22 ATTACHMENT 05 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commissioner Posson noted that the third item under"Staff Recommendation" asks the Commission to make "a finding that the location of the proposed home sites results in an environmentally superior plan." He inquired compared to what it would be an "environmentally superior plan." Ms. Soo replied that it would be compared to locating the homes into the blob which would result in more grading and removing more trees. Commissioner Posson verified that it is not related to the Alternatives but only to whether or not the homes would be located specifically within that little asterisk. Ms. Soo said yes. Commissioner O'Connor inquired if this is being compared to the original blob. Ms. Soo said yes. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. Frank Berlogar, applicant, stated that the focus of the design is to be truly sensitive to the environmental setting. He indicated that he lives out there and he will be looking at the homes for a long time so he wants them to look as good as possible. He noted that they are preserving all the trees, none of which are being impacted, and they are minimizing the grading as well. Mr. Berlogar stated that they worked hard to be sensitive to the neighbors. He noted that the plan calls for three lots, but he could not figure out how to put three lots on the site without making a mess out of it, so he is asking for two homes in perpetuity as there is no way to get another lot in that area off that private drive. He stated that the road is to the east and the homes are pushed to the west so they are as far away from his neighbors as he can get them on the property, thereby maximizing the separation between the homes. He added that the other advantage is that the neighbors will see the front of the houses and the front landscaping. He noted that this would avoid having residents stand in their rear yard and look into another's rear yard, which he finds to be much more intrusive than looking at the front of somebody's house. Mr. Berlogar stated that at the start of this process, he offered the neighbors to pretty much decide on the landscaping along the retaining wall as they will have to look at it more than he does, and they have not responded to that. He added that the offer is still on the table and he would still like to do that. He indicated that he is a good neighbor, and he will continue to be a good neighbor and do the best he can. Mr. Berlogar stated that he brought along a couple of exhibits; the first shows the variances between the plotted locations of the 16 or 17 existing homes at the time the Specific Plan was prepared and their actual locations. He indicated that ten of them are significantly mis-plotted, with six of them by more than 100 feet and one, the Win home, EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, February 12, 2014 Page 8 of 18