3A Public Hearing 2007 0507 - Laserfiche WebLink

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areas patio areas for the townhouses along MacArthur would total 120 square feet within the enclosed patios attached to the units. For the row of five townhouses on the rear portion of the lot, private open space is provided in rear yards, totalling 150 to 286 square feet. Overall, with the common open area of approximately 3,021 ("proposed") and 3,623 ("alternate") and the private open areas of 3,600 square feet, the open space provided of 6,621 square feet ("proposed") and 7,223 square feet ("alternate") would exceed the minimum requirement of 4,600 square feet. Detailed features are shown for the tot lot within the common open space for the site. The applicant proposes a jungle gym (see Sheet A1.7 for manufacturer details), benches and landscaped areas including turf, shrubs and trees. As the park is intended for the homeowners of the project, only, the applicant will be required to pay park in-lieu fees in order to meet the requirements specified by the Engineer Department. During the worksession, the Planning Commission requested that the proposed "skinny" house on the narrow Herma Court lot be reconsidtred and that the open area of the site be placed at that location or that a land swap be negotiated in order to deed the narrow lot to the adjacent neighbors in exchange for an area within the interior of the lot, to the rear of the existing neighbor's home, for the open space. In response, the applicant is showing the "proposed" plan, which includes a lot swap of approximately 1,165 square feet of the neighbor's backyard at 338 Herma Court for 1,928 square feet of the subject site's property within the narrow Herma Court lot. The swap involves the replacement of an existing garage on the newly created additional side yard area for 338 Herma Court. This solution would mitigate the concern of the neighbors on Herma Court that the open space area in the narrow lot would be a nuisance in terms of noise, security, and potential mis- use of the open area. While staff considers this the preferred configuration for the site, the feasibility of this proposed land swap is contingent on negotiations by the applicant with the property owner of 338 Herma Court, which have not been completed at this time. Should the negotiations for the land swap fail, staff believes that, with the recommended conditions of approval that the open space area be provided proper security, screening, fencing, and a prohibition of the use of BBQ equipment, the narrow lot maybe acceptable for the project's open space. Parking Layout. Traffic and Circulation The parking stall layout and the site circulation for the project has been reviewed by the Fire Department and the Engineering and Transportation Department. The 24-foot wide driveway complies with the access required by the Fire Department. No parking will be permitted on the interior driveway to maintain emergency vehicle access. On-street parking is also restricted, per recommended Engineering Department conditions of approval, from 10 feet on either side of the driveways on Herma Court and MacArthur Boulevard, to ensure adequate sight distance for cars exiting the site. Planning Commission Staff Report PLN2006-00 I 04 April 12, 2007 Page 9 of 16