374, Construct a guest house, Staff ReportsTO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CITY MANAGER
RE: ZONING CASE NO. 374 (TAUS): PROPOSED STABLE ACCESS
Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Taus have requested a conditional use permit for
a guest house. The guest house is proposed to be constructed where an
existing stable is located. The applicants have the burden of proving
that a future stable site (200 sq. ft. minimum size), with access, can
be located elsewhere, on the property.
The Planning Commission approved the conditional use permit for a
guest house, on a split 3-2 vote. There was some concern expressed
about the proposed stable location and access thereto. The City
Council decided to take jurisdiction of Zoning Case No. 374, when the
Planning Commission's action was reported. The matter was set for
public hearing and appropriate notice given.
To date, the Council has conducted two public hearings and field
investigation of the subject property. Both the hearings were
continued. At the second hearing, the Council asked that the proposed
access to the future stable be checked by a civil engineer to
determine whether the access was feasible.
A County engineer (Mr. Kondo) has reviewed the plans and evaluated the
proposed access, on the property. The engineer determined that an
access (10 feet wide) could be constructed from Open Brand Road along
the westerly side of the subject property and the easterly side of the
property located to east. Access would be taken from Open Brand, on
the Taus property, within the trail easement. The access would almost
immediately turn to the east into the trail easement located on the
easterly property. The access would be located on this easement for
approximately 130 feet, then it would turn back onto the applicant's
property and continue another 200 feet to the future stable site.Mr.
Kondo believes the access can be graded in way that would require only
two small retaining walls, both of which would be located on the
subject property.