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~ both the project site and the water tank. He indicated that staff recommends that the road <br />be kept at the existing grade and not be lowered as this would require more grading and <br />cut as well as a higher retaining wall and would be a potential for more soil off-haul and <br />tree impact. He stated that any visibility impacts on Lot 1 could be addressed by <br />lowering the pad elevation by several feet on that lot. <br />Mr. Iserson then presented the issue of the emergency vehiculaz access (EVA), noting <br />that the Specific Plan requires that this property provide an EVA, which would go up the <br />steep slope at the back of the property, then down an even steeper slope on the south side <br />of the ridge, connect with the Berlogaz property, and provide a looped vehicle access <br />way. He indicated that the Fire Depaztment had expressed concern about the feasibility <br />of constructing this road due to the slope and supports instead that a connection occur in <br />the Lot 3 area by the property line of the Roberts home, then connect to the Roberts <br />driveway and back to Old Vineyazd Avenue. He explained that this proposal would be <br />more feasible in terms of topography, and it would also provide two ways such that in <br />case of a fire, residents would be able to get out of the area on one way and the Fire <br />Department come in on another, thus avoiding any conflict. He stated that additionally, <br />should a fire occur, it would be counter intuitive for residents of this development to <br />assume that the best way to exit the azea would be to go up the hill, the presumed <br />direction of the fire. Mr. Iserson advised that preliminary discussions regarding the <br />proposed EVA have been held with the Roberts and the applicants and that the condition <br />on the EVA was modified accordingly to reflect the change. <br />(` Mr. Iserson stated that questions were raised during the review process regarding the <br />project's conformity with the Specific Plan as it relates to changes made to the <br />development. He explained that the Specific Plan allows for flexibility with regard to <br />issues such as street alignment, house locations, and development standards. He advised <br />that most of the changes were driven by the need to relocate the water tank for <br />construction and engineering reasons, the infeasibility of the EVA shown on the Specific <br />Plan, and conflicts between the original road location and pedestrian use of the trail. He <br />noted that visibility issues would be addressed when the custom home designs are <br />reviewed by the Commission. He indicated that staff finds the plan to be <br />environmentally superior to the Specific Plan in terms of reducing grading and tree <br />removal and that as such did not require Specific Plan amendment on these issues. He <br />noted that the Commission had agreed to this assessment at the workshop for the project. <br />Mr. Iserson then referred to the memos handed out to the Commission, briefly <br />summarizing the PUD and the water tank design review conditions that were being <br />revised to respond to neighborhood issues: the PUD conditions included changes in the <br />EVA and clarification of its mechanics to be secured by the Tentative Map; the <br />Commission's review of custom lot house designs and consideration of two-story custom <br />homes on a case-by-case basis; vazious disclosure statements; clarification on the timing <br />of tree replacement in terms of plan and planting; construction hours to preclude work on <br />Saturdays; preclusion of sports courts due to their visibility and potential noise impacts <br />they would create; and undergrounding of utilities. He advised that staff is still working <br />out the details of the design guidelines conditions with the applicant; hence, consideration <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, May 24, 2006 Page 12 of 34 <br />