17 ATTACHMENT 08 - Laserfiche WebLink

• Appropriate relationship of the proposed building to its site, including transition with streetscape, public views of the buildings, and scale of the buildings within its site and adjoining buildings. • Appropriate relationship of the proposed building and its site to adjoining areas, including compatibility of architectural styles, harmony in adjoining buildings, attractive landscape transitions, and consistency with neighborhood character. • Preservation of views enjoyed by residents, workers within the City, and passerby through the community. • Architectural style, as a function of its quality of design and relationship to its surroundings; the relationship of building components to one another and the building's colors and materials. Staff considers these design criteria in its review of all design review applications. In this case, staff has attempted to impose reasonable conditions to mitigate specific impacts expressed by the neighbors relative to these criteria. Design The proposed second unit would match the architectural style, colors, and materials of the existing dwelling. Staff believes that the design of the proposed second unit would be complementary to the design of the main dwelling unit and with the other homes in the neighborhood, and is acceptable. View Impacts With respect to view impacts, the proposed second unit is one-story and is lower than the 15- foot maximum height limit allowed by Code. To address view concerns that were raised by neighbors, the applicants agreed to lower the height of the second by nine inches (from 13 feet to 12 feet 3 inches) and to lower the patio level on which the second unit would sit by one foot. As noted earlier, story poles were also installed to allow the neighbors and staff to accurately determine the view impacts of the proposed second unit. The views from Mr. Nguyen's and Ms. Cheung's property towards the second unit are currently divided by the existing open-style fence between the applicants' and Mr. Nguyen's and Ms. Cheung's properties. Views above this fence include the surrounding gravel quarries, distant structures in the City of Livermore, the distant hills, and the sky. Due to the grade difference between the two properties, the proposed second unit would be located almost entirely below the existing fence and would not obstruct these views. The views below .the top of the fence include PAP-117 Planning Commission Page 10 of 19