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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/06/2015 1 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes August 6, 2015 Minutes of a Regular Meeting Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION Thursday, August 06, 2015, 7:00 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Present: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Couperus Staff: Suzanne Avila, Planning Director; Nicole Horvitz, Assistant Planner; Genevieve Fernandez, Assistant Planner; Jaime McAvoy, Planning Secretary 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR There were no presentations from the floor. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.1 LANDS OF HANABE; 26691 Moody Road, File #400-14-ZP-SD-VAR; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 3,453 square foot two story residence (including a 430 square foot garage), a setback variance to allow the residence, garage, and hardscape to encroach into the side, rear, and front yard setbacks, and to allow a parking configuration that creates an obstructed vehicular access for one (1) required parking space. The applicant is also requesting a creek setback variance. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (Staff-N. Horvitz). Ex Parte Disclosures: Commissioner Partridge said that he had spoken with the applicants. Commissioner Tankha said that she had also spoken with the applicants and Nancy Couperus. There were no other disclosures. Chair Couperus opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Assistant Planner Nicole Horvitz presented the staff report. Commission asked questions of staff. Commissioner Abraham asked questions regarding the location of the pathway dedication, as he did not feel this was the most desirable location for said pathway. 2 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes August 6, 2015 Planning Director Suzanne Avila reminded the commission they have the ability to request an in lieu fee instead of the construction of a pathway Walter Chapman, Chapman Design Associates, designer, addressed the Commission and spoke on behalf of the project. He was accompanied by the homeowner, Mr. Hanabe, and a powerpoint that Mr. Hanabe had created. Commission asked questions of the applicant and designer. Commissioner Mandle asked where the setback of the existing house was relative to the new configuration of the right-of-way on Moody Road. Ms. Horvitz confirmed it was at 20 feet. Commissioner Partridge inquired as to the types of trees to be removed. Ms. Horvitz said there were no heritage oaks to be removed. Commissioner Tankha asked about the side yard encroachments. Ms. Horvitz said that the L-shaped portion to the north encroached to a 10 foot setback with the hardscape, and that the 40 foot setback from Moody Court will be maintained. She later asked about a request made by the Pathways Committee for a 10 foot pathway dedication on Moody Road, and if there was enough room for one. Ms. Horvitz confirmed that with the dedication there would be room for a pathway. Chair Couperus asked why the property seems to be off Moody Road, but the plans give the impression that Moody Road goes over the “triangle” that is the property. Ms. Horvitz said that portions of the road are in the property, hence the necessity for a right-of-way dedication. Commissioner Abraham said that the pathway has always been on the south or east side of moody, but here they are asking for one on the north side. All along the immediate area, the north side of Moody has steep areas that would make extending the pathway a challenge. The south side is flat and would be a better choice. Ms. Horvitz informed the Commission that the south side of Moody was not Town property, and may just be an informal pathway. Commissioner Mandle asked for clarification on how the client was defining the setbacks. Mr. Chapman confirmed that the staff report reflected the correct numbers. Commissioner Partridge commented on how close the property was to the road, and will be even closer with the proposal. He applauded the applicant for obtaining the support of the neighbors, but said that he was concerned about how close the home was to the street, as Moody was a busy road. He also asked, with it being so close to the road, how they planned to screen the home. Mr. Chapman said they 3 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes August 6, 2015 had been preparing this, and that they will be proposing new trees in the center of the circular driveway, and that the oleander hedge that runs along Moody, or a similar type of hedge, will be maintained. The pathway easement would cause them to remove the current screening. Commissioner Tankha asked for more clarification about the setback lines. She then asked Mr. Chapman if there was any way they can push back from Moody Road. Mr. Chapman said that wherever they move back it pushes the house into another setback, so he had looked for a centralized location to “share the burden” in all directions. Jeffrey Widman, Los Altos Hills, stated that he would love to see a new house on the property, but he is concerned about the variances of setback requirements. He was able to develop on his lot without concessions, and felt that more of an effort could be made. He also expressed concern for safety, as the proposed property is located on a turn on the road. Mr. Chapman responded to comments made by Mr. Widman. Chair Couperus closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commissioner Abraham said that they are dealing with an unusual shaped property that is severely constrained by the shape, and the creek running through it. He saw a lot of similarities between this property and Lands of Ingham from the last meeting, except this was a larger property. He did not think a better job could have been done, and that there would be minimal impact as there are no close neighbors. If he could, he would eliminate that pathway and request an in-lieu fee. He also requested that they do not charge the applicant for the full amount of frontage, as most of that land was unusable. Commissioner Mandle said that she liked the garage being moved from the creek, and had no issue moving the house closer than 25’. She did not have an issue with the tandem parking, and said it would be a major improvement over what is currently there. She said that she was uncomfortable with the 12’ side yard setback, and that she supported staff’s recommendation of the 20’setback. If the pathway was not necessary, she would be ok with eliminating it, and would like to hear the Pathway Committee’s reasoning behind its location. Commissioner Tankha agreed the lot was severely constrained and the applicant was limited on what could be done. She said that she was uncomfortable with allowing 13 foot setbacks from Moody road. She was willing to meet the applicant and staff in the middle somewhere between 13 and 20’. She was also interested in the logic behind the Pathways Committee's decision for the location of the pathway dedication. 