15 - Laserfiche WebLink

BACKGROUND On September 17, 2014, Mr. Haddad requested DR approval to construct a 6,841-square- foot two-story custom home and related landscape and site improvements, including graded area of approximately 23,817 square feet. The DR process applies to projects including new single family homes. DR applications are typically reviewed at the Zoning Administrator level. Projects which are judged by the Zoning Administrator to have complex design issues or to be sensitive or controversial in nature may be referred directly to the Planning Commission. After the public notices for the initial DR were sent to all property owners within 1,000 feet of the subject property, concerns were raised regarding the design and grading of the home. Staff determined that the concerns could not be resolved at the Zoning Administrator level and, thus referred the application directly to the Planning Commission for review. All letters of opposition submitted after the initial public noticing for the DR are included in Attachment 5, Exhibit D of the Planning Commission Staff report. Letters received after Planning Commission packet distribution can be found in Attachment 6. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on March 25, 2015 to review the proposed project. At that meeting, in addition to the architect, two neighbors spoke, one in favor and one in opposition to the project. The Planning Commission discussed concerns about the design and location of the proposed home and the grading of the site. Further discussion can be found later in this report as well as within minutes from the meeting provided in Attachment 4. After receiving public testimony, the Commission voted 4-1 to approve the DR subject to staff's recommended conditions. The Planning Commission action was subsequently appealed by Mr. Monzo (see Attachment 3) and accordingly, the appeal is now before the City Council for review and action. SITE DESCRIPTION The subject site is located on the west side of Golden Eagle Way and is approximately 47,200 square feet (1.08 acres) in area. It slopes gently upward from Golden Eagle Way to the rear property line towards the west. The subject property directly abuts only one residential property to the south - Monzo's property. Common open space area surrounds the property directly to the north and west. There are also existing homes to the east, across Golden Eagle Way and on Toyon Court, which are at a substantially lower elevation than the subject property. Page 2 of 9