HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/26/1969PLANNING COMMISSI014
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
MINUTES OF A REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING
May 26, 1969
Chairman William A. Perkins called the Regular Adjourned Meeting of the
Planning Commission of the Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 7:48 P. M.
at the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California. The
following members answered roll call: Present: Commissioners Dawson, Hibner,
Lachenbruch, McReynolds, Minckley, Weisbart and Chairman Perkins. Absent:
None.
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE: Councilman Mary C. Davey
1. J. Kennedy Bartholet, Assistant Executive Officer, Local Agency Formation
Commission, dated May 14, requesting report from the City on spheres of
influence prior to August 6.
Commission concurred Staff should review possible boundary agreements with
adjacent Cities and report at the next meeting.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 12, 1969.
Commissioner Minckley moved, seconded by .Jeisbart and carried unanimously,
that the Minutes of May 12, 1969 be approved as submitted.
1. Commissioner Minckley noted the County Planning Policy Committee had
conducted election of officers and endorsed Bay Conservation legislation
(Dolwig) at its last meeting.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. Commissioner Hibner noted the next meeting of the Citizen's Committee
reviewing animal controls will be held Wednesday, May 28th.
2. Chairman Perkins reported on Drainage Committee progress and noted the
next meeting would be held Thursday, May 29th.
VARIANCES:
Chairman Perkins requested the Town Planner's comments on granting variances.
Mr. George G• Mader stated the wording in the Zoning Ordinance for granting
variances is taken directly from State enabling legislation and that dis-
cussion with the City Attorney had confirmed that additional wording and
conditions could be incorporated into the Zoning Ordinance, such as the
following: the variance will not constitute a granting of special privileges;
will not be detrimental to the naighboring vicinity; will be in general
harmony with the General Plan; is based on special circumstances of the
property involved; and the failure to grant a variance would result in
unnecessary hardship to the property.
VARIANCES cont'd.:
1. STRAUBE, GENE F. (V-325-69) - Request for 10' reduction in side setback
to 20' for recreation room and 8' reduction in side setback to 22' for
pool at 27676 Via Cerro Gorda.
Staff report was presented, noting the shallowness of the lot, plus the slope
and grading provide the physical conditions restricting lot development and
provide a basis for granting a variance. Town Planner noted the lots to the
rear have logical house sites, well removed from the rear lot lines, and that
there appear to be no adverse effects on neighboring properties.
Staff recommended approval, subject to the following conditions:
1. A planting plan to be submitted with the building permit for landscaping
the rear lot line between pool and recreation room.
2. The applicant should attempt to lower recreation room at least 1'-2'
3. Plans to be reviewed by Fire Chief.
4. The final plans for landscaping, pool and recreation room to be subject
to approval of the Site Development Committee.
Commissioner Dawson presented Map Committee report, noting if the ridge line
on the proposed recreation room were kept at the same or lower height than
the existing ridge line level of the residence, there appeared to be no need
to lower the recreation room.
Mr. Gene Straube, applicant, and Mr. J. Degan, adjacent property owner, spoke
in support of the variance request.
MDTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Dawson moved, seconded by Hibner,
that Pursuant to Section 65-906 of the State Planning Act, the Planning
Commission recommends approval of the variance application of Gene F. Straube
(V-325 -69) for a 10' reduction in side setback to 20' for recreation room
and 8' reduction in side setback to 22' for pool at 27676 Via Cerro Gordo,
subject to the four conditions contained in the Staff Report (noted above),
with the revision of Item #2 to require that the recreation room should
extend in height to a point no higher than the highest existing ridge line,
was carried by majority voice vote, Commissioner Weisbart abstaining.
2. ANDERSON, W. F. (V-326-69) - Raquest for 12' reduction in side setback
to 28' for addition at 25811 Estacada Drive.
Staff report was presented, noting the .45 acre lot was reduced in size by
the acquisition of land for the Foothill Expressway and that the location
for the addition is considerably higher than the Expressway and partially
obscured from the nearest lanes by terrain.
Staff noted the size and shape of the lot severely limit the possibilities
for expansion other than by adding a second story, and recommended approval
subject to the following conditions:
1. A planting plan should be submitted for screening the property line along
the Expressway from the southeasterly corner of the property, northwesterly
for a distance of approximately 1001; and, removal of portions of existing
40 driveway in front of proposed family room and along front property line and
planting thereof.
-2-
VARIANCES cont'd.: Anderson
2. Planting plan and building permit to be submitted simultaneously and
be suitable to the Site Development Committee.
Commissioner Dawson presented Map Committee Report, noting only one side of
the property has no road frontage and recommending approval.
Commission discussion ensued concerning ordinance requirements for offstreet
parking, with Floor participation by Mr. W. F. Anderson.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Minckley moved, seconded by
Dawson, that pursuant to Section 65-906 of the State Planning Act, the
Planning Commission recommends approval of the variance application of
W. F. Anderson (V-326-69) for 12' reduction in side setback to 28' for
addition at 25811 Estacada Drive, subject to the two conditions recommended
by Staff (noted above), was carried unanimously by voice vote.
OTHER BUSINESS:
1. Variances.
Commission concurred that clarification within State guidelines for granting
of variances would be desirable and instructed the To= Planner to consult
with the City Attorney and prepare for Commission consideration at the next
Study Session, recommendations for ordinance amendments to clarify the
conditions upon which to base the granting of variances.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Chairman Perkins adjourned the meeting at
8:45 P. M. to Study Session to consider the following items:
1. Private Road Report.
2. Possible moratorium on development along Central Drive.
3. Guidelines for present and future land use of Adobe Creek Lodge/Los
Altos Hills Country Club.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, June 9, 1969 at 7:45 P. M. at the Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
DRL/mam
5/26/69
PRISCILIA R. 9EISBART, Secretary
Planning Commission
Town of Los Altos Hills