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Karen Bartholomew, 446 Arlington Court. presented photographs of the neighborhood and explained what they depict. She explained that the other neighbors with second story additions had worked with the neighbors to minimize the effect of the addition. One neighbor lowered the level of the garage twenty feet so the roof of the second story addition was barely higher than the existing house. The Layer addition will go up ten i~et and will block the view from her home. She felt the Layer addition will be an eyesore to the community. She complained about the Cypress trees on the Laver property and objected to the addition of any more as suggested by staff. She requested the trees be trimmed to a more reasonable height. Ms. Michelotti asked if Ms. Bartholomew's home had a second story. Ms. Bartholomew said it did. However the garage is lower than the rest of the house, so the second story is only a couple of feet higher than the roof lines of the rest of the court. The bonus room was built by the previous owners of the house. Mike Laver, 6446 Arlington Drive. indicated he had moved into the neighborhood four years ago and liked everything about the house and neighborhood, including the cypress trees. He acknowledged there is a bird problem a couple of months of the year, but he has discovered something that can be sprayed on the trees to discourage the birds from nesting in the trees. But the trees are not the issue and he does not plan to do anything to the trees. The house is 1800 square feet and is one of the smallest homes on Arlington Drive. The roof is starting to leak and he felt that now is the best time to build an addition to the family room area. There are no CC&Rs for the neighborhood or anything that prohibits second story additions. He indicated the addition on the Bartholomew house is very similar to what he wants to do to his. He felt Ms. Bartholomew was exaggerating the view blockage that would occur. He also indicated the windows in the proposed addition are high so no one can look into the Bartholomew home. He referred to comments about adverse effects on property values and felt it would only increase values, if anything. He said Arlington Drive and Arlington Court is on the edge of Rosepointe, which is mostly single story homes. However, on Arlington Drive and Arlington Court there are ten single story homes and six two story homes. Arlington Court has three two story homes and no single story homes. He did not think his addition would change the aesthetics of the neighborhood. He has already made concessions on the design by removing a rear balcony, adding higher windows, planting more trees and providing an additional setback. Ms. Dennis asked if they had considered adding the second story to a different pan of the house than over the garage. .Mr. Laver said they had considered it, but there is no way to have stairway access in a different portion of the house. The other additions in the neighborhood are all over the garages. Mr. Pico asked if he would consider lowering his garage. Pleasanton City Council 6 11/02/99 Minutes