3A Public Hearing 2006 0905 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Excerpt/rom the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Agenda No. 06-12 June 22, 2006 Page 30/7 height ofthe Garden Terrace building. The Applicant recited the history of the proposed project. He said the property had been purchased four and a half years ago with the intent to build an eight-unit apartment building. He said that two years ago a pre-application meeting had occurred with Secretary Pollart and other San Leandro staff, proposing a mixed use project for a six- unit professional building of between 6,000 and 7,000 total square feet, to be used by a title company. He said city staff advised him that the proposed professional building project would create parking problems and would in general be a likely matter of concern to the neighborhood. The professional building project also elicited a negative response from nearby residences. He said that the following year an eight-unit residential project with attached units had been discussed at yet another pre-application meeting. He said p1arming, building and fire department staff had again raised massing, density and parking issues. He said the city suggested that the number of units be reduced to six and that more open area be created between the units, to reduce the impact on Garden Terrace. He said his firm had then proposed the six-unit plan and scheduled a November 30,2005 community work session with notice to 270 properties within a 300-foot radius. He said that six to eight neighbors attended but no neighbors from Garden Terrace participated. He said, based on the positive feedback from neighbors that did attend, that staff had recommended going forward with a Planning Commission work session, which occurred January 26, 2006. He said the January work session resulted in a Planning Commission recommendation to include front doors facing Hays, the addition of exterior decks to all units, and changes to window treatments and the arbor at the entrance to the project. He said that the applicant had revised the plan for the June 8 meeting. He noted that the applicant had misunderstood the intent of some of these initial recommendations by the Planning Commission, which has resulted in the revisions proposed at tonight's meeting. He said that, after the January work session, several neighbors, notably Mr. Williams, had voiced objections to the proposed project. He said that Mr. Williams subsequently contacted city staff on several occasions and several homeowners addressed the City Council at the City Council's Business Development Subcommittee. He said the subcommittee had reviewed the proposal, voicing no opposition and commenting that the project conformed to the General Plan. The Applicant said the project had addressed all of the architectural issues that the Planning Commission had raised and was actually requesting the Planning Commission to recommend a rezoning that requires less density. He said he believed the project would enhance Hays Street and provide sustainable housing for the City of San Leandro. He said the project would generate $60,000 to $70,000 in park and recreation fees, $270,000 in-lieu fees for affordable housing units in San Leandro, and $25,000 to $30,000 in school fees. He said his firm uses local subcontractors and local businesses such as Larsen Brothers Lumber, Marina Plumbing and San Leandro Door, a practice which creates local jobs and stimulates the local economy. He asked to make additional comments at the close of public comments. He invited questions from commissioners. Chair K1eebauer, hearing no questions from commissioners, invited comments from the public.