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Ms. Decker discussed concerns and amendment of Conditions 10 and 11 by the Planning <br />Commission relating to density, carports, tree removal, expansion or change to historic <br />structures, noise, and language in Condition 24, neighborhood concerns regarding traffic and <br />parking. She noted the Pleasanton Heritage Association (PHA) provided a letter supporting the <br />plan and suggested that quality materials be used. <br />She said the Planning Commission unanimously supported the project and recommended the <br />Council provide a favorable decision, they found that the PUD development plan is consistent <br />with the General Plan and the PUD Ordinance, that staff make the PUD findings as outlined in <br />the staff report and introduce the draft ordinance, approving Case PUD-72 subject to conditions <br />of approval. <br />Councilmember Sullivan said he discussed the project with the PHA and confirmed that the City <br />would review the proposed windows to meet the intent of the condition. He referred to the <br />carports and questioned if there was language in the Downtown Guidelines for carports in <br />general and questioned if they were encouraged or discouraged. <br />Ms. Decker referred to pages 38 and 39 of the Design Guidelines, and carports are indicated to <br />be architecturally compatible with residential structures and of substantial construction. She said <br />staff tries to have carports pushed away from the frontage as much as possible, look at the site <br />development, and detached garages are preferred and should be located to the rear of the site. <br />Therefore, because it does not say carports should be located at the rear, the intent of the idea <br />is to have the unit forward with parking towards the rear of the site. Councilmember Sullivan <br />confirmed that the guidelines did not include any preferences for garages over carports. <br />Vice Mayor Thorne disclosed his visit to the site and meeting with the applicants. He questioned <br />if the City has the ability to require disclosure of the railroad by the site. Ms. Decker said yes, <br />there is a listing of disclosures in the conditions of approval that addresses this, as well as a <br />condition for noise and vibration from the rail corridor. <br />Vice Mayor Thorne questioned if the noise standards of 45 and 50 dBa are time weighted <br />averages, and Ms. Decker said 45 dBa is averaged over time as a constant and 50 dBa is for <br />single event. <br />Councilmember McGovern voiced concerns about the FAR on the lots. She acknowledged <br />carports are not counted, but they do take up space on the site, and she questioned whether the <br />City should be counting them in the total FAR in the downtown in the future. She also said there <br />is discussion about adding accessory structures. She referred to a chart that shows maximum <br />development per lot, and under RM15 the maximum house size for Lot 1 would be 1,520 square <br />feet, the additional square footage brings it to 1,620 square feet. <br />Ms. Decker said this was an error in her presentation. The maximum RM15 house size would <br />be 1,520 at a 40% FAR. Under the proposal for Lot 1, the FAR limit is 44% which allows the <br />1,620 square foot home size. She confirmed the lot was currently zoned RM15 and the City is <br />rezoning it to PUD HDR and utilizing the RM15 site development standards. Councilmember <br />McGovern questioned the reason it had to go from RM15 to PUD HDR. Ms. Decker said it <br />allows flexibility to review the project and to maximize the opportunity for the greatest setbacks <br />and meet the open space requirements, particularly when looking at access into the site. <br />City Manager Fialho said the Council could add a condition that would not allow any livable <br />accessory structure on the property, but provide exemptions to outdoor landscaping-related <br />facilities to minimize the impact from the FAR. Councilmember McGovern supported arbors, <br />City Council Minutes 3 November 4, 2008 <br />