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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/06/2018Approved October 4, 2018 1 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes September 6, 2018 Minutes of a Regular Meeting Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION Thursday, September 06, 2018 Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road, CA, 94022 ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Present: Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Abraham, Chair Mandle Staff: Absent: Planning Director Suzanne Avila, Principal Planner Steve Padovan, City Clerk Deborah Padovan, Building Technician Veronica Flores. None 2. SWEARING IN CEREMONY 2.1 Jim Abraham City Clerk Deborah Padovan administered The Oath of Office to incoming Commissioner Abraham. 3. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Chair Mandle opened presentations from the floor. Cheryl Matthews, Los Altos Hills, spoke about a 5G report she sent a few weeks ago to the City Council and Planning Commission and expressed concern that wireless communications policy is outdated. Staff responded to questions from the Commission regarding the policy. Seeing no more individuals wishing to speak, Chair Mandle closed presentations from the floor. 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS EX PARTE: Commissioner Couperus stated he had a discussion with Commissioner Abraham, and Chair Mandle spoke with Carol Gottlieb. Approved October 4, 2018 2 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes September 6, 2018 4.1 LANDS OF DAI; 12869 La Cresta Drive: A Site Development Permit for a new 4,949 square foot, single-family dwelling with a 5,984 square foot basement which includes 1,180 square feet of bunker area on a 1.273 acre lot; (Maximum height of structure is 27' at daylighted basement); File #SD18-0001; CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303(a) - construction of a new single-family residence in a residential zone district (Staff: Steve Padovan). Chair Mandle opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Principal Planner Steve Padovan presented the staff report. Commissioner Abraham asked staff to address the project's solar panels. Staff responded that the solar panels are located on the flatter portion of the roof and they will need to be angled. Staff added that the panels will not be able to be seen from below the property. Commissioner Couperus stated that the proposed project was deemed complete in 2018 and asked what this meant. Staff explained that they have addressed all the plan deficiencies and submitted all the information that is required. Commissioner Patel asked about the bunker space. Staff replied that the bunker space is the reason the project is being heard before the Commission. John Todd, project applicant, introduced the project and spoke about the building’s design features. He explained that the new house would restore the hillside and create a one-story external façade. He pointed out that the landscaping would be strategically planted to mask the house from its surrounding neighbors and that the house was designed to reduce interior lighting emitting from the windows. Yujen Hsiao, Los Altos Hills, spoke of some concerns he had with the project. He explained that his concerns were present since the previous construction took place on the site. He stated that erosion between his property and the applicant's property has made his fence start to lean. He added that he would have liked more than a week's notice to come in and review the plans before the public hearing. John Todd responded to the public comment and walked through the design features once more. Commissioner Patel asked Mr. Todd about the location and condition of the leaning fence on the property line. Staff responded that the fence belonged to the neighbor. Chair Mandle closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Approved October 4, 2018 3 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes September 6, 2018 Commissioner Smith said his concerns were the same as the Environmental Design and Protection Committee's (EDPC) comments regarding the light that would be visible from the valley from the house. He explained that on a dark night the light emanating from the house would be quite visible. He was curious what measures were being taken to minimize these effects. He added that the two skylights are extremely large and would provide a lot of light into the dark sky. Commissioner Patel stated that he visited the site as an EDPC member and said that the single-story design does minimize the lighting challenge. He stated the proposed house is similar to other new homes with lots of glass. He explained that the house has a unique design and it will bring many challenges for the contractor but the new design is far superior to what is currently there. Commissioner Couperus said aesthetics aside, the house complies with Town guidelines, it meets Fast Track rules, and found nothing to complain about. Commissioner Abraham said it will be nice to have a house finished there due to it being an eyesore for many years. He said he would like to see the landscape and lighting plan come back to the Commission whenever it is submitted. He expressed a concern about the current house on the property and said that access to the water tank next to the house will be important to maintain. He proposed two conditions be added: that the landscape and lighting plan return to the Planning Commission for approval after the house is framed and the applicant shall ensure that the driveway and driveway easement is kept free from construction materials. Chair Mandle stated she was in agreement with the additional conditions to be added. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Patel moved to approve the Site Development Permit subject to the recommended conditions of approval in Attachment 1 with the added condition that the applicant shall ensure that the driveway and driveway easement between La Cresta and the Purissima Hills Water site is kept free of all construction vehicles, equipment, and materials at all times. The driveway shall also be kept free of trash, dirt, rock, and gravel. The applicant is personally responsible for compliance and a lack of compliance may result in a stop work order. Additionally, the landscape screening and outdoor lighting plan shall come back to be reviewed by the Planning Commission, and the fence on the north side of the property shall be repaired. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Abraham. MOTION CARRIED: 5-0 AYES: Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Abraham, Chair Mandle NOES: None Approved October 4, 2018 4 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes September 6, 2018 ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None 4.2 Consideration of a General Plan Amendment to update the Town's inventory of historic sites and structures (Appendix A to the General Plan); File #: GPA18- 0001; CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15061(B)(3) (Staff: Suzanne Avila). Chair Mandle opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Director Avila presented the agenda item and explained the actions that could be taken on it that evening. Chair Mandle asked for public input. Lester Earnest, Los Altos Hills, spoke of Title 11 in the Town's Municipal Code entitled "Landmark Designation and Preservation". He explained that this section describes the selection criteria for designating historical sites in the Town and the updates to the historical list before the Commission this evening do not fit the criteria spelled out in the Town Code. He stated that he recommends the Planning Commission deny the recommendation before them. The Commission asked questions of Mr. Earnest and received his responses. Commissioner Couperus explained the intent of updating Appendix