SR 06:247 - Laserfiche WebLink

the applicant to plant trees, to the review and approval of the 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 neighborhood and Downtown. Please refer to the attached Planning Commission staff report for additional discussion and details concerning the project. PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION The Planning Commission held a public hearing on September 27,2006 to review the subject application. Detailed information on this meeting is provided in the attached draft excerpts of the Planning Commission minutes (Exhibit E). After hearing all public testimony, the applicants and several neighbors, the Commission denied the administrative design review and variance application by a 4-1. Although one Commissioner supported the project, the majority felt the variance findings could not be made for an increase in FAR or for an increase in height for an accessory structure. FINDINGS The City Council may grant a variance to a regulation when it is able to make three findings. The three findings are outlined on pages 11 through 13 of the attached Planning Commission staff report along with discussion of whether they can be made for each requested variance. Staff believes that these findings can be made. CONCLUSION Staff believes that the proposed project is well designed, is in keeping with the intent ofthe Downtown Specific Plan and Design Guidelines, and will blend in well with the neighborhood. Nevertheless, staff understands the concerns of the neighbors and Planning Commission. Staff is, and has been, very concerned with maintaining the integrity of this historic neighborhood and has always tried to achieve a balance between that goal and the need for families to enlarge their homes to fit their needs. Staff is careful in supporting FAR variances in order to retain houses that fit in with, and do not dominate, the neighborhood. Thus, staff requested the applicant to revise his plan to reduce the floor area and heights of both the home and the garage, thereby reducing the project's mass. In addition staff request the applicant to redesign the house so that it steps back from the street. As a result, the existing historic residence will be retained and the addition will be located to the rear, as encouraged by the Downtown Design Guidelines. Therefore, while respecting the views of the neighbors and their commitment to maintaining the character and quality of their neighborhood, staff believes that the proposed addition will fit and not be out of character with the area. Staff therefore believes the appeal should be upheld, thereby approving the project. SR 06:247 Page 7 of8