HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/3/2011 Minutes of a Regular Meeting Approved 03/03/2011
Town of Los Altos Hills
PLANNING COMMISSION
THURSDAY, February 3, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road
1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers at Town Hall.
Present: Chairman Abraham and Commissioners: Clow, Collins, Harpootlian, and
Partridge
Absent: None
Staff: Debbie Pedro, Planning Director; Brian Froelich, Associate Planner; and Victoria
Ortland, Planning Secretary
2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR—none
Commissioner Harpootlian expressed appreciation to Sandra Humphries for her many years of
dedicated service to the Town of Los Altos Hills with her contribution of time and effort on the
Environmental Design and Protection Committee.
Chairman Abraham acknowledged Sandy's huge contribution to the Town and said that she and
her expertise would be sorely missed.
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Planning Commission Ex Parte Contacts Policy Disclosure: Commissioner Harpootlian met
with the applicant(Item 3.2).
3.1 LANDS OF KEARNEY, 27361 Moody Road; File #61-10-ZP-SD-GD-CDP; A
request for a Conditional Development Permit for a 3,644 square foot new two-
story residence with a detached two car garage (maximum height: 24 feet). The
applicant requests a Grading Policy Exception to fill up to five (5) feet for the
driveway to comply with Fire Department requirements. CEQA Review:
Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (staff-Brian Froelich).
Brian Froelich, Associate Planner, presented the staff report for the Conditional Development
Permit and Grading Policy exception application for a new residence. The lot unit factor for the
1.04 acre lot is below .5 as the lot has a slope of 34.98%. The Grading Policy exception was
requested primarily for fill, of up to five feet, in portions of the driveway. The Santa Clara
County Environmental Health Department had approved a new 2,000 gallon septic tank and 400
feet of leach field. Six bay trees, one olive, and two non-heritage oaks, and one dead heritage
oak, were proposed for removal. The Pathways Committee had recommended an easement and
installation of a Type 2B pathway along Moody Road.
Planning Commission Minutes Approved 03/03/2011
February 3,2011
Page 2
Commissioner Partridge asked how the setbacks had been determined considering the "uncertain
property line"notation on the plans.
Staff replied that when lots in the area were originally divided, surveyors may have used
different benchmarks and inadvertently created an unverified property boundary. The parcel map
labels the uncertain property line area as "misclosure". The setback in the plan is taken from the
furthest point for a"worst case" scenario.
OPENED PUBLIC HEARING
Terry Kearney, applicant, offered to answer questions from the Planning Commission regarding
the project.
Commissioner Collins commented on the complications involved in planning the placement of
the septic system. She asked if the applicant had a preference for the recommended pathway or
the pathway in-lieu fee.
Terry Kearney said that the Santa Clara County Environmental Health Department had approved
the septic plan and would inspect the installation when the system was completed. In regard to
the pathway, he and his wife Maury enjoy hiking and had noticed that it was difficult to safely
walk along Moody Road. However, he felt that as no pathway currently existed on either side of
his property, a greater number of people may be served by applying an in-lieu fee to maintenance
of a more frequented pathway. Whatever decision the Planning Commission made about the
pathway requirement would be fine with him.
Karen Lemes, Moody Road, said an existing ditch along Moody Road carried storm water to
Adobe Creek in the winter. She felt the drainage area should be considered for the pathway
construction.
CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING
Commissioner Partridge, Collins, and Harpootlian supported the project and Grading Policy
exception.
Commissioner Clow supported the project and Grading Policy exception. He favored installation
of the pathway with consideration of the drainage along Moody Road.
Chairman Abraham supported the new residence project and the Grading Policy exception.
Planning Commission Minutes Approved 03/03/2011
February 3,2011
Page 3
MOTION MADE, SECONDED, AND PASSED BY ROLL CALL VOTE: Motion made by
Commissioner Clow and seconded by Commissioner Harpootlian to approve the requested
Conditional Development Permit (with the Pathways Committee recommendation) and Grading
Policy exception.
AYES: Commissioners: Clow, Collins, Harpootlian, Partridge, and Chairman Abraham
NOES: None
This approval is subject to a 22 day appeal period.
