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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/02/2017 1 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 2, 2017 Minutes of a Regular Meeting Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION Thursday, February 02, 2017, 7:00 PM Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Present: Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Basiji, Commissioner Mandle, Chair Tankha Absent: Commissioner Partridge Staff: Planning Director Suzanne Avila, Consultant Planner Steve Padovan, Administrative Technician Frances Reed, Administrative Technician Veronica Flores 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Seeing no one wishing to speak, Chair Tankha closed presentations from the floor. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ex parte disclosures: Commissioner Couperus said he met with Applicant Linda Seidel, no substantive discussion ensued. Commissioner Mandle said she spoke with Robert Wheatley, Su Tang, David and Teresa Yen, and Ms. Shaernia. 3.1 LANDS OF SEIDEL; 26642 Purissima Road; A Request for a Site Development Permit for a Landscape Screening Plan for a Previously Approved Secondary Dwelling Unit; File #324-13-ZP-SD; CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304 (b) – new landscaping. (Staff: S. Padovan) – continued from the December 1, 2016 Planning Commission meeting Planning Consultant Steve Padovan presented the staff report. Commissioner Couperus asked for clarification regarding the slope and the impact tree height would have on screening. Mr. Padovan explained it was approximately three feet deep and ten feet from top to bottom of the engineered slope and that visual impact is affected by the position of the neighboring residences. He stated that the trees at full maturity would provide more screening. 2 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 2, 2017 Chair Tankha inquired about the location of the proposed olive trees. Mr. Padovan explained all but two would be at edge of the natural slope and the others would be on the fill of the engineered slope. Commissioner Basiji asked whether the plans were being worked on and modified or presented as final plans. Mr. Padovan clarified that they were the applicant’s final plans. Chair Tankha inquired about the edge at the top of the slope and the possibility of adding trees to that location. Mr. Padovan explained that four foot high shrubs were the plants proposed for that general area. Commissioner Mandle inquired about parking on the property and whether or not it met current requirements. Mr. Padovan confirmed the applicant did meet the five parking spaces required by the Town. Applicant Linda Seidel spoke in support of her project. Jenna Bayer, landscape designer, spoke in regards to the landscape screening. Chair Tankha asked Ms. Bayer if she had the opportunity to review the impact on the views of the neighbors. Ms. Bayer stated she did not. Commissioner Mandle asked what the landscape would need in order to grow on an engineered slope. Ms. Bayer stated a low landscape retaining wall that aligns with Town guidelines would help establish the trees. Ms. Bayer also provided more detail regarding the screening at the top of the slope. Commissioner Mandle inquired whether there would be a need for soil amendment. Ms. Bayer replied in the affirmative. Commissioner Mandle further discussed the importance of using viable plant material. Commissioner Couperus asked for clarification on the location of the proposed green wall and the construction of the engineered slope. Ms. Bayer shared her knowledge on both accounts. Commissioner Basiji asked about the suitability of redwoods for the project. Ms. Bayer stated the northwest corner would be ideal for redwood trees. She also stated that a 15 gallon oak or olive tree would also be suitable. Chair Tankha inquired about the use of deer resistant plants. Ms. Bayer explained that deer are browsers and will try anything new that is planted. Chair Tankha opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Robert Wheatley, Los Altos Hills, spoke against the project. 3 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 2, 2017 Carolyn Tang on behalf of Timothy Tang, Los Altos Hills, spoke against the project. Anna Yen, Los Altos Hills, spoke against the project. Angela Yen-Pace, Los Altos Hills, spoke against the project. Timothy Tang, Los Altos Hills, spoke against the project and asked questions of staff and received responses. Applicant Linda Seidel responded to the previous comments. Chair Tankha closed the PUBLIC HEARNG. Commission asked questions of staff and received responses. Commission discussion ensued. Commissioner Couperus expressed his disappointment with the lack of implementation of the recommendations of the Commission from the December meeting. He said improvements were not made on the proposed landscape plans and the irrigation plan was submitted separately and at a much later date which gave him a negative impression. Further, he wants to see bigger tree boxes; at least 24 inch boxes for the olive trees and 15 gallons for the prunus shrubs, and is open to further development of redwood trees on the left hand side. Commissioner Mandle stated that she is fully supportive of secondary dwellings. She believes there is a misconception about project approval being based solely on how accurately a project follows Town regulations. She stated that public input is essential to every project and agreed more screening is necessary than what is shown on the proposed plan, and that the height of the plants seems more important than container size. She suggested starting with ten foot tall trees with a growth rate of two to three feet per year in order to obtain the desired screening within two to three years. She pointed out that the northern side needs more trees and she would like to add a stipulation that the installation of the plants be done by a licensed landscape professional. Commissioner Basiji agreed with Commissioner Mandle. He acknowledged that the position and elevation of the unit is resulting in more scrutiny. He spoke about the redwood trees and stated they could be used on the side of the driveway. He does not believe the plan is sufficient and was not ready to vote yes on the proposed plan. Chair Tankha agreed that a more detailed plan is necessary as well as the consideration of input from neighbors in order to better assess the impact to their properties. She would like to see more mature screening for mitigation purposes, at a reasonable pace of growth, as well as an irrigation plan. 4 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 2, 2017 Commissioner Mandle stated she would like to come to a solution tonight. Commissioner Couperus said he was comfortable with a minimum 15 gallon for shrubs and 24 inch box trees, following the amount of trees on the plans and then some. He added that the reflectivity of the unit is reportedly high. Staff clarified that the exterior color is complaint with the LRV requirement. Chair Tankha re-opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Jenna Bayer, landscape designer, volunteered to work with the surrounding community to attempt reaching a solution. Chair Tankha closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commission discussion ensued. Commissioner Basiji said that the Commission needs to be involved in the next stage of this project. Chair Tankha concluded that there is a need for another meeting in order to come to a solution that is both cost affective for the applicant and satisfies the needs of the neighbors. Commissioner Couperus would like to see the project come back at the next Planning Commission meeting. