PC 091411 - Laserfiche WebLink

important to the neighbors, is spending more time on engineering this plan. He explained that they had gone through two plan checks on the previous set of improvement plans, and the new plan issues about grading were important to them as it would entail a pretty good size to import dirt for this piece of property. He stated that engineers spent a lot of time to come up with a new design for the storm drain, pushed hard on what they could on the sewer elevation, and were able to get those pads down. He noted that this resulted in about one-third the amount of import, which would be better for everybody with not that much dirt, dust, and trucks coming into the neighborhood. With regard to the last minute email, Mr. Schroeder stated that he has spoken with Mr. Lawer, and they have gone back and forth on issues. He indicated that Mr. Lawer attended the neighborhood meetings and had requested at last minute that something be done about the house across from his place. He noted that they are trying to create different styles, all single stories with some variety with the roofs; and for the house at issue, their architect dropped down the roof, which was acceptable to Mr. Lawer. Mr. Schroeder indicated that they always do what they say they will do; they do not cut corners or skirt issues, and they are always available to the neighbors. He stated that they do not know what market will be in six months or a year, but they feel confident enough to do this because it is an improvement to the community. Commissioner Blank noted that hundreds and thousands of hours went into the last approval in 2006, and five years later, the applicant is coming back to increase the number of units to 31. He indicated that he tries to keep an open mind, but when he first saw the plans, he was concerned that five years from now, the applicant may come back once more to increase the number to 34 units. He noted that he wants to be respectful of prior Planning Commission work and City Council approvals, and he is trying to understand what makes the applicant think they can build the project with 31 units when they could not build it at 27 in the first place. Mr. Schroeder replied that the project is significantly different economically than it was recollection of issues back then, and they had spent a lot of time working with the community at that point. He noted that there were one or two Planning Commission Work Sessions, but they mostly settled down with a group that they worked with extensively to come up with what the project is going to be. He added that in the end, he thinks everything went fairly smoothly, although there were and will always be people who are still in the community who will never be happy with these types of projects. He indicated that if they do not do this project as proposed, they will not be involved in it; if the property owners will not work with them, then they will have to work with someone else. He emphasized that they has pushed the project as far as they can, and he does not see them coming back again and adding three more lots. Commissioner Blank noted that the previous project had a price tag on the houses of between $1.3 and $1.5 million each. He inquired what they, as a developer, would do PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, September 14, 2011 Page 13 of 28