05-06-2020 PC - Laserfiche WebLink

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Dear Mr. Mrosla, Community Development Manager/City Planner, Please consider this attachment to our Land Use Application containing a detailed explanation of our plan to replace the deck in the front of our house. Our proposed plan largely follows the current structure, which is original to the house. This deck is an essential feature of the house, as it provides the only access to our front door. The plan does not extend any farther toward the lot boundary than the current deck and adjoining stone stairs, nor is it any higher than the current deck. Our plan has increased the area in front of our front door to make the front door more accessible and to create a space in the front or our house for neighborly engagement. It has also removed a section to the west of the front door. Our house was designed and built by the previous owner, who is an architect. The home has architectural details that are part of what drew us to the home (along with the neighborhood and city). One of these details is the deck (and “bridge”) in the front over the sunken courtyard. We would like to maintain this original design intent of the deck while making it more structurally sound and more functional. The reasons the deck needs to be replaced are as follows: • The current structure is original to the house and some of the decking is failing due to rotting wood after over 50 years in service. • Some of the current support structure is not up to current standards for newly built decks. • The current decking is 2X4 lumber which is not commonly used for decking anymore. Modern decking material are thinner and require closer joist spacing. • The small area around the front door makes it difficult to maneuver in around the out-swung door. The reasons for the proposed design are as follows: • We want to maintain the design intent and feel of the original house plan. • Maintain the recessed “courtyard” that is original to the lot and house design. • Promote neighborhood engagement by creating an inviting front-porch atmosphere. • Improve functionality of the deck without substantially altering the original intent of the house plan. • No part of the proposed design of the deck, including the “Bridge” section and adjoining steps will extend beyond the current location of the end of the bridge and adjoining wooden and stone steps. • The new design would improve sight lines through the area by reducing visual size of deck because of the more open railing system. • The new design would use sustainable recycled decking material. (Current decking is 2X4 which is no longer standard and is not available in recycled material). • Incorporate into an updated landscape design that also replaces the failing flag stone wall. • Overall landscape design will replace some sections of grass with mulch and native, pollinator- friendly plantings and new trees. The Impacts of the design change are as follows: • The proposed design does not extend any further toward the properly line than the current structure of the “bridge” and the adjoining wooden and stone stairs. • The height of the proposed structure will be the same as the current structure. The height of the deck above the grade of the adjacent driveway near the house is only about 10 inches. The height of the deck above the grade immediately below it is due to the recessed “courtyard”. • The change in railing should improve sight lines, as the existing railing system is very "opaque" and boxy feeling.