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8.A. - Page 298 Stateme�t a� Fin erAvenue Aesthetics I an�a Finger Avenue resident or neighbor, who walks, bicycles or otherwise enj vys the Finger A�enue streetscape.I ha�e seen the p3ans for the McGowan nine-lot de�elopment, and conclude that it will substantially degrade the existing visual character and yuality of tl�e site and its s�rroundings. What is impo�tant aesthetically about my neighborhood is the semi-rura� charaeter of the north side af�inger Avenue, with many homes set far bac�C fram the street. The appearance v� large amot�nts of open s,pace with mature,old growth trees,provides a skxiking backdrap to the�omas. The cantrast between the noi�t�side of Finger Avenue and its souktz side, witl�its n�any quaint, early 20�h century bungalows anc�eottages,is sametlung that's ur�ique to Redwood City and treasured by its residents. Examples af how t�e Finger Avenue Project signifieantly degiades the aesthetics of our neighborhood are: • Construction of two homes with rh+ide h�vo-story facades set back the minirr�um ailowable distance from the st��eet. T1Zere are no houses that large ser that close to the street anywhere in our neighborhood. - . Naw��ere else on Finger Avenue are homes this la�ge placed an iots this smalI. • All of the homes are af similar size an,d all tvvo-story, as oppased ta the mix of horne sizes and heights that are representati�ve oF tl�e narth side o�'Finger Avenue. � Most af these nine hames�wil! be viewable fi�nm the public skreet.There is little open space and the Iwmes are only set back a s�na11 distance from the i�s�rrow tt�at sert+es them (sbme from 3ft—6ft from the alleyway.) Nowhere in our neighbarlxood are houses situated in this fashion, • A aevelopn�ent this densely packed is incompatible witlz the presence of large mature trees on the site, The evenival loss of tliese trees will be irreversible. + The breakup of the north sidc of Finger Ave. by creating two new interseckions.Tf�e narrow alleyway built �or the development fails to integrate with Finger Avenue by not having a sidewalk pr planting strip against the roadway. • 1'he one-way alleyway will requiie street signs on Finger Ave to direct b'aff c, further compromising the character af the north side of the street. The overall mass and scale of this de�elopment is completety out of place in aur neighborhood, out of character�ar the north side of Fingcr A�enue and it will only Lead to �'urther degradati Qf�th�e-unique character and a�ality of our street. �� �J �� � �� � aaa�55 �� r�� _�-- D�re � �� Z � s