PC 101007 - Laserfiche WebLink

9. The Planning Commission may wish to comment on deleting the existing gate to the private street. Commissioner Narum noted that if the street was a private road not maintained by the City, she did not believe it was the City’s business to direct them to remove the gate. Commissioner Olson felt very strongly that the gate should remain, based on what can happen in that area; he noted that the area was across the street from the high school. He believed the gate should be maintained. Acting Chairperson Blank believed the gate should be removed because it was not consistent with the existing and new General Plan, which stated “no gated communities.” He suggested moving the gate higher up and noted that the City Council stated very strongly that there be no additional gated communities in the City. Commissioner Olson noted that this was a private road with a pre-existing gate. Commissioner Pearce agreed with Acting Chairperson Blank’s comments. She believed there might be an overriding consideration with respect to health and safety. If there was evidence of extensive break-ins, she suggested that some kind of mitigation be considered. She understood security concerns but did not believe that gates promoted a community feeling. Commissioner O’Connor did not favor gated communities and noted that if every home that had experienced a break-in had a gate, there would be many gates in every town. He stated, however, that since this subdivision already had a gate, it should be allowed to stay unless the City was planning to remove the gates of all the other subdivisions in town. Ms. Decker noted that with respect to gating, the General Plan does not make a distinction between private or public roads and that the policy was to not support gates to developments. The City, however, supports individual property owners having gates on their own driveways. 10. The Planning Commission may wish to comment on grading standards for the proposal. Commissioner O’Connor had no comment at this time but indicated that he was not in favor of flat pad grading. Commissioner Pearce had no comment and noted that it had been established that there would be no flat pad grading on the site. She supported the placement of the pads to minimize the grading. Acting Chairperson Blank agreed with Commissioner Pearce’s comments. Commissioner Olson agreed with Commissioner Pearce’s comments and noted that limiting the grading, which he supported, would likely dictate a certain kind of architecture and a more stepped design. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, October 10, 2007 Page 15 of 21