SR 06:247 - Laserfiche WebLink

Downtown Specific Plan and Design Guidelines The Downtown Specific Plan is intended to serve as the primary regulatory guide for pre- serving and enhancing the Downtown. It contains several objectives, policies, and pro- grams related to preserving the unique character of Downtown's residential areas. The Downtown Design Guidelines seek to ensure that the historic character of Downtown is enhanced while providing options for homeowners to upgrade and enrich their homes. The objectives, policies, programs, and guidelines mentioned below are applicable to the project: I. Downtown Specific Plan-Maintaining Downtown's Scale and Character (a) Objective 3, Page 66: To ensure that the design of new buildings and modifica- tions to existing heritage neighborhoods are compatible with the Downtown's tradi- tional design character and scale. (b) Goal 1 , Page 73: Encourage attractive building architecture and signs which rein- force the traditional, pedestrian-oriented design character and scale of the Down- town. (c) Policy 3, Page 105: Maintain the scale and character of the Downtown. Per the Downtown Design Guidelines, new construction, remodels, and additions for residential uses should be sensitive to the Downtown's unique character and scale. Staff believes the proposed addition and garage would be harmonious with the character of Downtown. The proposed design, colors, and materials are consistent with those of the existing house. Although the height of the addition is high (26 feet at the mid-point, 31.75 feet to the peak), it is not out of scale with several of the other structures along Second Street. Staff believes that the applicant has taken care to match the steep (8/12) roof pitch of the existing home in order to create a seamless transition to the new addi- tion. Although a lower height could be achieved through a more moderate roof pitch, staff believes the resulting home would be less aesthetically pleasing and would be at odds with the character of the neighborhood. While the proposed floor area ratio and the height of the garage require variances, as noted above, these requests are not out of step with several other projects previously ap- proved in the neighborhood. The garage height is further mitigated by its location at the rear of the lot. The majority ofthe garage is set behind the house and is therefore not visible from the street. Additionally, due to the sloping elevation ofthe subject site, the garage height at the rear ofthe lot is just over 10.2-feet, which in under the 15-foot height limit for accessory structures. Staff has added a condition of approval to the project that requires the applicant to plant trees, to the review and approval ofthe Planning Director, between the proposed garage and the rear of his property. For these reasons, staff believes the proposed character and scale is in keeping with that of other homes in the neighbor- hood and Downtown. Item 6.b. PADR-1338/PV-i31 Page 7 of 14 September 27, 2006