PC 090915 - Laserfiche WebLink

it would not be so intrusive and the staircase would have to be redesigned, but it is actually the best of the three options. Commissioner Balch asked staff how Commissioner O'Connor's suggestion for Option would work, given that it is a non - compliant- designed building. Ms. Hagen replied that the Commission could set parameters and require it to be redesigned to be Code - compliant, as approved by the Director of Community Development. Commissioner Balch noted that the Building Code is the trigger here and that basically, the Commission could approve a condition that it be designed correctly to be Building Code - compliant. Ms. Hagen said yes. Commissioner Balch stated that a three -story building is quite big, and people would not realize that until they are standing next to one. He recalled that the Kottinger re- design for the Kottinger Place / Kottinger Gardens project required a large amount of work for a three -story building. Commissioner Ritter stated that he has some numbers which may provide some perspective: Tully's Plaza is 44 feet at the top and 33 feet at the parapet; the Oasis Cafe is 43 feet at the top and 28.5 feet at the ridge; the Rose Hotel is 47 feet at the top and 45 feet at the gables; the Pleasanton Hotel is 43 feet at the top and 41 feet at the ridge; the new Pastime Plaza in Downtown is 34 feet; and the Chamber of Commerce building down the street is 34 feet at the ridgeline. He indicated that he perceives the lot to the south will also come in with some residential requests, and the owners will want a garage and two stories above it because of the need for workforce housing. He agreed with the speaker about new graduates coming into town for work, but he also likes seeing daylight versus just a bunch of sprawling houses with no yard or parking on site. Commissioner Balch stated that with any of the options, the building elevation facing the neighbors' side has small windows so it is not intrusive and no one would be looking into their property; however, there are larger windows on the rear of the building facing the 30 -foot tall building ten feet off of the property line, but that owner has not showed up to a meeting or been involved. He indicated that he is not really excited about the cantilevers, but staff's commentary is appropriate that while it is not the best, it could work. He added that he is slightly dismayed about Option 1 and understands both staff's position and that of the applicant, but he would really prefer something more in that area. Commissioner Piper commented that these three options were not noticed to neighbors and that if the Commission approved Option 3, that rear neighbor will not have known about the three -story building and would not have had the option to comment. Ms. Hagen replied that all of the notices indicated an application for Design Review to construct three apartment units and that none of the notices indicated a height at all. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, September 9, 2015 Page 9 of 17