PC 040908 - Laserfiche WebLink

In response to Commissioner Fox's inquiry if the water pump make noise, Ms. Decker replied that there is some noise associated with the pump. She indicated that she was not certain if the pump was above ground or within the chamber; Ms. Rocha replied that it there was a submersible pump in the ground and a pressure tank and that water was pumped from the ground into the tank. She added that the only time it would make some noise was when the water fell below a certain level and would begin to fill up and then stop once the tank was filled, similar to the system of a toilet bowl. Commissioner Fox noted that a house remodel requires a building permit and inquired if the installation of the tank required a building permit as well. Ms. Amos replied that when the Building and Safety Division reviewed the application, it determined that the applicant did not need a building permit, only a conditional use permit was required. Commissioner O'Connor indicated that he wanted to clarify the timing for the record and noted Ms. Rocha's statement that she planted sequoia redwood trees, that the trees in the rear were removed, and that the poly tank was installed. He asked Ms. Rocha if she has the approximate date for when the tank was put in, the redwood trees were planted, and the trees at 455 Sycamore Road were removed. Ms. Rocha replied that she did not know the date when the trees were removed; however, she indicated that the tank was installed around May or June of last year after she had completed the landscaping and was having problems with the water pressure, which was the reason she had the tank installed right away so she could irrigate the landscaping. She added that the redwood trees were planted immediately after because she wanted the extra screening for the area as it was wide open, and it was shortly after she had planted the trees that the neighbors chopped down the trees. In response to Chair Blank's inquiry if Ms. Rocha had two places where she could put the poly tank, Ms. Rocha replied that she could place the tank either on the right or the left side and that she did not want to blatantly put it in front of somebody's house. Chair Blank inquired if it was her belief at that time that if she put the tank where it is, it would be less disruptive than on the other side. Ms. Rocha confirmed that was the case. Commissioner Fox asked staff about different types of water tanks. She noted that the tank in question was a lot taller than it was wide and inquired if there were underground water tanks or elongated tanks that would be shorted and have a lower profile but would hold the same amount of water. Ms. Decker replied that tanks come in all shapes and sizes and materials but that in a use where a pump actually discharges and fills a tank, the pressure tank would typically be above ground. She noted that it would not be the same tank that the City would put in, which is oftentimes half submerged but are also above ground, such as that in the Vineyard Avenue Specific Plan area. She explained that generally these tanks are purchased with the consideration of getting the smallest tank to meet the needs because of the cost issue. Ms. Decker continued that she wanted to clarify a point to dispel any thought that the well, the casing, or the submersible pump, which were already located there, are part of this conditional use permit. She noted that the conditional use permit only refers to the PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, April 9, 2008 Page 10 of 33