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General Plan as historic structures. Mr. Bourg added that in most cases, lots allow for room to spare around proposed additions or remodel; so the FAR is meant to address the mass and scale of a proposed home and how it fits among its surrounding. He noted that the FAR in this area is 40 percent, but the uniqueness of where the small cottage sits on the large lot means that the 1,862-square-foot new home must be squeezed onto a 2,825-square-foot portion of the lot between the two historic homes, giving it an effective FAR of at least 66 percent and puts it as close as 12 feet from the historic home at 215 Neal with one corner as close as eight feet to that home. Mr. Bourg stated that aesthetically, the house does not fit there, is out of character with the historic neighborhood, and negatively affects the quality of life of at least four heritage homes in the beautiful historic neighborhood. He stated that at 25 feet high, the house would tower above their lot, create a large shadow until the afternoon, diminish light to the plants in yard, take away from their privacy in their home and yard, and limit their views of trees and the neighborhood from their home and their yard. He added that the setbacks are not in keeping with the code, and it has substandard tandem parking and very little street parking. He stated that the proposed home will not blend in with its surroundings and will detract from the character of the heritage neighborhood. He indicated that he opposed the proposal. Christine Bourg, Downtown property owner, stated that she and her husband have lived in their home for 37 years and that she opposes the plan because of its size and massing for the smaller portion of the lot on which it sits. She provided a brief history of the property, stating that the house was moved from Tassajara in 1900, that a carriage house was built for the Halls' Clydesdale horses and buggy and was thereafter converted into a cottage to house soldiers. She indicated that Camp Parks was a WWII training site, and citizens were asked to house soldiers. She noted that after the war, the cottage became an affordable rental property. Ms. Bourg stated that the Halls' daughter inherited the home and cottage and was told that the City Code prevented her from renting out two dwellings on the same lot, the reason she was forced her to sell the property. She added that Jon Harvey purchased the property and subdivided it into two lots, and then Dave and Fran Cunningham purchased the lot containing both of the homes. She indicated that she attended the hearing regarding the lot split and was relieved that the Cunninghams were to live at the larger landmark home. She noted, however, that the Cunninghams ended up renting the home and the cottage and never lived on the property. She added that both properties have been rented for the last seven years and that the Cunninghams have attempted to sell the property twice. Ms. Bourg stated that in 2009, she was notified of the current proposal and noted staffs concerns. She indicated that subsequent changes were made to call for a 25-foot high, two-story, 1,800-square-foot home requiring six variances, which she noted staff continues to oppose. She echoed comments regarding the concerns brought forward by her husband. She stated that the house would sit on the dripline of their large oak tree, and she fears that the Cunninghams could request that the lot be split in the future. EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, APRIL 13, 2011 Page 4 of 15