17 - Laserfiche WebLink

Brandt Esser, adjacent property owner, indicated that he owned the duplex rental to the left of the proposal. He noted that the balconies give the bedrooms of his units the feeling that they can look directly down onto them, and he asked that they be removed from the project. He stated that he believed the project was a good one but that it was a little bit too close to the property line. Chair Blank asked Mr. Esser how he felt about the proposed compromise to reduce the square footage of the balcony. Mr. Esser replied that he preferred the balconies to be balanced and added that he was surprised the immediate neighbor with a swimming pool is not present as the balconies would look right into their swimming pool. He indicated that he can understand that the applicants would like as much open space in each unit as possible, but that he thought the balconies just did not seem to fit here. Commissioner Narum asked Mr. Esser the address of his property, and Mr. Esser replied that it was 4641 Augustine Street. Bob Byrd stated that he has been a builder and designer of homes all his life and has built homes in in-fill lots. He noted that he felt something could possibly be done to satisfy Mr. Esser as well as the person with the pool by relocating the windows. Commissioner Pearce asked Ms. Amos which side the balconies are on and how wide they are. Ms. Amos pointed their location on the screen and showed the neighbors' view, which was not a front view. She confirmed the balconies were four feet wide. Chair Blank stated that he was also perplexed but would like to attempt a compromise between the neighbors. He indicated his appreciation for the applicants' willingness to remove the balconies but noted that on in-fill projects in the Downtown, there is not a lot of land to provide buffers. Commissioner Olson stated he believed that if the applicants are willing to remove the balconies, that would probably be the route to take. Mr. Dolan stated that staff would prefer to reduce the size rather than eliminate the balconies entirely, and in response to Commissioner Olson's question why staff would prefer this alternative, Mr. Dolan replied that the space is valuable to the unit and makes the unit more livable. He added that the balconies have a side view and are narrow with very limited exposure. He noted that making the balconies smaller would reduce the amount of view into the neighbors' homes. Chair Blank inquired if the neighbors would be viewing the side of the balcony rather that the full view. Mr. Dolan confirmed that was the case. Commissioner Olson requested that his remarks regarding removal of the balcony be struck. EXCERPTS: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, October 29, 2008 Page 2 of 4