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Commissioner Sullivan advised that there are three issues related to the proposal, and they are r-- the same three issues he had last time. He advised that he is concerned about the impacts on all of the neighbors and the disproportional impacts on certain neighbors. He further advised that he feels that even with this plan there is a disproportional impact on Mr. Grove. He questioned whether this 6,500 square foot house will blend in with the surrounding 3,000-square-foot houses on this street. He stated that he feels it is too big of a house for the lot. He noted that you cannot just look at the size of the lot, you need to look at the setting. Commissioner Sullivan also expressed concern about the environmental impacts from the grading. He advised that he did not realize that dirt would be removed from the knoll, noting that amount of dirt that is proposed to be removed seems excessive. He stated that he would support a smaller house, more in keeping with the rest of the neighborhood, on the northern most portion of the lot. He advised that this has impacts on other neighbors and he is concerned about that, but he is also concerned when one neighbor has a much bigger impact than other neighbors, and he feels that if there is going to be a house there, the impacts need to be spread around. He noted that a smaller house would fit in with the rest of the neighborhood. He commented on the General Plan and the emphasis on maintaining neighborhood character. He stated that his ideal approach would be similar to the first motion submitted by Mr. Grove, and what Commissioner Roberts is suggesting is closer to Mr. Grove's alternate motion, which he could also support. Commissioner Arkin advised that he thinks the Planning Commission needs to give very clear direction on their position. /"- In response to an inquiry from Chairperson Maas, it was noted that the square footage of the previously proposed house was 6,800 or 6,900 square feet. Chairperson Maas stated that she has the same concerns as Commissioner Sullivan regarding the size of the house. She stated that her other concern is that the Planning Commission did not instruct Mr. Roberts last year to come back with a smaller version. Commissioner Sullivan advised that he recalls the size of the previously proposed house being a concern to him. Commissioner Roberts noted that there are some enormous homes in this development. She suggested that by lowering the garage and kitchen sections of the house and providing landscaping for Mr. Schmidt, it may help to even the impacts. She commented that the same value cannot be placed on all views. Commissioner Arkin stated that he agrees with Commissioner Roberts with regard to the value of views and supports her ideas regarding the installation of landscaping to mitigate the Schmidts' issues and the Bentley's view from their entryway. Commissioner Arkin stated that he also agrees with Commissioner Sullivan, and his preference would probably be a smaller house which is more in proportion with the streetscape. He advised that he could also support lowering the house, but his first preference would be to move it to the north and make it a smaller house. He noted that he would like to see the Planning Commission reach a unanimous decision. - Chairperson Maas suggested reducing the size of the house so that it blends in more. She stated that she would like to see if the Commission could agree to not moving the house to the north PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES January 23, 2002 Page 8