A. He said putting a structure on the list will not affect any tax evaluations, but rather serve as a resource for staff to talk with the property owner about incentives to maintain its historic value. Carol Gottlieb, Co-Chair of the Los Altos Hills History Committee, spoke in favor of the recommendation and clarified that the regulations referenced by Mr. Earnest are for property owners wishing to designate their property as historic and are not specific to the inventory. Kjell Karlsson, Los Altos Hills, spoke in favor of recommendation and stated that it is up to the City Council to adopt a policy that clarifies what it means to be on the list. Chair Mandle closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commissioner Abraham spoke of the Shumate Gates in the Town and how they have become an eye sore. He stated that he would like to see them off the list. Approved October 4, 2018 5 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes September 6, 2018 Commissioner Patel stated he has limited knowledge of historical sites in the Town but suggested that the Commission categorize the sites into separate categories to make it clear their classification. Commissioner Couperus said Appendix A is not used to categorize sites at the present moment. Commissioner Smith had no comment Chair Mandle agreed with her fellow Commissioners, she has no problem with the updates to the list. Commission and staff further discussed the process of preserving historical structures in the Town. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Abraham moved to forward a recommendation to the City Council that the revised Inventory of Historic Homes and Structures (Attachment 1) be adopted with the exception that the Shumate Gates be removed. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith. MOTION FAILED: 2-3 AYES: Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Abraham NOES: Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Patel, Chair Mandle ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Couperus moved to forward a recommendation to the City Council that the revised Inventory of Historic Homes and Structures (Attachment 1) be adopted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Patel. MOTION CARRIED: 4-1 AYES: Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Patel, Chair Mandle NOES: Commissioner Abraham ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None Approved October 4, 2018 6 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes September 6, 2018 4.3 Consideration of a policy for metal roofing; CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15061(B)(3) (Staff: Suzanne Avila). Chair Mandle opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Director Avila verbally presented the staff report. She explained the history of the policy and how it came to be in front of the Commission that evening. Chair Mandle opened public comment. Mr. Karlsson, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of a matte finish requirement for roof color. Chair Mandle closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commissioner Abraham spoke stated he would like to see a matte finish requirement be added to the policy. Commissioner Couperus spoke of specular reflection and stated he has no objection supporting a matte finish requirement. Commissioner Patel agreed with the matte requirement. The Commission and staff further discussed adding a requirement into the policy for a matte finish on metal roofs. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Smith moved to approve the proposed amendment to Town policy on exterior colors and materials to specifically address metal roofing (Attachment 1) with the added condition that all roofs of the type "seamed metal" must have a matte finish and are limited to a color selected from the table specified in exhibit A to this policy. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Couperus. MOTION CARRIED: 5-0 AYES: Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Abraham, Chair Mandle NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None 5. OLD BUSINESS - None Approved October 4, 2018 7 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes September 6, 2018 6. NEW BUSINESS - None Chair Mandle stated that the Planning Commission is due for another quarterly meeting with staff. 7. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 7.1 Planning Commission Representative for August 16 - Commissioner Patel Commissioner Patel shared his observations of the August 16, 2018 City Council meeting. 7.2 Planning Commission Representative for September 20 - Commissioner Smith 7.3 Planning Commission Representative for October 18 - Chair Mandle 7.4 Planning Commission Representative for November 15 - Commissioner Abraham 7.5 Planning Commission Representative for December 20 - Commissioner Couperus 8. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 8.1 Approval of October 5, 2017 - Regular Meeting Minutes MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Couperus moved to approve the October 5, 2017 Meeting Minutes as presented at the September 6, 2018 Planning Commission Meeting. The motion was seconded by Chair Mandle. MOTION CARRIED: 2-0-3 AYES: Commissioner Couperus, Chair Mandle NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Abraham 8.2 Approval of August 2, 2018 - Regular Meeting Minutes Chair Mandle stated a correction to the minutes. Approved October 4, 2018 8 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes September 6, 2018 MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Chair Mandle moved to approve the August 2, 2018 Meeting Minutes as corrected at the September 6, 2018 Planning Commission Meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Couperus. MOTION CARRIED: 4-0-1 AYES: Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Patel, Chair Mandle NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Commissioner Abraham 9. REPORTS FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS - AUGUST 7 9.1 LANDS OF GRAEF, 26209 DORI LANE; File #SD18-0007; A request for a Site Development Permit for a pool, spa and landscape improvements including new fencing and outdoor lighting. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section and 15303(e) (Staff: Suzanne Avila). 9.2 LANDS OF KISTER; 24555 VOORHEES DRIVE; File #PM-18-0001; A request for a Permit Modification for grading and retaining walls and a Grading Policy exception to allow up to six (6) feet of fill. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304(c) – filling of earth into previously excavated land with material compatible with the natural features of the site (Staff: Jeremy Loh). 9.3 LANDS OF RANDALL, 13769 WILDFLOWER LANE, File #SD-0016, A request for a Site Development Permit for a pool, spa, and landscape improvements including new fencing and outdoor lighting. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section and 15303(e) (Staff: Suzanne Avila). 9.4 LANDS OF DUTCHINTS DEVELOPMENT LLC; 11768 Maria Lane; File #SD18-0019; A request for a Site Development Permit for a landscape screening plan and new fencing for a previously approved residence; CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304(b) - new gardening or landscaping, including the replacement of conventional landscaping with water efficient or fire resistant landscaping; Categorical Exemption per Section 15303(e) - Accessory (appurtenant) structures including garages, carports, patios, swimming pools, and fences; (Staff: Jeremy Loh). 10. REPORTS FROM FAST TRACK MEETINGS - None Approved October 4, 2018 9 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes September 6, 2018 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Cody Einfalt Planning Technician The minutes of the September 6, 2018 Regular Planning Commission Meeting were approved as presented at the October 4, 2018 Regular Planning Commission Meeting.