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three-step process: the PUD development plan, the Tentative Tract Map, and the design <br />review of the individual proposed homes. <br />Commissioner O'Connor further inquired whether the Commissioners would have the <br />latitude to address the size of the tree replacement when it comes before them at the <br />Tentative Tract Map or if the tree ordinance would simply be enforced. Mr. Iserson <br />replied that the ordinance does not generally go into that level of detail. He continued <br />that the plan typically requires a mix of tree sizes because the larger sized trees provide <br />immediate impact and the smaller sized trees tend to grow faster than the larger trees and <br />do better in certain cases. <br />Commissioner Fox noted that the staff report indicated there was a difference between <br />the manner in which the applicant measured the height of the house and what staff was <br />recommending. She inquired what this difference was, whether the photosimulations <br />were based on the applicant's or staff s way, and what the net change might be. <br />Mr. Iserson indicated that what staff is recommending is derived from the Specific Plan, <br />the traditional measurement in which the vertical measurement is from the lowest <br />elevation of the building, where the house meets the finished grade, to the highest <br />elevation of the building, as opposed to the applicant's measurement which defines the <br />proposed finished grade as six inches below the top of the foundation. He added that <br />quantifying the difference between the two measurements would depend on the amount <br />of grading done and the design of the house. <br />Commissioner Fox commented that based on the Specific Plan's definition then, it would <br />not make a difference if, from a neighbor's standpoint, the rear of a house, which is not <br />visible from Vineyard Avenue, is measured at 32 feet high. Mr. Iserson clarified that this <br />would depend on where the neighbor is standing in that if the neighbor's view shows the <br />lowest and the highest points of the house, the neighbor would perceive the building to be <br />that high. He added, however, that this may not occur considering the large amount of <br />trees and the location of the few neighbors in the area. <br />Commissioner Blank moved to make the Conditional Use Permit findings as listed <br />in the staff report, noting that this is an environmentally superior location for the <br />water tank, and to approve Cases PDR-520 and PCUP-162, subject to the <br />Conditions of Approval listed in Exhibit B of the staff report, as recommended by <br />staff, with the modifications to the conditions listed in the various staff memos to the <br />Commission. <br />Commissioner Fox seconded the motion and proposed an amendment to the motion <br />that the landscaping for the retaining wall be fully irrigated to ensure that the wall <br />is fully screened year-round. <br />Commissioner Blank accepted the proposed amendment. <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, May 24, 2006 Page 17 of 34 <br />