3A Public Hearing 2008 0707 - Laserfiche WebLink

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April 16, 2008 To: Board of Zoning Adjustments From: Peter Woolston 82 Williams St. After reading the General Plan, the Housing_Plan and the D o w n t o w n S a n L e a n d r o Transit -Oriented Development StrateQV I respectfully request that the Conditional Use Permit for PLN2008-00003 be permanently denied because of the following: I. The Planning Services Division, Staff Report quoted from Article 6 of the .City of San Leandro Zoning Code: "Infill development shall respect the scale and fabric of the neighborhood...". Adding 1342 square foot (149.7% increase) to an 896 square foot does NOT qualify as respecting the scale and fabric of the neighborhood. 2238 sq. ft. is at least 1000 sq. ft. larger than 82 Williams St. The addition is almost 3 times bigger than the largest in-law unit currently allowed. In one sense this is an in-law unit since a relative of the owner will be living in the new unit. Is it believable to say that a 1342 square foot addition "respect[s] the scale and fabric of the neighborhood"? An addition would be adding 1 or possible 2 rooms to the existing house. Note Goal: 2, Neighborhood Character, 2.07 TEARDOWNS mentioned again on page 3. II. CHAPTER 3, LAND USE, Section 3.1 FRAMEWORK, B. MAJOR PLANNING CONCEPTS of the General Plan contains the following: "In fact,. one of the major premises of the General Plan is that the character of our neighborhoods should be preserved." Pg. 3-3 "The existing land use pattern in San Leandro's residential neighborhoods is well established. The General Plan policy emphasis is to enhance the quality of these areas. This will be done by upholding community aesthetic standards, protecting neighborhood character, beautifying City streets, and enhancing local parks, schools, and shopping areas. Pg. 3-6. The character of the first block of Williams St. is mainly single family houses. The 3 4-plexes are on at least standard sized lots if not bigger. III. When referring to new development the Plan cites "the Downtown BART station, and along parts of the East loth Street, MacArthur Boulevard, Washington Avenue, and San Leandro Boulevard corridors. In these areas, new development may include medium and higher density housing..." Pg 3.3 CHAPTER 9, HOUSING D. ADEQUATE SITES ANALYSIS The Housing Element includes an inventory of potential sites where housing could be constructed during the next five years. The inventory includes "undenrtilized" sites as well sites that are vacant. Pg. 9-5