4C Public Hearing 2014 0721 - Laserfiche WebLink

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File Number: 14-302 and pedestrian gates along Fremont Avenue. Staff approved the building permit application due to the existing condition in PD-77-11 allowing for a vehicular gate along this frontage. A gate across the Washington Avenue frontage was not a part of the proposal at the time. The proposal is to allow for construction of automatic vehicular and pedestrian access gates and related fencing across Caliente Drive paralleling the Washington Avenue frontage. The purpose of the proposal is to secure the Floresta Gardens Homeowners Association in order to prevent cut-through traffic between Fremont Avenue and Washington Avenue and to deter security problems such as stolen vehicles, home break-ins, transients, non-resident and unauthorized use of the swimming pool, illegal dumping and overnight parking in the development (see attached “Applicant’s Supporting Statement”). The proposal includes removal of a block column and segment of block wall along the southern side of the entry driveway paralleling Washington Avenue (see attached Exhibits A-G for plan and photographs of existing conditions and proposed plans). This area lying 16-feet, seven-inches behind the back of sidewalk would be modified in order to allow for construction of a new concrete pillar; a two-feet, seven-inch wide by seven-foot tall wrought iron fence; and a new four-foot wide concrete walkway. Installation of a phone entry and Knox box key switch system is proposed within the existing landscape island approximately 23 feet behind the back of sidewalk. Located 51 feet behind the back of sidewalk, the applicant proposes to install a six-foot, 10-inch tall wrought iron pedestrian swing gate. The pedestrian gate can be accessed for entry with a key or by phone and would be unlocked for exiting. This pedestrian gate would tie into the adjacent five-foot, 10-inch tall wood fencing that provides a private outdoor space for the adjacent residence. In addition, the applicant proposes installation of two, six-foot tall, 14-foot wide wrought iron swing gates allowing for vehicle entry and exiting of the residential community. These gates and associated fencing will extend the width of Caliente Drive and tie into the existing block wall located along the northern property line. All proposed gates and fences would be located on private property and would be black in color. A Planned Development (PD) is a special zoning entitlement that is granted after individual review of the specific application which includes site planning, use of the property, architecture, and landscaping. The applicant and property owner propose to modify the approved PD to allow for installation of vehicular and pedestrian access gates along the Washington Avenue entrance to Floresta Gardens which will result in the creation of a gated residential community. The City determined that the proposal is a major modification of the PD, thus the proposal requires the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approval by the City Council. On May 15, 2014, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed plans. Although staff recommended denial of the PD modification, the Planning Commission received testimony from the public and after close of the public comments discussed the matter, and eventually found the proposal had merit (see attached Excerpts of the Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of May 15, 2014). The Planning Commission proceeded to make the necessary findings of fact and then recommended that the City Council approve the PD Modification to install the proposed gates and fencing. The Planning Commission found the proposal consistent with the intent of the original PD-77-11 to prevent or eliminate cut-through traffic. The cut-through traffic was considered Page 3 City of San Leandro Printed on 7/15/2014