PC 111214 - Laserfiche WebLink

Chair O'Connor stated that he believes he heard Ms. Bengtson say tonight that her privacy was more important than her view of the ridge. Chair O'Connor stated that neighborhood issues are always tough. He referred to page 7 of the staff report which says that "...the Commission's ... scope of review of project plans shall include but not be limited to ...: • Appropriate relationship of the proposed building and its site to adjoining areas, including compatibility of architectural styles, harmony in adjoining buildings, attractive landscape transitions, and consistency with neighborhood character. • Preservation of views enjoyed by residents .... • Architectural style...." He stated that he thought the revised plan was a great improvement over the original plan as far as the look of the house. He indicated that it really was a nice looking home, but he did not think it fits with the neighborhood. He noted that the neighborhood residents have bought, over the last ten years, fought every two -story proposal they were notified of, and were successful with three of them not being built. He agreed with the concept that the camel's nose is in the tent and believes that once that precedent is set, it could become a potential for others. Chair O'Connor stated that he believes they once had a set of CC &R's that prohibited second stories, and while most CC &R's do have an end life, the expectation was all the homes would be single story. He indicated that there is a lot of mix of one- and two -story homes in neighborhoods throughout the City, some that may have started off as one story but over the years have become a mix of one and two story. He noted, however, that other than the three split - levels that were built that way because of the topography of the lot and the two or three others that were able to sneak through that people were not aware of, the neighborhood has been successful in stopping at least three of them in the last ten years. He indicated that he would not support the application even as he wishes that the applicant could fit what he is looking for in a single -story addition. Commissioner Allen stated that her comments would be similar to Chair O'Connor's. She noted that she generally supports Commissioner Piper's comment at the first hearing that in general, most older single -story neighborhoods in Pleasanton and in all cities are being upgraded, and usually that means going up, and that enhances the neighborhood and builds value. She pointed out, however, that there is something unique about this situation, and this neighborhood may be the only neighborhood in Pleasanton that has these tremendous views. She noted that this happens to be an older neighborhood, and there certainly was a history of expectation that appears around single -story homes. Commissioner Allen stated that she believe that if the Planning Commission makes a decision tonight to allow this project, it will set a new precedent, as Chair O'Connor mentioned, it would be the only two -story house on Hamilton Way, and it would be saying that Hamilton Way can now have two -story homes. She noted that Hamilton Way is the interior of this neighborhood, and it does not have any two -story homes to date. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, November 12, 2014 Page 18 of 35