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professionally prepared viewscapes could also be done; however, the story poles might <br />be less expensive. <br />Commissioner Blank stated that he believes the setbacks do not comply with today’s <br />standards and inquired whether the homeowner must be mandated to comply with <br />today’s standards when building a second-story. He indicated that he could not tell <br />what the project would look like without story poles or viewscapes. He noted that he <br />actually walked the neighborhood and found the house to be pretty crowded in on the <br />lot. He indicated that he wants to make sure the Commission does not make a mistake. <br />Commissioner Narum suggested a five-minute break. She stated that she drove both <br />courts this morning and agreed with Commissioner Blank that it is hard to visualize what <br />the second story would look like. She added, however, that it the additions are within all <br />of the requirements, the tendency would be to approve it. She indicated that she <br />recognizes that this is somewhat of a unique property, particularly with regard to the <br />Perrys' house and the way they are angled on the lot. <br />Commissioner Blank stated that he likes the idea of mediation and added that perhaps <br />doing something like story poles would help. He indicated that this would also allow the <br />Commission to obtain some enhancements to the staff report, such as the addition of <br />the two-story homes that were not included and the inclusion of all FAR’s. <br />Commissioner Pentin stated that considering the tone of the Zoning Administrator’s <br />hearing and the comments made, he would like to know if staff believed mediation <br />would work and change things or if the Commission simply pushing this off, only to <br />return to the same place. <br />Mr. Dolan replied that a month ago, he did not believe the City would have an <br />agreement on Staples Ranch either, so anything is possible. He stated that these <br />questions are often more difficult for staff and the Commission than the larger projects. <br />He added that mediation takes a lot of time and is not always successful; however, if it <br />is worth the effort and that is what it takes, and if this is the direction the Commission <br />wants to go, staff is completely willing to go down this path and pursue it. He indicated <br />that it sounds like the Commission would prefer to have some fine-tooth compromise as <br />opposed to a fundamental principle of second stories being allowed. He added that no <br />matter what is built, some view will be blocked, and there will be windows looking in the <br />backyards. He noted that this is more of a conceptual question: if it meets the criteria, <br />then it will be approved. <br />Commissioner Blank stated that it is the uniqueness of this particular lot and the layout, <br />and if these were identical lots in the middle of the street with no unique positional <br />issues, it might be exactly as described. <br />Mr. Dolan stated that this is a fairly dense neighborhood without large yards or setbacks <br />and not a lot of wiggle room. He noted that if a second story is added, sunlight will be <br />PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, August 25, 2010 Page 18 of 38 <br /> <br />