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covered and one along the side of it. He further noted the Mr. Bourg stated that the streetscape is not to scale, and he pointed out that it is, especially for height, and noted that the peak of his roof falls right in the middle of the second floor of Neal Street. He indicated that the 215 Neal Street window lines right up with the peak of the roof of their proposed home, and the peak of the house is right at the bottom of the window of the master bedroom. He added that there is 39 feet between the two homes, and he has no control over the garage, which is a utility building. In response to Ms. Bourg comment that that the windows in the front room cannot be used for a fire escape, he replied that those windows do not have to be used as fire escapes because there is a door to the front of them. With respect to losing affordable housing, he noted that the Pleasanton Weekly published that over 400 units being proposed for affordable housing, and he did not think one cottage will not impact this. As regards traffic obstruction, he stated that the garage right there makes it difficult to back out and they need to be careful. He added that the parking issue is due to the nursing home and that half of the people parking up and down that street are going into the nursing home. In conclusion, he stated that he reduced the project to the smallest size possible while still making it livable for him and his wife, with the bedroom downstairs measuring nine by ten feet. He indicated that he cannot envision squeezing it any smaller and still make it livable. Charles Huff, architect, referred to rental properties in the Downtown and stated that to keep this property as a rental property would be foolish. He added that perhaps some of those who spoke tonight and own properties would rent out some of their rooms. He stated that with the approval of 205 Neal Street, there will be an opportunity to show how historic sympathetic projects can enhance a Downtown streetscape. He noted that this home is a one-of-a-kind project and does qualify for one of those other homes in that neighborhood that are . He stated that in his opinion, the structure would complement the existing homes on Neal Street. He indicated that the suggestion that they abandon this project and remodel 215 Neal Street instead could be done, but it would be a much more massive house than what is shown tonight. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED. Commissioner Pentin commented that there apparently is an agreement to disagree in the neighborhood. He stated that he wanted to go back to the Workshop, where the Commission gave the applicant some recommendations for change. He noted that he sees a lot of compliance in the packet presented tonight. He added that while the shadow survey was done by Mr. Cunningham instead of a professional, the survey works for him. He indicated that what he sees is the Cunninghams attempt to comply with everything the Commission asked for. He further indicated that what he does not remember at that meeting or see in the Minutes is that the size would fall outside of the Downtown Design Guidelines and, if brought back six months later, the Commission would deny the proposal if the house is not reduced considerably. He expressed concern that the Cunninghams are being held to that standard today. He stated that if the palm tree were not there, if the vegetation and landscaping were not there as they are, and if the street were not what it is, he might be concerned with the massing; PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, November 9, 2011 Page 23 of 29