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Councilmember McGovern said it appears that the renovated 1906 house only has two <br />bedrooms; however, she confirmed with the Planning Director it actually has three bedrooms <br />and also that all proposed homes will be three bedrooms. <br />Councilmember Thorne confirmed with the City Manager that there was a balance between $2 <br />and $3 million in the park in-lieu fee account which was established in 1988 which restricts the <br />funds to park acquisition only. Councilmember Thorne asked if the Council could change its <br />policy on what the funds could be used for, and City Manager said it could and this would need <br />to be agendized for a future meeting. <br />Councilmember Thorne questioned how often lead-based paint and asbestos issues arose with <br />historic properties, and Planning Director Iserson said this occasionally occurred and the <br />developer would need to take steps to safely remove and dispose of any such items. <br />Councilmember Cook-Kallio confirmed that the height of the adjacent condominiums to the <br />south was 28 feet, the apartments to the north were 30 feet, and the new homes would be 4-5 <br />feet taller than those. <br />Mayor Hosterman opened the public hearing. <br />Jon Harvey, addressed the City Council, supported the project, felt it would be great for <br />downtown economic vitality and he urged the Council's approval of the application. <br />Mayor Hosterman closed the public hearing. <br />Councilmember Sullivan said he supports the project and what the City is trying to do in the <br />downtown with the specific plan for additional housing, supports walk able communities and <br />high density, but was bothered by the fact that there was opposition at the Planning <br />Commission meeting. He felt there was a dynamic emerging between long-time downtown <br />residents and some of the new projects and that there was a disconnect between what the new <br />housing should look like relating to massing and design. He thought the Council needs to step <br />back, get some residents together with the development community and business leaders and <br />work through some of the issues in order to achieve support. <br />Councilmember Cook-Kallio said she would be interested in listening to a discussion between <br />developers and downtown residents for future proposals; however, did not agree with putting <br />this project on hold. <br />Councilmember McGovern agreed, said she visited the property, the buildings being <br />demolished were built in the 1970's and are not very attractive. The homes replacing them are a <br />great improvement and the house being retained will actually serve as a focal point at the <br />corner. She said there are areas where residents are concerned about people buying small <br />houses and making them larger, she was willing to listen to these conversations, but for this <br />project she wanted to move forward with the condition that staff look at some design issues for a <br />balcony and trellis or softening to the front facades of elevation D, as well as funding to help <br />with the Bernal Park. <br />Councilmember Thorne said he appreciates the additional funds for Bernal Park, liked the <br />higher density in the downtown and the project's walk-ability and access to the ACE Train. He <br />agreed that the Council should review designs for future projects. <br />City Council Minutes 5 October 16, 2007 <br />