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8.A. - Page 323 Stafement on Fin�e�Aven�eAesthetics F ani a FingerA�enue resident or neighbor, who walks, bicycles or otherwise enjoys the Finger Avenue streetscape, �have seen the plans for the McGowan nine-lat development, and conclude that it will substantia9ly degrade tHe existing visual ctiaracter and yuality of the site and its surroundings. What is important aesthetical�y about my neighborhood is the semi-rural character of the north side of Finger Avenue, with many homes sek far bac#c from the street.The appearance of large amounts of opan space with rnature,old growth trees,pror�ides a striking backdrop ta the homes. The contrast betweem tl�e nortli side of�ir�g�r Avenue and its sotrth side, with its znany quaint, early 20th century bangalaws and cottages, is something that's unique ta �edwood City and t�•easured by its residents. Examp3es of how the Finger Avenu�Project sigrtificantly degi•a�es the aeskhetics of our neighborhood are: * Construction of two�omes with wide twa-story facades set back the minimum aliowable distance from the stzeet. There are no t�ouses that large set tlaat close to the street anywhere in our neighborhood, ' * Nowhere else on Finger Avenue are t�omes this large placed on lots this small. • Ali of the homes are of similar size and all two-skosy, as opposed to the mix of hame sizes and l�eights that are representative of tha north side of Finger A��enue. • Most of these nine homes wi11 �e vicwable from the pvb2ic streek. Thei�e is little open space and the hames are only set back a small distance from the n�ri�ow that serves them{some fiom 3ft--6f� from the alleyway.} Nowhere in our neighborhood aF� houses s'rtuated in this fashion. • A development this densely packed is incompatible with the presence of large ma[ure t��ees on the site. The eventual loss vf these trees will be irreversible. • The breakup of the nortl�side of Finger A�e. by creatfng two new intersections.The narrow alleyway built for the developinent fails to integrate with Firtger Avenue by not having a sidewalK or planting skrip against t�e roadway. • The one-way alleyway wi�l require street signs an Finger Ave ta direct traf�ic, furtl�er compromisin�the character of the north side of the street. . The averal�mass and sca2e of this deveIopment is completely aut oFplace in our neigt�borhood, vut of character for the north side of�inger Avenue and it will only iead to fi�rther degrada#�on of the unique character and quality of our street. Name �J�(i',,�- Address j (� � �0� -��`' Date 7 �- � � � � , ._�T._ .—_... . ._