ORD 1467 - Laserfiche WebLink

Ordinance No. 1467 Page 2 The project is also consistent with the requirements of the Public Safety Element through completion of the geotechnical investigation. The project also is consistent with other sections of the General Plan, including City goals for increasing housing opportunities, minimizing traffic congestion, and creating residential development which will not expose residents to excessive noise. C. The plan is compatible with previously developed properties in the vicinity and the natural topographical features of the site. The proposed plan meets these objectives by siting the houses to avoid excessive grading and designing them to blend with the existing neighborhood and streetscape as much as possible. The current proposal to provide large setbacks for the houses from Kottinger Drive and to create a landscape buffer along the frontage of the site will do much to minimize the obtrusiveness of the new houses and to increase compatibility with the neighborhood. D. The grading takes into account environmental characteristics and is designed in keeping with the best engineering practices to avoid erosion, slides, or flooding so as to have as minimal effect upon the environment as possible. The proposed grading plan would require minimal steepening of the terrain except along the frontage of the site where a geogrid earth retention system is proposed instead of conventional retaining walls. The applicant's geotechnical engineer has supported the use of this system as a safe and effective way of retaining the slope. The geotechnical investigation recommends measures to ensure proper design and construction of the project, which, through conditions, will be incorporated into the project. The geotechnical study did not locate ground water on the site, but conditions of approval have been included to address this possibility. Finally, a condition of approval would require the applicant to participate in the funding of extending a storm drain system on Kottinger Drive to alleviate flooding problems in the area.