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Excerpts/rom the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Agenda No. 06-11 June 8,2006 Page 2 0/10 development is required because the applicant has proposed reduced lot sizes and setbacks, in particular a ten-foot setback at the rear of each unit instead ofthe fifteen-foot setback required by the existing zoning. Planner Penaranda said the property currently has a one-story single-family home and detached garage built around 1925. He noted that the existing home is not included on the City's list of historic properties. He said the property is located close to downtown shopping, BART and the AC Transit bus terminal area. He said it is adjacent to several lots, including a two-story duplex to the west, several single-family residences. Immediately adjacent to the south, at the corner of West Juana and Hays, is the 25-unit five-story Garden Terrace Condominium complex, built in 1965. Just south of Garden Terrace on West Juana Avenue is the 28-unit five-story Altadena Condominium complex, built in 1976. Across Hays Street there is an undeveloped lot, various single-family residences and a single-story II-unit apartment complex. Planner Penaranda provided a PowerPoint presentation that includes photographs of the existing lot and building, surrounding buildings, aerial views, proposed elevations and site plans for the proposed project. Planner Penaranda noted that he had received a signed petition in opposition to the proposed project signed by several nearby property owners and by residents of Garden Terrace. He said he had received letters of opposition as well as oral comments from three individuals, Lester Williams, Virginia Eldridge and Jessica Dalstad; oral comments in opposition from Shannon Wirth; and a letter of support from Robert Jones, the owner of several single-family homes adjoining the proposed project. He said the opposition to the project arises primarily from the three units that are adjacent to the Garden Terrace complex. He said those opposing the project have stated their belief that the project will downgrade the value oftheir property, block both li'ght and views ofthe San Leandro and Oakland hills; and subject Garden Terrace condominium owners to views of unsightly back yards. Planner Penaranda said that, in staffs opinion, the medium density and detached unit design lessens negative impacts on residents of the Garden Terrace complex and other residences in the immediate area. He said the proposed density of six units per 15,000 square feet is equivalent to 17 units per acre versus development on the Garden Terrace, a similar-sized lot, which has 25 units on 15,000 square feet equaling 1 unit per 600 square feet or 72 units per acre. He said staff feels that the proposed project, with its low density and detached unit design, would blend in and be compatible with the existing Garden Terrace complex, a two-story duplex to the immediate north of the property, and other development immediately adjacent to the site. He noted that the property, even without a zoning change from RM1800 Residential Multi-Family to RM2500(PD), is a developable lot and that the existing zoning would permit eight units, ordinarily without Planning Commission review. He said there is no view reservation or easement or any other restriction that precludes development of the 1537 Hays Street property. Commissioner Dlugosh asked for a comparison of the massing of the proposed project and the maximum that would be allowed under the current RM-1800 zoning. Planner Penaranda said current zoning would allow an eight unit building approximately 50 feet in height, a building that would be just as massive and monolithic as the Garden Terrace complex next door to the proposed project.