PC 082615 - Laserfiche WebLink

In terms of housekeeping things, Mr. Dolan re- alerted the Commission to a memo that was handed out at the last hearing that supplemented the staff report; the memo included minor amendments primarily to engineering - related conditions that would apply as a part of staff's recommendation tonight. He added that there is one other condition that staff is recommending. He apologized that this is so late in the game, but one of numerous emails and letters that came in over the last several days raises some issues relative to the conclusions that were previously reached about the area of a man -made slope right down by the creek where the barn is. He indicated that staff went out in the field today to look at this again. He noted that this is not something that can be resolved this evening, but staff is suggesting that when the Commission gets to the point of making a motion, a condition be added which basically says that staff is going to take another look at the assumptions made on what a man -made slope is before it goes to City Council; and if staff determines that there is development proposed in an area that is a natural 25- percent slope and not a man -made 25- percent slope, then the project would have to be amended to work around that. Chair Allen referred to the new staff report for tonight and requested clarification about what staff's recommendation is relative to the road access, if one were to be built. Mr. Dolan replied that staff is recommending that the Commission opt for the 24 -foot wide, narrower road without retaining walls. Chair Allen inquired what the thinking was on that. Mr. Dolan replied that the thinking was that the retaining walls do get fairly high, and it addressed the issue that there are some people who believe that Measure PP allows a road, but that a retaining wall is clearly a structure and would not be allowed under Measure PP. Chair Allen inquired, for clarification, if all the road options presented tonight have a hiking /walking trail and that part of the cut is to support the trail and not just the road. Mr. Dolan replied that was correct; it would be an eight -foot wide trail. Commissioner Balch inquired if the 24 -foot road would also have a trail. Mr. Dolan said yes. Commissioner Balch noted that it is not reflected on the drawing and inquired if it would be just a trail to the side. Mr. Dolan replied that staff did not do the drawings; staff just did the summary. He added that the trail would be right next to the road. Commissioner Balch inquired if the 24 -foot road would not have a sidewalk but would have a curb on each side. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, August 26, 2015 Page 5 of 43