PC 12/11/96 - Laserfiche WebLink

Chair Barker advised the audience that the Planning Commission has no input to the School District's decisions regarding location, traffic impacts, etc. Further, the public should address such concerns directly to the School District. . In response to Commissioner Wright, Mr. Van Gelder agreed that if there were two south access points (Valley and Busch Road), the total number of trips would remain at the projected 7,250. Chair Barker asked what are normal setback distances. Mr. Iserson stated that R-I-6500 zoning has a front setback of 23 feet. This project has a six foot sidewalk and a four foot parking strip (equaling an extra five feet), and a 16 foot front yard measured to the six foot wide porch. PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED Nate Meeks, Ponderosa Homes, 6671 Owens Drive, commented that the two neighborhood meetings have made the project better and accounts for the very thorough staff report. As background on the project, Mr. Meeks stated Ponderosa has been involved with this property since 1994. During the General Plan process, this site had a maximum density of 565 units. This parcel is considered an in-fill development property and was examined in detail by the General Plan Steering Committee. Ponderosa presented to the City in April 1995, a standard development numbering 449 units. The Steering Committee suggested a number of changes, leaning toward a neo-traditional design. With that, Ponderosa presented a plan that had 394 lots in a grided street layout (very similar to Plan I). This plan was then used as the basis by the Steering Committee's General Plan designation for the property . . Ponderosa then worked to create Plan I, and presented their plans to the City in April 1996 and met with the neighbors in August 1996 to identify concerns of the surrounding neighborhoods. The overwhelming concern was vehicle access to the site. Plan 2 was developed which brought all the traffic to Busch Road and Valley Avenue. This plan incorporated the 4.8 acre reserve for the OSC. Mr. Meeks described the various meetings held with staff regarding the specific layout of roads and access points. They believe widening Busch Road to four lanes is an acceptable way of separating the residential traffic from industrial traffic. Mr. Meeks commented that the neighbors still did not feel the Ponderosa staff made enough progress to allay their concerns over traffic. Those residents who back onto Valley Avenue voiced their concern that they are getting an unfair share of the traffic burden. At this point, it is Ponderosa' s opinion that the Planning Commission and City Council must make a decision on how to distribute the traffic throughout the project. Richard Frisbie, 109 Baldwin Avenue, San Mateo, spoke on neo-traditional design concepts. He feels it was important to create a visual corridor through the project, and the neighborhood squares cut down the traffic flow through the neighborhood. He is opposed to moving the central neighborhood park because it would take away from the neo-traditional concept. Further, moving the park would be result in a long, thin park along the OSC. Mr. Frisbie feels the frontage streets separating the residences from the OSC is an adequate buffer. . PIamfng Commission Minutes Page 9 December 11, 19%