PC 06/10/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commissioner Kumaran asked if the applicant can be required at the tentative map stage to provide as - much landscaping as is needed to screen the homes from Foothill Road, pazticulazly on Lots 1 and 2. Mr. Iserson replied that the PUD zoning action and development plan basically governs the rules and standards for this development. He indicated that a lot of effort was put in during the PUD process to provide design guidelines that consider the issues of mass, color, and use of materials. He added that close attention is paid to ensure that those guidelines aze carried out when the homes are built. He explained that at the tentative map stage only the landscaping shown on the plan may be addressed such as the need for more landscaping or bigger trees. The main charge is to determine if the map is consistent with the PUD approved for this development. Commissioner Sullivan pointed out that even with 24" box trees, the houses would still be visible because it would take several yeazs for these trees to grow before they can provide a screen. Commissioner Roberts commented that the trees being used -- coast live oak, Douglas oak, and buckeye -- aze either extremely slow-growing or will not provide foliage to screen the homes three months of the yeaz. She suggested that more masking trees and coast live oaks be planted and that more landscaping be required behind the houses to provide a backdrop and avoid breaking the skyline. Commissioner Maas inquired if the siting of the homes is presented at the PUD stage. Mr. Iserson replied that normally, that would be the case. PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. Mr. Joseph Azar, Rugierri, Jensen, Azaz, and Associates, 6601 Owens Drive, thanked staff for their work and indicated that he was in agreement with the staff report as well as the additional conditions. He stated that the individual homes will go through the design review process, during which time visibility, architectural elements, and landscaping would be scrutinized. He added that the proposed landscaping is natural-looking and informal and meets the requirements of the West Foothill Corridor Overlay District. Mr. Iserson explained that one condition of the PUD states that during the design review process for each custom home, the applicant would provide a visual analysis and cross-section line-of--sight drawings from Foothill Road to actually see how visible a particular house would be, if a backdrop exists behind the home, and if there is none, additional 36" box trees would have to be planted to create one. Commissioner Dove inquired what sizes the houses proposed on Lots 1 and 2 would be. Mr. Azar replied that the range provided by the PUD conditions is from 5,500 square feet to 6,500 square feet. Commissioner Maas inquired if the design review process for the homes could be approved through the Planning Commission. Mr. Iserson replied that the Planning Commission can always request that any staff approval come before the Commission by appealing it. Commissioner Maas further inquired if a blanket understanding could be established beforehand that anything on the west side of Foothill Road __ be considered by the Planning Commission. Mr. Iserson answered that that request could have been made at the PUD stage. The design review process provides that the decision is made at the staff level Planning Commission Minutes Page 11 June 10, 1998