SR 06:242 - Laserfiche WebLink

between 3,500 and 8,000 square feet, or 25 percent of the FAR, whichever is less. The applicant agreed that the trees in the common area will be planted with the offsite improvements, The planting will precede construction of the houses by between three to 18 months. They would plant additional15-gallon trees not shown on the landscaping plan for two of the homes on Jorgensen Lane against their property to provide further shielding of the viewshed. He displayed further photo simulations of the site. He pointed out the location of the deceleration lane and added that the existing driveway of Old Foothill Road would be relocated and enlarged to provide a benefit to the Alviso Adobe Park. Chris Pattillo, landscape architect, PGA Design Landscape Architects, noted that the guiding principle for this planned development was to use a light touch and to design something that would be compatible and supportive of the Alviso Adobe Park. They intended to design the site so the new homes will fit the property and minimize the impact on the existing topography. They intended to retain as many trees as possible, including some heritage trees. They proposed to predominately use species that are native to California in the new planting, especially those that are endemic to the site. They also planned to restore the historic walnut grove and to use natural materials, such as stone instead of brick. The historic white board fence would be used at the park and along the development frontage; a simple open-wire mesh fence would be used at the perimeter, with a single strand of barbed wire to keep the cows out. She noted that she saw this as a revegetation project. Joseph Gorny, project architect, Gorny and Associates, noted that they did not plan to implement the severe grading as originally shown. They also worked on the orientation so they did not feature a line of houses. By revising the project's grading, they also reduced the retaining walls that had been much longer and up to a height of eight feet. He noted that the quality of architecture for the guidelines were the same as they had written for Silver Oaks, with the addition of adapting the architecture to a hillside site with more developed landscaping guidelines, He emphasized the importance of adhering to the design guidelines. They believed that additions should go through the entire design review process, particularly on a hillside home. They also endeavored to reduce the massing on the hillside homes in form and materials. The roofs followed the slopes, without a long series of gables. There would be no uplighting, and all the lighting would face down to prevent light pollution. With respect to Chairperson Arkin's request to change the wording from "wildly eclectic designs are discouraged" to "prohibited, " he noted that the change had not been made in the copy presented to the Planning Commission, but that change would be made on page 24, In response to an inquiry by Chairperson Arkin regarding whether the homes would return to the Planning Commission for approval, Mr. Pavan confirmed that the Commission wanted the Zoning Administrator to be able to approve the designs without bringing each design application to the Commission as a public hearing. The Commission encouraged both staff and the applicant to model the procedures after the current Mariposa Ranch development by the Callippe golf course. The applications will be peer reviewed by Mr. Gorny; the design applications will then be subject to normal noticing and review procedures; and then the reductions and photos-visuals will be submitted to the Planning Commission. EXCERPTS: PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES, August, 23, 2006 Page 2 of 4