HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/12/1969J
PLANNING COMMISSION
TOWN OF LAS ALTOS HILLS
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
May 12, 1969
Chairman William A. Perkins called the Regular Meeting of the Planning
Commission of the Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 7:43 P. M. at the
Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California. The following
members answered roll call: Present: Commissioners Hibner, Lachenbruch,
McReynolds, Minckley, Weisbart and Chairman Perkins. Absent: Commissioner
Dawson.
COUNCIL REPRBSENTATIVE: Councilman Leslie A. Helgesson
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 28, 1969.
Amendment: Page 3 - Chairman Perkins stated the letter from Mayor Aiken
dated April 28th had been read at the meeting, but that he had requested a
letter from the Mayor to provide information on Council desires re Adobe
Creek Lodge recommendations and that the following letter from the Mayor
dated April 25th had been read at the beginning of the meeting: "I feel we
should not take upon ourselves the responsibility of trying to plan the
property for Mr. Bellucci, only reviewing requests made by him. We need a
"guide" established which will help us make proper decisions whenever a re-
quest for expansion or change comes before us. We should not have to re -hash
the entire situation each time. The future of Adobe Creek Lodge will rest
upon the final decision of the Council, based on the recommendations of the
Planning Commission."
Commissioner Minckley moved, seconded by Hibner and carried unanimously, that
the Minutes of April 28, 1969 be approved as amended.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Assistant City Manager read the following communications:
1. Marilyn D. Palm, owner of the Flying M Rao:h, dated May 5 re horse
controls. Staff noted this communication had been referred to the Citizens
Committee reviewing same.
2. Mr. and Mrs. William Phy, 25616 Moody Road, dated April 30 supporting
Citizens Committee Report on Adobe Creek Lodge.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. Chairman Perkins requested that the Agenda be amended to include discussion
of the Planning Commission Budget for the 1969-70 Fiscal Year and consideration
of the Heid Site Development Permit under "OTHER BUSINESS" on the Agenda.
Commission concurred.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. Information on Pathway Committee's proposed priorities and policies was
submitted for Commission review.
2. Commissioner Minckley requested a report from the Private Road Committee
be agended for next Study Session.
COMMITTEE REPORTS cont'd.:
too 3. Commissioner Hibner stated the next meeting of the Citizens Committee re
animal control would be held Wednesday, May 28 at the Town Hall, at 7:45 P.M.
COUNCIL REFERRALS:
1. City Council had acceded to the request of Mr. David Bellucci, owner of
Los Altos Hills Country Club for a Study Session with the Planning Commission
re discussion of ways and means of legitimizing LAHCC and discussion of
potential secondary uses of land not needed by LAHCC (presently used for
picnics).
City Manager noted the Council had not expressed an opinion on the request and
that in the interim the Club Manager of the Los Altos Hills Country Club had
asked that the request be deferred until the end of the summer. Therefore,
Commission concurred Mr. Bellucci should be ntofied that no action had been
taken on his request for a Study Session.
2. City Council unanimously concurred that guidelines for the present and
future land use of Los Altos Hills Country Club still do not exist, and
that the Planning Commission be requested to provide such guidelines for the
Council. Commission concurred this item should be agended for a Study Session,
May 26th.
3. City Manager noted Council had requested rezoning of the one acre park
donation of Mr. Oliver Wheeler to Open Space Reserve and recommended this re-
zoning occur in conjunction with the rezoning of Byrne Park and the Park
Corridor. Commission concurred.
4. Council requested Commission review and recommendation concerning a
possible moratorium on development in the Central Drive Area until area
planning is completed. Commission concurred this item should be agended for
a Study Session May 26th.
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1. PUBLIC HEARING to Consider rezoning 1.417 acres of State surplus property
located at Purissima and Arastradero Roads to Open Space Reserve.
Staff report was presented, noting the State Division of Highways had delayed
sale of the property after learning the Town had initiated rezoning procedures.
City Manager noted the objective of the Commission was to determine if the
property should be rezoned to OSR and the land uses correspondingly restricted
to Agriculture, Forest Preserve or Open Space.
