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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/07/2022Approved July 21, 2022 Town of Los Altos Hills Planning Commission Regular Meeting July 7, 2022 Minutes Zoom Meeting and Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California 1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Via teleconference according to the Government Code Section 54953(e), Chair Indaco called the July 7, 2022 Planning Commission Regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present: Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Bredo, Vice-Chair Waschura, Chair Indaco Staff: Planning Director Mangalam, Associate Planner Loh, Assistant Planner Perez, Administrative Clerk/Technician Brunner 2. SWEARING IN CEREMONY & REORGANIZATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION 2.1 Alisa Bredo City Clerk Padovan administered the Oath of Office to Planning Commissioner Alisa Bredo. 2.2 Rajiv Patel City Clerk Padovan administered the Oath of Office to Planning Commissioner Rajiv Patel. 2.3 Appointment of Chair Chair Indaco thanked Commissioner Smith for his many years of service on the Planning Commission. Commissioner Couperus nominated Vice-Chair Waschura to the position of Planning Commission Chair. The nomination was seconded by Commissioner Patel. There were no objections or alternate nominations and Vice-Chair Waschura accepted the position of Chair. Chair Waschura thanked Commissioner Indaco for her service as the Planning Commission Chair. He also thanked former Commissioner Charles (Ed) Smith for his service as Planning Commissioner for the past 4 years. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Couperus moved to appoint Vice- Chair Waschura as Chair for the 2022-2023 Planning Commission. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Patel. MOTION PASSED: 5-0-0-0-0 AYES: Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Bredo, Vice-Chair Waschura, Chair Indaco NOES: None ABSTAIN: None RECUSE: None ABSENT: None 2 Planning Commission Meeting July 7, 2022 Minutes 2.4 Appointment of Vice-Chair Commissioner Indaco nominated Commissioner Bredo to the position of Planning Commission Vice-Chair. The nomination was seconded by Commissioner Couperus. Commissioner Bredo offered comments regarding her acceptance. There were no objections or alternate nominations, and Commissioner Bredo accepted the position of Vice-Chair. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Couperus moved to appoint Commissioner Bredo as Vice-Chair for the 2022-2023 Planning Commission. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Couperus. MOTION PASSED: 5-0-0-0-0 AYES: Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Bredo, Commissioner Indaco, Chair Waschura NOES: None ABSTAIN: None RECUSE: None ABSENT: None 3. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Chair Waschura opened PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR. No presentations from the floor. Chair Waschura closed PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR 4.1 Motion of the Planning Commission of the Town of Los Altos Hills to continue meeting virtually through teleconference meetings and making related findings pursuant to AB 361. Vice-Chair Bredo requested the Consent Calendar motion be separated by item number because she planned to vote differently on each. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Chair Waschura moved to APPROVE the Planning Commission of the Town of Los Altos Hills to continue meeting virtually through teleconference meetings and making related findings pursuant to AB 361. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Indaco. MOTION PASSED: 5-0-0-0-0 AYES: Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Indaco, Vice-Chair Bredo, Chair Waschura NOES: None ABSTAIN: None RECUSE: None ABSENT: None 3 Planning Commission Meeting July 7, 2022 Minutes 4.2 Approval of June 15, 2022 Special Meeting Minutes MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Patel moved that the June 15, 2022 Planning Commission Special Meeting Minutes be APPROVED. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Indaco. MOTION PASSED: 4-0-1-0-0 AYES: Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Indaco, Chair Waschura NOES: None ABSTAIN: Vice-Chair Bredo RECUSE: None ABSENT: None 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ex parte: Chair Waschura has communications with the applicant on Item 5.1 and the applicant on Item 5.2 Commissioner Indaco had communications with Commissioner Bredo, Carol Gottlieb, of the Environmental Design and Protection Committee (EDPC), the applicant, Greg Goumas, and the neighbors, Mr. & Mrs. Peng, on Item 5.1. Commissioner Bredo had communications with Commissioner Indaco and the applicant’s neighbors, Mr. & Mrs. Peng, on Item 5.1. Commissioners Couperus and Patel had no ex parte communications. Chair Waschura proposed, and the Commission unanimously supported, consideration of Item 5.3 before Items 5.1 and 5.2. 5.1 12051 Moody Springs Court – File # SD22-0010 – Lands of Eggers Site Development Permit for landscape screening for an approved two-story accessory structure. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304(b) Project Planner: Jeremy Loh Associate Planner Loh presented the staff report. Chair Waschura opened the PUBLIC HEARING. A question-and-answer session between the Commissioners and staff ensued. The applicant, Greg Goumas, addressed the landscape screening, water run-off, and fencing concerns of a neighbor and his proposed solutions. A question-and-answer session between the applicant and the Commissioners ensued. Staff provided clarifying answers. Public Comment Carol Gottlieb, representing the EDPC, offered comments regarding the proposed landscape screening, fence, and water run-off concerns. The applicant provided responses to address the public comments and questions. Chair Waschura closed the PUBLIC HEARING. 