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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/01/2018Minutes of a Regular Meeting Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION Thursday, March 01, 2018, 7:00 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Present: Commissioner Basiji, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Partridge Staff: Planning Director Suzanne Avila, Assistant Planner Erin Horan, Consultant Planner Steve Padovan, Senior Planner Marni Moseley, Planning Technician Cody Einfalt 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Chair Partridge opened presentations from the floor. Seeing that no one wished to speak, he closed presentations from the floor. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ex Parte: Commissioner Couperus spoke with Joan Gates. Commissioner Mandle spoke with Mr. & Mrs. Hassan Zoroufy. Commissioner Basiji spoke with Senior Planner Marni Mosley, Mrs. Zoroufy, and Dion Campbell. 3.1 LANDS OF ROBLEDA LAH LLC; 12950 Robleda Road; File #341-17-ZP; A request for a permit to construct a fence 2,719 feet in length. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (e) (Staff: E. Horan).- continued from the regular Planning Commission meeting of February 1, 2018. Assistant Planner Erin Horan presented the staff report. The Commission asked questions and received responses. Jeff Lea, Lea & Braze Engineering Inc, spoke regarding the project and discussed the placement of the fence and its interference with wildlife. The Commission asked questions of the applicant’s representative and received responses. Chair Partridge opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Joan Gates, Los Altos Hills resident, spoke regarding fire safety concerns that come along with the pathway and its proximity to the fence. Approved May 3, 2018 2 Regular Planning Commission Meeting March 1, 2018 Nancy Couperus, Los Altos Hills Open Space Committee (“OSC”), spoke in support of the fence designs. She said the OSC would recommend an 18-inch gap between the grade and the first rail, and a 24-inch gap between the bottom rail and the top rail. Mr. Lea responded to the comments made by the public. He stated that he is happy to comply with the OSC's recommendations. The Commission asked questions of Mr. Lea and received answers. Chair Partridge closed the PUBLIC HEARING Commissioner Basiji stated that the applicant responded to many of the concerns addressed in the last Planning Commission meeting. He spoke about saving as many trees as possible when installing the fence. He explained that the main issue would be cutting the trees on site to make the path more accessible. Commissioner Mandle stated that a slightly wider path would be better to make the path more accessible. She requested a six-foot-wide path and explained that there is enough room for a path this size. She reiterated her concerns regarding the fence going over the swales. She explained that Los Altos Hills has never approved fences over swales. She stated a better solution would be a fence that followed the contours of the land. Commissioner Tankha stated that she is okay with leaving the path five feet wide. She said that she does feel strongly about the swales issue and preferred that the fence not cross the swales. Commissioner Couperus explained that replacing a fence is not easy so the placement of this new fence is very critical. He said that he would follow the OSC's recommendation and switch the gaps in the fence. He said that the pathway is the only gap in a case of an emergency that the neighborhood can use to escape danger. He used this reasoning to support his opinion that the pine tree in the proposed path be removed. He also stated his concerns with the fence crossing the swales. Chair Partridge stated he supports the OSC's recommendation and he believes the swale issue is not critical enough to reject the project again. Commissioner Mandle clarified her stance on the swale issue and that she does not want the fence to cross the swale. Commission discussion ensued regarding how to handle the swale issue. The Commission asked questions of the applicant and received responses. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Couperus moved to approve the Site Development Permit subject to the recommended conditions of Approved May 3, 2018 3 Regular Planning Commission Meeting March 1, 2018 approval in Attachment 1 with the added conditions that the lower gap in the fence be 18-inch and the upper gap be 24-inch and new fence should not preclude the eventual dedication of open space easements if this property is developed in the future, and where the fence crosses the swale that there should be a three foot gap with an easily detachable chain across the top. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Basiji. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. AYES: Commissioner Basiji, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Partridge NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None 3.2 LANDS OF ZOROUFY; 25711 Deerfield Drive: File #416-17-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a landscape screening plan associated with a major addition to an existing residence which was approved at the July 23, 2015 Planning Commission hearing. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304 (b) - new landscaping; (Staff: S. Padovan) Consultant Planner Steve Padovan presented the staff report. Chair Partridge opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Hassan Zoroufy, applicant, spoke regarding his project. He provided a brief history of the property and the intentions behind the landscape screening plan. Seeing that no one from the public wished to speak, Chair Partridge closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commissioner Tankha stated she saw no reason not to approve the plan. She said the home is already screened very well. Commissioner Couperus approved of the plan. Commissioner Mandle stated that she approved of the plan Commissioner Basiji stated he was also in favor of the plan. Chair Partridge said he saw nothing wrong and approved of the plan. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Mandle moved to approve the Site Development Permit for a landscape screening plan, subject to Approved May 3, 2018 4 Regular Planning Commission Meeting March 1, 2018 the coniditons of approval in Attachment 1 The motion was seconded by Commissioner Tankha. MOTION CARRIED: 5-0. AYES: Commissioner Basiji, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Partridge NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None 3.3 LANDS OF CHAN; 25136 La Loma Drive; File #148-17-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a new 7,001 square-foot two-story residence with a 3,918 square foot basement, and pool (Maximum height 32'). CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) and (e) (Staff: M. Moseley) Senior Planner Marni Moseley presented the staff report. The Commission asked questions of staff and received responses. Chair Partridge opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Edward Chan, applicant, spoke regarding his project. He explained how he has tried to address the neighborhoods concerns with screening and protecting the views. The Commission asked questions of the applicant and received responses. Commissioner Mandle asked questions of staff regarding the screening plan and the placement of the driveway. Neal