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Mr. Cummings stated that he went and surveyed about 80 houses, all the two-story <br /> houses that are on and around Hummingbird Road and in Pleasanton Valley, and he <br /> could not verify a rear-facing balcony on any of the Morrison-built homes. He pointed <br /> out that a mulberry tree is a deciduous tree, which becomes a skeleton in the winter <br /> time, as shown in a slide presented by staff. He noted that one can see right through <br /> that tree, and the privacy views are actually going to be more compromised. He added <br /> that the biggest issue with trying to provide organic screening is that organic screening <br /> is not like a fence: if a fence falls down, it can be remediated in one day; but if a tree <br /> breaks, it cannot be fixed overnight and will have to grow back. He pointed out that the <br /> trees grow one to two feet a year, and it would need another ten feet of growth to <br /> achieve full privacy screening from the proposed balcony. He stated that he owned a <br /> house with 21 Cypress trees and when they are spaced apart, they provide a space in <br /> between, through which one can see and which would compromise one's privacy. <br /> Mr. Cummings stated that he has a household of three women, his two daughters and <br /> his wife, and they enjoy the backyard all the time. He noted that they have a really <br /> strong community, and his neighbors would potentially be affected by this if they come <br /> to his house and go in the backyard. He indicated that he canvassed the neighborhood <br /> and surveyed about 32 houses along the Sandpiper Way loop and received <br /> overwhelming support from them. He stated that some people could not make it to <br /> tonight's meeting, but most of those present tonight support him. He added that some <br /> of them sent emails. <br /> On another issue, Mr. Cummings stated that he built a common fence between their <br /> properties and had requested Ms. Kisiloglu to treat her side of the fence. He indicated <br /> that instead of doing so, she planted these four trees against the fence which would <br /> deteriorate the fence. <br /> Mr. Cummings stated that it comes down to a matter of whether they feel there is <br /> privacy or not, whether they feel good about being in their backyard. He indicated that if <br /> there is somebody lingering on the porch for some reason, he cannot ensure that his <br /> wife and daughters will feel comfortable in the pool or in the hot tub or just enjoy the <br /> backyard, as they will actually potentially be a direct view. He stated that when they <br /> bought this house, they wanted a house with a pool; they wanted a place where they <br /> can enjoy things and spend a lot of time out in their backyard. He noted that they have <br /> a sound system out there so they can enjoy the summer when the weather gets better <br /> and really try and feel comfortable. He added that they now have had very nice <br /> neighbors who have moved in and have never made them feel like their privacy is <br /> compromised; but now his wife feels like she is violated and is very uncomfortable all <br /> the time about the thought that something like this is going to happen. <br /> Mr. Cummings stated that he understands it is unfortunate that Ms. Kiziloglu's family <br /> has asthma and can only imagine what having an asthma attack feels like. He <br /> indicated, however, that he cannot see the need to use asthma to justify having a <br /> backyard patio when one can simply open a window for fresh air. He then stated that <br /> EXCERPT: PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES, May 27, 2015 Page 2 of 14 <br />