic down and the stop signs on Fair Street and Division will help. She stated that she is happy that they are at the mid-point for density and that it is rural. She advised that she wants to be able to condition the project to require that moderate-income housing is included. Commissioner Kameny offered that the wording to the second Condition No. 7 in the memo be revised to add a sentence to read: "Should the City and the developer disagree on a program create these lots, then the PUD should be referred back to the Planning Commission for further determination." Discussion ensued regarding the effects of the 35-unit project with regard to FAR and setbacks. Staff noted that they would propose the moderate-income units be 1,100- to 1,200-square feet, with three bedrooms. Mr. Plucker noted that the Housing Commission would need to make a recommendation to the City Council that a subsidy would need to be granted and the conditions were being structured so that if the Housing Commission determined that the amount of the subsidy would require two additional homes, the wording would allow this. He noted that the Planning Commission could make a recommendation that only one additional lot be allowed because of the design considerations. Commissioner Kameny suggested that the developer provide another house plan that would address the FAR and setback concerns, or the Planning Commission accept a higher FAR in order to gain additional moderate-income housing. Commissioner Maas noted that she would be willing to compromise and possibly go with one additional market-value home, rather than two, and provide some breathing room with regard to FAR and setbacks. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES 11 September 22, 1999