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examined the proposed site development plans, and reviewed your staff report regarding the project. Unfortunately, I am in Washington, D.C., and cannot attend the work session of December 11th. I am therefore sending you my concerns via email. While I am very much in support of a senior care facility at this site, I have several concerns regarding the design of the proposed project. I. Land Use: The scale of the building is massive and out of scale with the residential community which surrounds it. The visual impact of the three story structure in the neighborhood would be emphasized because the grade of the site is many feet higher than the surrounding homes. For the adjacent homes of Bonita Avenue, for instance, the height would have the impact of a four story structure. It would tower above us. I share the City's desire to accomplish the goals and adhere to the policy of the Housing Element to provide housing for the elderly, including lower income housing and locate housing on vacate infill sites. Unfortunately, the current design does not conform to the land use element that states 'infill sites should respect the character of the surrounding uses.' 2. Site Design: ElderCare has stated that the existing rows of valley oaks around the perimeter of the property will be preserved. They provide valuable screening for neighboring properties and bird habitat. The site plan, however, shows grading and construction of a retaining wall through the trees along the western property line. Those trees are very important to mitigating the impacts of the project to our homes. The grading needs to be redesigned to adequately protect and preserve the trees. The staff report did not comment on the row of silver dollar gum trees on the southwest end of the property. The site plan shows a parking lot through this area. That row of trees does provide important screening from the church's parking lot and car headlights. Their disposition needs to be addressed. The tree that has been identified as an Australian willow in the staff report is actually a native willow that is a remnant of the seasonal stream that historically flowed from the hills through the subject property and our neighborhood. The surface water flow is currently captured near my rear fence and deposited into the city storm system. The plans I examined did not address any alterations to the current drainage system. Is this the case? Ifs storm runoff to be tied into the line on Bonita A venue, that impact to our neighborhood needs to be assessed, and mitigation proposed. Underground water flow associated with the old stream channel needs to be evaluated and resolved. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES December 11,2002 Page 12