Reso PC20-12 0116 PC Reso Denying Appeal for 645 Sapphire

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ATTY/RESO.0116/PC RESO DENYING APPEAL FOR 645 SAPPHIRE REV: 11-03-2020 PR Page 6 of 10 neighborhood, one example being 655 Sapphire Street, located directly adjacent to the subject property along the right side. In addition, the development standards in the R-1 zoning district allow for two-story structures up to 28 feet in height. The proposed house would have a maximum height of 20 feet where 28 feet is allowed under the designated R-1 zoning district. In addition, the home incorporates step- backs from the frontage to further reduce the apparent vertical mass and bulk from the front elevation and provides visual separation between the first and second- story. The overall width of the frontage is at approximately 16 feet, 11 inches, reducing the horizontal visual massing, as seen from the street. v. Ms. Saucier has expressed privacy-related concerns regarding the number of windows along the second-story. The current zoning regulations do not have specific codified regulations pertaining to privacy. However, window placement is varied along the proposed second story, some of which are needed to meet building code requirements for egress. In addition, the applicant has previously expressed that they are open to provide modifications of window placement and consider landscape screening to address concerns with privacy. B. Objections by David and Jessica Wu, Owners of 631 Sapphire Street The appeal materials from Ms. Saucier also includes an attachment entitled, “Appeal Letter” from neighbors at 631 Sapphire Street, David and Jessica Wu, located left of the subject property, that sets forth various objections. These neighbors expressed their concerns with the proposed second story and the impact to their quality of life including loss of natural lighting and privacy concerns due to number of windows and the second story enclosed deck. As stated above under appeal assertion (v), the current zoning regulations do not have specific codified regulations pertaining to privacy. This also pertains to natural light or lack of light exposure, in which there are no specific zoning regulations addressing loss of natural light. Window placement is varied along the proposed second story, some of which are needed to meet building code requirements for egress. In addition, the applicant has previously expressed that they are open to provide modifications of the window placement and consider landscaping screening to address concerns with privacy. The second story deck is an enclosed deck located to the front of the property with a setback of 28 feet from the front property line, where 15 feet is required. Second story decks are permitted by right in residential zoning districts. The neighbors also expressed concern with the story addition being out of character in the neighborhood stating that the surrounding area is predominantly single-story and ranch architectural style. The new second-story home is consistent with the development pattern and general character of the neighborhood, which consists of one and two-story single-family homes. There are a number of two- story residences in the immediate neighborhood, one example being 655 Sapphire Street, located