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Commissioner Allen asked what the numbers of the two Ash trees. <br />Commissioner O'Connor stated that he cannot make out the numbers. <br />Ms. Stern stated that she thinks it is 353. <br />Chair Pearce asked if they are 353 and 356. <br />Commissioner O'Connor commented that then they are both 3's. <br />Commissioner Allen noted that it they were 1's, then it would be a different story, but a <br />3 is in the middle. <br />Commissioner O'Connor agreed. He added that in any of these backyards other than <br />the ones along the creek, even with the smallest floor plan, the trees would still <br />dominate the backyard. <br />Chair Pearce stated that that is the problem and that it is a site plan issue. <br />Commissioner Ritter commented that Ms. Hardy stated that none of the trees, or a few <br />of those trees, that Ponderosa is asking to take out were native and were planted years <br />ago. <br />Chair Pearce stated that the Commission had the same conversation a few years ago <br />with the trees across the street with the DiDonato property. She then addressed the <br />architecture and stated that it looks great and appreciated the improvements made. <br />She noted that the Commission asked that the architecture of the houses in the vicinity <br />be reflected in the architecture of the proposed houses, and the applicant did a great <br />job. <br />Commissioner Allen agreed, noting that she likes the idea of the craftsman and the <br />cottage style together as it adds an element of class. <br />Commissioner Ritter stated that he really likes how the applicant did lot number 12 <br />which backs up to Stanley Boulevard and where they made the house really look like <br />Pleasanton. He indicated that he is new to the Commission here but that he is still <br />disappointed that nothing is being done with the existing house. <br />Chair Pearce stated that she will go first on this because she is on the Historic <br />Preservation Task Force and have had countless conversations with the applicant on <br />this. She indicated that when she first met with the applicants on site, she <br />recommended that they wait until the Historic Preservation Task Force had finished its <br />work. She noted that she felt this project was premature, ahead of the finalization of <br />that work, because this is within the Downtown Specific Plan Area. She indicated that <br />she appreciates where the applicant is going with regard to the house, but she still <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, July 10, 2013 Page 17 of 21 <br />