Subdivision delayed

The planning commission Wednesday night delayed decision on a subdivision proposal to create three residential lots on a property at 3525 Altura, which currently has two homes on it.

The applicant plans to demolish the existing homes and build three two-story units, with two of them on flag lots behind the main lot on Altura.

Linda Whitfield and Carol Gibson, neighbors to the rear on Prospect Avenue, said the proposed rear homes would be six feet from their back property line, and would adversely affect the use of their back yards.

Commissioners asked the city attorney to research whether the commission could require more setback, or could reduce the size of the homes through changing the floor area ratio formula.

Commissioner Leonard Manoukian also suggested the lot subdivision could be changed to two lots, but was told by staff that would require rejecting the three-lot request and refilling the matter.

The issue will come back to the commission at the April 2 meeting.

— Charles Cooper