AgdaPkt 2013-09-23 Closed and Regular

Browse Search

8.A. - Page 447 SSL OF K L A W FIRM L L P April 16, 2013 VU HAND DEUVERYAND ELECTRONIC MAIL Silvia Vonderlinden City Clerk Office of the City Clerk 1017 Middlefield Road Redwood City, CA 94064-0391 Re: 4,peal of Planwd Demlopment Permit PD 2011-03, CandMon 19 Dear Ms. Vonderlinden: 57.5 ': 1.1R1iE"[' sT1t8FT. tiL'1'I F: 271Ni .SAN FR\1C1sco. ck 911113 T F: L U 110 N E: 415,81-4.6 1411) Mcsimlix: -11.5.81-1.&1111 11py1:�1 t16 4:..1'im1i: ill .1'!)111 We represent the Laurel Way Joint Venture ("LWJV") with regard to its application for a Planned Development Permit to construct infiastructure improvements and up to 16 houses on 4.75 acres and to preserve an open space easement on Laurel Way (the "Project") in Redwood City (the "City). The LWJV is made of 16 individual property owners, all of whom own legally created residential lots and simply want to do what they are legally entitled to do — build a reasonable single family home. On March 26, 2013, the Planning Commission certified the Project's Revised Final Environmental Impact Report ("RFEIR") and approved LWJV's application for Planned Development Permit PD2011-03 (the "PD Permit), but amended Condition of Approval 19 to significantly limit house sizes in the Project. New Condition 19 effectively prevents LWJV from constructing the single family homes sought by the PD Permit application and applies an arbitrary limitation not articulated by the Zoning Code and never before imposed by the City. LWJV therefore appeals Amended Condition 19 of the PD Permit. At the Planning Commission's hearing, it amended Condition 19 from its original, reasonable approach to house sizes to a new limitation on house sizes. The average home size was reduced significantly. Original Condition 19 reflected LWJV's application to construct homes that fit within the neighborhood context, satisfied modern living needs, and would enable individual property owners to obtain financing to construct the homes. These proposed home sizes were also smaller than LWJV's original 2007 application. Amended Condition 19 imposes stricter requirements on LWJV homes than have been applied in the neighborhood, requires homes too small to address contemporary housing trends, and prevents property owners from constructing homes for which they could obtain construction financing. The table below compares the home sizes in the project application with the project as revised with Amended Condition 19. The average home size was reduced from 3,809 square (2369-00MM312193;3)