Laserfiche WebLink
Ms. Michelotti asked if more construction would be done on the barn in the future. <br /> <br /> Mr. Johnstone said the barn needs to be brought up to code in the future. <br /> <br /> Ms. Michelotti asked the difference in height from the present house to the house in the <br /> future. <br /> <br /> Mr. Johnstone believed it was 22 feet. <br /> <br /> Ms. Ayala asked if the plans showed the hip roof. <br /> <br /> Mr. Johnstone said the plans show a gable roof with flat ends. He is planning on slanting <br />the roof to reduce the height at both ends. <br /> <br /> Peter MacDonald, 400 Main Street, Suite 210, believed the design review process needed to <br />be limited to design review issues. The design review process should not be a mini planned unit <br />development process where essentially political decisions are made about the height, floor area <br />ratio, and the basic standards for the use of properties in Pleasanton. He said in 1982 when he <br />brought his plot plan to the Planning Department to see if he could make any home improvements, <br />the rules were clear about the height limit, floor area ratios, and setbacks. When Jack Chestnut <br />brought his plans to the City in 1998, he was told the plans had to go through a design review <br />process. It seemed like a simple process, but the Planning Commission tamed down Mr. Chestnut's <br />application for zoning reasons. He believed that the Planning Commission sided with neighbors <br />who indicated they wanted a shorter, smaller house. If the design review process is applied as a <br />mini planned unit development process, then no property owner will know what can be done with <br />his or her property. If the design review process is to prohibit uses that are consistent with the <br />City's zoning standard, then the zoning ordinance does not mean anything other than what Council <br />decides on a given night. He did not want to see Pleasanton set such precedent. There needs to be <br />clear simple rules under the zoning ordinance. He suggested Council follow the direction of the <br />Planning staff, limit the design review process to design issues, and approve the Chestnuts' <br />application. <br /> <br /> Mr. Chestnut addressed the concerns brought up in the report. The in-law quarters will be <br />used for his wife's sister; it will not be rented out. He said no work has been done without pulling <br />permits in advance. The garage will not be used for his son's business. His son is moving into the <br />house, until he is able to sell his home in Fremont. He will live there until construction can be <br />started. There was a concern about a fuel tank. He found out from Frank Bonde, the previous <br />owner, that the tank was filled with dry ice and subsequently removed. He has a letter from the <br />previous owner stating there was no contamination and there is no other fuel tank buried on the <br />property. His escrow papers say the same thing. <br /> <br />Pleasanton City Council 12 02/16/99 <br />Minutes <br /> <br /> <br />