Laserfiche WebLink
environment, and to consider the single-story homes in terms of their height relative to the 26-foot high <br />two-story homes, as well as an assurance that they remain one story. <br />Another matter for which Ms. Kline requested direction from the Commission involves the colors for the <br />homes. She stated that she has discussed with the applicant the possibility of darkening the light pastel <br />shades for the body and replacing the red-tile roof with dazker earthtone colors to blend more closely <br />with the natural surroundings. <br />Finally, Ms. Kline discussed the ownership of the creek in the northeast corner of the site. She indicated <br />that the plan shows fencelines extending through the creek onto the flat area on the other side. In <br />addition, the creek would be divided and become part of three lots on the site. Staff feels that having a <br />fence through the stream is not good for the wildlife and riparian habitat as well as for maintenance in <br />the event of a storm. Staff proposes that the creek be put into a temporary holding ownership until Lund <br />Ranch II develops, at which time it could be linked with that project and become part of the project's <br />public open space area. <br />PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. <br />Mr. Tom Merschel, New Cities Development Group, 9781 Blue Lazkspur Lane in Monterey, presented <br />an overview of the project and its four different house models. He explained that the Plan 1 model is a <br />23-foot high, single-story home with the option of becoming two stories; Plans 2, 3, and 4 aze two-story <br />homes with heights ranging from 24 feet to 26 feet. The azeas of the homes with the optional area <br />- add-ons would range from 2,945 to 3,755 square feet for Plan 1, from 3,445 to 3,860 squaze feet for <br />Plan 2, from 3,886 to 4,152 squaze feet for Plan 3, and from 4,332 to 5,256 square feet for Plan 4. With <br />regard to lot sizes, Mr. Merschel indicated that the lots along the northern and southern borders of the <br />site would be larger than 15,000 square feet to protect the transition area and to preserve the view and <br />privacy of the existing homes. <br />Mr. Merschel stated that New Cities began working on the project a yeaz ago and has gone through <br />numerous meetings and plan revisions including lowering the mass and roof elements of the houses as <br />well as the height of the two-story homes from 33 feet to 26 feet. He also explained the disposition of <br />the trees on the site, noting that there would be more trees in the area after the project is developed than <br />there aze at present. <br />With respect to soils and drainage, Mr. Merschel indicated that they are opposed to the installation of <br />subdrains. He recommended instead that their project geologist would be present on site during the <br />grading process and at his direction and when warranted, they would put subdrains in. He added that <br />while 50 percent of the site now drains to the creek, none would do so once the project is built. <br />Mr. Merschel then went through a photomontage which put together several elements to address the <br />privacy and view issues. Pictures of the project site were taken from vazious existing homes and the <br />three different house plans were digitally superimposed on the photos to show what they would look like <br />with initial plantings and after three yeazs. <br />Planning Commission Minutes Page 21 June 24, 1998 <br />