17 ATTACHMENT 08 - Laserfiche WebLink

Committee in an effort to resolve the neighbors' concerns. As a result of those meetings, the applicants agreed to revise the second unit as follows: • Reduce the size of the covered porch from 426 sq. ft. to 250 sq. ft. • Reduce the height of the structure from 13 feet to 12 feet 3 inches tall at the top of the ridge. • Lower the patio level upon which the second unit will sit by one foot. The Architectural Committee approved the above modifications to the structure (please see attached approval letter dated September 27, 2007, Attachment # 10). With the above changes, the Finebergs support the proposed project. However, the changes did not satisfy the two other neighbors and they had informed staff that they were still opposed to the second unit. Specifically, Mr. Nguyen and Ms. Cheung indicated that the structure would block their scenic views and would change the original community spirit and landscape in regard to density and safety. Mr. Chen and Ms. Fan indicated that the structure would block views from some of their windows, the structure is located too close to their property, and the structure would make their backyard activity uncomfortable and psychologically impact their daily life, particularly because their rear yard is several feet lower than applicants' yard. Since both neighbors had cited view impacts as concerns, staff had the applicants install story poles depicting the height of the structure in order to allow the neighbors and staff to accurately gauge the view impacts of the structure. Staff went to the neighbors' homes and took photographs of the story poles, which are included with this report (see Attachment #11). On November 2, 2007, staff met with Mr. Chen, Mr. Nguyen, Mr. Bawa, and representatives of the Vineyard Hill Homeowners Association to review the photographs of the story poles, discuss the neighbors' concerns, and try to identify possible mitigations to address the neighbors' concerns. At the request of staff, Mr. Bawa had taken staff's photographs and had his designer "fill in" the walls and roof of the structure so that the structure would be more visible in the photographs (see Attachment #12). Mr. Bawa brought these photographs to the meeting for viewing by staff and the neighbors. At the meeting, Mr. Bawa had indicated that he was willing to install landscaping to screen the structure from the neighbors' views. Mr. Chen and Mr. Nguyen indicated that they were not prepared to discuss their position on the project or mitigations and indicated that they would need to confer with their wives. After the meeting, Mr. Chen and Mr. Nguyen contacted staff and indicated that they were still opposed to the second unit and did not want the structure to be built. Therefore, staff scheduled the Zoning Administrator hearing. PAP-117 Planning Commission Page 3 of 19