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Mayor Hosterman closed the public hearing. She said appeals do occur and matters like this <br /> take long, and she recognized the parties' work to achieve acceptance and compromise. She <br /> felt the way the Lopez's configured their addition is in the middle of the property with very little <br /> exception. It makes sense given the architecture of the existing home. There have been two <br /> mediations, buyers are made aware they are able to enlarge their homes up to two stories, and <br /> she believes they have made sacrifices and supported the staff and Planning Commission <br /> recommendation. <br /> Councilmember Sullivan agrees with Commission Blank that the lot and setting is unusual and <br /> is surprised with the 1969 agreement and whether it is something the Council would necessarily <br /> approve today. He also felt that a two -story addition on this lot would be completely out of <br /> character with the neighborhood, as all nearby streets are all one -story houses on very small <br /> lots. The fact that the addition would increase the FAR to 40% when literally every other house <br /> in a 3 -4 block radius is 20% to 25% FAR is not something he would support. <br /> He believes the addition would put an unacceptable impact on the immediate neighbors, said <br /> most speakers in support do rot live on the street and most have two stories homes that have <br /> been approved. The zoning is not an entitlement but subject to discretionary review, design <br /> review, and in looking at the criteria in the staff report, he cannot make the findings that have <br /> the appropriate relationship of the building to its site, the scale of buildings within the site and <br /> adjoining buildings, consistency with neighborhood character and preservation of views enjoyed <br /> by residents. He acknowledged the need to have a larger home, but to him, it is not an <br /> appropriate place to do it. He would support the appeal, and if there is room for compromise, he <br /> would be willing to support a smaller second story addition. <br /> Vice Mayor Cook- Kallio said she was sad this could not be settled between neighbors. She <br /> must make her decision on what she sees, is concerned that the mediation did not work as well <br /> as it might have. The Lopez's have not asked for any variances. It is within zoning, allowed by <br /> the CC &R's and supported by the Planning Commission. Regarding staff's options, she would <br /> like to see a modified Option 3, and asked whether or not the Perry's want the skylight, which <br /> she thinks is a reasonable mitigation, as well as additional landscaping. If the belly band is <br /> something the appellants did not necessarily want, she did not want the applicant to incur the <br /> added expense. <br /> Mayor Hosterman suggested a motion to approve Option 3 which is deny the appeal and <br /> approve the project as proposed, subject to conditions of approval that include mitigation <br /> measures offered during mediation, which she felt could be worked out. <br /> Councilmember Thorne said it is very difficult in such situations given conflict in a neighborhood. <br /> He thinks the project meets all criteria and zoning requirements and no variance has been <br /> requested. Therefore, he would lean on the rights of the property owner. He thinks it was a <br /> mistake not to erect the story poles which he thinks would have solved many problems, and <br /> supported Option 3. <br /> Councilmember McGovern said she sees this was not done by an architect, said the windows <br /> closest to the front door are not correct, and she suggested future staff reports include colored <br /> photos or renderings. She said going to a second story will occur more and more in Val Vista, <br /> and she noted the home is a 6 bedroom, 4 bath house on a 6,000 square foot lot, which is an <br /> incredible size for the lot, as well as its unusual lot configuration. She referred to the picture; <br /> A.2.1 and it sounds as if neighbors are asking that it be move back from the street. Mr. Dolan <br /> City Council Minutes Page 8 of 11 February 15, 2011 <br />