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Ms. Stern replied that staff believes the proposal is consistent with the EIR as it was written and certified. Commissioner O'Connor inquired further that staff is also taking the position that the proposal is in compliance with the Specific Plan and the Hillside Residential District Area plan Ms. Stern replied that was correct. Commissioner Posson inquired if the slide showing the proposed homes is Alternative No. 1 or Alternative No. 2. Ms. Soo replied that the slide shows what was originally proposed by the applicant, which is neither of the two alternatives. She noted that the building for Lot 2 is at 515 feet, which is five feet higher than Alternative No. 1. She added that less of the building envelope will be visible. Commissioner Posson requested clarification that Lot 2 would either be five feet, or ten feet with Alternative No. 2. Ms. Soo replied that it would be five feel with Alternative No. 1, and 15 feet with Alternative No. 2. Commissioner Posson inquired if the house would probably not be visible at 15 feet. Ms. Stern replied that was correct. Mr. Dolan stated that he would like to address the line of questioning that Commissioner O'Connor was pursuing and noted that Commissioner O'Connor is thinking about whether he can make the consistency conclusion. He indicated that staffs thought process is that there is some tension in the Plan: it talks about protecting the hilltop and ridgelines, but it also talks about not to grade the slope excessively and to save the trees; and then it gives a general location of where the homes can go. He added that it does not all work out perfectly. Commissioner O'Connor stated he had some follow-on questions: If the house is dropped down 15 feet, what does the home have to look like now that it is in the hillside? Does the house need to be stepped? And if so, how tall would that home be? Ms. Stern replied that the Mr. Kirkpatrick would address that question. She stated that the Alternative No. 2 staff looked at did have a flat pad and did retain the trees as proposed. She added that it was flat enough to do that and get a sufficient building pad, but it would require more grading and more off-haul. Commissioner Allen stated that she appreciated Mr. Dolan's comments that there are trade-offs here. She indicated that she is just trying to understand all the variances EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, February 12, 2014 Page 6 of 18