PC 041316 - Laserfiche WebLink

haven't seen the plans a lot since then, but I do think that is an appropriate architectural feature for the streetscape in this area. Commissioner Allen: Thank you. Chair Ritter: Any more questions? This is just proposed for Lot 4. Have they presented anything on Lot 2 or Lot 1? Or, it is just future zoning? Weinstein: Future zoning. Chair Ritter: Okay. Comments? Commissioner Balch: So my initial comment is that a home that doesn't fit within the neighborhood has to be looked at pretty carefully. I think it does behoove us to retain the character of the neighborhood so I'm generally supportive of the idea of adding or requiring a porch. I'm also trying to find a compromise because I think it is pretty heavy handed for a governmental body, in my opinion, to dictate that a porch is required. I have difficulty with that. I would be fine if it was even a porch that had the white picket fence in front of it, that extended 12 feet across the front gable, and 5 feet out, and was uncovered but had the look of a porch being there. So in that regard, I've learned to not try to design from the dais, so I'd like to either continue the matter so they can design a porch that would be satisfactory or I'm supportive of staff's requirement. Commissioner Nagler: I very much agree with Commissioner Balch. I used to attend Planning Commission meetings and watch the Planning Commission require applicants to do things and I would think, how is it that the Planning Commission gets to do that? I was before I understood actually and honestly the role of the Planning Commission. In matters like this it seems to me that the role is to apply planning standards and architectural standards in a uniform way so that the character of the City from neighborhood to neighborhood is maintained. It's not really to have an opinion about architecture or an opinion about paint colors, but it is relevant when we are asked to ensure that the character of the community is maintained. And I've come to better appreciate that that is the role of the Planning Commission. That being said, I've actually, just by chance, walked in this neighborhood dozens of times. It's a terrific little neighborhood. I have a dog I constantly walk and we walk through this neighborhood, and long before this matter came up, it occurred to me that it's a really terrific, quaint neighborhood and I've often looked at your home wondering what's ever going to happen with this terrific surrounding property. And part of the charm of the neighborhood is that sense that people come out of their homes into the front and whether it happens or not, you get the sense that it's a neighborhood where neighbors connect and that the architecture contributes to that. That's made possible in fact because there are spaces in the front of the house for those connections to be made. Again, whether it happens or not, I don't know, but that's certainly the character of the neighborhood and just to say, you're moving into a terrific neighborhood as you well know. So that's obviously a long way of saying that I too concur that even with the terrific design that you have and the location that you obviously are devoted to, that there is a PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, April 13, 2016 Page 10 of 33