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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 satisfies the City's zoning and building codes that there is no reason or benefit to him to pay for the cost to improve the area beyond his lot. David Finkelstein, the appellant's attorney, stated that Mr. Flores has given a good presentation of his case. He asked the Council to consider themselves in the place of the applicant having lot zoned residential hillside that is buildable with utilities coming to the lot. He further stated that there are numerous developed lots around his lot that are steeper than his. He stated his position to be that under CEQA, there are two categorical exemptions, one of them for a single family lot and one exemption under 15332 — infill development projects. He stated that the applicant's legal position is that not only is it exempt under the single family, but also under the "infill" categorical exemption. Erzebet Dobrasinovic stated that she owns two lots on Laurel Way for her children. She agreed that he should build on the lot, but the problem on Laurel Way should be taken care of. She requested the Council to consider the issue so that her children can build and live in Redwood City. Martin Kamph stated that traffic is the issue for him stating that at the intersection of Laurel, Altamont and Highland does not have stop signs, a large residence interferes with sight lines and continued development along Laurel Way will have a cumulative negative impact on Laurel Way and Highland. He stated that the speeding issue in the area will contribute to the problem. He asked that stoplights be placed at the corner of Laurel and Highland; and at the corner of Altamont and Highland. He further asked for specific improvements to be considered to ensure clear and safe traffic movement in the area that pertain to items such as striping and signage. He expressed concern that if there is no EIR required now, it would set a precedent for the other lots in the area. He asked that Council consider the entire area rather than piecemeal. Jane Hanigan stated she has lived at the end of Laurel Way for 37 years and gave her recollection of the history of Council policy and action in the area. Due to previous issue, she stated that the residents are not anxious to see another JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND BOARD OF EQUALIZATION MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 8, 2003 PAGE 6 MINUTES Book No. 60 Page No. 116