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redesigned with new equipment that could be installed to serve greater distances at other locations on the site. The new tank has been located in a more southerly direction closer to the appellant's property than the original tank, and the green color and polyurethane material are more "eye catching" than the old weathered wooden tank. Water tanks are a natural part of the landscape in semi-rural areas such as the subject neighborhood. It has also been suggested that if the appellants are offended by what is located in their neighbor's rear yard, they should have maintained the existing landscape screening that separated the properties, or alternately, be agreeable to new screening. The Planning Commission has suggested that additional planting be installed to further screen the tank. It is feasible to create an effective vegetative screen of the tank. Such screening would improve its effectiveness over time. It would also occupy land otherwise available as pasture and according to the concerns raised by the Segundo's would reduce the sense of "openness" they desire. PUBLIC COMMENTS Prior to and since the Planning Commission hearing, staff has received comments of support and opposition to the application. Please see Attachment 3 for public comments. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Existing facilities consisting of the operation, permitting, licensing, or minor alteration of structures involving no expansion of use beyond that existing are categorically exempt (Section 15303, Class 1) from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Furthermore, an Environmental Impact Report for the North Sycamore Specific Plan was approved by the City Council on June 16, 1992. The Environmental Impact Report anticipated the use of wells and in turn water tanks on existing sites, such as the proposed. Therefore, no environmental documentation accompanies this report. CONCLUSION The site is located in a PUD and a Specific Plan area that does not address development standards for water tanks. The appellant's property is a flag lot that faces the rear yard of the subject property which is located in an agricultural district. The water tank is dark green in color, will be screened by redwood trees, and is set back approximately 20 feet from the rear property line. As conditioned, staff maintains that the tank is consistent with required conditional use permit findings as addressed in the Planning Commission staff report (Attachment 4). The applicant is willing to add additional landscaping and is willing to paint the tank to help mitigate the appellants concerns should the City Council require it. Staff recommends that the City Council deny PAP-121, thereby upholding the Planning Commission's approval of PCUP-205 subject to the conditions of approval in Attachment 1. Page 7 of 8