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Chair Narum stated that she was in a situation where her next door neighbors wanted to enclose a deck on the second story and put in a window that would look down on her house; additionally the neighbor's lot was higher and looks down on hers. She indicated that she had all the same concerns about privacy, but the reality is that the neighbors are not going to stand in the window and look at her; additionally, the landscaping also grew quickly. Commissioner Blank noted that his neighbor also built out a deck and the City required him to plant bushes which, after three to four years, covered the view of the deck. Chair Narum expressed empathy for the neighbors, but at the same time she did not think the request was unreasonable. She noted that the Susantos' deck is high and off the ground about six inches. and she thinks they could plant a few bushes in pots, with the tree not needing to be at the height of the window while still doing the job. She added that she thinks the applicant needs to plant a few bushes or plants as well to mitigate the situation. She indicated that she thinks the proposed trees should not be used if they grow to be 10 feet in diameter. Commissioner Blank noted that the staff report states the landscape architect indicates that Leland Fall Cypress trees grow 10 to 12 feet wide and 15 to 20 feet tall within five years, unlike Italian Cypress which is slow growing. Commissioner Blank suggested that the Director of Community Development choose the tree species. Commissioner O'Connor disclosed that he met with the applicant. Chair Narum also disclosed that she met with the applicant as well. Commissioner O'Connor noted that the appellant did not install the second -story addition or deck, but in walking the neighborhood and looking from the applicants' back yard, he noticed that the deck is more than six inches off the ground and that from the side yard, it is very easy to see over the fence. He added that their windows are also very prominent, but not as prominent in the applicants' yard as they are from the other two homes on the back and the other side. He indicated that he walked three courts and noticed that more than two- thirds of the homes have second -story windows that look into the neighbors' yards. Commissioner Blank commented that it is also unknown how long the windows have been there. Commissioner O'Connor agreed but stated that this is not unusual. He stated that if he found a home and a yard that he liked, he was not so sure that he would not buy the house just because there were windows on its sides. He indicated that he would like to see the neighbors compromise or agree. He noted that there is no variance request, and the neighbor is not asking for something that is not allowed or uncommon in the DRAFT EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, February 9, 2011 Page 6 of 8