HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 08-01207-029; 13921 River Ranch Circle
RESOLUTION NO. 08 - 012
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA
REVERSING THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S APPROVAL OF DESIGN REVIEW
APPLICATION 07-029 AND RETURNING THE APPLICATION TO THE PLANNING
COMMISSION FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS CONSISTENT WITH THIS ACTION
MAESUMI; 13921 River Ranch Circle
WHEREAS, on January 23, 2008, following a public hearing at which time all interested
parties were given a full opportunity to be heard and present evidence the City of Saratoga Planning
Commission approved a Design Review application (No. 07-029) to demolish an existing single-
story ranch-style residence and a shed and construct a new two-story home at 13921 River Ranch
(the "Project"), which is located in the R-1-40,000 district; and
WHEREAS, on February 6, 2008 an appeal (APCC-08-0001)of the Planning Commission
decision was filed by Mr. & Mrs. Van De Ven, the owners of 13930 River Ranch Circle, joined by
owners of 5 other properties in the vicinity of the project; and
WHEREAS, on March 4, 2008 the City Council conducted a site visit to the Proj ect site and
nearby properties; and
WHEREAS, on March 5, 2008 the City Council conducted a duly noticed de novo public
hearing on the appeal at which time any person interested in the matter was given the full opportunity
to be heard and to present evidence; and
WHEREAS, the City Council reviewed and considered the staff report, minutes of
proceedings conducted by the Planning Commission relating to the application, and all written and
oral evidence presented to the City Council in support of and in opposition to the appeal.
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City Council of the City of Saratoga as follows:
I. After careful consideration of the site plan, architectural drawings, plans, site visits,
public testimony, the deliberations of the Planning Commission, and other exhibits
submitted in connection with this matter, the appeal from the Planning Commission is
granted and the action of the Planning Commission is reversed, because:
a. The lack of articulation on the rear or the structure and the height and design of the
sides of the structure and its total size in relation to the shape of the lot, surrounding
topography and homes on the sides and rear of the structure contribute to a perceived
bulk that is excessive in relation to the surrounding neighborhood and environment
contrary to sections 14-45.080(d) and (e) of the Saratoga Municipal Code and the
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07-029; 13921 River Ranch Circle
General Plan's Conservation Element Policy 6.0 and Land Use Element Policy 5.0.
b. The design of the bathroom window on the northeast side of the second story of the
proposed structure would unreasonably interfere with privacy of adjoining residents
unless modified to be opaque and designed such that the hinges are at the bottom of
the window and the opening is at the top.
II. The applicant may submit revised plans to the Planning Commission to address the
concerns noted above. In reviewing the plans, the Planning Commission shall consider
design factors that would reduce the perception of bulk from the sides and rear of the
structure including, but not limited to, the possibility of reducing the size of the structure.
The Planning Commission shall further consider conditions that would protect
neighborhood privacy by conditioning the second story bathroom window to open at the
top if such a window is included in the revised plan.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of Saratoga, State of California, this 5th day of
March 2008 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Hunter, Kao, Vice Mayor Page
King, Mayor Waltonsmith
NONE
~ii~.;~~
Ann Waltonsmith, Mayor
ATTEST:
Ann Sullivan
Acting City Clerk
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