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Ms. Amos replied that while the applicants were repairing a water damage on that elevation, they thought it would be a good opportunity to install a window since the wall was already open. Commissioner O'Connor stated that he thought it was a mold issue. Ms. Amos suggested that the applicant respond to this matter. Commissioner O'Connor inquired if the Municipal Code prevents the applicants from installing a window on the side of the house and whether the applicants are requesting a variance. Ms. Amos answered no to both. Commissioner O'Connor commented that he can understand that the applicants want sunlight to come into the house, but he was not certain why they would install a window on the south side of the house. Additionally, he indicated that planting a tree would block that sunlight. He also noted that he received a number of letters and emails and asked Ms. Amos if she knew how many of those letters and emails were in support of the application or opposed to it. Ms. Amos replied that she did not have those numbers readily available. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. Kong Susanto, appellant, stated that staff encouraged them to settle and compromise and presented many suggestions for lighting, higher window sills, opaque windows, planting trees in front of the window, and options other than opening a window on the south end wall, but the applicant rejected them. He commented that at the last hearing, the Zoning Administrator approved the application, and they felt that the City has not been sensitive to the privacy issue they raised so they appealed the decision to the Commission. He indicated that the distance from the window to the fence is approximately 9 to 11 feet, and the distance from the fence to their sliding door is 16 feet. He stated that a distance of 25 feet is very close, and opening a second -story window would definitely impact their privacy because the window would look into the primary areas of their home. He added that the distance between their own rear window and the neighbor's backyard is at least 40 feet, which is twice the distance. Mr. Susanto stated that they also have second -story windows on three sides of their house, one of which faces the applicants' home, but there are no privacy issues because the window is approximately 80 feet away. He noted that there are a lot of tall trees in their backyard which the previous owner planted as a screen to provide some DRAFT EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, February 9, 2011 Page 2 of 8