City of San Carlos

Residential Design Review Committee

December 17, 2007 6:00 PM

Library Conference Room B, San Carlos, CA

Approved Minutes

I. Meeting Called to Order

Commissioner Thompson called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.

II. Consent Items

a) Approval of RDRC minutes for the RDRC meeting of December 03, 2007.

M/S McClure/Higgins to approve the RDRC minutes of December 03, 2007 as presented.Motion passed 2-0-1. (Thompson abstained)

III. New Items

a) 1959 BELLE AVENUE - Request for a new two-story residence of 4,749 square feet which includes a below grade basement level of 1,218 square feet not visible from the public right of way.The total square footage of the new residence at 4,749 square feet exceeds the Floor Area Threshold of 3,000 square feet by 1,749 square feet or 58.3%.The proposal includes the demolition of the existing detached garage and a portion of the existing residence which is located on 1959 & 1961 Belle Avenue.

Serena Ponzo, Planner, made a presentation on the item including clarification on the proposed new homes on each existing legal lot in relation to the proposed address numbers; expressed concerns received from the public and answered questions of the RDRC.Additionally, she recommended the following conditions/corrections be included in the Code Compliance Certificate:

• Condition #6 – be corrected to reflect “Belmont-San Carlos Fire Department”;
• Condition #12 – the addition of “h.”, requiring a flagman be present during all grading activities;
• Recommended including the requirement for a Construction Staging Plan to address concerns with traffic impacts in the neighborhood.

Michael Armanini, applicant, made a brief presentation on the item and answered questions of the RDRC.

Members of the public present were as follows:

• Jennifer & Mark Seneca, property owners of Lot 20 (1959 Belle).
• Carolyn Brandenburg, 1929 Belle Avenue, expressed concerns with the following issues:

i. Drainage on-site due to springs in hillside

ii. Open space reduction on lot

iii. Damage to street due to large construction vehicles

iv. Concern with children pedestrians and construction activities

The RDRC moved to make a motion on the project after reviewing the proposal at 1961 Belle Avenue.Staff then presented the next item on the agenda for the new residence at 1961 Belle Avenue.

M/S Higgins/McClure to approve the new two story residence of 4,749 square feet at 1959 Belle Avenue (Lot 20), San Carlos, as proposed, based on the four findings contained in the Staff Report and subject to the 22 conditions listed in the Code Compliance Certificate.Motion passed 3:0:0.

b) 1961 BELLE AVENUE - Request for a new two-story residence of 4,195 square feet which includes a below grade basement level of 834 square feet not visible from the public right of way.The total square footage of the residence at 4,195 square feet exceeds the Floor Area Threshold by 1,195 square feet or 39.8%.The proposal includes the demolition of a portion of the existing residence which is located on 1959 and 1961 Belle Avenue.

Serena Ponzo, Planner, made a presentation on the item and answered questions of the RDRC.

Members of the public present were as follows:

• Michael Armanini, property owner, 1961 Belle Avenue (Lot 21), made a brief presentation and answered questions of the RDRC.
• Jennifer & Mark Seneca, property owner, 1959 Belle Avenue
• Carolyn Brandenburg, 1929 Belle Avenue

M/S McClure/Higgins to approve the new two-story residence of 4,195 square feet at 1961 Belle Avenue (Lot 21), San Carlos, as proposed, based on the four findings contained in the Staff Report and subject to the 23 conditions listed in the Code Compliance Certificate.Motion passed 3:0:0.

IV. Other

The RDRC voted to cancel the January 07, 2008 meeting.The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2008.

V. Public Comment

None.

VI. Adjournment

Commissioner Thompson adjourned the meeting at 7:25 pm.