AgdaPkt 2009-06-01 - Laserfiche WebLink

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\ ;; 7A Page 84 R2 zoned property. How is that possible? We suspect the planning department has mistakenly used a lot density formula designed for high rise apartment buildings to calculate allowable lot density for this R2 zoned property. R2 zoned lots are NOT zoned for apartments. It is difficult to fit 26 R2-complaint structures on a 67,067 sq ft lot when 11,250 sq ft of the lot is consumed by a private road. How does the developer fit so many homes on this lot7 The developer requests variances. Not just one or two variances, but many variances. The following is a short list of requested variance types caused by the erroneous high lot density. In most cases, there are multiple variance requests for each type listed. More than 50 variances are required for this project. All of these variances were approved by the Planning Commission as being consistent with the neighborhood. . Variance for setback to adjacent properties. 13 of the 15 structures adjacent to neighboring properties require rear setback variances. Minimum rear setback requirements are designed to provide privacy. The most grievous example of invasion of privacy are second story balconies that are only seven (7) feet from the property line. Similar structures overlooking the central common area do not have balconies. We're not sure why the same invasive balconies adjacent to neighboring property are not overlooking the central common area. It appears the developer is sensitive to the invasive nature of these balconies within the project, but not against neighboring properties. . Variance for street side setback. These structures vault straight up 34 ft only 11 ft from the street side property line. The only examples of such oppressive structures in the area are the apartment complexes on Woodside. All of the previous R2 zoned developments on Kentfjeld that have two-story walls facing the street are setback from the street at least 20 feet. This includes the adjacent condo units. These previous developments are in harmony with the neighborhood by pushing these structures deeper into the lot and fronting them with large evergreen trees. . Variance for building height and number of floors. To provide adequate floor space for eight of the units, the developer is exceeding the number of floors allowed byR2 zoning. R2 zoning allows for 2-1/2 floors. The Kentfieid Project has 3-story structures. Planned Developments are allowed some flexibility in modifying R2 zoning ordinances, but not for increasing the maximum number of floors. In this neighborhood, there are no R2 zoned lots with 3-story structures. We would be surprised if there are any R2 zoned properties with 3-story structures with Redwood City. Allowing 3-story structures on this R2-zoned property will open the door for the construction of 3-story structures on all R2 zoned property. . Variance for reducing on-site parking. On-site parking was eliminated to create space for structures. The elimination of on-site parking increases off-site parking (i.e. street). T~e traffic impact study acknowledges that the 'curbside public supply is well used'. Early morning, evening and weekends, all of the curbside public supply is used from Woodside Road to the Kentfield project northeast property line (900' from Woodside Road). The adjacent condo unit has 2.33 on-site parking spaces per unit and there are a significant number of cars from the condos parked off-site. The Kentfield Project has 2.0 on-site parking spaces per unit. It is difficult to understand how the Traffic Impact Analysis can suggest the street parking issue is a 2