At 8:05 P. M., Chairman Perkins declared the Public Hearing open and there
being no comment from the Floor, declared the Public Hearing closed at
8:06 P. M.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Minckley moved, seconded by
Lachenbruch and carried unanimously that the Commission recommend approval
of rezoning the 1.417 acre parcel located at Purissima and Arastradero
Roads to Open Space Reserve and request the City Council to set a hearing
for same.
Commission briefly discussed maintenance of the property and concurred this
4W should be a Council consideration in considering rezoning.
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VARIANCES•
1. HECKER, DR. S. P. (V-324-69) - Request for 3' reduction in side setback
ow to 27' for pool and 10' reduction in side setback to 20' for cabana.
Staff report was presented noting a variance had been approved in December,
1968 for a pool and cabana, with the cabana located at the eastern end of
the pool, and that the applicant was requesting relocation of the cabana to
the westerly end of the pool with a corresponding 6' reduction from the
original variance needed for the cabana. City Manager stated the proposed
relocation of the cabana appeared compatible with the pool design and topo-
graphic limitations of the lot and recommended approval, subject to repeal
of the previous variance V-317-68.
Chairman Hinckley presented Map Committee report, noting the pool was in
existence, that the fill along the bank was not detrimental and noting the
possibility of rotating the cabana 900 so as to not require a variance.
Commission discussion ensued, with Floor participation by Dr. R. Steele,
27798 Via Ventana, John K. Knox, 3480 Murdoch Court, Palo Alto, Mrs. J. G.
Ronsiek, 13023 Vista del Valle Court, and Mrs. D. Miller, 13076 Vista del
Valle Court.
Dr. R. Steele objected to the preclusion of privacy due to the installation
of i lArger amount of fill than originally shown for the pool and requested
the 30' setback requirement be adhered to.
Dr. Hecker noted the new cabana location would be six additional feet from
the side setback, that the cabana would be screened from the Steele residence,
that the cabana height would be no greater than originally approved and that
planting as indicated on the variance application would be installed to
provide privacy for the Steele residence.
The following points were clarified during Commission discussion:
1) A fence along the property line between the Steele and Hecker property
was not included in the variance application, but trees and construction of
a screen would be provided by Dr. Hecker.
2) Commission concurred the revised variance provided more relief to Dr.
Steele than the variance originally approved and currently in effect.
3) Commissioner Weisbart stated she would abstain due to residence in the
immediate area.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Hibner moved, seconded by
Lachenbruch, that, pursuant to Section 65-906 of the State Planning Act, the
Planning Commission recommends approval of the variance application of
Dr. S. P. Hecker V-324-69 for a 3' reduction in side setback to 27' for
pool and 10' reduction in side setback to 20' for cabana, with the condition
that Dr. Hecker plant appropriate screening as shown on the plan submitted
and that previous variance V-317-68 be repealed, was carried by majority
voice vote, Commissioner Weisbart abstaining.
USE PERMITS•
1. FORD COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL (UP -321-69) - Request for 3' reduction in side
Request for modification of existing use permit to allow rebuilding of garage
and relocation of tennis court.
46, Staff report was presented noting seven adjacent property owners have signed
approval and no objections had been received. Staff recommended approval,
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USE PERMIT: Ford Country Day School cont'd.:
subject to the following conditions:
1) Roof and wall colors of the bus port shall blend in with natural surround-
ings and proposed color samples shall be satisfactory to the City Manager.
2) Planting shall be installed along the property line southwest of the
bus port to screen the bus port and adjacent paved areas. Planting plans
shall be submitted and approved by the City Manager.
3) The existing garage shall be removed within 30 days of final inspection
of the bus port.
4) Building permits shall not be issued until a Site Development Permit has
been issued for all grading and excavation associated with the tennis court
and bus port.
5) Los Altos Fire Department requirement be satisfied by installation of a
V fire hydrant on a 4" water main in the vicinity of the new bus port, the
hydrant to be installed on or before the completion of the bus port.
6) Continued utilization of the old secondary residence as a storage
facility may be continued upon approval of the Los Altos Fire Department for
said use.
7) A complete and up to date plot plan of all facilities shall be submitted
prior to issuance of building permits.
Letter from the Los Altos Fire Department dated May 12, 1969 requesting the
old secondary residence be torn down on or before July 1, 1969 was read.