Mielke, Los Altos Hills, stated his concerns regarding the height of the structure. He said that this project site is on a ridgeline and cited the Town's Municipal Code and explained that there are additional restrictions on height for houses on a ridgeline. Stan Jones, Los Altos Hills, stated his concerns with the height of the proposed residence. He spoke of the views from his house and how the landscape screening for this property might affect the entire neighborhood's views. Commissioner Mandle asked Mr. Jones to elaborate on his concerns and received his response. Wayne Kelley, Los Altos Hills, stated his concern with construction and traffic problems that comes with new projects. Approved May 3, 2018 5 Regular Planning Commission Meeting March 1, 2018 Carol Gottlieb, Los Altos Hills Environmental Design and Protection Committee, said that in her opinion the project is a on a small ridgeline. She explained that the screening is going to be a problem on this site due to the height of the residence. The screening should be as close as possible to the house to reduce the appearance. She added her concerns about the lightwell and the setback requirements. Chair Partridge closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Chair Partridge asked questions of staff regarding the tennis court on the property and existing grading on the site. Further discussion ensued regarding the massing of the roof and the walls. Commissioner Couperus stated his concern with the house being on a ridgeline and impeding the views of the neighbors. He commented on how this project is maxing out its height limit and developable area, and how being on a ridgeline might affect those allowable building characteristics. He stated that this house, because it is on a ridgeline, cannot go for the maximum height. He believed the proposed house does not fit in with the neighborhood. Commissioner Tankha, said that the house is quite boxy and its design will make it stick out. She would like to see the mass reduced. Commissioner Mandle, stated that this neo-classical house is too boxy. She explains that because the new house is on a ridgeline, there are additional restrictions on the maximum buildable characteristics. Commissioner Basiji expressed his concerns with the visibility of the house. He explained that any way the house is built, the house will be very visible. He voiced his struggles on what to ask the applicant to change. He stated one option is to reduce the height of each floor to make the building less tall. Chair Partridge talked about his concerns with the height of the building and the fact that the house is on a ridgeline. He recalled past houses that were built with similar issues and how the Planning Commission used its discretion to have the applicant reduce the size of the building. He would like to see a similar approach used in this case because he cannot support the house as it currently is presented. Commissioner Couperus asked staff what the Town's stance is on building on a ridgeline. He was curious as to if this property would be defined as a ridgeline. Commissioner Basiji brought up a past example at Manuella Court and how the Planning Commission had trouble defining a ridgeline. Discussion between staff and Commission ensued regarding maximum height of buildings on ridgelines Approved May 3, 2018 6 Regular Planning Commission Meeting March 1, 2018 MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Basiji moved to continue item 3.3 to later date to allow the architect to redesign the house and incorporate more articulation in the styling, break up the mass of the structure, and reduce the height to no more than 27 feet while keeping the integrity of the architectural styling. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mandle. MOTION CARRIED 5-0 AYES: Commissioner Basiji, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Partridge NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None 4. OLD BUSINESS – None 5. NEW BUSINESS 5.1 Scheduling of a special meeting for master pathway map update Staff discussed upcoming projects that the planning department needs to address. 6. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 6.1 Planning Commission Representative for February 15 - Commissioner Couperus 6.2 Planning Commission Representative for March 22 – Chair Partridge 6.3 Planning Commission Representative for April 19 - Commissioner Tankha 6.4 Planning Commission Representative for May 17 - Commissioner Mandle 6.5 Planning Commission Representative for June 21 - Commissioner Basiji 7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 7.1 Approval of December 7, 2017 minutes MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Tankha moved to approve the December 7, 2017 regular Planning Commission minutes. The motion was seconded by Chair Partridge. Approved May 3, 2018 7 Regular Planning Commission Meeting March 1, 2018 MOTION CARRIED 5-0 AYES: Commissioner Basiji, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Partridge NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None 7.2 Approval of January 11, 2018 minutes MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Tankha moved to approve the January 11, 2018 special Planning Commission minutes with changes requested by Commissioner Mandle. The motion was seconded by Chair Partridge. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. AYES: Commissioner Basiji, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Partridge NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None 7.3 Approval of February 1, 2018 minutes MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Tankha moved to approve the February 1, 2018 regular Planning Commission minutes with changes requested by Commissioner Mandle. The motion was seconded by Chair Partridge. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. AYES: Commissioner Basiji, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Partridge NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Approved May 3, 2018 8 Regular Planning Commission Meeting March 1, 2018 8. REPORTS FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS - FEBRUARY 13 8.1 LANDS OF JUNAID; 12723 CANARIO WAY; File #379-17-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a minor addition to an existing residence and new decking. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303(a) - additions to existing single family residential property; (Staff-Marni Moseley) 9. REPORTS FROM FAST TRACK MEETINGS - FEBRUARY 20 & EBRUARY 27 9.1 LANDS OF CAMPBELL AND ZHOU; 26634 Snell Court; File #402-17-ZP-SD- GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a new 7,542 square foot two story residence (Maximum height 27' feet) with a 1,820 square foot basement and swimming pool. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (Staff-Erin Horan) 9.2 LANDS OF RIZZI; 12615 Miraloma Way; File #368-17-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit to construct a new 5,543 square foot accessory structure (20' maximum height). CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303(a) - additions to existing single family residential property (Staff-Marni Moseley) 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:41 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Cody Einfalt Planning Technician The minutes of the March 1, 2018 regular Planning Commission meeting were approved as presented at the May 3, 2018 regular Planning Commission meeting.