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BACKGROUND The Saint John Place Subdivision is a development consisting of 43 detached single-family homes with the minimum lot size of the homes being 4,000 square-feet. The homes are located along Saint John Circle and the northern portion of Pleasanton Avenue in downtown Pleasanton. The development abuts the Arroyo Del Valle to the north with single and multi-family residential homes located on each side and south of the development. The development standards for the Saint John Place Subdivision (PUD-94-04) were approved to be in conformance with the R-1-6,500 zoning district; however the homes were initially constructed at a higher FAR of up to 59.3 percent. The lots in this development are smaller than the 6,500 square-foot lot size standards, and a higher FAR for the development was allowed. Since the lots are small, this modification would enable the homeowners to construct additional floor area where there is currently a vaulted ceiling space within the existing building footprint. The new floor area would not be visible from the exterior of the residence; the only exterior modification would be to relocate the existing clerestory window(s) along the side(s) of the homes. DISCUSSION The applicant proposes to fill in a portion of the existing loft space. By doing so, the FAR for these residences will increase from 59.3 percent to 65 percent. The only exterior change is regarding the existing clerestory window, which would be repositioned upward on the wall to allow for the floor to be constructed. Staff notes that repositioning the exterior window is not significant and therefore would not require design review approval. The new repositioned window will become an operable window in order to satisfy the Building and Safety Divisions code requirements for life safety egress. Modifying the window will not impact the architectural integrity of the elevation in that the elevation is still balanced and matches the architectural style of the existing residence. In October 2005, the Council approved a similar modification to the home located at 4128 Pleasanton Avenue. The association has requested the current PUD modification in response to homeowners' interest to expand their "livable space" within the existing homes' footprint. The City has approved similar variances and/or PUD modifications for other small-lot developments, increasing the FAR both for individual lots and entire developments. Because the only exterior change is repositioning an existing window, the visible impacts to adjacent residents and the public will be minimal. Staff therefore finds that the proposed project is supportable. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION/COMMENT Staff sent notices of the proposed development plan modification to all property owners, tenants and residents located within 1,000 feet of the subject property on March 2, 2007. As of the writing of this report, staff has received no public comment. Page 2 of 3