2006-05-26 TBeltcollins - Laserfiche WebLink

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ALAMEDA:Commissioner Graham? GRAHAM:Yeah, to me the not blockthe horizon is not sufficient. Certainly what Mr. Mooers said about once you get 150 feet, which is the new setback, from the road, if youre down at least 30 feet thats a big step in the right direction. Im not sure if it handles everything. Im also concerned on this Condition 2 which I dont think is supplanted by these other conditions that are added today where it says unless the individual home builders submits a viewplane anaylysis, thats also concerning to me. Is that gone or is that still part of where were at? HAYASHI:Thats gone. GRAHAM:Thats gone. Thank you. ALAMEDA:Commissioner Watanabe? WATANABE:Yeah, along those lines, I think one of the things that can be done with regard to, you know, consideration for the viewplane is not only the height limitation but limiting also how much they can build the actual land up from the existing ground level. And I kind of feelconfidentthatthatwouldbeasufficientcompromise.Inotherwords,ifyoureonlyableto build a certain percent beyond the existing ground level, you cant get that house very high with the 30-foot limitation. You follow what Im saying? Whereas, if you were able to build up the ground level, existing ground level, any amount you desired, then you could certainly intrude upon the viewplane. GRAHAM:I understand. I hate to fight details too much but it sure feels like the devil might be in the details when we wind up seeing what comes up from there a few years from now. YUEN:I think thats a good suggestion. We said something like this in Kohanaiki that the height had to be measured from the natural grade or finished grade, whichever is less. WATANABE:Yeah, then that would force the builder to excavate from the mauka end of the property, you know, if they wanted a much flatter area and only allowed them to build up the lower end of the property by a certain amount. And that way, everybody is happy. They get a flat lot, you know. I think that will work out. You know, obviously, if the person took the highest point on his property and was able to build up the rest of the property to that level it wouldnt matter what youre seeing now because thats not the new ground level. ALAMEDA:Lets see what the applicants, youve heard the discussion, how do you guys feel about that? MOOERS:Were willing to accept the existing grade right now. Were not looking to create an environment that we, you know, elevate through bringing in a bunch a fill to try and raise it. I would point out to Mr. Graham, though, Ive been doing this for a number of years and this is pretty unusual to have these kinds of conditions. I mean, were accepting a 25-foot height limit in an area which is zoned for 35 feet; and this is a State Urban district, its surrounded by residential development certainly on the south and on zoned properties to the north. So I think were accepting a very low density, and accepting a 10-foot drop in height elevation to 25 feet, 9