4 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes August 6, 2015 Commissioner Partridge agreed with the other Commissioners that the setback was not conducive for building, and they needed to figure out a way to modify it for the best result for the applicant and the Town. They have created a practical house, and maximized the value of the property owner, but he too had an issue with the Moody Road setback being only 13’. He said that preferred giving more latitude on the rear setback as it would not affect neighbors, and that moving the home from the front will reduce noise for the applicant and improve the ability to screen the house from the street. He said that he could not fully support what was presented at this time. Chair Couperus said that he did not feel this setback was reasonable for a two story home, and that it was very "in your face" from Moody Road. He then said that removing the leech fields would allow for more development area and would remove the need for a two story house, and suggested the applicant research extending the sewer line to the property. He agreed that the pathway was unnecessary at its location and would also like to know the logic behind it. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Abraham moved to approve a request for a Site Development Permit for a 3,453 square foot two story residence (including a 430 square foot garage), a setback variance to allow the residence, garage, and hardscape to encroach into the side, rear, and front yard setbacks, and to allow a parking configuration that creates an obstructed vehicular access for one (1) required parking space, with added amendment that ceiling heights be reduced to 8 feet maximum, the roof pitch will be reduced to 3 and 12, remove condition #23, and condition #24 shall be amended to say that the property owner shall pay the pathway in lieu for no more than 200 lineal feet. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mandle. AYES: Commissioner Abraham NOES: Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Couperus ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION FAILED 1-4. Commissioner Partridge asked the applicant how they felt about an 18' setback. Mr. Chapman again requested the Commission deny the application so that they may appeal to the City Council, as he did not feel 18' was conducive to the project. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Partridge moved to deny the variance request for the proposed site development permit for a new residence at 26691 Moody Road. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Abraham. 5 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes August 6, 2015 Before a vote could made, Mr. Chapman said his client did not want to be denied, and would agree to a continuance. Commissioner Partridge withdrew his motion, and Commissioner Abraham withdrew his second. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Partridge moved to continue the request for a variance for the proposed site development permit for a new residence at 26691 moody road, and requests that the applicant return to the planning commission with an increased south setback of 18 feet. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mandle. AYES: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Couperus NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Chair Couperus called for a recess at 8:56 P.M. The meeting resumed at 9:03 P.M. 3.2 LANDS OF CHEN; 2210 Old Page Mill, File #184-15-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development permit for landscape screening for a new two (2) story residence approved at the December 5, 2013 Planning Commission meeting. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (Staff-G. Fernandez). Chair Couperus opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Assistant Planner Genevieve Fernandez presented the staff report. Commission asked questions of staff. Ken Masuda, General Contractor and landscape designer, answered questions fielded by the commission. Seeing no one else wishing to speak, Chair Couperus Closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commission discussion ensued. 6 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes August 6, 2015 MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Mandle moved to approve the requested Site Development Permit for a landscape screening plan, for Lands of Chen, 2210 Old Page Mill Road, subject to the recommended conditions of approval in Attachment 1. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Abraham. AYES: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Couperus NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. OLD BUSINESS - none 5. NEW BUSINESS - none Director Avila stated that the ad hoc CDP Committee is ready to conduct a study session, and are looking to schedule a special meeting either the 3rd or 4th week of September. The Commission tentatively settled on the 15th. Commissioner Abraham suggested that the City Council and Planning Commission have a joint meeting to discuss their job descriptions, and have the Town attorney attend. 6. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 6.1 Planning Commission Representative for August 20 – Commissioner Abraham 6.2 Planning Commission Representative for September 17 – Commissioner Partridge 6.3 Planning Commission Representative for October 15 – Commissioner Tankha 6.4 Planning Commission Representative for November 19 – Commissioner Couperus 7. REPORTS FROM FAST TRACK MEETINGS – none 8. REPORTS FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS – AUGUST 4, 2015. 8.1 LANDS OF LUNDBERG; 24716 Olive Tree Lane, File #97-15-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development permit for a new swimming pool. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (e) (Staff-N. Horvitz). 7 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes August 6, 2015 8.2 LANDS OF EVANS; 14321 Saddle Mountain Drive, File #189-15-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development permit for a new swimming pool. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (e) (Staff-N. Horvitz). 8.3 LANDS OF BOPARDIKAR; 13481 Mandoli Drive, File #139-15-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development permit for a new swimming pool. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (e) (Staff-G. Fernandez). 9. ADJOURNMENT Respectfully Submitted, Jaime L. McAvoy Jaime L. McAvoy M.A. Planning Secretary