HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/20/2022Approved February 2, 2023
Town of Los Altos Hills
Planning Commission Special Meeting
December 20, 2022 Minutes
Zoom Meeting, Los Altos Hills, California
1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Via teleconference according to the Government Code Section 54953(e), Chair Waschura called the
December 20, 2022 Planning Commission Special meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Indaco, Vice-Chair Bredo,
Chair Waschura, City Attorney Lai
Staff: Planning Director Mangalam, Senior Planner Ling
2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Chair Waschura did not invite PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR.
3. NEW BUSINESS
3.1 Motion to rescind the Planning Commission’s approval of a Site Development Permit for a
swimming pool, spa, and equipment adjacent to natural watercourses located at 25600
Frampton Court – File #SD22-0060.
Ex parte:
Commissioner Patel had communications with the applicant, Maliha, and Carol Gottlieb, from
the Environmental Design & Protection Committee (EDPC) on Item 3.1.
Vice-Chair Bredo had communications with Carol Gottlieb, from the EDPC on Item 3.1.
Chair Waschura, Commissioner Couperus, and Commissioner Indaco had no ex parte
communications.
Chair Waschura noted that this project was heard at a previous Planning Commission hearing
with a minimum quorum of 3 commissioners present and carried 2 votes in favor and one vote
not in favor. Planning Commission consideration is limited to determining vacating their prior
approval. Motion to carry requires a 4/5 vote in favor of rescinding.
If the motion is vacated, then the applicant’s project would be scheduled for a future Planning
Commission meeting for a new hearing.
Commissioner Indaco outlined her reasons behind requesting vacating the Commission’s
motion for this project. She wanted the full Commission to have the benefit of hearing and
voting on this project.
1. Exception to the municipal ordinance
2. Handling a geological feature inconsistently
3. Create a procedure for planning staff to use EcoAtlas for creeks
Senior Planner Ling read aloud a letter from the applicant for SD22-0060, as she could not
attend.
Gordon, representing Drummond & Sons Pools, offered comments related to grading outside
of easements for the proposed pool.
Kit Gordon, representing the Open Space Committee (OSC), offered comments regarding the
committee’s objection to the proposed pool’s location.
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Planning Commission Meeting December 20, 2022 Minutes
Carol Gottlieb, representing the EDPC, offered comments regarding their perspective on
clearing up the “creek” definition issue.
Chair Waschura asked if the EcoAtlas was approved by the City Council to use.
Planning Director Mangalam responded that it was not approved.
City Attorney Lai noted that EcoAtlas was not part of the Town’s approved land use map and
there was no separate action by the City Council to adopt the EcoAtlas as an official record of
the Town and advised against using the map to make determinations or official decisions.
Commissioner Indaco commented that the map was recognized on a federal and state level
and made a motion.
Before voting on the motion proposed by Commissioner Indaco, Kit Gordon was invited to
comment.
Kit Gordon, representing OSC, provided additional comments regarding the use of EcoAtlas
creek guidelines.
City Attorney Lai reminded the Commission to focus on the discussion on rescinding the
earlier planning commission decision or not.
Commissioner Couperus offered comments not in favor of rescinding the earlier planning
commission motion for this pool project.
Commissioner Patel noted he listened to the meeting he missed and provided comments not
in favor of rescinding the motion.
Vice-Chair Bredo noted she also listened to the meeting she missed, visited the site, and
provided comments in favor of rescinding the previous planning commission motion.
Chair Waschura shared a presentation to illustrate the decision process of the Planning
Commission and provided comments not in favor of rescinding the previous motion.
Commission discussion ensued regarding protecting the integrity of the ministerial approval
process.
Commissioner Indaco made a recommendation to add an agenda item to a future Planning
Commission to investigate the creek issue and requested inviting Valley Water to present to the
Commission.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Indaco moved to RESCIND the
Planning Commission’s approval of a Site Development Permit for a swimming pool, spa, and
equipment adjacent to natural watercourses located at 25600 Frampton Court – File #SD22-
0060.
The motion was seconded by Vice-Chair Bredo.
MOTION PASSED: 2-3-0-0-0
AYES: Commissioner Indaco, Vice-Chair Bredo
NOES: Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Couperus, Chair Waschura
ABSTAIN: None
RECUSE: None
ABSENT: None
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Planning Commission Meeting December 20, 2022 Minutes
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
4.1 Continued to a date uncertain.
10728 Mora Drive – File #PA21-0101/SD22-0081 – Lands of Linebarger
Consideration of an appeal of an administrative determination of application incompleteness
for a site development permit and housing development application (PA-21-0101/ SD22-0081)
for one single-family residence and one accessory dwelling unit at 10728 Mora Drive, pursuant
to Government Code section 65943 and Municipal Code section 10-1.1002.
Project Planner: Elaine Ling
4.2 Continued to a date uncertain.
10758 Mora Drive – File #PA21-0102/SD22-0082 – Lands of Linebarger
Consideration of an appeal of an administrative determination of application incompleteness
for a site development permit and housing development application (PA21-0102/SD22-0082)
for one single-family residence and one accessory dwelling unit at 10758 Mora Drive, pursuant
to Government Code section 65943 and Municipal Code section 10-1.1002.
Project Planner: Elaine Ling
5. REPORTS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS
5.1 Past Meeting
• December 15, 2022 – Commissioner Patel
Commissioner Patel provided highlights of the past City Council meeting.
5.2 Upcoming Meeting Assignments
• January 24, 2023 – Vice-Chair Bredo
• February 16, 2023 – Commissioner Couperus
• March 16, 2023 – Chair Waschura
• April 20, 2023 – Commissioner Indaco
Chair Waschura confirmed upcoming meeting assignments.
6. REPORT ON PAST FAST TRACK/SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS
6.1 DECEMBER 13, 2022
27983 Central Drive – File #SD22-0049 – Lands of Viam Central Partners, LLC
Site Development Permit for landscape screening for an approved new residence.
CONTINUED TO A DATE UNCERTAIN
24160 Dawnridge Drive – File #SD22-0029 – Lands of Andrews
Site Development Permit for landscape screening for an approved new residence. APPROVED
27772 Lupine Road – File #SD22-0067 – Lands of Klein
Site Development Permit for a new 1,206 square foot pool and spa with associated hardscaping.
APPROVED
6.2 DECEMBER 20, 2022
CANCELLED
Planning Director Mangalam provided updates on past Fast Track/Site Development hearings.
7. PLANNING DIRECTOR REPORT
Planning Director Mangalam congratulated Commissioner Couperus on his award and thanked him
for being such a great resource for the Town. She also advised the Commission there would be another
meeting to host the Housing Element study session in January 2023.
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Planning Commission Meeting December 20, 2022 Minutes
8. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 7:08 PM by Chair Waschura.
Respectfully submitted,
Keren Brunner
Planning Technician