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Basiji moved to continue the item to the next meeting, when the applicant will return with complete landscaping and irrigation plans prepared by a licensed landscape architect; additionally an installation plan to be implemented by a licensed landscape contractor, including minimum size of 15 gallon shrubs and 24 inch box trees, and any other planting, as many as required, to take into account the neighbors’ views. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mandle. Motion Carried 4-0-1: AYES: Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Basiji, Commissioner Mandle, Chair Tankha NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Partridge ABSTAIN: None 5 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 2, 2017 The meeting went into recess at 9:08 p.m. The meeting reconvened to open session at 9:16 p.m. 4. OLD BUSINESS - none 5. NEW BUSINESS 5.1 Introduction of the Administrative Draft of the Subdivision Ordinance (Staff: S. Padovan) Planning Consultant Steve Padovan presented the staff report. He requested comments on the draft ordinance be submitted no later than February 17, 2017. Commission asked questions staff and received responses. No action was taken. 5.2 Discussion of Standing Seam Metal Roofs (Commissioner Couperus) Commissioner Couperus brought the item to the Commission to consider whether the Town needs to regulate this subject. Discussion ensued. Staff and Commission concluded that new guidelines would help regulate metal roofing. They created an ad-hoc committee consisting of Commissioners Couperus and Basiji. Members of the staff and Environmental Design Committee may be invited to meetings to provide input on this subject. 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 6.1 Approval of October 6, 2016 minutes. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Mandle moved to approve the October 6, 2016 minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Chair Tankha. Motion Carried 4-0-1: AYES: Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Basiji, Commissioner Mandle, Chair Tankha NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Partridge ABSTAIN: None 6 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 2, 2017 7. REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS Commissioner Mandle inquired about the joint City Council and Planning Commission Meeting scheduled for February 28, 2017. Director Avila explained that the master path map update will be discussed. 7.1 Planning Commission Representative for March 8 - Commissioner Couperus 7.2 Planning Commission Representative for April 20 – Commissioner Basiji 7.3 Planning Commission Representative for May 18 – Commissioner Partridge 8. REPORTS FROM FAST TRACK MEETINGS 8.1 LANDS OF ADVANI; 14414 Saddle Mountain Drive; File #242-16-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 395 square foot second story addition, a 613 square foot expansion to the main floor at an existing residence (Maximum height 27’) and a new pool along with related hardscape improvements. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15301(e) – addition to an existing single-family residence in a residential zone district. (Staff: S. Padovan) 8.2 LANDS OF T&T COMMUNITY PROPERTY TRUST; 23600 Ravensbury Avenue; File #275-16-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 5,833 square foot new residence with a basement (maximum height 28’6” permitted with increased setbacks), swimming pool, and secondary dwelling unit (maximum height 19’6”). CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) One single-family residence in a residential zone, Section 15304 (e) Accessory structures including swimming pools and Section 15304 (a) Secondary dwelling unit in a residential zone. (Staff: G. Fernandez) 8.3 LANDS OF WALLER; 26105 Elena Road; File #330-15-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 2,448 square foot barn (maximum height 26’6”). CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303(e) – Accessory structures. (Staff: G. Fernandez) 8.4 LANDS OF BIBL, 14403 Kingsley Ave APNs 175-21-121, 175-21-100, and 175- 21-038. File #384-16-LM. A request for a lot merger of three existing parcels into a single 1.2 -acre parcel. CEQA Review: Exempt per Section 15305. (Staff: G. Fernandez) 7 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 2, 2017 8.5 LANDS OF VARADARAJAN; 24840 Summerhill Road; File #260-16-ZP-SD- GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a new 4,840 square-foot two- story residence with a 2,267 square-foot basement (Maximum height 26’8”), a pool, and a 144-square foot accessory structure (Maximum height 14’). CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303(a) – construction of a new single-family residence where public services are available in a residential zone. (Staff: M. Moseley) 9. REPORTS FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS 9.1 LANDS OF DODSON; 21890 Blue Oaks Place; File #296-16-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a landscape screening plan for a previously approved new residence. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304 (b) – new landscaping. (Staff: S. Avila) 9.2 LANDS OF KAMANGAR; 12030 Elsie Way; File #324-16-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a landscape screening plan and fencing for a previously approved new residence. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304 (b) – new landscaping. (Staff: M. Moseley) 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:56 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Veronica Flores Veronica Flores Administrative Technician The minutes of the February 2, 2017 regular Planning Commission meeting were approved as presented at the March 2, 2017 regular Planning Commission meeting.