PC 10/23/96 - Laserfiche WebLink

. . . Arlene Dtal, 712 Bancroft Road, #118, Walnut Creek, represented the applicants. The applicants agree with the staff report; however, she is concerned about the soundwall issue. She would like to keep the units as originally proposed and not flipping them as has been suggested. Ms. Utal is willing to work with staff to eliminate more of the soundwall, however; she feels putting wrought iron areas in defeats the purpose of the soundwall. Chair Barker asked about the location of the tot lot. Ms. Utal is also concerned. She stated they eliminated the pool and cabana building. The tot lot was made bigger and is completely surrounded by wrought iron fencing. She stated that she would not leave her children alone and that any location would be dangerous if children are unsupervised. They will try to mitigate the safety concerns with fencing and basic security so kids cannot wander. Chair Barker suggested swapping lot 13 and the tot lot. Ms. Utal stated she physically cannot place a unit in the area where the tot lot is located. In response to Commissioner Cooper, Ms. Utal advised the asking price would be around $240,000- $250,000. Larry Levin, 3178 Weymouth Court, inquired about the affordable housing element of this project. He asked if staff had advised the applicant of the opportunities available for affordable housing in the City (fee waivers, etc.). Being a member of the Affordable Housing Commission, he would like to have the applicant appear before their Commission and would like two or three units designated for affordable housing. Ms. Utal said she is sympathetic to the low-income housing issue, and if she were doing a 2oo-unit project, she would address the affordable housing issue. However, in a project this small, it is impossible to incorporate affordable housing. The project is too far along to add affordable housing now. PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED Commissioner Wright advised he didn't support the 1991 application, and he cannot support this application either. He does feel the townhouse design has improved, but he cannot support the location of the tot lot and project layout. Commissioner McGuirk would rather see the tot lot more centrally located in the project. The changes in traffic movement on Santa Rita Road was a concern to him in 1991 and is still a concern to him. He cannot support approval of this application. Commissioner Cooper stated he is not totally happy with the project but is well aware of the need for high density housing. He is reluctant to second guess an architect's layout and is opposed to removing units because it will drive the purchase price up. He stated he doesn't agree with the General Plan discouraging the use of soundwalls, and he feels the soundwalls should be in place. He can support the project as proposed. Commissioner Lutz is also concerned with the location of the tot lot, but recognizes the difficulty of plllnning this parcel due t() its odd shape. However, be cannot support as the project as proposed. Chair Barker is also concerned about the location of the tot lot and advised that she would like to Planning Commission MInutes Page 12 October 23, 1996