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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/28/1969(Air PLANNING COMMISSION TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS MINUTES OF A REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING April 28, 1969 Chairman William A. Perkins called the Regular Adjourned Meeting of the Planning Commission of the Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 7:47 P. M. at the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California. The follow- ing members answered roll call: Present: Commissioners Dawson, Hibner, Lachenbruch, McReynolds, Minckley, Weisbart and Chairman Perkins. Absent: None. COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE: Councilman Walter A. Benson APPROVAL OF MINUTES• April 14, 1969 Commissioner Dawson moved, seconded by Minckley and carried unanimously that the Minutes of April 14, 1969 be approved as submitted. April 18, 1969 Amendments: 1) Page 2, Item #6, should read "constructed from O'Keefe Lane to the southwest corner of the Currie property." 2) Page 2, add to Item #6 "It was noted this proposed path was part of the adopted Master Path Plan but was not incorporated in the Master Bikeway Path Plan." Commissioner Dawson moved, seconded by Minckley and carried unanimously that the Minutes of April 18, 1969 be approved as amended, with the notation that comments relative to the path system were generally applicable to both the Hall and Currie properties. 1. Chairman Perkins stated his desire to rearrange the Agenda so as to consider variances prior to the scheduled Public Hearing on the Citizens Committee Report on Adobe Creek Lodge. Commission concurred. Chairman Perkins also noted the Council Referral re possible Central Drive abandonment will be considered under Other Business on the Agenda and that a Study Session re Committee Reports would follow adjournment of the Regular Adjourned Meeting. 2. Commissioner Minckley announced the American Institute of Architects would meet Tuesday, April 29th in Los Altos for debate re Bay Development. 3. Commissioner Minckley announced a Soils Seminar for Planners would be held at the University of Santa Clara, May 14 through 15, 1969. COUNCIL REFERRALS: 1. City Manager reviewed Council request for the Commission to start pro- ceedings to rezone the 19417 acre parcel located at Purissima and Arastradero Roads to Open Space Reserve Zone, prior to sale of this surplus Freeway property by the State scheduled for May 13, 1969. Commission concurred to request continuance from the State on the timing scheduled for sale of the property. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Hinckley moved, seconded by Lachenbruch and carried unanimously, that the Planning Commission initiate proceedings to consider rezoning of the subject property to OSR and set a Public Hearing for May 12, 1969 at 8:00 P. M. VARIANCES• 1. FISH, ROBERT (V-322-69) - Request for 19' reduction in side setback to 11' for addition at 13210 E. Sunset Drive. Staff report was presented noting a variance request had previously been approved in January, 1969 for an addition to the southern end of the residence for the purpose of accommodating a resident nurse. City Manager stated the applicant was requesting a relocation of the addition to the northern end of the existing house and was subsequently requesting a 19' reduction in the westerly side setback to 11'. City Manager stated the re- location appears reasonable and that Staff recommended approval due to the topographic limitations of the property and subject to repeal of previous variance V-318.-69. Letters of approval of the variance request, signed by six adjacent property owners, were read. Commissioner Lachenbruch noted an almost vertical bank in the near proximity of the proposed addition and questioned Commission construction requirements. Mr. Fish stated that in twelve years residency only surface erosion had been experienced and that he planned a concrete block retaining wall behind the residence and addition. Chairman Perkins noted the application may come before the Site Development Committee. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Dawson moved, seconded by Weisbart and carried unanimously that pursuant to Section 65-906 of the State Planning Act, the Planning Commission recommends approval of the variance application of Robert Fish (V-322-69) for a 19' reduction in side setback to 11' for addition at 13210 E. Sunset Drive, subject to the repeal of variance V-318-69. 