Zoning Administrator Hearing

City of Sunnyvale Meeting Minutes Zoning Administrator Hearing Wednesday, February 24, 2016 3:00 PM West Conference Room, City Hall, 456 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086 CALL TO ORDER Gerri Caruso, Principal Planner, called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS File #: 2015-7108 Location: 1130 Prunelle Ct. (APN: 202-12-029) Zoning: R-1 (Low Density Residential) Zoning District Proposed Project: DESIGN REVIEW for demolition of one existing single family home and construction of four one-story single-family homes on four separate lots; VARIANCE from Sunnyvale Municipal Code Section 19.30.020 for individual lot width of each lot PARCEL MAP to subdivide one lot into four lots. Applicant / Owners: California Communities, LLC / Elva V. Marital Trust Environmental Review: Categorically Exempt, Class 3 Project Planner: Ryan Kuchenig, (408) 730-7431, rkuchenig@sunnyvale.ca.gov Ms. Caruso asked Ryan Kuchenig, Senior Planner, if there were any additional comments. Mr. Kuchenig stated the applicant had redesigned the project from a two story to a one story development to address privacy concerns brought up in a public hearing held in September. The applicant is working with the neighbor on Reinclaud to finalize a fence agreement. Ms. Caruso clarified with Forrest Mozart, applicant, that he had read the staff report. Mr. Forrest stated he had an outreach meeting after redesigns were made. Mr. Anthony Sarbaria, project architect, reiterated the redesign was made to address privacy concerns and blend with architecture of existing surrounding houses. City of Sunnyvale Page 1 Zoning Administrator Hearing Meeting Minutes February 24, 2016 Ms. Caruso opened the hearing to the public. Ms. Hemal Mehta, neighbor, stated concern regarding home alignment on the varying property sizes,specifically one home that is pushed up to the fence in her backyard, causing a privacy concern. Mr. Fan Zhang, neighbor, submitted pictures he has taken of the neighborhood and requested an 8 foot tall privacy fence be erected prior to construction. Ms. Caruso confirmed Mr. Zhang’s house sits at a higher grade than the applicant’s site. Tracy Lin, neighbor, inquired about trees on the site. Mr. Kuchenig stated the tree in lot 1 would remain. Trees to be removed would be further to the north, away from the neighbors. Ms. Lin clarified with with Ms. Caruso the city tree removal process for trees on the lots of new neighbors. Mr. Kuchenig stated there are conditions of approval to add trees to lot 2 and 4. Ms. Caruso confirmed with Mr. Mozart and Mr. Kuchenig construction of a privacy fence that would be measured 8 feet from the highest grade. The applicant stated he had no objections to the request. Mr. Sarbraria stated proximity of lot 4 to the rear setback is within zoning guidelines. He clarified the change to single story house would result in a smaller backyard but the house would still be 10 feet from the fence. Ms. Caruso closed the public hearing. Ms. Caruso stated she visited both Prunelle Ct. and Reinclaud Ct. sites as well as the street behind them. Ms. Caruso inquired with Mr. Kuchenig about landscape plan BP-7, and stated the city is obligated to protect existing trees on the property and to pay attention to root zones. Ms. Caruso clarified with Mr. Kuchnig condition BP-7. G. that decorative paving shall be installed at entry driveways, the first 15 feet from the street and the rest can be concrete or asphalt. Ms. Caruso stated the applicant has made a good effort complying with the zoning district. She stated an 8 foot fence would be erected unless there is neighbor objection. Accommodations for a different height fence would be acceptable. ACTION: Ms. Caruso approved the project subject to the findings and conditions of approval located in the staff report with an added condition: City of Sunnyvale Page 2 Zoning Administrator Hearing Meeting Minutes February 24, 2016 1) With the consensus of neighbors, a fence reaching 6 to 8 feet will be installed prior to construction from the highest grade. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Caruso adjourned the meeting at 3:21 p.m. City of Sunnyvale Page 3