3.2 LANDS OF SARRAF, (T-Mobile - Applicant), 11997 Hilltop Drive; File#43-10-
CUP; A request for Conditional Use Permit renewal and modification to replace
an existing 12" radome with a new 14" radome on an existing wireless
communication facility. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section
15301 (a) (staff-Nicole Horvitz).
Debbie Pedro, Planning Director, presented the staff report for the Conditional Use Permit
renewal and modification to an existing wireless communication facility on the residential
property. The property is bounded by Hwy 280 to the south and single family homes in all other
directions. The project area is located in the rear of the property which slopes toward Hwy 280.
The 24.5 foot monopole and ground equipment cabinet was approved by the City Council in
April 1997. The wireless facility is screened by redwood, pine, and olive trees.
OPENED PUBLIC HEARING
CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING
MOTION MADE, SECONDED, AND PASSED BY ROLL CALL VOTE: Motion made by
Commissioner Partridge and seconded by Commissioner Clow to forward a recommendation to
the City Council to approve the requested Conditional Use Permit and 10 year extension subject
to the conditions of approval in Attachment 1.
AYES: Commissioners: Clow, Collins, Harpootlian, Partridge, and Chairman Abraham
NOES: None
This item will be forwarded to a future City Council meeting.
4. OLD BUSINESS —none
5. NEW BUSINESS —none
6. REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
6.1 Planning Commission Representative for December 16—Commissioner Partridge
6.2 Planning Commission Representative for January 13 —Chairman Abraham
6.3 Planning Commission Representative for February 17—Commissioner Harpootlian
Planning Commission Minutes Approved 03/03/2011
February 3,2011
Page 4
7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
7.1 Approval of December 2, 2010 minutes
MOTION MADE, SECONDED, AND PASSED BY VOICE VOTE: Motion by Commissioner
Harpootlian and seconded by Commissioner Collins to approve the December 2, 2010 minutes as
presented.
AYES: Commissioners: Clow, Collins, Harpootlian, Partridge, and Chairman Abraham
NOES: None
8. REPORT FROM FAST TRACK MEETING—FEBRUARY 1, 2011
8.1 LANDS OF ARORA, 12670 Corte Madera Lane; File #95-10-ZP-SD-GD; A
request for a Site Development Permit for a 2,058 square foot two-story addition
with an 1,173 square foot basement and 588 square foot detached secondary
dwelling unit (Maximum residence height: 27'). CEQA Review: Categorical
Exemption per Section 15301 (e) (staff-Brian Froelich) (approved with
conditions).
9. REPORTS FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS — DECEMBER 14, 2010,
DECEMBER 21, 2010, AND JANUARY 4, 2011
9.1 LANDS OF HANAFI, 13571 Hill Way; File #232-10-ZP-SD; A request for a Site
Development Permit for landscape screening for a 4,259 square foot two-story
residence approved on January 15, 2009. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption
per Section 15304 (staff-Brian Froelich) (approved with conditions).
9.2 LANDS OF HOMA NATOMA, LLC, 27270 Natoma Road; File #228-09-ZP; A
request for a Site Development Permit for a six (6) foot tall black vinyl coated
chain link fence at the property boundary. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption
per Section 15303 (e) (staff-Brian Froelich) (approved with conditions).
9.3 LANDS OF EBEID, 28160 Story Hill Lane; File #177-10-ZP-SD; A request for a
Site Development Permit for landscape screening of a 5,166 square foot two-story
residence approved on September 4, 2008. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption
per Section 15304 (staff-Brian Froelich) (approved with conditions).
9.4 LANDS OF CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE, Magdalena Road; Assessor's
Parcel #336-36-024; File #86-10-ZP-SD-VAR; A request for a Site Development
Permit and a fence height Variance for an eight (8) foot tall black vinyl chain link
perimeter fence. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (e)
(staff-Brian Froelich) (approved with conditions).
Planning Commission Minutes Approved 03/03/2011
February 3,2011
Page 5
9.5 LANDS OF CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE, 25351 O'Keefe Lane;
Assessor's Parcel #175-38-005, File #88-10-ZP-SD-VAR; A request for a Site
Development Permit and fence height Variance for an eight (8) foot tall black
vinyl coated chain link partial perimeter fence. CEQA review: Categorical
Exemption per Section 15303 (e) (staff-Brian Froelich) (approved with
conditions).
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 7:38 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Victoria Ortland
Planning Secretary