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Commissioner Fox referred to the historic houses on Lot 1 and Lot 5 and inquired whether or not staff believed new construction on Lot 6, located between Lots 1 and 5, would preserve the historic integrity of the neighborhood. Ms. Rondash confirmed that given the architectural design, staff feels that Lot 6, the house visible from the street, articulates the design elements within the neighborhood, including siding, wood shutters, and the front door type, and relates to those existing homes as well as preserves the character with the neighborhood. Commissioner Pearce stated that she did not recall the Urban Forestry Fund as being an either/or proposition but rather, that if large trees were taken out, they were to be replaced with new trees, and payment would be made into the Fund. Chair Blank noted that in the past, developers have been asked to replace trees with new trees. Commissioner Narum stated that the Commission waived this requirement for the Nagy restaurant project; Chair Blank noted that this was done for commercial projects but not for residential ones. Ms. Rondash stated that in working with the applicant on providing the covered parking for those existing homes and those constrained sites, one of the location options for that carport was where the open space for the play yard would be. She noted that this was not an optimal location, and the applicant was able to relocate that required covered parking to the portion of the home in proximity to the tree, resulting in the need to remove that tree. She added that for this reason, staff did not feel it was appropriate to require the applicant to pay into the Urban Forestry Fund. Chair Blank noted that the presence of the Southern Pacific Railroad is not disclosed in the disclosures stated under Condition No. 53. Ms. Decker replied that this was an oversight and noted that the Planning Commission has always had the desire to disclose the noise as well as the vibration resulting from the nearby railroad tracks. THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED. Jerry Raney, applicant, stated that he agrees with everything that has been presented and discussed his involvement with the City of Pleasanton and the Downtown. He noted that when the house next door came up for sale, he purchased it and began working with staff on home designs that would meet the Downtown Specific Plan guidelines. He added that after four months, a preliminary review submission was made, and following the incorporation into the plans of all recommended changes, the present application was submitted, with two more subsequent revisions. He noted that he believes he has complied with all the staff recommendations to make the project conform to what the City wants and the guidelines of the Downtown Specific Plan. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, July 23, 2008 Page 8 of 25