08 ATTACHMENTS 4-10 - Laserfiche WebLink

Mr. Babbitt indicated that they were looking at redoing the site plan and the lots slightly, such that even on a .9 -acre lot, which is 36,000 square feet, 25 percent FAR maximum would be 9,000 square feet. He noted that the design guidelines provide that no houses would be larger than 7,500 square feet regardless of what the FAR might be. He added that the 1,500 square feet could be applied to a larger garage, if desired. Commissioner O'Connor stated that he thought what the Commission was talking about is that if it moves forward with having five to six lots as opposed to three that are currently zoned, the houses would have less square footage so the project would be more open than what is in Serenity Terrace. Mr. Babbitt stated that this is part of what they are already proposing with the setbacks. He added that a site plan was provided with some houses laid out on it to show what could happen with houses that are 5,000 to 7,000 square feet in size meeting setbacks adjacent to the golf course. He noted that not all the houses would be built to the 35 -foot setback. He indicated that this could be addressed at the next workshop. Commissioner Blank noted that the houses are already below the 25- percent FAR and inquired if the Commission wanted to further limit the house sizes. Commissioner Fox stated that she thought 7,500 square feet was big. She questioned why the square footage could not be smaller if the project is being given more density than it actually deserves. Commissioner Narum stated that this is the reason she wanted a mock -up drawing. Mr. Babbitt invited the Commissioners to view Lot 7 on Inspiration Terrace of his project, which is a 7,500- square -foot home nearing completion and is the biggest house that has been approved for Serenity Terrace. He noted that the house includes a four -car garage and sits on a 36,000- square -foot lot with a 25 -foot setback on one side and a 30- to 35 -foot setback on the other. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. Commissioner Fox stated that one of the tragedies of California is that there are not enough houses for grown children to move back to because everything built in this area seems to be over 7,000 square feet. She indicated that she believed any excess housing capacity should be allocated for houses that are of 1,200 to 1,700 square feet so young families can move back into areas like Pleasanton and be close to the families they grew up with. Commissioner Olson stated that the economics does not make sense and questioned what the reaction would be in Happy Valley if 1,200- square foot homes were built there. Commissioner Fox replied that the economics is to limit the project to three housing units, and if there are three additional housing units available in the City, these should EXCERPTS: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, January 14, 2009 Page 13 of 14