3A Public Hearing 2007 0116 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Drafi Minlltes F_'XCCtjit - Joint Board/Planning Cum mission Work Session Oclohcr 19, 2006 5 Planning Manager Pollar"! explained that the RO District would indeed be the most affected by FAR guidelines, in tenns of limited on-site square footage. It may reduce options to two single- family homes on such lots, rather than one single-t:'lmily home and a duplex, or only allow a much smaller duplex. However, she added, these properties are the ones that have raised the most concerns, with neighbors complaining that many of the new developments arc out of character and out of scale with the neighborhood. Commissioner D1ugosh, responding to Ms. Pollart's observations about the increasing numbers of applications for duplex construction in the RO Districts, noted that years ago, property owners that arc now adding duplexes kept livestock 011 the land behincl their homes. Boardmember Marr agreed that the issue comes up over ancl over In the RO District, and the neighbors don't like it the way it is. Planning Manager Poll art, in recapping the discussion, said the Commissioners want the Planning Department to look at establishing FAR standards and develop language that codi fies second-story construction standards. However, she was not sure she heard a consensus regarding parking. Boal'dmemher Pearson responded that he would like to see more parking required. .Joe Collier, 694 Douglas, requested an opportunity to make a comment. His concern involves the number of families living in a single-family home, and the number of cars associated with them. Community Development Director Hom explained that federal and state fair housing laws place rather high maximums on the number of adults that live in a home - up to 10 unrelated adults - and the City cannot be more restrictive. Chair Raposo pointed out that some of the older apartment complexes in the City, such as on Estabrook, require only one parking place per apartment, which has a great impact on neighbors because there arc so many additional cars used by apartment residents and their guests. Community Development Director 1-1001 pointed out that current regulations on multiple-unit construction require more parking than in the past. Commissioner D1ugosh, referring to the FAR comparison sheet, asked what sort of parking would be required of, for instance, an 8,500-square-foot home. Planning Manager Pollart explained that if the standard were based on bedroom count, the Beverly Hills example would require three spaces for five bedrooms, and l'our spaces for six or more bedrooms. She added that the parking standard could be based on square footage instead of number of bedrooms. Community Development Director Horn recalled that the isslle of parking spaces per bedroom came up with Site Plan Review process that was implemented about four years ago. At that time, he said, the recolnmendation was to not require additional parking spaces, because there was no desire to promote more construction of three-car garages that would detract from the look of neighborhoods. Commissioner Kleehauer noted that San Leandro requires at least two covered parking places, whereas some of the other communities just require one covered but permit another to be