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Specific Plan. She added that planting native trees had also been discussed but that a less formal landscaping was still desired, as encouraged by the design guidelines. Commissioner Maas inquired if the palm trees around pool area were acceptable. Ms. Eisenwinter said yes, since they would not be highly visible. Referring to the materials on display, Commissioner Maas inquired if the whitish material on the house was the hardy panel vertical siding. Ms. Eisenwinter replied that it was the roof but that its color would be gray and that it could be approved to be a matte finish; the color of the hardy panel would be blue. Commissioner Fox inquired if there were an existing structure in the City that would be similar to this one. Ms. Eisenwinter said no and that is very new in Pleasanton. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. Ralph Adams, 2389 Romano Circle, stated that he and his family have worked with their architect to come up with a design that would fit their needs and tastes while meeting the requirements of the Happy Valley Specific Plan and PUD. He pointed out that the Happy Valley architectural design called for an informal character that reflects the agricultural heritage and semi-rural character of the area. Mr. Adams then described the highlights of his proposal, including large setbacks, relatively modest-sized house, materials and finishes used on rural buildings, and adoption of green building guidelines. Mr. Adams addressed the three changes recommended by staff in the staff report. He stated that the color scheme of the house would be attractive and conforms to the intent of the PUD to minimize the visual prominence of the house. He pointed out that the houses in the area have a variety of colors, ranging from yellow to blue to red. He also noted that the house is set back far enough from the road and behind a vineyard and that there would be considerable landscaping on both sides of the house to soften the structure. With respect to the palm tree-lined driveway, Mr. Adams explained that these paten trees in the front are a key component of the strong axis defined by the vineyard rows, the driveway's angle, and the entryway to the house. He commented that he did not feel the landscape design was formal but rather, consistent with many turn-of--the-century rural residences and many other houses in Happy Valley. Finally, Mr. Adams indicated that planting one tree for every 1,000 square feet was a target rather than a PUD requirement and that his plan would meet the intent to preserve the open space nature and semi-rural character of the area. Commissioner Kameny requested the applicant to describe the north elevation, which would be visible from the street. Mr. Adams pointed out where the front of the house and the garages would be. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES April 14, 2004 rage 4 or i i