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In response to an inquiry by Commissioner Blank regarding whether there were any aspects of this application that were not in compliance with the Speciftc Plan, Ms. Giffin replied that as conditioned by staff, it was in compliance with the Specific Plan. Conunissioner O'Connor noted that if the applicant was willing to implement staffs suggestion to grade down the site by five feet and if that necessitated removing some trees, the City wrn~ld require him to replace twice as many trees as he removed and pay a fee into the Urban Foresh•y Fund for any value difference. I-Ie Pelt that was a bit harsh to impose that on the applicant and would agree with waiving the fee. Commissioner Pearce noted that in the original staff report, the staff recommendations would make the house ou Lot 1 appear to be 25 feet high; the addendum seemed to state that the height would also be 25 feet high. She inquired whether it would appear to be the same height from the neighbor's point of view. Ms. Giffin confirmed that it was approximately the same; the first report showed the house to he approximately 23.5 feet high, and the second report showed it to he exactly 25 feet high. Chairperson Fox requested staff s comments regarding the materials and straight nature of the driveway in addition to the darkening of the house and regarding reducing the visibility of the driveway. Ms. Giffin noted that the driveway was wider because it would also he used by the Fire Department. Normally, staff would request a 10- to 12-foot wide driveway, but the Fire Department requires at least 16 feet, with 20 feet of clearance on either side. h1 response to an inquiry by Chairperson Fox regarding whether the garage far the second house could be reoriented by 90 degree from its lengthwise placement and still meet hunaround requirements, Ms. Giffin replied that they would have to be able to back out of the driveway safely, which appeared to he feasible. She added that a 25-foot backup area worild he required. In response to an inquiry by C hairperson Fox whether the Vineyard Avenue Corridor Specific Plan required that homes at higher elevations to be custom or semi-custom, Ms. Giffin replied that there were special rules above X475-loot elevation, mostly addressing the screening of the homes. 1~here was no special requirement for changing the design of the homes. She noted that because this was a discretionary review, the Commission could make that request. In response to an inquiry by Chairperson Fox regarding the apparent lack of trees on the right-hand side of the second house in the middle, Ms. Gifts replied that staff recommended that tine oaks be planted. Overall, staff recommended that ten more trees he planted on each lot. Chairperson Fox disclosed that she visited the property and met with the applicant approximately three weeks ago. Commissioner Blank disclosed that he visited the property on an informal basis approximately one year ago and that there was no discussion of this project at that time. Commissioner O'Connor disclosed that he visited the property several weeks ago with the applicant. EXCERPTS: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, .lanuary !Q ?007 page 2 of 8