PC-2004-29 - Laserfiche WebLink

Resolution No. PC-2004-29 Page Two 2. The proposed development plan is consistent with the City's General Plan and any applicable specific plan. The proposed density of seven dwelling units per acre is within the two-to-eight dwelling units per acre MDR range, but it would exceed the General Plan's midpoint density of five dwelling units per acre. The smaller, and, therefore, more affordable house size on Lot B and the proposed Green Building measures provide acceptable "public amenities" for purposes of allowing the density to exceed the General Plan midpoint. The small house size would also be consistent with Housing Element Policy 32 that strongly encourages housing developers to build small housing units. The project would be consistent with the Downtown Specific Plan Design Policies such as protecting the West Side neighborhood around St. Mary Street and Division Street from new construction unrelated to the density, size, and character of the neighborhood, avoiding excessive lot coverage, and maintaining appropriate separations between buildings. Therefore, this finding can be made. 3. The proposed development plan is compatible with previously developed properties in the vicinity and the natural, topographic features of the site. The site is an infill property surrounded by residential and office uses. The site is relatively flat. Grading will be limited to creating the building pads and providing proper drainage of the site, but such grading would be minor. The new units are generally at the same elevation as the existing homes on the adjacent lots. The proposed units have been sited to minimize impacts on surrounding neighbors and have been designed to reduce their mass and not overpower the site. Therefore, this finding can be made. 4. Grading in conjunction with the proposed development plan takes into account environmental characteristics and is designed in keeping with the best engineering practices to avoid erosion, slides, or flooding to have as minimal an effect upon the environment as possible. The lot is relatively flat and the applicants are proposing to generally maintain the existing grades on the property. Grading has been minimized below the California black walnut tree to reduce impacts to this tree. Erosion control and dust suppression measures will be documented in the building permit plans and will be administered by the City's Building and Public Works Departments. According to the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Hazard maps, no portion of the site is located in a flood hazard zone. Therefore, this finding can be made.