2. BLFAKLEY, W. G. (V-323-69) - Request for 3' reduction in side setback to 27' for existing stable at 27181 Adonna Court. Staff report was presented noting the applicant was requesting a 3' reduction in side setback for the existing stable that had been constructed prior to purchase of the lot by the present owner. Staff noted the stable is located in a tree -lined corner of the property not readily visible to other property owners and recommended approval, stating thirteen adjacent property owners had signed approval for the variance request and no objections had been received. Mrs. Anne Stone of 27145 Adonna Court spoke in support of the variance request. ` MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Minckley moved, seconded by Dawson and carried unanimously, that pursuant to Section 65-906 of the State Planning Act, the Planning Commission recommends approval of the variance application of W. G. Bleakley (V-323-69) for a 3' reduction in side setback to 27' for existing stable at 27181 Adonna Court. -2- USE PERMITS: 4W 1. Ford Country Day School (UP -321-69) - Modification of existing use permit to allow rebuilding of garage and relocation of tennis court. Staff report was presented, noting map revisions had been required to satisfy map requirements on the Use Permit application form and recommended the matter be deferred to the next Planning Commission Meeting May 12th. Commission concurred. PUBLIC HEARING• 1. CONSIDERATION AND DISCUSSION OF CITIZENS' COMMITTEE REPORT ON ADOBE CREEK LODGE. Chairman Perkins read letter from Mayor Aiken dated April 28th, noting the letter raised the following questions: (1) Has the owner of Adobe Creek Lodge proposed any modifications that would fit within our Zoning Ordinance? (2) If not, shall the basic Town concept -- no businesses except "home industry" and agriculture -- be changed to allow Adobe Creek Lodge to continue? (3) If the answer to Number 2 is no, should any temporary changes be allowed to be made at Adobe Creek Lodge, keeping in mind any legal .affect such changes may have on the 20 year amortization? At 6:26 P. M., Chairman Perkins declared the Public Hearing open, stating discussion should be limited to the Committee Report. The conclusions of the Citizens Committee Report were discussed during the Public Hearing and are incorporated at this point of the Minutes for clarity. The Committee concluded and recommended as follows: 1. The Los Altos Hills Country Club be informed that proposals and plans for its future are not compatible with Town objectives, laws, or enfironment. The plans based upon a small club require unacceptable commercial land uses, while plans based upon a larger club would perpetuate the objectionable features of past and present operations. 2. No alterations or additions to facilities at "Adobe Creek" should be approved or permitted. No encouragement should be given the owners to be- lieve that the 1976 deadline will be relaxed in any way. The Town Council owes the Town and the owners of Adobe Creek the benefits of a firm policy. 3. No changes should be made in Town ordinances relating to commercial enterprises or other intensive land use activities. 4. Unless a written and recorded covenant applying to the land can be found, the conditional permit granted in 1967 to construct a pool and locker room be cancelled on the basis that the conditions (filing the covenant) have not been met. 5. That only those activities that existed in 1956 be permitted to continue at "Adobe Creek" until 1976, unless specific requests are made to the Town and granted by it to permit these additional activities to exist on a 4 temporary basis until 1976. The following citizens spoke in opposition to the Committee Report: David Jansson, 27440 Sherlock Road, Mrs. F. Olgiati, 25960 Vinedo Lane, Mrs. D. Miller, 13076 Vista del Valle Court, Mrs. S. L. Ginzton, 28014 Natoma Road, -3- PUBLIC HEARING: Citizens' Committee Report on Adobe Creek Lodge cont'd.: Mrs. F. Fava, 26691 Moody Road, Mr. David Bellucci, owner of Adobe Creek Lodge, 26220 Moody Road, and Frank Martinelli, Sr., 41 Pepper Drive, Los Altos. The following points of opposition to the report were expressed during Floor discussion: 1) Open space is a desirable objective of the Town and the hillsides and trees should be preserved and not scarred by development. 2) The need does exist in the Town for recreational facilities. 3) The report did not include adequate considerations in depth of all pertinent factors, i.e., traffic patterns, future development of the Duveneck Land as a County Park, etc. 4) Mr. David Bellucci, owner of Adobe Creek Lodge, submitted written comments opposing the Citizens Committee Report and noted the following: a) Since 1961, public usage of the facilities had been reduced by 50%. b) Annual revenue to the Town is approximately $7,000.00. c) The only difference between the Los Altos Hills Country Club and the Fremont Hills Country Club is that Fremont Hills Country Club is a non-profit organization owned by the members, noting that FHCC still charges fees, is open to the public, and that approximately 60°% of the FHCC membership lives in Los Altos Hills. d) Stated that the Committee was formed to study potential uses and make recommendations, but that this format had been changed to require LAHCC to come up with proposals and all these proposals were denied. The following residents spoke in support of the Committee Report: Mrs. M. G. Boissevain, 27181 Sherlock Road, Mrs. Lois C. Hogle, 2000 Page Mill Road, William Phy, 25616 Moody Road, F. J. Brutschy, Committee Chairman, Carol Phy, Mrs. D. Spencer, 27490 Sherlock Road, and Larry Watkins, 27000 Altamont Road. The following points of support for the Committee Report were expressed during Floor discussion: 1) The property was purchased with the knowledge of the twenty (20) year limitation on the non -conforming use and no attempt has been made to de- emphasize commercial operations and increase private club utilization. 