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8.A. - Page 326 S�atem��t on Finger Avenue Aesthetics I arn a Finger Aven�e resident or neighbor,who walks,bicycles or ot�ierwise enjays the �'inger Avenue streeCSCape, 1 have seen the plans far the McGowan nine-lot development, and conc2ude that iC wiIr substantial�y degrade the existing visual character and quality oFthe site and its surroundings. What is important aesthetzcal�y abaut my neighborhood is the serr�i-rural character of the north side aF�inger A�enue, w#th many homes set far�ack f�•om the streeC.The appearance of large amour�ts of open space with mature, old growth trees,pravides a striking backdrop to the homes.The contrast between the no�•th sid e of Fingei•Avenue arid its south side,with its many q�aint,early Z0� century bunga�ows and c�ttages,�s somethfng that's unique to Redwood City and treasvred by i�s resid ents. �xamples of how the Ffnger Avenue PraJect s�gnificantly degrades the aesthetics of our neighborhood are: • Construction of two homes with wide two-story facades set back the minimum allowable distance from the street.There are na houses tY�at large set that close to the street anywhe�-e in our neighborhood. • Nowhere else an Finger Avenue are hames this large p2aced on lots this small. • All of the homes are of similar size and al1 twa-story,as oppased ta the mix of hame sizes and h�ights that are representative of the north side af Fiiiger Avenue. • Most of these nine homes will be vfewable fi•om the public stree�.There is �ittle open space and the homes are oniy set bacic a smatl distance F�•om the narraw alley that serves them (some from 3ft-6ft fram the a�leyway.) Nowhere in our neighborhood are houses situated�in this fashion, � A deve�o�ment this densely packed is incompatible with the presence of large mature trees on the site.The eventual lass of these trees wil� be irrev�rsible. � The breakup af the north side af Fingez•Ave. by creatirtg two new intersect�ons. The narrow aileyway bui[t for the develapment fails to integrate with �inger Avenue by not having a sidewalk or plan�ing strip against the raadway, • The one-way alleyway will require street sfgns on Finger Ave tn direct traffic, further cornpromising�he character aF the narth side of the street. The overall mass and scale af this develapment Ss complete�y out of place in aur nefghborhood,out of character for the nartli side of Finger Avenue and it will on�y lead to further degi�adation of the uniyue character and quality of our street. � r' �� Name �� � �d ? � r Address,j.�� W��, �J! Date }