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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 95-38 Resolution No. 95- 38 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA GRANTING AN APPEAL FROM THE DECISION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION DR-95-015; ABDULIAH; 14755 ALOHA AVENUE WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Asim Abdullah, the applicants, submitted an application requesting Design Review approval to construct an 874 square feet second story addition and to add a 1,279 square feet of first level floor area to an existing 1,259 square foot one-story residence; and WHEREAS, on June 28, 1995, the Planning Commission of the City of Saratoga held a duly noticed public hearing on said application at which time all interested parties were given a full opportunity to be heard and to present evidence and following the conclusion thereof the Planning Commission denied the application; WHEREAS, the denial by the Planning Commission was appealed to the City Council by the applicants; WHEREAS, on July 19, 1995, the City Council conducted a de novo public hearing on the appeal at which time any person interested in the matter was given a full opportunity to be heard; WHEREAS, the City Council reviewed and considered the staff report, minutes of proceedings conducted by the Commission relating to the application, and the written and oral evidence presented to the City Council in support of and in opposition to the appeal. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Saratoga as follows: A. By unanimous vote of the City Council the appeal from the Planning Commission is hereby granted and the decision of the Planning Commission is reversed, to wit: the applicant has met the burden of proof required to support the application and the following finding have been determined: The height, elevations and placement on the site of the proposed second story, when considered with reference to: (i) the nature and location of residential structures on adjacent lots and within the neighborhoods; and (ii) community view sheds will avoid unreasonable interference with views and privacy, in that the structure's maximum height is limited to 23 feet and upper story windows have been directed to the larger yard areas to minimize such impacts. - The natural landscape will be preserved insofar as practicable by designing structures to follow the natural contours of the site and minimizing tree and soil removal; grade changes will be minimized and will be in keeping with the general appearance of neighboring developed areas and undeveloped areas, in that no grade changes are required and only one (1) tree (an old walnut) is proposed for removal. The proposed second story addition in relation to structures on adjacent lots, and to the surrounding region, will minimize the perception of excessive bulk and will be integrated into the natural environment, in that the design utilizes a combination of horizontal and vertical articulations, and the design employs similar architectural elements utilized in surrounding homes to minimize bulk and mass concerns. - The proposed second story addition will be compatible in terms of bulk and height with (i) existing residential structures on adjacent lots and those within the immediate neighborhood and within the same zoning district; and (ii) the natural environment; and shall not (i) unreasonably impair the light and air of adjacent properties nor (ii) unreasonably impair the ability of adjacent properties to utilize solar energy, in that the height of the second story (23 ft.) is lower than surrounding 26 foot tall two story homes within the same zoning district, and the placement of the second story (within the middle of the parcel) will not cause impacts to surrounding properties ability to utilize solar energy. - The proposed site development or grading plan incorporates current grading and erosion control standards used by the City. The proposed second story addition will conform to each of the applicable design policies and techniques set forth in the Residential Design Handbook and as required by Section 15-45.055. B. After careful consideration of the site plan, architectural drawings, plans and other exhibits submitted in connection with this matter, the application of Abdullah for Design Review approval be and the same is hereby granted subject to the following conditions: 1. The development shall be located and constructed as shown on Exhibit "A", incorporated by reference. 2. Prior to submittal for a Building Permit, the following shall be submitted to Planning Division staff in order to issue a Zoning Clearance. a. Four (4) sets of complete construction plans incorporating this Resolution as a separate plan page. b. One (1) set of engineered grading and drainage plans (if applicable), also incorporating this Resolution as a separate plan page. c. All applicable requirements/conditions of the Resolution (e.g. modifications to plans) and requirements/conditions of the City Arbodst (e.g. tree protective fencing) shall be noted on the plans. d. Revised plans indicating the elimination of the second story bedroom and 2 master bath windows along the rear elevation. 3. No fence or wall shall exceed six (6) feet in height and no fence or wall located within any required front yard or within any required exterior side yard of a reversed comer lot shall exceed three (3) feet in height. 4. No ordinance size tree shall be removed without first obtaining a Tree Removal Permit. 5. Any future landscaping or irrigation installed beneath the canopy of an ordinance protected oak tree shall comply with the "Planting under Old Oaks" guidelines prepared by the City Arborist. No irrigation or associated trenching shall encroach into the driplines of any existing oak trees unless approved by the City Arborist. 6. All building and construction related activities shall adhere to New Development and Construction - Best Management Practices as adopted by the City for the purpose of preventing storm water pollution. 7. Prior to issuance of a Zoning Clearance, the site plans shall be revised to indicate the following: a. Six foot tall chain link or welded wire mesh tree protective fencing shown around the driplines of the two (2) walnut trees and one (1) redwood tree with a note "to remain in place throughout construction". b. The location of pervious material to be placed beneath the dripline of the redwood tree. The following instructions shall also be noted on the plans: No more than 3 inches of cut soil shall occur beneath the tree's dripline; the sub-base material shall also consist of pervious material; and the material shall not be compacted beyond an acceptable level specified by the City Arborist. 8. Prior to issuance of Building or Grading Permits: a. Tree protective fencing shall be installed and inspected by staff. 9. If the applicant/owner later decides to demolish or rebuild the existing residence, the City Arborist shall review the site in order to provide recommendations for tree preservation. 10. Roof covering shall be fire retardant, Uniform Building Code Class A. 11. Early Warning Fire Alarm System shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of Article 16-60 City of Saratoga. 12. Early Waning Fire Alarm System shall have documentation relative to the proposed installation and shall be submitted to the Fire District for approval, prior to issuance of a building permit (City of Saratoga 16-60). 13. Automatic sprinklers shall be installed in garage. 14. Applicant agrees to hold City harmless from all costs and expenses, including attoruey's fees, incurred by the City or held to be the liability of City in connection with City's defense of its actions in any proceeding brought in any State or Federal Court, challenging the City's action with respect to the applicant's project. 15. Noncompliance with any of the conditions of this permit shall constitute a violation of the permit. Because it is impossible to estimate damages the City could incur due to the violation, liquidated damages of $250 shall be payable to this City per each day of the violation. C. Construction must be commenced within 24 months or approval will expire. D. All applicable requirements of the State, County, City and other Governmental entities must be met. Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Saratoga held on the 16th day of August ,1995, by the following vote: AYES: Council members ~acobs, Moran, Tucker, Wolfe and Mayor Burger NOES: None ABSEN~F: None l~ayor C/ ~_~ / ATTEST: ..~ Ci~r~72~--' Deputy City August 1, 1995 O:\CORY~ABDULL1