3A Public Hearing 2007 0507 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Planning Commission Meeting Draft Minutes Excerptfor meeting of April 12, 2007 Page 5 of 10 out to all residents within 300 feet. He said that they've worked through a lot of the potential problems that neighbors aired, including a right-turn-only exit onto Herma Court, elimination of the "skinny" house, changes to improve traffic flow, shading and screening additions to prevent headlight glare disrupting neighbors after dark, variations in the roof line and other things to make it look really nice, adding value to neighborhood. Dave Ruffin, project architect, is with Ruffin Architecture. With Planner II Barros having laid the foundation, he said he would focus on how the design came about and what's going on with the basic project. The main entry/exit will remain where it is, off MacArthur Boulevard, with the secondary entrance/exit on Herma Court, where there is also an existing driveway. Three units have four bedrooms; the others have three. Most of the units have two-car garages with two floors of living space above. The existing bus stop will remain on MacArthur Boulevard, but the parallel parking places - retained to accommodate Stepping Stones buses, will revert to the original City design for diagonal parking, a move that will produce 10 or 11 additional parking places. He noted that some of the fine older homes on Herma Court are vernacular craftsman- type structures inspired the forms and shapes of the project. These include relatively low- sloped roofs, cantilevered beams, overhangs and eaves, steps up to the front porch, solid wood front doors, and gables. They also went beyond the immediate neighborhood to bring in other detailed architectural features such as contemporary versions of porch columns, light-colored trim, and articulated brackets. The design employs alternated types of garage doors to add variety, different colors for the buildings, and a heavily articulated building face. Most of the third floor roofs are fire-resistant Hardy Shake (probably reddish-brown); similar in appearance to traditional shingles but lightweight concrete and long-lasting. Mr. Ruffin said the use of shingles on the top floor will tend to diminish the height from the Herma Court direction. No final decision on windows has been made, but the project probably will use Milgard vinyl windows. To mitigate problems of headlight glare from traffic within the project as well as screening vehicles within, the existing hedge will be extended, with an eight-foot evergreen wall behind it. He said that his group has offered to take the back portion of one of the adjacent properties to make a better open space and replace the homeowner's garage, and although he said the owners have been favorable, there has been no final response. His group suggested that another neighbor who is concerned about headlights might add a screening hedge or trellis, out they don't want to change their property. He said this is the only issue he is aware of that remains unresolved. Acting Chair/Commissioner Dlugosh asked whether Commissioners had any questions of Mr. Ruffin or Mr. Settlemier. Commissioner Collier is pleased to see the specification for Hardy Shakes, which are a lot more durable than the real shakes.