PC 111214 - Laserfiche WebLink

Charles Meier stated that he and his wife have lived in Rosepointe since 1971 and that they understood that Rosepointe was going to be single -story homes. He agreed that there are a few along Arlington Drive that are two story, but they mostly face the highway in their backyards. He indicated that he met with staff and reviewed the proposal, and he is very concerned that it is still not in keeping with the character of Rosepointe as he and many people see it. He noted that Rosepointe is an architecturally unique area like Second Street in Downtown Pleasanton. He added that Rosepointe residents have come to enjoy a neighborhood of single -story homes, affording a level of privacy which is virtually unavailable in today's housing in Pleasanton where everything is two story. Mr. Meier stated that as he looks at the proposed design, he understands the neighbors who have been affected and do not agree with it. He noted that they were going to lose their privacy and some of their view. He indicated that there was one approval of a second story many years ago, which was built with no windows facing the backyard neighbor. He stated that it was subsequently sold, and the next owner put in a couple of windows and now the people behind them have someone looking into their backyard, something they did not bargain for. He noted that a vote to approve a second -story addition in Rosepointe will irreversibly change the character of Rosepointe and will mean that the next second -story addition and the one after that will be approved. He pointed out that this will transform Rosepointe into a neighborhood like all others with second -story homes that erode privacy and diminish enjoyment and the unique value of their neighborhood. He stated that he would really like to see a "no" vote on this plan. Karen Toms read a letter on behalf of Janice and Michael O'Rourke who were not present. On July 11, 2014, 1 wrote the Pleasanton Planning Commission expressing my concerns over this project and requested denial of the second -story addition. Today, 1 write again expressing the same and additional concerns over the redesign and planned structure and am urging denial of this project, in particular, the second -story addition. As 1 am not an adjoining neighbor of the subject property, 1 cannot speak to loss of privacy and obstructed views (although in reviewing the proposed design, 1 can certainly understand their concems). However, I have been a resident of the Rosepointe development for the past 10 years, so 1 limit my concerns to overall view. 1. The proposed design is out of character for the Rosepointe development. The second -story addition makes the house look massive — so much so, this would be the single most notable feature on Hamilton Way and likely the whole development. A house of this size and proportion would be more in harmony with the Sycamore Creek development a few blocks away or other planned developments with similar sized houses — both in and outside of Pleasanton. 2. The Rosepointe development is 45 years old and therefore reflects the architectural features and footprint sizes common during that time. As noted by others, the original developers — or the City — were concemed enough about preserving the single -story ranch -style look in this area that specific restrictions on second -story additions were stated in the CC &R's. 1 appreciate that times PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, November 12, 2014 Page 10 of 35