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Mr. McCracken said to require Mr. Whitaker to do an 'ErR is tantamount to denying him a building permit, as the cost of an EIR would be in excess of $50,000 and no single homeowner can afford that. Bradford Whitaker, 3738 Laurel Way, distributed copies of his presentation and showed overheads of that Report (on file in the City Clerk Department.) Mr. Whitaker advised that his proposed 2100 square foot house will be on a lot just under 10,000 square feet. He displayed a map showing lots along Laurel Way noting that some of those lots were smaller than his. The width is 9 feet under the required 60 feet for an RH lot so a variance would be required. In response to Council questions, Mr. Whitaker acknowledged that the 10,000 square feet lot requirement was for a level lot (his has a 29% downslope) but he would address that issue later. Mr. Whitaker said that only two variances would be needed after approval of his and his neighbor's plan to build the roadway on Laurel Way, and those variances would be similar to those granted to other property owners on Laurel Way. Mr. Whitaker said he is willing to move the setback from the planned 7 feet to the required 25 feet and that solves that variance. As to the roadway frontage requirement of 35 feet, Mr. Whitaker said there is no public road up there, it is a private right of way currently, and his lot width is over 35 feet. "Once the roadway is in place, that variance will be met." Mr. Whitaker said house size and height are within the requirements. Mr. Whitaker said in answer to the question regarding amending the Laurel Way policy, he felt it should be amended because his "solution was a win/win for the citizens of the City, existing neighbors and City Council." Mr. Whitaker responded to the staff's list of main technical problems associated with his development, using overheads. He said a) his proposed structure does not exceed the width setbacks so it won't be overcrowded; of the existing structures eight of the fourteen houses are on slopes greater than his; and he wilI not disturb any tree over 6 inches in diameter, showing a map of the trees on his lot; b) .the water main will be improved, and storm drainage and sewage systems will be brought down through a 10 feet easement alongside the road. Mr. Whitaker said there are no 10,000 square feet level lots in Emerald Hills, and "this has been the most often granted variance of any RH variance that exists." Mr. Whitaker showed an overhead with lots of different colors showing that all lots on Laurel Way have at leas~ a 20% grade: nine lots have between 20-29% slope, sixteen lots have between 30-35% slope, and twelve lots have between 36 and 64% slope. There are existing homes on 32%, 37% and 45% sloped lots right now. Mr. Whitaker's lot has a 29% slope. Mr. Whitaker described the roadway proposal and showed on his overhead what area of roadway was covered (see Report). Mr. Whitaker used overheads to expand his description of the proposed sanitary sewer and storm drainage systems which would incorporate use of existing systems, and showed how he would hook up to utilities. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 54 AUGUST26,1996 MINUTES Page No. 459 PAGE 22