Page 1 of 2 <br /> <br />WILLIAMS PARK COTTAGES <br />MIDDLE HOUSING LAND DIVISION ADJUSTMENT REVIEW NARRATIVE <br /> <br />Assessor’s Map 17042143 <br />Tax Lot 5000 <br />Relevant File Name Williams Park Cottages (MHT 25-19) <br /> <br />EC 9.5550(6)(f)3. Screening. Screening that is at least three feet tall, consisting of <br />landscaping, fencing, or walls shall separate clustered parking areas and <br />parking structures from common courtyards and public streets. <br />RESPONSE: The parking area will abut two of the proposed cottages, as well as the proposed <br />common courtyard. <br />Screening from the public street is proposed to be adjusted in compliance with EC9.8030(i). The <br />reason for this adjustment is that, based on the configuration of the site, there is limited <br />opportunity to screen parking from the street without narrowing the driveway access. <br />Narrowing the driveway access would limit fire vehicle access or removing parking spaces. <br />Williams St. is currently not pedestrian-friendly, as there are no sidewalks, and both on-street <br />parking and public transit options are limited. <br />Given that there are no sidewalks in this area, pedestrians and cyclists must travel further into <br />the drive lane when vehicles are parked on the street, creating a more dangerous situation for <br />these pedestrians and cyclists. If owners of the cottages are required to park on the street, they <br />would need to walk upwards of 150 ft – 350 ft from the nearest on-street parking space to the <br />courtyard. This would make carrying children, groceries, furniture, and other items to and from <br />their car, and other related activities particularly difficult and unsafe. This would be especially <br />for those owners that may have mobility issues. There will only be 2 spaces that are visible from <br />the street; this level of impact is consistent with the character of the neighborhood. <br />EC 9.8030(i) Cottage Cluster Parking Design Standards. The requirements set forth in EC <br />9.5550(6)(f) may <br />be adjusted if the proposal achieves all of the following: <br />1. Supports a pedestrian-friendly street environment <br />RESPONSE: The existing Williams St. is not a pedestrian-friendly street as there are no sidewalks <br />along most of the street. Excluding parking for the cottages would further exacerbate the <br />unfriendly pedestrian street environment, as on-street parking would force pedestrians further