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Excerpts from the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes December 13, 2007 <br />Agenda No. 07-23 Page 3 of 8 <br />Planner Penaranda explained that it came up in the January work session that it would <br />be appropriate to review the tree situation now. <br />Commissioner Nardine asked whether the reason was that the application had been <br />made for the condominium conversion. <br />Planner Penaranda replied yes. <br />;~ <br />Commissioner Nardine noted that the residents who have been living in those <br />apartments have been living in those conditions, but now it seems that they pose a <br />livability issue. This concerns her; why didn't the Applicant address this issue <br />previously? <br />Planner Penaranda suggested that perhaps the Applicant could address that concern in <br />her presentation. <br />Kathy Oesterreich, representing Davidon Homes and Woodside San Leandro, a limited <br />partnership, showed photos of the redwoods and pointed out the ones that would be <br />removed. Other photos showed how close the trees are to the building. She said that the <br />first-floor apartment above the parking gazage is the hardest of all 96 units to rent. It is <br />dazk and has constant problems with mold. She said very little light and air gets to that <br />particular unit because of the trees. She acknowledged that yes, people knew the trees <br />were there, but it has been an apartment complex, and rental turnover has been amazing - <br />50% ayear -with people coming and going all of the time. She said that, the removal of <br />the two redwoods will greatly improve the livability of the affected units. Another photo <br />showed how the trees have been pruned along the building side, because the branches <br />were growing into the balconies, the only source of natural light and air for those units <br />because a corridor runs along the opposite side of these units. She also showed a slide <br />indicating where the 11 guest parking spaces aze located. <br />Commissioner Ponder said that the pictures indicated that pruning has improved the tree <br />canopies. <br />Ms. Oesterreich said they could be pruned even higher, but by removing the two <br />recommended by the azborist, it will greatly open the light and air that gets to those <br />residents, and still maintain the look that the Commissioners wanted to preserve. <br />Commissioner Ponder noted that the Applicant met with tenants, who expressed <br />questions and concerns, including needed improvements in the refuse areas. <br />Ms. Oesterreich said that there is one trash enclosure on the property, and she has been <br />reviewing it and agrees that another dumpster would be appropriate. <br />Commissioner Ponder pointed out that residents also wanted additional sound <br />transmission control. <br />Ms. Oesterreich said that the sound report is on file with Planning Department. <br />Although the housing market at this time is not conducive to conversion to <br />condominiums, when improvements are made, the interior of the hallways will have an <br />additional layer of sheetrock on both sides, and all windows and patio doors would be <br />upgraded to dual-pane glass, which will help address the issue of noise. <br />Commissioner Nardine asked about tenant notification and information on the <br />inclusionary units. She wondered haw many current residents rent under Section 8 and <br />low income. <br />