3A Public Hearing 2007 1119 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Excerpts from the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes October 11, 2007 Agenda No. 07-19 Page 3 of 4 Ms. Leung said the owner would love to use Hardiplank, because at this time it's less expensive than wood. She personally does not feel it looks as good, but it also has an advantage over wood in longevity and maintenance. Vice -Chair Dlugosh raised an issue about the wooden band across the front of the duplex. He said that his original idea was to carry the transition over the window across the front, and although he acknowledges it would be difficult to tie it in with the porch roof line he believes it can be done. With all the money going into the three new homes, the investment in the duplex would be relatively minor yet it would make the properties more cohesive among themselves. He said they could spend the money saved with Hardiplank on visually tying the four units on the site together. He also would like the colors on all four units to be complementary. Ms. Leung asked Planner Penaranda how much area there is in the front of the duplex to work with. Planner Penaranda said that an eave can project into a setback. Commissioner Collier clarified that she believes Vice -Chair Dlugosh was recommending a false eave, nothing above and nothing below. It may even be less than a 2.5- to 3 -foot projection, and may not even require a post. Chair Reed asked whether other Commissioners had comments or questions. Commissioner Abero said she loves the looks of this project. She does have a concern about the landscaping, in particular the bushes along the west side of the property. That kind of landscaping close to the street might present safety issues, particularly with a lot of foot traffic around the library, because people could hide in thick, dense bushes. Planner Penaranda indicated that the plan is a schematic, and a condition of approval is that the landscape plan be revised, for the very reasons Commissioner Abero raised. Commissioner Abero asked whether the pavers also would be used near the duplex. Ms. Leung said they would. Commissioner Finberg asked about pavement in the front of the duplex. Planner Penaranda said that it will be landscaped. Commissioner Finberg conveyed a concern from Commissioner Nardine about the fact that there is no bathroom on the ground floor of the three-story home. Ms. Leung said that a half -bath could be placed on the ground floor if the laundry room were taken out. However, she added that the lot area is very limiting and it was difficult to get in the three bedrooms to meet the needs of the owner. Commissioner Collier said that extending a wall two feet would accommodate a combination laundry room/half bath, with a folding door in between. She also agreed that it would be convenient to have a bathroom on the ground floor when coming in from outside or from the garage. Commissioner Abero suggested that the applicant consider another option, of moving the laundry to the second floor, which a lot of people these days find more convenient anyway.