Laserfiche WebLink
the City had no access on their side of the access road. They were not amenable to any <br />widening of the access road behind their home, and they would not freely give that property <br />to the City. She did not believe people would obey a sign stating they could not leave a fire <br />by the Grey Eagle Court EVA, and she was very concerned about that possibility. She <br />noted that three recent fires came up against their landscaping. She thanked Mr. Inderbitzen <br />for meeting with them at their home and mentioned that the access on Red Feather Court <br />would be a possibility, but that it was eliminated because the neighbors were unhappy with <br />it. She would like Red Feather Court to be considered as an egress for the Oak Grove <br />neighbors. She was concerned about the size of the houses, which would be larger than <br />shown in the photos. She was worried about the liability for the homeowners and the City <br />of Pleasanton. <br /> <br />Lee Fulton, 3407 Brandy Court, noted that at the last meeting, testimony was received from <br />a gentleman who had contacted the State Fire Marshall. He believed the gist of the <br />conversation was that the State codes would eliminate the latitude of local entities to make <br />modifications to their suggestions of EVA roads. He requested that staff check with the <br />State Fire Marshall. He believed that the project application clearly stated that the trees that <br />were to be planted in this project would be three different species of oak trees. He recalled <br />the Fire Chief’s statement that the distance of trees from each house would be determined by <br />the species of the tree; he believed that was already specified. He had asked Fire Marshall <br />Eric Carlson whether the additional 100 feet precluded putting 100-foot mitigation oak trees <br />at the property line; he was told that it depended on the species of the oak trees and the Fire <br />Management Program and that it would be determined after the project was approved. At <br />that time, the Fire Program for each house would be evaluated by the Fire Department. He <br /> <br />noted that at the last meeting, it was stated that MataroCourt could not be seen from the <br />project; he noted that the pavement could not be seen, but the houses and backyards could <br />be viewed from Lots 2 and 3 of the proposed project. <br /> <br />Mr. Fulton noted that he agreed with the statement that it was not so much the size of the <br />house but how well it blended into it surroundings; he noted that John Madden’s <br />15,000-square-foot house could not be seen from the main road. He then distributed his <br />prepared statement and read it into the record: <br /> <br />“First, let me preface my remarks by saying that I have finally walked the property’s <br />upper lots and have found much of what staff and the applicant have been saying about <br />placement and potential mitigation with planning does seem appropriate. The upper <br />levels of the project did not seem to impose on nearby homes. The upper lots seem to be <br />primarily visible from very distant locations. The low viewing angles would lend itself <br />to screening by planting. I believe probably 80% of this project is a pretty good project. <br />But you don’t buy a car that is 80% okay without looking very closely at the other 20%. <br /> <br />“Staff has made some very good comments in the latest staff report. They stated [italics <br />added for emphasis]: <br /> <br />‘The Pleasanton General Plan contains a number of policies that address visual <br />resources directly or indirectly. Because these directions have been articulated, the <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES June 27, 2007 Page 18 of 28 <br /> <br /> <br />