PC 090915 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commissioner O'Connor indicated that the view is from the side, inside the lot, and not sitting out front. Ms. Hagen clarified that these are just generalized photos trying to follow the story poles. Commissioner Ritter stated that the house to the west of the lot looks even higher than the story poles. He indicated that he did not get the height of those on the left side of the lot, but it just seemed like even three stories were not popping out because the houses on the west were pretty big too and they are all duplexes or four - plexes. Ms. Hagen explained that they are older, two -story apartments that are probably 25 -30 feet tall and are substantially bigger than anything else around. She indicated that she did not know what type of foundation those houses are on. Mr. Beaudin noted that as pointed out by Commissioner Balch, the picture on page 9 of the old staff report is a very helpful graphic as it shows from the front of the house, the story poles with the two -story element appearing beyond the existing one -story. Commissioner Balch stated that he does not know if the Commission should take a straw poll at this time to try to move along a bit, but he personally is thinking that a three -story is pretty significant so he is shying away from it. He indicated that he is, therefore, leaning towards Option 1 but realizes that he said he still would have appreciated more at the first building at the front, but he indicated that he understood. Commissioner O'Connor stated that even with the page 3 graphic, he would still go with Option 3 because there are nine extra feet farther out in the distance. Commissioner Ritter stated that he favors Option 2 or Option 3. Commissioner Piper stated that she is leaning towards Option 1 because she finds it interesting that the public comment that came out from the notice is neighbors are excited about this and are asking if they can do this to their property as well. She indicated that she feels there will be a lot more of this coming in, and this is what the City is looking to have done for the revitalization of the Downtown. She noted that it is upsetting to her that it would take away from the neighbor's view, but she felt that Option 1 is the best for the whole surrounding area in the neighborhood. With respect to the precedent that is being set for those future people who will probably be coming forth asking to do some other things, she stated that she wished the unit count was lowered and be very supportive of it, but that obviously did not happen and she then prefers Option 1. Chair Allen stated that her comments are very similar to Commissioner Piper's and that she is also leaning towards Option 1 because of the precedent concerns as well. She noted that she knows where Commissioner O'Connor is coming from, but if she had streetscapes and it could prove that that building was not massive and would fit into the neighborhood at 30 feet high, she would feel more comfortable with and be open to Option 3. She added that absent having that, she is reluctant to go there because she PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, September 9, 2015 Page 14 of 17