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Chair Blank stated that parking was a major issue and that he also lived on a cul-de-sac. He noted <br /> that most houses had teenagers who drove,that many of the houses could fit only one car in the <br /> garage, and that most people parked in the driveway. He noted that the homes with teenagers <br /> parked two cars in the driveway and two cars in the street. He stated that there should be guest <br /> parking. <br /> 5. Would the proposed open space for the development and for each home be acceptable? <br /> Commissioner O'Connor did not have a problem with having private lots with no common open <br /> space. He would like to see the larger setback, specifically in the rear yard. He noted that there <br /> should be a bigger setback, particularly near the townhome development and against the railroad <br /> track. <br /> Commissioner Fox noted that she had discussed the open space, but not the setbacks. She would <br /> like to see a bigger rear yard setback than the three feet, and stated that there should be a front <br /> yard setback but did not know the exact measurement. She did not want the front of the house to <br /> be right on the road. She liked the idea of a common open space area and a tot lot. With respect <br /> to the small private courtyards for each home, she noted that there should be some standards for <br /> what they could contain and not contain in a high-density residential development or upper <br /> medium-density residential development. She noted that she has seen water features and <br /> fireplaces and would like to see the CC&R's specifically address what would be allowed or not <br /> allowed in the private open space, particularly since some of the areas were right next to each <br /> other. <br /> Commissioner Olson noted that he had already addressed the tot lot. He stated that he believed <br /> the current design provided enough open space. He was concerned that if the Planning <br /> Commission wanted fewer units on this property, the price per unit would be driven up, which <br /> would reduce the developer's reasonable profit. He suggested that reducing the size of the units <br /> and freeing up some ground for parking may work for the developer. He further suggested <br /> keeping the same number of units with a slightly smaller square footage per unit and freeing up <br /> land for parking that way. He was conscious of the fact that if there are too few units on the <br /> property, it would no longer be high-density or economically viable. He found the proposed <br /> open space area for each home acceptable as presented. <br /> Commissioner Narum noted that she could accept the proposed open space as presented but <br /> would like to see some open space such as you see when turning into Del Valle Court. She noted <br /> that some of these decisions should be market-driven and that she supported housing at a better <br /> price. She noted that she could support the project without a tot lot if some of the other items <br /> were addressed. She considered the east side setbacks to be more of a priority than a tot lot. She <br /> stated that having a couple of dedicated parking spaces for guests would be a higher priority than <br /> common open space. <br /> Chair Blank stated that in terms of priority, the setbacks were important as was the guest parking. <br /> He would like to see some common open space as well as a tot lot,but he did not think that was <br /> as important as parking and setbacks. He noted that his priorities were parking, setbacks, open <br /> EXCERPTS: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, May 21, 2008 Page 14 of 17 <br />