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application that would have resulted in the development of 43 single-family residences targeted <br /> to seniors on the site and associated site changes. <br /> After reviewing the application, staff provided the applicant with a letter discussing concerns <br /> relating to the proposed development. As proposed, staff did not believe the project was <br /> sufficiently integrated into the surrounding neighborhood, as it was proposed to be surrounded <br /> by a wall and would be accessible only after passing through a security gate. The security gate <br /> would also conflict with the City's General Plan. Staff also sought other changes in the <br /> proposed design, ranging from modifications to the architecture to changes in the orientation of <br /> residences along Valley Trails Drive and the configuration of open space. In addition to revising <br /> the proposal to address staff's comments, staff also encouraged the applicant to continue to <br /> host neighborhood meetings with Valley Trails residents to discuss the project prior to <br /> presenting an application to the Planning Commission as a work session item. Staff's comment <br /> letter and initial project site plan are included as attachments within Exhibit D. <br /> Planning Commission Work Session Submittal <br /> Since receiving staff's initial comments in 2015, Ponderosa sought additional input from staff <br /> and the residents in the Valley Trails Neighborhood, including a group known as the "Valley <br /> Trails Homeowners Association" (VTHOA). Staff notes that the VTHOA disbanded in 2014; <br /> however, a few residents of the Valley Trails Neighborhood created a subset of the VTHOA, <br /> which is described by one member as an advocacy group or social club that does not have dues <br /> or compulsory rules, with the leadership of the advocacy group being informal with no elected <br /> positions (please refer to the letter provided by Ed Broome, dated October 21, 2016, in Exhibit <br /> M). The outcome of Ponderosa's meeting with the VTHOA subset group, referred to hereafter <br /> as the Valley Trails Advocacy Group (\/TAG), resulted in Ponderosa revising the project to <br /> address the neighborhood's desire to have Ponderosa construct a clubhouse, with a restroom <br /> facility, open to all Valley Trails Neighborhood residents. <br /> On June 24, 2016, Ponderosa submitted revised plans that were intended to conform to the <br /> development standards of the R-1-6,500 District (e.g., minimum lot area, depth, and width <br /> requirements for each parcel, meeting the minimum setbacks and building-to-building <br /> separation, etc.). Although the majority of the project conformed to the R-1-6,500 District <br /> development standards, two of the five corner lots had substandard widths, the front porches <br /> were substandard in dimensions and/or exceeded the maximum allowed encroachment into the <br /> front yard setback, and 12 of the 37 lots were substandard in building-to-building separation. <br /> Key changes made to the proposal also included: <br /> o Changing the age-restricted gated development to a non-age-restricted and non-gated <br /> development; <br /> o Reducing the number of lots from 43 to 37; <br /> o Removing the perimeter wall and installing traditional redwood fences; <br /> o Designing streets and sidewalks that meet the City's Complete Street standards; <br /> o Providing a street presence along Valley Trails Drive by orienting the homes to face <br /> Valley Trails Drive; and <br /> o Redesigning the development layout to be compatible with the development pattern of <br /> the existing neighborhood. <br /> P16-1386, P17-0155, PUD-113, & TRACT 8259; 6900 Valley Trails Drive Planning Commission <br /> 4 of 32 <br />