07-28-2003 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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(N)3'2904 1300 Shoreline Drive July 24,2003 Page 2 Planning Commluion Recommendation Planning Commission reviewed the revised plan at a public hearing on July 21 and on a vote of 5-2 recommended approval of the revised plan for 39.7% hardcover subject to the following conditions: 1.Existing encroachments of wetland or required wetland setbacks by retaining walls, fill or paved surfaces shall be removed. 2.Retaining walls shall be removed wherever they extend outside the property boundaries, and any walls to remain within S' of the lot lines should be reviewed by staff to determine whether they are needed to support steep slopes or whether they are purely aesthetic in nature, and those not necessary to support the topography of the site shall be removed. 3. All landscape beds lined with fabric or plastic shall have such liner removed. The minority opinion of the Planning Commission (Smith, Fritzler) was that the removals do not reach the 35% limit established by code and they failed to see a hardship supporting the variance. Staff Recommendation The applicant has made a good faith effort to reduce hardcover by eliminating the circle driveway and replacing it with a walkway and stairs in the front yard, and establishing parking spaces near the lower driveway. The result is hardcover of 39.7% where 35% would be allowed. If Council concludes that the unique circumstances regarding the history of this property can be deemed as a hardship, then approval of the after-the-fact variances per the revised removal plan may be in order. Because the Planning Commission recommendation was not unanimous, staff has not drafted a resolution for this application. COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED Review the proposal and determine whether the hardcover removals to a level of 39.7% are acceptable, and direct staff to draft a resolution for review and adoption at the August 11 meeting.