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She said the Initiative proposes two different policies to be added to the General Plan; 1) a <br /> policy regarding hillside development; and 2) a policy regarding housing units. For the policy <br /> regarding hillside developments, the Initiative prohibits housing and structures on slopes of 25% <br /> or greater, or within 100 feet of a ridge line. The Initiative also prohibits grading and construction <br /> of residential or commercial structures on 25% or greater slopes or within 100 feet of a ridge <br /> line. But, the Initiative does have an exemption for projects of 10 or fewer units. <br /> The second element of the Initiative relates to housing units, the definition cif which is any unit <br /> which includes a bathroom and a kitchen. The Initiative specifically says oa kitchen is where <br /> there is a sink, a cooking device, and a refrigerator. And a bathroom is where there is a toilet, <br /> tub, or shower. <br /> Regarding the report's analysis of the hillside policy, the hillside policy will have effects on <br /> development in the community specifically that housing developments will be reduced in the <br /> hillside area. And, because the Initiative was not specific about what was a hill area based on its <br /> discussion about steep slopes and ridge lines, it will apply to the areas west of Foothill Road, <br /> Happy Valley and North Sycamore. It is estimated that approximately 119 to 224 units would be <br /> not developed in the hill areas based on the Initiative, and this was based on staffs analysis of <br /> the slopes in those areas, as well as what staff understands the term ridge lines and other <br /> development limitations. <br /> The Initiative, while it would reduce housing units in the hill area due to its restrictions, would <br /> have a limited impact because the Initiative itself includes the provision that housing <br /> developments of 10 or fewer units are exempt from the Initiative. <br /> As discussed in the report, these units do not simply disappear from the community, but rather <br /> they would move to other areas of the community, more likely flatter, infill areas such as <br /> Hacienda Business Park, or other areas where there is already potential redevelopment such as <br /> the downtown. These are not what staff would call classic density transfers. The property <br /> owners in the hillside area do not receive a benefit from the reduction in density, rather the <br /> density simply moves by the nature of the Initiative without any credits being provided to those <br /> property owners in the hill area. <br /> The report indicates that because the number of units being changed isn't a large number <br /> compared to the total number of units citywide, there is not a citywide traffic impact. <br /> In studying the hillside Initiative policies, there was a discussion about the definitions in the <br /> policy and how those would be implemented in the community with a need to define slope, ridge <br /> lines, and structures, as well as determine what would be the effect of the Initiative on different <br /> types of development, particularly with regard to hillside roads and how the language of the <br /> hillside policy would be interpreted and applied. The report recommends that Council would <br /> need to consider adopting or implementing an ordinance to clarify these regulations and <br /> policies, including adopting specific definitions for issues such as slope, ridge line, and <br /> structure, and describe a method to actually measure slope as well as address all the issues <br /> that were discussed on May 20 regarding hillside development. Issues were also raised <br /> regarding grading styles and split pad or flat pad, how to determine building heights, water <br /> issues, visibility, and floor area ratio. <br /> Ms. Seto said in addition to hillside policies, there are issues regarding housing units which is <br /> second part of the report. And then the issues about how the language of the Initiative would <br /> apply to second units, assisted living units, or extended stay hotel rooms. The Initiative tells the <br /> Special Meeting Minutes 2 June 26, 2008 <br />