Mr. Brent warner, owner of the Ford Country Day School, requested a 90 -day
extension of time to comply with the Fire Department's requirement.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Minckley moved, seconded by
Weisbart and carried unanimously, that the Planning Commission recommend
approval of the request of Ford Contry Day School(UP-321-69) for modification
of existing Use Permit to allow rebuilding of garage and relocation of tennis
court, subject to the conditions outlined in the Staff recommendations above,
modified so as to change City Manager to Site Development Committee in
Conditions #1 and #2 and a change in Condition #6 to require the old
secondary residence to be torn down on or before October 1, 1969.
RECESS: 9:09 P. M. - 9:19 P. M.
OTHER BUSINESS:
1. Heid Site Development Permit.
Staff report was presented on a referral from the Site Development Committee
of the Heid Site Development Permit. City Manager read letter from the City
Engineer dated May 12, 1969 noting severe drainage problems existing in
this area and extending down the private road to the end of Olive Tree Court.
City Manager stated the Site Development Committee felt the drainage problem
needed to be solved prior to issuance of a permit.
Mrs. Heid noted they had been trying to obtain a building permit for approxi-
mately one year, that their financial commitments were expiring, and that the
City Engineer had verbally agreed that grading to insure that not all water
would drain toward Olive Tree Court could alleviate the problem.
[ MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Minckley moved, seconded by
Hibner and carried unanimously, that the issuance of the Heid Site Development
Permit be approved, subject to the condition that the immediate drainage
problem be resolved to the satisfaction of the City Engineer and that the
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OTHER BUSINESS: Heid cont'd.:
MOTION continued:
60 applicant supply a satisfactory written guarantee stating they will
assist proportionately to the benefit received in any drainage
solution determined in the future for this area, plus the condition
that the parking requirements indicated on the map be provided.
2. Discussion of Planning Budget.
Chairman Perkins reviewed Page 13 of the First Draft of the 1969-70 Planning
Budget, noting Item B 06.04, Professional Services, did not include the
total amount for funds necessary to complete the three phases of the General
Plan review and revision, previously approved by the Commission and Council
and that an additional $6,500 needs to be budgeted to accommodate same.
Commission discussion ensued, with participation by Mr. George Mader, Town
Planner, and Mrs. D. Miller. The following points were clarified during
Commission discussion:
1. The proposed Planning Budget would eliminate Phase III of the General
Plan Review, which includes the critical areas outside of the Town including
the need to determine area pheres of influence as required by the Local
Agency Formation Commission. Commission concurred Phase III may also con-
tain the framework in which to review land utilization of Adobe Creek Lodge
and might also have a direct effect on consideration of a development
moratorium in the Central Drive Area.
2. Mr. Mader stated that without the availability of all three phases,
an additional approximate $1200 would be needed to study circulation and
development in the Central Drive Area.
3. Commission concurred that planning not done this coming year may be
planning not done at all, as the dye may be cast by the time planning funds
become available.
RESOLVED: The Planning Commission, after carefully reviewing Budget Item
3 B 06.04, feels that essential parts of the Town's Planning Program would
have to be deleted in order to conform to funds allotted this Item in the
First Draft of the 1969-70 Budget. Specifically, this would require
deletion of Phase III of the proposed General Plan Study, which includes
planning options available now that may not be available one year hence.
The Planning Commission strongly recommends to the Council that as a
minimum, an additional $6,500.00 be budgeted to Item 3 B 06.04.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Lachenbruch moved, seconded by
Minckley and carried unanimously, that the above Resolution be adopted and
forwarded to the City Council.
Commission concurred the Chairman and Vice -Chairman should represent the
Commission at the Budget Hearing to explain the recommendation in depth.
3. Variances.
Commissioner Weisbart expressed a desire to see the Planning Commission
tighten up on the granting of variances. Chairman Perkins noted the Town
Planner had suggested the reason for granting a variance be included in the
4 Motion recommending approval.
Commission concurred a review of variance criteria should be scheduled for
a Study Session in the near future.
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to ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business before the Planning Commission, Chairman
Perkins adjourned the meeting at 10:47 P. M. TO:
NEXT REGULAR ADJOURNED MEEETING: Monday, May 26, 1969 at 7:45 P. M. at the
Town Hall.
DRL/mam
5/12/69
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Respectfully submitted,
PRISCILIA R. WEISBART
Secretary, Planning Commission
Town of Los Altos Hills