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Senior Planner Jany referred to the six letters cited in the Report objecting to the triplex, and read a letter ITom Mr. and Mrs.Kirillov who based their objections to the proposed triplex on additional noise, fire hazards, unacceptable density, and loss of pnvacy. Senior Planner Jany said staff did not have a problem with the design, but believed the main problem with a triplex on a 50-foot lot was not only the precedent it would set, but also the change in the character of the neighborhood and increased traffic and parking. The more narrow the lot the more difficult it is for vehicles to turn around on the property causing vehicles to back out into the streets. Also, the more narrow the lot, the fewer on-street parking spaces exist. Senior Planner Jany said the increased vehicles, dangerous and difficult on-site maneuvering and the lack of adequate on street parking would dramatically change the character of the single family neighborhood, and was contrary to past City Council action and policy. Senior Planner Jany said the previous grant of a variance for a triplex involved a special circumstance. The units were accessed through the rear of the property which opened onto a small street. In response to Council questions regarding the lot with eight condos on Vera, Senior Planner Jany said it had been built in the early 1970's pre-dating the current ordinance, and the standards are so different now (planned development permit, improved open space, common areas, more parking) the same structure could not be built today. 2. Open public hearing; Mayor Hartnett opened the public hearing at 8:22 p.m. 3. Hear public comments; Russell Perrone, 704 Vera, Redwood City, appellant, asked Council to uphold the appeal and grant the variance based on the existence of a special circumstance. Mr. Perrone said his lot was 12,000 square feet and there are only four lots on Vera that fall into that category. Mr. Perrone said his property is surrounded by duplexes and there are only a few single family dwellings on his street. He said the lot size exceeds a triplex requirement by 2,000 square feet, and the only thing it is missing is the 75 foot ITontage. Mr. Perrone said the design of the triplex would hide the unit ITom the street and there would be garage space for six cars as well as two more spaces in ITont of the property. Mr. Perrone said, "There will no cars on the street." He said Vera Street is at least 15 feet wider than any other street in the area, and there are no parking problems on Vera until you reach Cleveland where there are apartments. He said the building would not be any larger than a duplex. Mr. Perrone asked the Council to grant the variance. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 55 JANUARY 27, 1997 MINUTES Page No. 110 PAGE 7