14 - Laserfiche WebLink

Design Review Section 18.20.030 of the Pleasanton Municipal Code establishes design review criteria in terms of compatibility with the site, the architecture of existing home, and the neighborhood. The addition, as constructed, is attractive and in conformance to the R-1-6,500 zoning district regulations. It is constructed as an integral part of a permitted expansion/remodel project currently under construction. Staff and the Planning Commission found that the addition in question met these specified design requirements Concerns were also raised by the neighbors concerning the square footage of the house and its compatibility with the mid-1980's era neighborhood. The following chart compares the applicants' lot/house with those in the neighborhood: Smiths Residence s .ft. Houses on Whitehall Court s .ft. Houses on Manchester Street s .ft. House Size 3, 348 Lot Size 11,549 FAR 29% House Size Ran a 1,639 s .ft.-2881 s .ft. 1,499 s . ft.-2,150 s . ft. Lot Size Ran a 6,200 s .ft.-9,363 s .ft. 7,535 s . ft.-11,611 s . ft. FAR Ran a 23.2%-36.6% 13%-28% Ave. House Size 1,900 s .ft. 1,913 s .ft. Ave. Lot Size 7,275 sq.ft. 8,586 sq.ft. Ave. FAR 26.12% 22.3% ~ This number includes the addition in question. Given the size of the lot (which is 40% larger than the average lot size of the zoning district), the resultant FAR of 29% is between the highest FAR of 36.6% and the average FAR of 26.12% of homes in the neighborhood. While the house is on the larger end of the range of house sizes in the neighborhood, staff believes that it maintains the scale of the surrounding homes and is appropriate for the above-average size lot. Thus, staff considers the home to be compatible with the neighborhood. Construction Timeline At the Planning Commission Meeting on September 26, 2007, the applicants assured the Planning Commission that construction at the site will be complete within eight (8) months as specified in the conditions. This timeline includes obtaining permits for the addition in question and other modifications that have been done without proper plan check and permit updates. Staff agrees that all work on this site can be completed within the timeline specified by the Planning Commission. Page 4 of 6