AgdaPkt 2004-05-10 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7.A-Zo ¿y acre). The new project has a total of 8 units, which results in a net density of 7.8 units per the acre. The new project is less dense, and now has the support of most of the neighbors who opposed the previous project. Please refer to letter dated 1/1/97, The new project conforl1s t(, the allowed net density, in the. R-2" (Resipential- Duplex) Zoning District, ie. 8,9 units. Setbacks As previously noted, the homes do not strictly conform to the setback requirements, They are only substandard by 1 or 2 feet. Staff believes the substandard yards are acceptable since they are really only visible within the subdivision, and with well-groomed landscaping should not make the project seem too crowded. A four or five foot yard setback instead of a six-foot setback will not really make a big difference to the homeowners or adjacent properties. Such substandard setbacks are becoming more and more common for infill projects as developers try to keep homes more affordable by reducing the size of lots. Your Commission has approved similar substandard subdivisions at Redwood Road and Kentfieid Avenue (Gardenia Park) and in Redwood Shores (Stratford Bay, Lido Neighborhood). Privacv Issues At the last Planning Commission hearing for the previous project on the site, some of the neighbors expressed a concern that the new homes would be too close to their property. They believed that the second story windows of the new units would look down upon their own homes and be an invasion of privacy. First, it should be recognized that any home that is built on the subject property or even just a second story addition will have some invasion of privacy. Converting a low-density parcel with large open space to a fully developed parcel will have dramatic changes on víewsheds. The developer has tried to address these concerns with the new project. The number of second story windows that look down on adjoining residences has been minimized. Also the developer has strategically located trees to help screen some of the homes, and has even offered to plant trees and construct an arbor on adjoining properties. Also the setbacks to the existing homes are sufficient to address privacy issues, and are even greater than what is required by the Zoning Ordinance. The new homes have side yard setbacks of 20 feet as measured from the living area of the new homes to those existing homes along Va Iota Road. Typically, 12 feet are required (6 ft. for each of the two side yard setbacks). The new homes are also set back 70-ft. from the raar of the homes on Goodwin Court. The zoning ordinance would normally require 40-ft. (20 feet for each of the two rear yards).