PC 10/08/97 - Laserfiche WebLink

c. AP-97-06/Z-97-127. Joe Brover Application to appeal a condition of approval of an administrative design review application for a child's play structure located at 6719 Corte Santa Maria. Zoniug for the property is pun (Planned Unit Development) - MDR (Medium Density Residential) District. . Mr. Iserson presented the staff report, noting that the structure had been constructed prior to obtaining administrative design approval. He advised that staff had received complaints from neighbors related to privacy and view issues. He described the approval process that has taken place thus far, noting that consensus had been reached regarding a proposed landscape plan at a Zoning Administrator hearing, but subsequent to that there had been disagreement regarding the landscape plan. He advised that the matter was before the Planning Commission this evening because of the issues surrounding the condition regarding landscaping to screen the views from the structure into neighboring yards and residences. Mr. Iserson advised that a number of alternatives have been explored in an attempt to resolve this issue. He noted that the applicant has prepared an alternative plan, but that it was unacceptable to the neighbors. Mr. Iserson explained that the applicant has the option to lower the structure to just below ten feet, which would eliminate the need for the administrative design review and any landscaping requirements. Mr. Iserson advised that staff is recommending approval of the design review application, subject to the conditions presented in Exhibit "B" of the staff report. In response to an inquiry from Vice Chair Kumaran, Mr. Iserson confirmed that because the structure is 12' 9" tall it is subject to design review, and that by lowering the structure's height to just below ten feet and meeting all setbacks the structure is within the requirements of the Zoning ordinance and the neighbors would not have any recourse except through the restrictions of the CC&R's. . In response to Commissioners Dove's question, Mr. Iserson advised that the applicant would not be required to plant any landscaping if the structure was under ten feet in height. PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED Joe Broyer, 6719 Corte Santa Maria, represented the application. He noted that he is generally in agreement with the conditions stated in Exhibit "B" except that he would like the species of "Tree #1" to be a Melaleuca quinquenervia and "Tree #2" to be a Melaleuca linarifolia. He advised that this would allow the opportunity to see the play structure from his residence and that this would provide a safer situation for children playing in the structure, while still providing the desired screening. He also asked that condition #6 be modified to allow landscaping to be planted three feet from the property line, rather than four. He noted that most of the trees in his neighborhood are planted 2-112 to 3 feet from the property lines and that this would still benefit the neighbors and give more square footage in the yard area of the play structure. He also noted that he would maintain the trees in the 24" boxes until they grow, which would give the trees additional height, initially. In response to a question from Commissioner Barker, Mr. Broyer indicated that the required trees are not available locally, but he has been able to locate them in southern California. . Julie Battershell, 6720 Corte Del Vista, advised that she is the neighbor who will experience the biggest impact from the play structure. She advised that she has four little girls and that they have Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 October 8, 1997