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Ms. Bourg stated that the Halls daughter inherited the home and cottage and was told <br />that the City Code prevented her from renting out two dwellings on the same lot, the <br />reason she was forced her to sell the property. She added that Jon Harvey purchased <br />the property and subdivided it into two lots, and then Dave and Fran Cunningham <br />purchased the lot containing both of the homes. She indicated that she attended the <br />hearing regarding the lot split and was relieved that the Cunninghams were to live at the <br />larger landmark home. She noted, however, that the Cunninghams ended up renting <br />the home and the cottage and never lived on the property. She added that both <br />properties have been rented for the last seven years and that the Cunninghams have <br />attempted to sell the property twice. <br /> <br />Ms. Bourg stated that in 2009, she was notified of the current proposal and <br />concerns. She indicated that subsequent changes were made to call for a 25-foot high, <br />two-story, 1,800-square-foot home requiring six variances, which she noted staff <br />continues to oppose. She echoed comments regarding the concerns brought forward <br />by her husband. She stated that the house would sit on the dripline of their large oak <br />tree, and she fears that the Cunninghams could request that the lot be split in the future. <br /> <br />Ms. Bourg stated that the loss of the cottage would be a loss of City history, and she <br />implored the Cunninghams to save it and restore the old family home to live in. She <br />indicated that she contacted at least 12 families who oppose the project and would be <br />most affected by it. She then read into the record a letter from Debbie Ayres, a <br />neighbor who could not be present at the meeting: <br /> <br />of the home infringes upon the privacy of its neighbors. I recently bought an <br />adjacent home on Second Street not knowing that already the home on another side <br />of my property has expansion plans approved. These things will not only affect my <br />privacy, but may impact my property value by being squished in the middle. <br /> <br />block. If the Cunningham high <br />rise is built, my yard will be surrounded by five different neighbors instead of four. <br />Although I am currently surrounded by four neighbors, none look directly into my <br />backyard and bedroom window. <br /> <br />The Cunningham plan posit <br />privacy. The two story building also blocks my view of the skyline (heritage trees <br />and sky) that came with my recent purchase as a reminder of where I live. <br /> <br /> years ago, because of the five antique stores on Main <br />Street. I loved the old houses surrounding downtown that added to its charm. <br /> <br />ts historic homes and <br />PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MINUTES, April 13, 2011 Page 7 of 19 <br /> <br />