Laserfiche WebLink
a detailed sketch of the original theoretical landscape plan that was included in <br />Exhibit A. She stated that she is amenable to a setback of 35 feet with a restriction <br />on above-ground structures, noting that this is not land that the appellants would <br />have been able to use had the property not been leveled. She noted that everyone <br />appears to be amenable to the condition regarding pool lighting and added that a <br />firm completion date would be appropriate. She indicated that in light of the <br />circumstances, she feels the City should do everything it can to get the appellants' <br />privacy back. <br />Commissioner Narum stated that she found this situation uncomfortable, but looking <br />at the original landscaping plan in Exhibit A with a scale of 1 inch = 16 feet, the <br />bushes that were planted where the wall would be back to the lawn is about 1 inch <br />or 16 feet, which would place it about 31 feet off the property line. She stated that <br />there should be some fairly heavy planting on the 16-foot area where there is no <br />lawn and that the use of play structures, trampolines, etc., should be precluded. She <br />agreed with Commissioner Pearce that had this come in originally, she probably <br />would not have approved it. She noted that a lot would have been resolved had the <br />original Exhibit A landscaping plan been followed and dense bush and shrubbery <br />created in this area, which, in effect, was unusable for the kinds of things that are <br />being restricted on it. She added that she felt there should be a detailed plan that <br />shows the shrubbery at a substantial distance from the wall towards the house which <br />would in effect limit the use of that area without actually putting restrictions on the <br />house as well. She stated that she believed athree-foot tall berm could be <br />incorporated as part of this heavy planting. <br />Commissioner O'Connor stated that he also believed that if this plan came in first, it <br />would not have been something he would have approved. With respect to setbacks, <br />he stated that 30-35 feet would be appropriate. He noted that in the Exhibit A from <br />April 8t", the setback appears to be at least 30 feet back from the lawn in a couple of <br />areas and a little shorter in one or two corners. He indicated that he would like to <br />see heavy planting and the lawn retracted back to about 30 feet from the property <br />line. He stated that afour-foot tall berm should be put in place in lieu of lowering the <br />grade. <br />Commissioner O'Connor added that the Commission is considering placing <br />conditions on an approval where the applicant has stated he does not want <br />additional conditions on his property. He noted that if Mr. Jeffrey is telling the <br />Commission he is not going to accept conditions or non-use of an area in his back <br />yard, or he does not have the money to put in more plants, Commissioner O'Connor <br />thinks it is a moot point to place conditions on the property. <br />Chair Blank stated that he feels the Commission must do the best job it can whether <br />or not the applicant or the appellants accept its decision. <br />Commissioner O'Connor stated that at the last meeting, the Commission made it <br />clear that it would go one of two ways: either put certain conditions on the property <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, September 24, 2008 Page 16 of 41 <br />