14 - Laserfiche WebLink

The adjacent use to the west is a single-family one-story residence, to the south is a landscape contractor's storage garage and a multi -tenant office building, and to the east is a variety of commercial uses (e.g., hair salon, chiropractor, tailor, yoga, etc.) in Adobe Plaza which includes the historic Kottinger Barn (located at 200 Ray Street). There are other residential uses to the north (across Ray Street). Relevant Past Applications In 2002, a two -unit residential apartment building was approved on this site (application PDR -172) which allowed an in -lieu agreement for four parking spaces. The apartment building was approximately 2,400 square feet. It was sited toward the rear of the site in an "U shape. Though approved, the project was never built, and the approvals have since expired. The Downtown Specific Plan has been updated since this approval. Project Description The proposed project involves developing the rear portion of the site, as seen in Exhibit B in detail and described further in this report. The proposal includes constructing a new 1,069 -square -foot, two-story residential unit at the rear of the lot. A 434 -square -foot carport (that accommodates three parking spaces, two in a parking lift) is attached to the unit. The unit incorporates outdoor space within a 178 -square -foot rooftop deck, 18 -square -foot front porch, and eight -square -foot second -floor balcony as well as ground -floor open space to the rear of the unit. Internal circulation of the site will remain largely unaltered with access via the existing drive aisle from Ray Street. The proposed project involves minor site modifications including reorganizing the parking, relocating the trash cans, and providing new landscaping, as seen in Exhibit B. An Arborist Report was provided, as seen in Exhibit C. The report evaluated seven trees on the property and identified one heritage tree located on the east side of the property. One 10 -inch pear tree (non -heritage) is proposed to be removed on the western property line, in the general location of the new unit. While one tree is being removed, the project includes a planting plan that incorporates ground cover and shrubs (i.e., deer grass, lavender, and autumn sage) as well as two new fruitless olive trees. One tree would be located at the front of the lot with the other along the eastern property line. Planninq Commission Workshop The Planning Commission reviewed this project in a workshop on August 26, 2020. The minutes are attached as Exhibit D. The main discussion at hand involved the parking on-site and design. Parking: The Commission expressed mixed support for the parking lift and a variety of comments including the lift was an innovative solution, support for a single lift (but not a double lift as was proposed), support for a lift assigned to the residential unit (but not commercial as proposed), and lack of support for an unenclosed lift (i.e., open on more than one side). There was mixed support for allowing in -lieu fees for the required parking. Design: The Commission noted the architectural style should be consistent with the existing building on-site. There was mixed support for the roof -top deck and balcony. P20-1053, 218 Ray Street Planning Commission 3of11