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BACKGROUND The subject property is located in the area of Pleasanton covered by the Vineyard Avenue Corridor Specific Plan and Final Environmental Impact Report. It is part of a larger PUD development located on Clara Lane and both sides of Vineyard Avenue by Delco Builders, now complete. SITE AND SURROUNDING PROPERTIES The site is asingle-family property, located on the north side Vineyard Avenue near the Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area. It is surrounded on its north and east sides by developed single-family lots and on its west side by a vacant single-family lot, which will soon be under construction with asingle-family home and a private vineyard. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The proposed modification will change the approved grading plan for the site by adding a two- to four-foot tall retaining wall in the site's rear and side yards to increase the amount of flat yard area for the applicant's use. The applicant would then be able to configure the site's rear and side yard areas for various uses and features: stepped lawn areas, patio/trellis, bar-b-que area, spa, etc. The building designs for these features are incorporated in the plan sets. All other features of the property would be retained. A landscape plan is provided with the plan sets but, as conditioned, would be subject to further review by the Planning staff. DISCUSSION The grading for the overall subdivision and for the individual lots was reviewed and approved under the PUD development plan and the tentative subdivision map. The approved subdivision map permitted minor changes to the approved grading plan subject to review and approval by the Planning Director. Given the substantial scope of the applicant's request, staff considered the PUD minor modification procedure to be the appropriate review/approval process. On February 20, 2007, the Planning Director approved the minor modification. A copy of the approval letter and conditions of approval are attached. Staff considers the request to be appropriate for the following reasons: • The retaining walls will be set back four feet from the rear and side property lines, providing for landscaping to screen the retaining walls from the view of the adjoining properties. • The existing noise attenuation berm required by the PUD approval and the Vineyard Avenue Corridor Specific Plan facing Vineyard Avenue along the property's south side will be retained. • The stepped yard/patio areas will substantially match the existing profile of the rear yard. Page 2 of 3