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Ms. Decker stated that it would be helpful to look at the building elevations and noted <br />that the width of the windows is essentially the width of the proposed balconies. She <br />demonstrated that it is moved in from the edge by approximately 4.5 feet and that with <br />the juxtaposition of the other lot at a right angle, along with the angle of the lot, it is <br />unlikely that someone would be able to stand on a four-foot wide balcony and look <br />around that four-foot distance into someone's bedroom. <br />Commissioner Narum stated that she really likes the front unit on the project and was <br />generally supportive of the concept of infill but that the rear wall of the back units <br />bothered her. She indicated that with 1,300- to 1,400-square-foot units at the back, the <br />project gives a sense of trying to fill in every bit of ground possible. She noted that she <br />feels this would be a better project if the square footage was a little smaller as there <br />would be a little bit more land and open space. She added that she has a problem with <br />taking down the two trees in the back. <br />Chair Blank stated that his first house was almost the exact same size, and he felt then <br />that it was pretty tiny. He noted that if the units were reduced down to 1,100 square <br />feet, they would be very tiny. <br />Commissioner Narum noted that her first house was less than 1,000 square feet and <br />agreed that it was small. <br />Ms. Decker noted that the General Plan land use designation for high-density residential <br />has a requirement of eight dwelling units or more. She stated that this project with three <br />units meets that dwelling-units-per-acre definition, and, therefore, it is consistent with <br />the General Plan density. She added that it is also consistent with the Downtown <br />Specific Plan density. She indicated that when projects do not meet the General Plan <br />requirements, other findings need to be discussed and the loss of the actual units need <br />to be made up for and planned accordingly. <br />Commissioner Pearce stated that made sense to her and believed the project was <br />appropriate for the area. <br />Commissioner Narum stated that the density is supposed to be greater than eight or <br />more units per acre and that this density is 17.65 units per acre, which is well in excess. <br />She added that she is bothered by the back units as well as the lack of off-street parking <br />for guests among the three units. She noted that the Commission is aware that parking <br />is an issue in the Downtown. <br />Commissioner Olson stated that he raised the same question on density at the last <br />meeting and did not see how eight dwelling units per acre can be achieved if there are <br />three units on .17 acres. He indicated that he did the math and the number <br />Commissioner Narum quoted as 17.65 is what he arrived at as well. He noted, <br />however, that he does not have a problem with this project in terms of density because <br />it is in the Downtown, and the City wants a higher density Downtown. <br />EXCERPTS: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, October 29, 2008 Page 3 of 4 <br />