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.: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE 60, ZONING MAP NO. 17 (FARM HILL NEIGHBORHOOD), OF ORDINANCE NO. 1130, THE REDWOOD CITY ZONING ORDINANCE, AS AMENDED, TO REZONE PROPERTY AT 1025 LAKEVIEW WAY IN THE CITY OF REDWOOD CITY FROM THE RESIDENTIAL-HILLSIDE 40,000 SQ. FT. MINIMUM LOT SIZE (RH-40) TO RESIDENTIAL-HILLSIDE 20,000 SQ. FT. MINIMUM LOT SIZE (RH-20) The motion passed by a unanimous roll call vote. MINUTE ORDER 03-291 D. Appeal of the decision by the Zoning Administrator to deny an Architectural Permit for the construction of a new single family house at 3738 Laurel Way Senior Planner Ekas gave the report stating that in 1988 a Council policy was approving establishing that an environmental impact report (EIR) be provided for the remaining vacant parcels on Laurel Way. An application has been received for development on one of the vacant parcels and the application was rejected because it did not come with an improvement plan and environmental impact report. She explained that this is not an appeal of the Zoning Administrator's decision, but a challenge of the City Council policy related to environmental review for future development on Laurel Way. She reviewed the subject site. the setting of Laurel Way. gave a brief history of the Council policy on Laurel Way, closing with environmental review and what the California and Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires the City to do. In conclusion. Senior Planner Ekas. stated that the staff. as former Councils have reviewed Laurel Way, continues to support existing Council policy. The policy does not preclude development, but simply requires a process to get to development. Furthermore, it complies with CEQA; and ensures the city and the adjacent hillside residents and affected Laurel Way property owners that the environment impacts of future development will be mitigated resulting in a safe, well planned and adequately serviced neighborhood. Mayor Ira opened the public hearing. Public Comment: Roger Flores. appellant, clarified some statements he noted in the staff report such as the square feet should be 3,495 rather than 4,018. He stated that the plans submitted were conceptual in order to get on the Council agenda tonight. He stated that the property is actually 51 feet wide at the top and widens going down and that the slopes have been described as being very steep with extreme slopes, difficult terrain and severely substandard infrastructure such that the Council established a policy requiring an EIR. He stated that most of the lot decreases are at a relatively uniform rate and not excessively steep and the Planning Department study on Laurel Way shows his lot has an average slope of 29%. He further stated that the City has allowed development on Laurel Way for some with slopes in excess of 37%. He stated that all EIR experts he has talked to state that single family lots are exempt from an EIR. He stated that if he JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND BOARD OF EQUALIZATION DECEMBER 8. 2003 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 5