PC 01/22/97 - Laserfiche WebLink

entry to Del Valle Court (off Stanley Blvd). This proposal is for an electronic wrought iron fence, 72 foot from the curb return of Stanley Blvd. There would be a call box in the middle of the street for use by visitors. There would be about 27 feel from the call box to the gate. The applicants would also install a Knox box to override the gate in emergency situations. The neighbors are requesting the gate because they feel they are getting a large amount of overflow traffic and parking from downtown and undesirable activities on their street. The General Plan has language discouraging gated communities that inhibit the sense of community as well as inhibit emergency and utility responsiveness. Staff noted there are other private streets off Stanley that have not experienced the same problems. However, neighborhoods closer to downtown do experience increased traffic and pedestrians. The police and fire departments are opposed to this gated streets because of their restriction when called for service. Radioing for the security gate access code would further delay police and fire response. City crews would also be impeded because the street utilities are publicly maintained utilities. From a design point of view, the gate is attractively designed and is acceptable to staff. Staff would prefer the exit gate swinging outward instead of inward. Staff understands the residents' concerns. It is staff's recommendation that the residents install signage indicating a private street and that unauthorized cars will be towed. Staff cannot make the PUD findings, the biggest violation being the noncomfonnance to the General Plan. However, ~ conditions were written in case the Planning Commission recommends approval. If approved, this application would go to the City Council. Commissioner Cooper asked if the gate could be constructed with a break-away feature, i.e., could be driven through. Staff did not know if that were possible. In response to Chair Barker, staff advised the sidewalks would not be gated. (In a later comment, Mr. Finn advised there would be pedestrian gates.) PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED Eric Finn, 202 Del Valle Court, represented this application. "Planned progress" also means design improvement. He intends to show that the gate design is an improvement. This is a private street and the residents pay homeowners dues. A gate is not a recommended addition to every street. However, being a private street, they pay their own lighting, insurance, and park fees; no street improvements are paid by the City. Mr. Finn stated that as a private street he can put up a barricade of saw horses, but he can't put up a fence. Mr. Finn advised this application was filed with the City before the General Plan was approved. The new General Plan states gates should be discouraged -- not denied. He asked that each case be decided individually on its own merits. - Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 January 22, 1997