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Commissioner Wright advised Mr. Cannon that he would like to see more deftnition in the project with the use of two color shades such that a house with dark siding and one with light sidi\\g ~()\l\d be adjacent to each other. Mr. Cannon agreed the suggestion would give the project some differentiation. . Chairman Lutz asked Mr. Cannon to express his opinion of the "livability" of the project. Mr. Cannon admitted that market trends are that building sites are getting smaller and the buildings are getting closer together. He feels frustration that the project is so "tight," and personally, he would probably opt to live elsewhere. In response to Commissioner Wright, Mr. Cannon is not familiar with the proposed exterior masonite siding and hopes staff will have an opportunity to view a sample of the siding. He feels that large panels of masonite siding are unattractive, and he would not recommend using that type. PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED Dan Hale, 3352 Smoketree, is the project architect and represented this application. Regarding Mr. Cannon's suggestion to eliminate one unit, he does not entirely agree with this suggestion. The increase in open space is not large enough to become an "active" open space; it would more likely become a passive open space. People prefer to be in their own private yards, and the speaker feels the arroyo represents passive open space and is a positive aspect of the project. Regarding the project color, the Stonybrook project photos are a good example of their proposed color scheme. The slight color differentiation will achieve differentiation between the units. . The exterior material is to be a masonite product, and each piece is put up individually (not 4x8 pieces). This is more cost effective and maintenance-free than wood. Mr. Hale advised the applicants agree to all conditions in the staff report. Commissioner Wright reiterated that he is not opposed to the color selection, he just wanted to see the light and dark shades used next to each other to achieve a visual differentiation in the units. He also asked that the common courts be sealed with a good concrete sealer to eliminate motor oil stains. Commissioner Barker asked if the guest parking area could be done in paver stones where grass grows between them. Joseph Patane, 2280 Union Street, San Francisco, advised he has used them in other projects, but from practical and maintenance standpoints, he would want to use them as little as possible. Commissioner Barker stated that she would like to see these high-density projects have a larger amount of pervious surfaces. Mr. Patane spoke to the size of the backyards. He feels the potential purchasers will be couples with small children or with no children. The small backyards provide a low-maintenance amenity to people who are not interested in maintaining a large yard. The applicants feel the advantage of the site is its close proximity to downtown. . PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 Jnly 10, 1996