3A Public Hearing 2007 1119 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Excerpts from the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes January 25, 2007 Agenda No. 07-02 Page 4 of S Planner Penaranda agreed that that is an appropriate recommendation. Ms. Leung agreed also. Commissioner Dlugosh reiterated some of the previous comments about the third story. He said there are dormer -appearing elements are on both sides of the property and to the adjacent properties on the east. If that were carried over to the third house, he said, it would relieve his anxiety over the third story. Commissioner Collier said she favors Commissioner Dlugosh's suggestion about breaking up the vertical appearance with a horizontal break, and noted it could be as reasonable, easy and simple as installing a redwood trellis. Commissioner Kleebauer expressed some concerns about vehicle circulation, cars backing out, and turning without difficulty. Planner Penaranda enumerated three modifications, recommended by the traffic engineer, that are designed to improve vehicle access and circulation within the interior driveway: • The radius of curb would be expanded from eight to 10 feet, allowing better flow into the driveway space. • The semicircular island will be removed for more backout room. • The small island near the northern edge of the duplex also will be removed. Chair Perras asked about what would replace the existing redwood fence. Planner Penaranda replied that the recommendation is to come up with a comprehensive fencing plan that includes solid wood, up to seven feet tall. The fencing would go along the entire perimeter, as well as fencing to separate the individual homes and yards. He also asked Commissioner Dlugosh for clarification about his recommendation about the horizontal break -line. Commissioner Dlugosh noted that almost all of the properties have horizontal elements, and adding them to the proposal would that give it more cohesiveness. Commissioner Collier clarified that she recommends connecting the roofs in a visual manner, not necessarily a physical connection, but not to just wrap around the corner. Commissioner Kleebauer loves the porches, and said that even if there isn't much open space, she considers the porches a real plus for the project. Chair Perras invited audience comments when the Commissioners were finished. Judy Collins, 372 Callan Avenue, agrees that the area is now barren and sticks out, and needs something aesthetic the vacant lot is very noticeable. She also appreciates that the proposal appears to be well-planned. She expressed concern about traffic, however, because it is already "horrific," with vehicles from freeways speeding the entire section from East 14th and Davis to Bancroft Avenue. Last week, she said she spent 25 minutes counting 715 cars traveling from Harrison (where there is a pedestrian crossing and a mobile sign alerting traffic to yield), all of which "zipped through." She added that pedestrians come from the library, from Jones Nursing Home, from Bancroft Middle and San Leandro High Schools, and another crosswalk, unsigned, at Santa Rita and Callan. She said that although the Planning Commission may not be the forum to address it, she is concerned about an additional 10 cars going in and out. She said that with only a car or two stopping on Callan, traffic piles up, and the area has had numerous accidents. The influx of more people and more cars requires attention.