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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/09/1969r PLANNING COMMISSION TO19N OF LOS ALTOS HILLS MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING June 9, 1969 Chairman William A. Perkins callad the Regular 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, Minckley, Weisbart and Chairman Perkins. Absent: Commissioner McReynolds (arrived 8:05 P. M.). COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE: Councilman Walter A. Benson APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 26, 1969. Commissioner Dawson moved, seconded by Weisbart and carried unanimously, that the Minutes of May 26, 1969 be approved as submitted. COMMUNICATIONS: Staff stated the only communication was from Mr. Richard B. Thomas, who re- quested Commission consideration to allow pre -grading of his lot. Commission concurred to discuss the communication under "CTHER BUSINESS". ANNOUNCEMENTS: City Manager noted the following: 1) League of California Cities Spring Planning Conference will be held April 8-10, 1970. 2) On Wednesday, June 11th, the Palo Alto Planning Commission will consider design standards for Arastradero Road and study the entire parcel of property lying between Page Mill Road, Foothill Expressway, Hillview Avenue, Arastra- dero Road and Junipero Serra Freeway. Chairman Perkins noted a letter from Mrs. A. Ginzton, Pathway Committee Chairman dated May 29th pertained to this matter and suggested discussion under "OTHER BUSINESS". COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1. Commissioner Lachenbruch noted Portola Vallay has reactivated its Geological Hazards Committee and that he has been invited to attend. 2. Commissioner Minckley noted progress on the General Plan Revision depends on Planning Budget allocations, as the resubmission of planning priorities would be necessary should the Planning Budget be cut. Chairman Perkins requested Councilman Benson to convey to the City Council t the urgency of the Commission request for additional planning funds. Y 3. Commissioner Hibner noted the Citizens Committee studying Animal Regula- tions had conducted its fourth and final meeting and that facts obtained would be presented in a written report for the July 28th Study Session. L VARIANCES: 1. LEACH, WALTER J. JR. (V-327-69) - Request for 20' reduction in southerly setback to 20' for new residence at Lot #12, Hillcrest Estates #2, Tract #4020. Staff report was presented, noting the following: 1. Westridge Court on the southern boundary of the Leach lot was approved to provide access to Hillcrest Estates #2 Subdivision. 2. The applicant is requesting a 20t reduction in southerly setback based on the following reasons: (a) to avoid excessive cutting of the land; (b) to follow land contours as closely as possible and thereby minimize possible earthquake, slide, or erosion damage; (c) to obtain a better view from the higher position on the lot; (d) to give neighboring properties to the north and the Leach property more privacy. Town Planner suggested a movement of the proposed residence an additional 10' northerly, thereby requiring a 30' setback from Westridge Court and a corresponding 10' variance; noting this would preserve future access to the adjacent 5.9 acre parcel and follow the Town's informal policy of requiring a 30' setback from one street when property is bounded by two or more streets. Commissioner Lachenbruch presented Map Committee Report, noting the adjacent lots to the north have existing homes on the southerly boundaries of the lots and that to obtain privacy it would be logical for the Leach's to move their residence as high (southerly) on the lot as possible. Commission discussion ensued concerning grading, drainage, preservation of future access and residence design, with Floor participation by Mr. and Mrs. W. Leach. The following points were clarified during Commission discussion: 1. Commission concurred the applicant should give consideration to adjusting residence location so as to more closely follow land contours and avoid additional setback requirements. 2. Commission noted the lot design needs to be modified to obtain the 800 square feet of parking area (exclusive of driveway), required by Town ordinances. 3. Commission noted the applicant's architect should give additional con- sideration to drainage problems of the lot. 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 a 10' reduction in southerly setback to 30' from Westridge Court for a new residence for Walter J. Leach, Jr. (V-327-69), Lot #12, Hillcrest Estates 02, Tract #4020, be approved, subject to the requirement of the submission of a Site Development Plan with special atten- tion directed to parking area requirements, drainage problems, and grading of the proposed lot, was carried by majority voice vote, Commissioner Weisbart abstained. -2- VARIANCES cont'd.: 2. MORITA, TETSU (V-328-69) - Request for 10' reduction in side setback to 4W 20' for pool at 27955 Briones Way. Staff report was presented, noting the only reasonable location for a pool would be to the southwesterly corner of the residence due to lot shape and topographic restrictions. Staff noted it would appear desirable to screen or landscape the westerly end of the swimming pool to provide privacy from the Muracek residence and that due to surface evidence of expansive soils, a soils report would appear desirable for the applicant's own protection. Town Planner noted the proposed pool could be relocated 10' easterly, thereby requiring no reduction in setback; however, this would require relocation of the proposed patio to the westerly end of the pool. Commissioner Lachenbruch presented Map Committee Report, noting that it appeared that bedrock might be reached just below the surface, based on exposed cuts in the immediate area. Commission discussion ensued concerning soils report and possible relocation of the patio, with Floor participation by Mr. T. Morita. Mr. Morita noted it was his desire to roof the patio and that this would be objectionable to the neighbor if relocated to the eastern end of the pool. