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Excerpts of the Draft Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes November 13, 2008 Agenda No. 08-21 Page S of 7 sink and stove, but it provided an additional 105 square feet of useable space, in which case the loft would not be needed as a sleeping area. He said he understands that Dr. Friend's architect rejected the plan; perhaps the plan can be revisited. The implications of this matter are far-reaching and go to the core of the Historic Preservation Ordinance. One small exception inevitably will lead to others. The need here is to prevent erosion of the ordinance and make a decision in the best interests of the historic properties we have in San Leandro. With that, he asked that the Planning Commission not approve the request to increase the height of the Blacksmith's Shop. David Gozum, owner of the end unit at 465 West Estudillo Avenue, said his condominium is one of those behind the Blacksmith's Shop. He said his concerns include the fact that the Blacksmith's Shop is already within five inches of fence line for the condos. When you look up on the roof on the side where the gutters are, it passes the top of the fence line; if the gutters become damaged, water will enter the condo property. Privacy issues are another concern, in that the second -floor windows are directly across from the back window of the Blacksmith's Shop. Increasing the height of the building and enlarging the window would make it even worse. He also said that in the past there had been complaints of disturbances from the property. He agrees with Mr. Reicker, and would like to see the former Daniel Best Home Blacksmith's Shop to remain as it is, protecting the integrity and character of this historical place. Mr. Bolinger said that there is more than five inches between the building and the property line that also has to be constructed as a one-hour wall for that specific reason. The window that is being enlarged does not face Mr. Gozum's property, but directly into the back of one of the other buildings on Dr. Friend's property. There are no windows facing his property at all. He pointed out, too, that even if this building is raised 1'/2 feet, it still would have the lowest roof on the property. The house may well have been designed by an architect, but not the outbuildings. They have all been replaced, in total, over the years. This is all modern framing, sitting on modern concrete. He said he understands the issue of integrity, but disagrees that the proposal somehow destroys integrity in making the Blacksmith's Shop a viable, usable structure. Chair Dlugosh asked whether these structures were in place as is when the site was declared a historical resource. Mr. Bolinger did not know, but he repeated that the framing is modern and none of it has the old framing from the original buildings — not one piece of wood. All of these have been replaced within the last 20 years, and there have been attempts to restore some of the elements that would have been there. He also denied rejecting any usable new floor plan; what he explained to the planner, he said, was these floor plans exist, and to change them would require gutting the inside of the buildings to add area, take up the existing laundry room area. Gutting the buildings and starting over would have a bigger impact than the changes proposed. San Leandro's planning guidelines allow for this type of improvement, if done properly. He reiterated that the changes would not compromise integrity — the building will just be a foot taller — and he asserts that standing on the ground outside, no one would even notice the difference. The proposal also represents a way for Dr. Friend to continue to maintain the property. Commissioner Ponder asked how gutting the building would have greater impact. Mr. Bolinger said it is concrete slab and all pipe inside the slab now and drainage lines in place for the sink, washer and dryer. Moving things around would require gutting out the walls. The plumbing would no longer would serve any purpose, and the slab would have to be cut to install drain lines — toilet, tub, sinks, washers all would have to be dealt with if the place were to be gutted and redesigned. This seemed unnecessary when there is an easy way to handle it. Commissioner Collier, calling on her experience as a building contractor, said she does not think it would be so difficult to put a kitchen sink drain into a washer drain and use the current laundry room as a small kitchen. It is only a strip galley kitchen now, which would be more than adequate in a room the size of the current laundry. She appreciates that it is a total change from what has been proposed, but considers it probably a more feasible use of the property versus an extremely small livable space in a loft, with difficult access. Left as storage, the loft could even be accessed via an outside staircase, creating even more room by removing the circular staircase inside.