4 Planning Commission Meeting July 7, 2022 Minutes Commission Discussion Commissioner Indaco shared a presentation and provided comments in agreement with the recommendations of the EDPC. Commissioner Couperus offered comments on the landscape screening proposal and noted Commissioner Indaco's photographs in her presentation helped to clear up some confusion. Vice-Chair Bredo offered comments in support of moving the laurels as suggested. Chair Waschura offered comments in favor of moving the laurels up the property line and maintaining the swale. Commissioner Patel offered comments regarding planting around the swale and along the property and suggestions regarding addressing water drainage concerns. Chair Waschura noted that there appeared to be some confusion regarding the definition of the swale. Commission discussion ensued. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Indaco moved to adopt a resolution (Attachment 1) to APPROVE the Site Development Permit, subject to the listed conditions of approval, with the added condition of planting the identified screening laurel hedge 20 feet away from the property line. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Patel. MOTION PASSED: 5-0-0-0-0 AYES: Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Indaco, Vice-Chair Bredo, Chair Waschura NOES: None ABSTAIN: None RECUSE: None ABSENT: None 5.2 26896 Alejandro Drive – File # SD22-0024 – Lands of Lam and Stepanov Site Development Permit for landscape screening and hardscape improvements for an approved addition and remodel to an existing residence. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Sections 15303(e); 15304(b) Project Planner: Jeremy Loh Associate Planner Loh presented the staff report. Chair Waschura opened the PUBLIC HEARING. A question-and-answer session between the Commissioners and staff ensued. Representing the applicant, Landscape Architect Keith Willig, offered comments on the proposed project. The applicant, Max Stepanov, offered comments on the proposed project. Public Comment Carol Gottlieb, representing the EDPC, offered comments regarding proposed plantings in the open space easements and other areas. 5 Planning Commission Meeting July 7, 2022 Minutes The applicant, Max Stepanov, provided rebuttal comments to address the questions posed in previous comments. Landscape Architect Keith Willig, representing the applicant, provided rebuttal comments to address the questions posed in previous comments, specifically, about the lighting. A question-and-answer session between the Commissioners and the applicant ensued. Chair Waschura closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commission Discussion Commissioner Patel offered approving comments regarding the landscape screening design. Vice-Chair Bredo offered approving comments regarding the landscape screening design. Commissioner Indaco offered comments regarding her suggestion of reducing the landscape lighting by half. Chair Waschura offered comments regarding the lighting of the parking area and offered suggestions to address this concern. Commissioner Indaco shared photographs of the site. Commission discussion ensued. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Patel moved to adopt a resolution (Attachment 1) to APPROVE the Site Development Permit, subject to the listed conditions of approval, with the added condition of reducing the driveway puck lights from 11 to 8. The motion was seconded by Chair Waschura. MOTION PASSED: 5-0-0-0-0 AYES: Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Indaco, Vice-Chair Bredo, Chair Waschura NOES: None ABSTAIN: None RECUSE: None ABSENT: None 5.3 27600 Altamont Road – File # TM21-0001– Lands of Auqui and Putnam Consideration of a motion to continue the public hearing to the Planning Commission Special meeting of July 21, 2022, to consider a request for a tentative map to create a two-lot subdivision of an existing 2.20 gross acre parcel and consideration of a potential conditional exception to the Lot Unit Factor requirement. The subdivision of the 2.20 gross acre parcel into two lots will result in 1.010 net acre (Parcel A) and 1.073 net acres (Parcel B) with Lot Unit Factors of 0.956 and 0.951. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15061(b)(3) Project Planner: Areli Perez Planning Director Mangalam presented the staff report, which was to read a statement to continue to a special meeting on July 21, 2022. She also read excerpts from the applicant's letter to the Town and provided the reasoning for the continuance. 