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additions in the area, but he went down to the City Planning Division and checked the regulations and zoning ordinance regarding height limits, square footage, and lot coverage. He stated that they went to great lengths not to put windows on either side and in the front so the house looks like a one -story building; they put a loft up there under the roof. Mr. Munn stated that there is probably a solution to this without having to redesign the house. He noted that the property at the back, where he thinks the issue is, has really high bushes that, if trimmed down, would provide as much or even more of the ridge view than what it currently has. He asked the Commission to take that into consideration in its decision and to note that they followed the City's rules and regulations in designing the additions. Chair O'Connor addressed the audience indicating that each speaker would be given five minutes, and those in the audience who agree with the speaker can raise their hands. He requested that the audience be a little more subdued with no cheering or laughing or smirking. John Toms stated that he became acquainted with the neighborhood when he visited in 1987 and subsequently purchased his home in 1999. He indicated that one of the reasons he bought in the area is because of the neighborhood's absolute uniqueness with primarily moderately -sized one -story ranch -style homes in large lots, providing this feeling of privacy that prevails throughout the neighborhood. He pointed out that the lots are large enough to allow for a compromise as far as adding upward instead of going out, and can accommodate one -story additions without the front of Hamilton Way seeing a double story. He stated that he spent 30 years in construction and energy in LEED recently, and he has always found that problems like this can always be solved through compromise and accommodation, and he thinks this is what needs to be done here. James Connors stated that he has lived in the area since 2002 and has a business in town. He indicated that he knows most of these people because he walks his dog every day for about an hour through those neighborhoods. He stated that he is not sure if he is just a little underwhelmed or overwhelmed. He noted that the house he bought is in Rose Point, and he is not sure if there is just Rose Point or Carriage Garden or if it is just one big community where the streets just wrap around. He pointed out that the house he bought has a big two -story house right behind it that looks right down his backyard, and Hanover Court, which is in the Rose Point community, has a big two -story house as well. He noted that these are big structures and asked where the arguing was when these houses went up. He pointed out that what the Schmitts are proposing is not intrusive. He added that he honestly does not understand all the hubbub and that people need to get calmer heads. Dolores Bengtson stated that she lives right next door to the Schmitts' property. She indicated that she appreciates the opportunity to speak to the Commission on this issue and thanked the Planning staff for their patience in answering her questions and PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, August 13, 2014 Page 5 of 32