2) The Committee's purpose was not to act as a financial advisory board to Mr. Bellucci or to provide a service that should be rendered to the applicant by a management consulting firm. 3) Guidelines have been established (re -affirmation of basic Town policies, such as, no commercial activities), and it was noted that Mr. Bellucci can still propose any land use he desires for consideration by the Town. 4) Many uses of the land would be less desirable than homes, such as, trailer park, trapshooting range, etc. The following participated in general Floor discussion: Thomas G. Byrne, 25562 Fernhill Drive, Mrs. Gertrude Sherlock, 27261 Sherlock Road, Sam Lugonja 23515 Fernhill Drive, Dr. Kay Bewley, 134700 Burke Road, and Mrs. Irma Goldsmith, 27330 Elena toad. The following points were clarified during Commission discussion: 1) Economic considerations were not of primary significance for Town consideration. -4- PUBLIC HEARING: Citizens' Committee Report on Adobe Creek Lodge cont'd.: 4 2) It would be desirable to optimize the following four points regarding the ALHCC facilities: a) Good points 1. Open space 2. Recreational facilities b) Bad points 1. Adverse effects on the Town, i.e., noise, traffic, etc. 2. Precadent for commercial operations 3) Present conforming uses include and are limited to the following: a) Residential b) Open space c) Agricultural 4) Committee Report conclusions should be considered as applying to only those proposals submitted by Mr. Bellucci and reviewed by the Committee. 5) The charge to the Planning Commission was discussed and was not clear. The Commission concurred creative planning responsibility should be included in the Commission's charge. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Minckley moved, seconded by Hibner, that the Commission accept the report as information, with apprecia- tion to the Committee and those appearing at the Public Hearing, noting the Commission would like to use the report as a basis for review of whatever creative applications may be submitted to the Planning Commission, was carried by majority voice vote, Commissioner Perkins opposed. Commission concurred existing guidelines are current Town Ordinances and noted no applications are precluded by Town Ordinances. RECESS: 10:43 P. M. to 10:52 P. M. OTHER BUSINESS: COUNCIL REFERRAL RE POSSIBLE ABANDONMENT OF A PORTION OF CENTRAL DRIVE. Staff report was presented noting the City Council has scheduled a Public Hearing for May 5th to consider possible abandonment of a portion of Central Drive dedicated by Mr. Oliver •Jheeler to the Tom as Open Space. City Manager noted the Council has unanimously gone on record as opposing through vehicular traffic on Central Drive and that the City Attorney has recommended abandon- ment proceedings to insure that public rights to use Central Drive in the vicinity of the Wheeler property are vacated. Mr. George D. Mader, Town Planner, reviewed memo dated April 24, 1969 concern- ing physical implications of the abandonment, noting the following: 1) A detailed circulation study of the entire MAPS Area would be desirable prior to abandonment. 2) If Central Drive were abandoned, this would result in two long dead-end cul-de-sacs in Moody Court and Central Drive; these cul-de-sacs would provide local property access without any problem, but an emergency connec- tion between the ends of these cul-de-sacs should be provided for fire protection. COUNCIL REFERRAL: Central Drive cont'd.: 4 3) On a planning basis, there appears to be no reason to establish a second through connection essentially parallel to Moody Road; however, to improve circulation in the area, loop connections for local property access and safety should be provided. 4) Due to the steep slopes in the area and the excellent tree cover that exists, careful development planning is required for this area. 5) Town Planner recommended that development in the MAPS Area be curtailed until necessary planning has occurred and policy established with regard to road locations, road standards, and other related physical improvements. Commission discussion ensued concerning abandonment procedures, with Floor participation by: David Jansson, Mrs, F. Fava, Glen S. Taylor, 1229 Forest Avenue, Palo Alto, and Mrs. D. Spencer. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner McReynolds moved, seconded by Weisbart and carried unanimously, that Mr. George Mader's letter dated April 24, 1969 be forwarded to the City Council with Planning Commission approval and the further recommendation that there be more detailed planning in this area, specifically concerning circulation, turnarounds, etc., with particular attention invited to Paragraph 3, Page 1 and the last paragraph on Page 2 (reference to points #1 and #5 outlined above). ADJOWiMENT • At 12:00 Midnight, Commissioner Perkins adjourned the meeting to: STUDY SESSION: Re Committee Reports NEXT REGULAR MEETING: May 12, 1969, Monday, at 7:45 P. M. at the Town Hall. DRL/mam 4/28/69 ` -6- Respectfully submitted, PRISCILLA R. WFISBART, Secretary Planning Commission Town of Los Altos Hills