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Board of Zoning Adjustments Regular Meeting Minutes Tune 2, 2011 Agenda No. 11-06 Page 2 of 8 Item 6: Work Session None. Item 7: Appeal Cases a. Appeal of PLN2011-00012 (Minor Site Plan Review): Zoning Enforcement Official's decision approving a 692 -square -foot second -story addition at 908 Dowling Boulevard; Assessor's Parcel Number 76-308-19; Harry Metaxas (Appellant); James McGrath, property owner, RS Residential Single -Family District. (Hamer) Chair Daly said that both the applicant and the appellant will have an opportunity to speak on their own behalf. Before beginning with staff reports and presentations on the appeal, he said that members of the audience other than the applicant and the appellant may speak to the subject. These comments will be included in the minutes but will not be considered as evidence by the Board, Chair Daly explained, because these comments did not enter into the Zoning Enforcement Official's decision and this is not a public hearing. Nor will public comments be included in the staff report to the City Council if the BZA decision tonight is appealed to the Council. Planner I Hamer advised the appellant's wife that if she made comments at this stage they would not be part of the appeal record. Alternatively, she could speak as part of the appellant's presentation, provided that it comes within the 10 -minute limit allowed for both parties. Michael Dickinson, 487 East Merle Court, said Harry and Louise Metaxas have been excellent neighbors since he moved into his home 19 years ago, and he would hate to see the situation they're in drive them away. They recently invested considerably in a remodel of their home, so they had planned on staying. Mr. Dickinson said that he does not know the family at 908 Dowling Boulevard, and while their proposed remodel would have minimal impact on him, it would devastate his neighbors. He would appreciate a review of the proposed addition to keep to a single story to avoid destroying the quality of Mr. and Mrs. Metaxas' lives and their home. Bridgid McGrath, 2301 Russell Street, Berkeley, said that she is Dara Garcia's sister, and wanted to comment in support of her family. She said that she spends a lot of time with her sister and her children, and they need more space. The design of this project in terms of limiting the expansion into the back yard to allow the children to preserve their play space is very important. Isabelle Rodriguez, 900 Ramon Way, is the Metaxas' daughter. She said that she works for the City and her children have attended San Leandro schools. She said that she hopes the rules and standards would make all the neighbors happy. She said that although there is a lot of play area across the street at the school, she understands the need for backyard play areas. She said she hopes a compromise is possible that will satisfy both families and enable them to live together and be civil. Linda Vieira, 914 Dowling Boulevard, said that her family recently added onto their home and the Garcias were gracious about helping them get the variance needed. She said that they have been terrific neighbors and she wants to see them get what they need. Michelle Blumstein, 545 Beverly Avenue, said that she learned about the situation under discussion through her neighborhood association. She said that her mother, who lives in Sacramento, has a 94 -year-old neighbor who had a vacant lot next door. The owner of the lot received clearance for a two-story construction there and built what she described as four enormous homes on this tiny lot. She said that the elderly neighbor's backyard now faces a wall of homes, which have impaired her ability to enjoy her property. She indicated that as she