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Carriage House and Blacksmith's Shop December 1, 2008 PLN2007-00062 Page 4 Current City Council Policy Not applicable Previous City Council Action Not applicable City Council Committee Review and Action Not applicable Applicable General Plan Policy The proposal is consistent with City goals, objectives and policies related to housing and land uses outlined in the General Plan. The project increases the housing supply in a manner that will be compatible with the existing area. In addition, the proposal represents a re -use of the Carriage House, an existing structure, that will result in the maintenance and preservation of the historical appearance to the property. The site will be adequately served with public services, including utilities, and public transportation (BART), which is within walking distance. Permits and/or Variances Granted Not applicable Environmental Review This project to reuse existing facilities is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA Guideline Article 19, Categorical Exemption, Section 15301. Code Compliance Review Not applicable Board/Commission Findings Planning Commission On November 13, 2008, the Planning Commission reviewed the proposal, the staff report, and testimony from the designer, the property owner, and the general public. After its discussion, the Planning Commission could not recommend approval of the increase in height to the Blacksmith's Shop; however it did recommend approval for the conversion of the Carriage House into a rental unit and the storage room addition to the rear of the Blacksmith's Shop. In its discussion the Planning Commission did not have objection to the conversion of the Blacksmith's Shop as long as the envelope of the building was not increased in height. The Planning Commission asked that the designer and the property owner consider an interior remodel of the Blacksmith's building to increase living space on the ground floor so that the upstairs loft would not be necessary for sleeping purposes. The remodel would include the removal of the common laundry room, moving the separating wall between the unit and the storage room addition a few more feet into the storage space and the removal of the circular staircase from the center of the room (see Exhibit Y — Recommended Interior Remodel of the Blacksmith's Shop). The remodel would appear to increase the floor area and improve the efficiency of the unit by approximately 100 square feet.