PC 071013 - Laserfiche WebLink

the garage pushed back off of the front fagade, providing deep, heavy shadows across the front, and with upgraded carriage -style garage doors with windows on them. With respect to massing the front of these homes, the houses have a very approachable, single -story element up front with the porches and quite a bit of detail, and strong proportions and articulation as far as the step -backs from the first floor, the second floor, the pot shelves, the bay windows, some handrails at the wrap- around porches, tapered columns as opposed to just posts at the craftsman elevations, extended overhangs on the craftsman elevations from 18 inches to 24 inch, window trim full -wrap on all four sides of the house, plus the window break ups also on all four sides, and colors that give more of a historical color combination that fits the Downtown area. Ms. Hardy stated that she hoped the Commission clearly understands that they have been working closely with the project architect and with staff on making these refinements with the architecture, that they really are listening to the Commission and the community so that a lot of these architectural changes do really represent what they think are great enhancements, some of them coming at a considerable cost to them. She added, however, that they think when all is said and done, the houses are richly designed, they incorporate a lot of the elements that are found throughout the Downtown area, and they will have a very consistent look with the streetscape, admittedly in a transitional neighborhood, particularly with the house fronting on Stanley Boulevard, with the full wrap- around porch that is really going to give a great frontage elevation entry to the project site. With respect to the trees and in response to Commissioner Allen's comments, Ms. Hardy stated that she did see the staff comment that the City arborist had recommended some additional trees to be retained onto the site. She indicated that she greatly respects Mr. Fulford and does not disagree with him, certainly with retaining the trees in the creek, and that they planned on retaining the other trees that Mr. Fulford recommended off -site. She noted that there are two Ash trees along the east property boundary that abut Mr. Swift's property and that she briefly touched base with Mr. Swift about them. She stated that she does not know what Mr. Swift's sense of the trees is, but her sense is that those two Ash trees are really big trees that will completely dominate the backyard of those two houses. She added that trying to prune those trees is problematic as the clearances from the building are difficult, for one. She noted that if this were a typical application and they applied for a tree removal permit, she was pretty sure they would have no problem removing them, but in the context of a larger development, there might be a different feeling. She indicated that they are really not supportive of retaining those trees as they will create a lot of problems in the long run. With respect to the palm tree, Ms. Hardy stated that if the City or somebody is really interested in relocating it, they will be happy to dig it up and drop it off. She noted that they are not going to alter their plan to save the palm tree. She noted that of the 29 trees being removed from the site, 18 are heritage trees, rated 4 of 5 for suitability, not one of which are native trees. She added that in terms of replacement, she counted up to 36 new trees in a combination of the front and side yards, about a two -to -one replacement for the removal of the heritage trees. She stated that she thinks they are doing pretty good on this in removing some older trees that are non - native, some are PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, July 10, 2013 Page 12 of 21