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Dawson moved, seconded by Hibner, that pursuant to Section 65-906 of the State Planning Act, the Planning Commission recommend approval of the request of Tetsu Morita (V-328-69) for 10' reduction in side setback to 20' for pool at 27955 Briones Way, subject to adequate planting of the westerly boundary of the Morita property to ensure privacy and subject to the requirement that the City Engineer be instructed to inspect the excavation prior to installation of the reinforcing steel to insure that there is no engineering problem in construction of the pool, was carried by majority voice vote, Commissioner Weisbart abstained. TENTATIVE MAP: 1. RHUS RIDGE RANCHOS. UNITS #2 and #3 (357-69) 12 lots, 23.8 acres, Moody Road. Engr. G. S. Nolte & Assoc. Staff report was presented, noting the Town had previously approved a Tentative Map in 1965, which had expired, and that the applicant has agreed to provide additional information on the Tentative Map as required by Town ordinances. Staff recommended the Tentative Map be continued to the July 14 meeting to allow map revisions. Staff noted the applicant desires to proceed with the building of a residence on Lot #1, 3.1 acres, and since the parcel was created more than ten years ago, the entire 23.8 acres is not a building site at this time. Staff recommended the application be amended on its face so as to be considered one building site approval for the entire 23.8 acre parcel and recommended approval of the request for one building site approval, subject to the following conditions: 1. No dedications or improvements be required prior to issuance of a building permit and these requirements be incorporated in the Tentative Map for the entire parcel. ` 2. A bond for improvements in the amount of $5,000.00 be executed prior to ` issuance of a building permit. This bond would remain in effect until a replacement bond had been provided prior to approval of the Final Map for the entire subdivision. -3- T3i9T3TIV3 IMPS: Rhus Ridge Ranchos cont'd.: Commission noted the applicant's enginaer should check the slope of Lot #1 0410 to determine if it were further subdividable and, if so, it should be excluded from slope density computations. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Minckley moved, seconded by Dawson and carried unanimously, that the Tentative Map of Rhus Ridge Ranchos, Units #2 and #3 (357-69) be continued to the Planning Commission meeting of July 14 to allow map revisions. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Hibner moved, seconded by Minckley and carried unanimously, that the request of Elizabeth Duveneck Dana fox Building Site Approval, 1 lot, 23.8 acres, Rhus Ridge Ranchos, be approved subject to the two conditions recommended by Staff as noted above. RECESS: 10:00 P. M. - 10:12 P. M. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Commission reviewed letter from Richard B. Thomas, 3093 Grove Avenue, Palo Alto, dated May 29, requesting pre -grading be allowed for Lot #9 located on Todd Lane so as to provide mature landscaping and delineation of drainage problems prior to residence construction. City Manager noted Site Development Ordinance No. 133 does not allow pre - grading unless building plans for the residence are submitted and that Mr. Thomas has not prepared and does not desire to prepare building plans at this time. Commission discussion ensued, with Floor participation by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas. Commission concurred the only reasonable alternative for Mr. Thomas would be to limit his landscaping so as not to exceed 200 cubic yards of dirt graded and thereby stay within the intent of Ordinance No. 133. Mr. Thomas stated this could be accomplished. 2. Commission reviewed letter from Pathway Committea dated May 29 and attached memo dated May 26, urging full Town participation in the City of Palo Alto's plans for Arastradero Road development. Commission concurred it would be desirable to adopt a resolution recommending the City Council request mutual consideration among the affected agencies along the Arastradero Road corridor and that it would be desirable for the resolution to be transmitted to the Palo Alto Planning Commission immediately, as their next meeting is prior to the next Los Altos Hills City Council meeting. RESOLVED: WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the Town of Los Altos Hills realizes that a mutual problem is developing at the Arastradero corridor between Los Altos Hills and Stanford development through Palo Alto and County jurisdiction; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Commission recommends the Los Altos Hills City Council request mutual considerations between the affected agencies in the entire area of that corridor from 4/ ridge to ridge along the entire northerly boundary of the Town. - OTHER BUSINESS: Resolution cont'd.: Such considerations should precede any action on the part of any of the influenced agencies until such time as agreement can be mutually attained regarding planning considerations in the entire area. This immediate area problem reinforces the necessity of consider- ing the entire area of influence surrounding the Town of Los Altos Hills as previously indicated by this body. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Planning Commission of the Town of Los Altos Hills at a Regular Meeting thereof held on the 9th day of June, 1969, by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Commissioners Dawson, Hibner, Lachenbruch, Minckley, McReynolds, Weisbart and Chairman Perkins. Noes: None. Absent: None. 3. City Manager noted present Site Development Fca Schedule does not provide sufficient funds for review of all grading applications. Staff recommended a minimum fee be established for all applications regardless of the yardage involved in the grading and that a suitable deposit be required at the time of filing a grading plan against which actual engineering expenses for plan check and inspection could be charged, with the balance of the deposit then being refunded. Commission concurred to proceed along Staff recommendations for revising Site Development Feas and also concurred deposit schedules should be reviewed for all applications to insure that applicants are paying for all Town services rendered in regard to applications. Commissioner McReynolds suggested the Commission consider recommending the establishment of a flat fee on all applications, to be used only for planning purposes. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Minckley moved, seconded by Hibner and carried unanimously, that the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council that the Site Development Fee Schedule be amended, pursuant to Staff recommendations. 4. George Madcz, Town Planner, presented memo to the Commission dated June 9 re proposed development moratorium in MAPS Area. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Minckley moved, seconded by Waisbart and carried unanimously, that the Commission accept the memo dated Jun.: 9, 1969 and agenda same for discussion and possible action at. the Planning Commission meeting Juna 23rd. 5. Chairman Perkins expressed his concern regarding long range fiscal projects, noting the budgetary impact on planning for future roads, paths, etc. Commission concurred that discussion and possible action regarding initiating long term financial plan for the Town should be agended for the June 23rd meeting. There being no further business, Chairman Perkins adjourned the meeting at 11:58 P. M. TO: NEXT REGULAR ADJOURNED FETING: Monday, June 23, 1969 at 7:45 P. M., Town Hal Aso Respectfully submitted, DRL/mam 6/9/69 -5- PRISCILLA R. b16ISBART, Secretary Planning Commission Town of Los Altos Hills