Laserfiche WebLink
Chairperson Fox noted that when the Lehman-Selway project on Trenery Drive was considered, <br />the question was raised regarding where a public sidewalk would go. She recalled that Trenery <br />Drive was a private road, which was not ideal for a sidewalk; the EVA established in the <br />Stoneridge Drive Specific Plan between Trenery Drive and Kamp Drive had been eliminated <br />when it was built out. She requested clarification regarding why staff recommended that the <br />sidewalk not go on the private road but on the public street, and why staff recommended a <br />sidewalk on a private road in this case. She was concerned about potential liability issues. <br />Ms. Decker noted that she was not on staff at the time the Trenery Drive issue was discussed. <br />The roads for the Ponderosa development were proposed without sidewalks on either side; that <br />particular area of the City has supported no sidewalks on the roadways to maintain a rural effect. <br />Cameron Drive was approved with a sidewalk on one side of the development; Trenery Drive <br />does not have sidewalks on either side. She stated that the planned EVA was abandoned, but she <br />did not know the history of that decision. <br />Mr. Roush advised that with respect to Grey Eagle Court, the City had a public safety easement <br />over the private road leading to Grey Eagle Court, and an access easement ran from Grey Eagle <br />Court to the Lin property. Staff felt that the easement and the road could be improved to meet <br />the Fire Department's needs. With respect to Red Feather Court, that would be a good <br />alternative, assuming that the route into Oak Grove would work. However, there was no easement <br />over the property to get to Red Feather Court; either the developer would have to acquire that, or the <br />City would have to use eminent domain to condemn the property owner's driveway. In that case, <br />the City much preferred using an existing easement. <br />Regarding Red Feather Court, Ms. Decker noted that the map on page 106 of the Draft EIR showed <br />that any access to Lot 10 for an EVA would go through a habitat area; staff tried to minimize as <br />many impacts as possible in that area. <br />Commissioner Pearce noted the possibility of forwarding this application to the City Council with <br />the recommendation that the EVA not be used in favor of another EVA. She inquired how the EIR <br />could be certified that considered this EVA. Mr. Roush replied that it would be necessary for staff <br />to examine whether or not the EIR should be modified in certain respects, or whether a second look <br />should be taken to assess impacts of a new EVA not described in the EIR. <br />Michael Brown, 1371 Hearst Drive, believed it was unconscionable for the Commission to <br />consider this development with only one way in and one way out. He recalled the chaos that <br />ensued from the grass fire the previous year when the Fire Department came up Hearst Drive to <br />find the fire. He noted that the fire rigs had been blocked and were unable to turnaround and <br />added that there were so many spectators they could not get out of their driveways. He believed <br />that there should be another exit from the development to avoid a major safety problem. He <br />noted that when he bought his home in 2005, he was aware of Oak Grove. He believed the <br />ridgelines should be preserved and did not believe the two homes should be placed where the <br />view of the ridgeline could be destroyed. He added that the cul-de-sac near his house was an <br />attractive nuisance due to the kids who loiter there at night. He was concerned about that <br />occurrence after the development has been built and was very concerned about wildfires in that <br />area. <br />EXCERPTS: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, June 27, 2007 Page 8 of 17 <br />