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Commissioner Sullivan asked if this is one of the sites selected by the Housing Element Update r- Task Force as a potential affordable housing site. Commissioner Roberts noted that it is not. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED COMMENTS FROM THE APPLICANT Art Morley, 3162 Berkshire Court, represented the applicant. He noted that the pavilion has been located to the side of the site in order to accommodate an additional parking area if needed in the future. Commissioner Roberts asked if there has been discussions with Mr. Austin regarding the maintenance of his property at the bottom of his retaining wall. Mr. Kishi advised that the landscape architect is proposing to provide mulch over that area. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED ,-. Commissioner Roberts stated that she cannot see how any of the neighbors could possibly object to having this area as open space. She advised that this is a minimal use of the property. She commented that the location of the pavilion provides access to it much easier. She noted that a lot of the proposed trees are camphor trees which do not get to be enormous, and the oak trees have a long way to go before they will impede anyone's view. She further noted that the neighbors' views are ofMt. Diablo and she doesn't understand why they would object to the landscaping covering the view of the parking lot. She stated that she would support the application, per staff, without any changes. Commissioner Arkin moved to (1) find that the project would not have a significant effect on the environment and approve the draft Negative Declaration with a de minimus finding; (2) find that the PUD modification is consistent with the General Plan and purposes of the PUD ordinance; (3) make the PUD and CUP findings included in the staff report; (4) recommend approval of Case PUD-87-22-1M, snbject to the conditions in Exhibit "B.l" to the City Council; and approve Case PCUP-39, subject to the conditions in Exhibit "B.2." Commissioner Roberts seconded the motion. Commissioner Arkin commented that he is happy to see an application that is actually removing residential units and that the neighbors should be pleased with this use for the site, as a residential use would have much larger impacts. Commissioner Sullivan advised that when he originally reviewed the application he was in agreement with Commissioner Arkin. He noted that after the workshop when the affordable housing issue was discussed, he thought that this is a site that could be appropriate for some higher density affordable housing. He further noted that because a church and not a developer own the site, there might be some potential for building some reasonably priced homes. Commissioner Roberts advised that the Romley property across the street is being considered for higher density housing. .~ November 28,2001 Page 3 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES