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side and substandard lot depth prevents the applicant from locating the required parking space in a side yard and outside of the front yard setback. The lot depth and strict application of the provisions of this chapter prevent the applicant from maintaining the 23-foot front yard setback and locating a non-tandem parking space outside of the front yard setback and, therefore, would deprive the property of privileges enjoyed by other properties in the vicinity and under identical zoning classification. Therefore, staff believes this finding can be made. 2. That the granting of the variance will not constitute a grant of special privilege inconsistent with the limitation on other properties classified in the same zoning district; Staff analysis: In order for this finding to be made, there must be a relationship between the unique site and the variance in question. As stated above, staff believes that the property is unique in that there is an incline of the lot on the east side and it is substandard in lot depth, and if the lot depth met the minimum R-1-6,500 District standards and the lot were level, the parking Variances would not be needed. Variance requests for setbacks have been approved throughout the City, and Downtown, for other properties in the same zoning district (i.e., 4512 (the adjacent property), 4558, and 4698 Second Street, 4575 Augustine Street, and 4070 Stanley Boulevard). Therefore, staff believes that the Planning Commission would not be granting a special privilege to the property owner that is inconsistent with other Variance approvals. 3. That the granting of the variance will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare, or materially injurious to properties or improvements in the vicinity. (Ord. 1520 § 5, 1991;prior code § 2-11.29(1)) Staff analysis: The front yard setback for dwellings is designed in insure the public's safety and general welfare by providing adequate visibility for safe traffic maneuvers and to preserve the aesthetic character of the residential neighborhood. The 20-foot front yard setback of the house would not pose a traffic sight obstruction due to the lot's approximately 110-foot distance from the nearest street corner and the additional 14-foot setback from the street provided by the sidewalk and planter areas along the frontage of the lot. Also, the front setback of the house would be compatible with the setbacks of other homes in the area, many of which are less than 23-feet. Additionally, a house of appropriate size would not appear overbearing as viewed from the street due to the additional 14-foot setback provided by the sidewalk and planter areas. Also, even if the building were to meet the 23-foot setback, the front porch would still be 12-feet from the front property line and, therefore, the building wall would not create safety issues. Furthermore, the tandem parking in the front yard would not extend into the public right-of-way (i.e. sidewalk). The proposed reduced setback and tandem parking are common for properties located in Downtown. Therefore, staff believes this finding can be made. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT The construction of the new home and variance requests are categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Section 15303, New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures, Class 3 and Section P11-0709/P11-0717, 205 Neal Street Planning Commission 17 of 18