6 Planning Commission Meeting July 7, 2022 Minutes MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Indaco moved that Item 5.3 be CONTINUED to a date certain, which will be the July 21, 2022 Planning Commission Special Meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Patel. MOTION PASSED: 5-0-0-0-0 AYES: Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Indaco, Vice-Chair Bredo, Chair Waschura NOES: None ABSTAIN: None RECUSE: None ABSENT: None 5.4 26379 Fremont Road – File # SP22-0002– Town of Los Altos Hills An update to Town’s existing Outdoor Lighting Policy to include temporary construction lighting and revisions to tree lights. Project Planner: Sofia Mangalam Planning Director Mangalam presented the staff report. Chair Waschura opened the PUBLIC HEARING. A question-and-answer session between the Commissioners and staff ensued. Public Comment Vijay Chawla, a resident of Los Altos Hills, raised a question regarding construction lighting. Planning Director Mangalam validated the issue that was raised by Vijay. Commissioner Couperus offered comments on occupied vs. non-occupied construction projects and noted his confusion with the statement, "tree lights shall not be combined with path lights." Commissioner Indaco offered clarifying comments. Vijay Chawla, a resident of Los Altos Hills, offered two additional comments, addressing security and safety issues of construction sites. Chair Waschura closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commission Discussion Commissioner Patel asked a question regarding the safety of construction projects and lighting. Commissioner Couperus offered comments regarding the suggestion of having two lighting policies, one for residences and one for construction sites. Chair Waschura offered comments regarding the suggestion of having a safety plan that includes lighting during the construction plan phase as a security measure for the jobsite. 7 Planning Commission Meeting July 7, 2022 Minutes MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Patel moved that the Planning Commission discuss the proposed amendments, accept public comment, and provide the discussed recommendations to the City Council to ACCEPT the proposed amendments to the Outdoor Lighting Policy to include temporary construction lighting and revisions to tree lighting with three added revisions including (i) adding rows for tree lighting and temporary construction lighting to the light emission and color temperature table; (ii) maximum 2700 kelvins for tree lighting, combined lumens shall not exceed 600; and (iii) tree lights shall not be provided in close proximity to path lights. The motion was seconded by Vice-Chair Bredo. MOTION PASSED: 5-0-0-0-0 AYES: Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Indaco, Vice-Chair Bredo, Chair Waschura NOES: None ABSTAIN: None RECUSE: None ABSENT: None 6. REPORTS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS 6.1 Past Meeting • June 16, 2022 – Chair Indaco Chair Indaco provided highlights of the past City Council meeting. 6.2 Upcoming Meeting Assignments • August 18, 2022 – Commissioner Patel • September 15, 2022 – Commissioner Couperus • October 20, 2022 – Vice-Chair Waschura Chair Waschura confirmed upcoming meeting assignments. 7. REPORT ON PAST FAST TRACK/SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS 7.1 JUNE 21, 2022 13673 La Paloma Road – File #SD21-0073 – Lands of Lee Site Development Permit for landscape screening and fencing for an approved new residence. Continued from March 22, 2022. APPROVED 28010 Natoma Road – File #SD21-0094 – Lands of Geiseler Site Development Permit to convert an existing 1,218 square-foot accessory structure into a habitable new residence and construction of two new, 200 square-foot single-car carports. CONTINUED TO A DATE UNCERTAIN 13830 Page Mill Road – File #SD21-0098 – Lands of Altalune LLC Site Development Permit for a new 8,613 square-foot two-story residence with a 2,213 square- foot basement, a detached 913 square-foot pool house, a 1,116 square-foot swimming pool, and a 1,500 square-feet of ground mounted solar panels. APPROVED 8 Planning Commission Meeting July 7, 2022 Minutes 7.2 JUNE 28, 2022 12023 Adobe Creek Lodge Road – File #LLA21-0001 – Lands of 12023 Adobe Creek Lodge LLC Lot-Line Adjustment between Parcel A: 12023 Adobe Creek Lodge Road (1.258 acres), Parcel B: vacant lot APN 351-37-014 (1.202 acres) and, Parcel C: 26220 Moody Road (4.274 acres) to adjust property lines between parcel A and B, and Parcel B and C. The resultant parcel A will be 1.322 acres, parcel B 1.087 acres, and parcel C 4.276 acres and will have Lot Unit Factors greater than 1.0. Continued from May 10, 2022. APPROVED 13051 La Paloma – File #SD22-0009 – Lands of Krishnamurthy and Sheth New 8,642 square-foot two-story residence with an attached 980 square foot, 4-car garage and detached 1,138 square-foot accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and related hardscape improvements. APPROVED 7.3 JULY 5, 2022 CANCELLED Commissioner Couperus noted there was a bit of confusion regarding the posting of the supplemental for Item 7.1 regarding its location in the online packet. It was clarified by staff that the posting is not attached to the Page Mill Road project, but to the La Paloma Rd project. Planning Director Mangalam provided highlights on past Site Development/Fast Track hearings. Chair Waschura asked about an open space easement that was approved at an earlier time. Planning Director Mangalam provided clarification on that specific application. 8. PLANNING DIRECTOR REPORT Planning Director Mangalam provided these highlights in her report to the Planning Commission: • Provided congratulations to all the commissioner on their appointments. • Noted there would be continuing work on the Housing Element • Noted her plans to meet with the Open Space Committee regarding the fence ordinance. Commissioner Couperus asked about the fire department update. Planning Director Mangalam replied she has discussed this issue with the City Manager and the expectation of getting a representative from the Fire Department to attend a Town meeting. 8. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 9:39 PM by Vice-Chair Bredo. Respectfully submitted, Keren Brunner Planning Technician