Exhibit 24 - Applicant's Response to Public Comments176 Loma Alta Proposal
Response from Blake & Jessica Thornberry
3/7/2025
Please find the following attached below:
1)Neighborhood Outreach History
2)General Response to Public Comment
•House Size & FAR
•FAR Comparison to Adjacent Neighbors
•Setbacks
•Privacy
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1) Neighborhood Outreach History
We met with staff numerous times for guidance in the design of this project and to gain
understanding of town design guidelines and policy.
After our initial design was submitted, per Town policy, we met with the neighbors as
directed to explain the project. We were met with objection from but no specific
objections were articulated by them.
All of the other immediate neighbors gave us there approval. asked that an arborist
be present during construction to help protect their front yard tree it was agreed the
stairwell windows may or may not need to be obscured at time of framing. We readily
agreed with their requests and to move forward.
The planning commission gave direction for us and to consult with staff as directed to
revise our plans accordingly.
The Town deadline for our submittal was Feb 26.
Prior to the deadline to submit, on Monday, February 24, we requested of the
neighbors at and (the neighbors on each side) to meet and review. The
neighbors told us they were unable to meet until March 2 as was going on
vacation. We offered to meet immediately, but were told they did not have the time and
it would need to wait upon their return March 2.
We submitted revised plans to Town on end of day Weds Feb 26.
Staff contacted us for some clarifications on the following
Thursday and Friday, the 27th and 28th.
We reached immediately on Mar 2 to and to meet and then met at end
of day.
The neighbors indicated they reviewed the plans on line and and were not satisfied. We
had plans available at the meeting, but they offered no constructive thoughts nor
wanted to review the plans together with us. – only they were still not happy. With every
iteration with the neighbors at , they kept moving the goal posts of demands.
There is no need to to do a window study as we are proposing to plant a dense privacy
hedge between our house and both and .
On Thursday, March 6, we received at end of day letters of objection from staff the
neighbors sent in at the last minute. The deadline for us to respond and for the
response to be included in the staff report was next day Friday the 7th at 11am ( this
letter).
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We believe this project clearly fits within the average and median of the neighborhood
in terms of height, size, setbacks, and complies in every way with the Town's design
guidelines for non-conforming lots.
makes an issue that they complied with setbacks – of course they did – they're lot
is in a state of over-compliance – the lot meets and exceeds the zoning requirements.
There bis no issue here.
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Based on the existing setbacks our neighbors enjoy relative to our property, it is
unreasonable for them to object to anything greater-than-or-equal-to 5’-0”.
Our setback with is 5’-0” — with the exception of a chimney that we’ve made
smaller in the latest revision. If the planning commission wishes us to remove the
chimney, we can.
Our setback with is also 5’-0”. In the latest revision we reduced the size of the
nook to match the 5’-0” setback nominally enjoys with our property — despite
the fact that their surveyed setback is only 4”-6’.
The second-story setback with 178 is 9’-6”.
Privacy
We share a mutual and natural desire for privacy with our neighbors. We’ve offered
to provide landscaping privacy and fencing, which is better than the existing
condition today.
Currently, Loma Alta has a two-story house with unobstructed views of our
property and dwelling. (see photo below)
Loma Alta has a large side window 4’6” from the property that looks into our
property and dwelling. (see photo below)
Both and were constructed decades after our existing dwelling. Minimal
consideration for privacy was given during their construction. With our proposal,
we seek to improve the privacy situation for all. (see diagrams below)
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View of from backyard of 176 View of from side yard of 176
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