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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/14/1969L PLANNING COMMISSION M TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING July 14, 1969 Chairman William A. Perkins called the Regular 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 following members answered roll call: Present: Commissioners Dawson, Hibner, Lachenbruch, Minckley, Weisbart and Chairman Perkins. Absent: Commissioner McReynolds. COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE: Councilman Leslie A. Helgesson. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 23, 1969. Commissioner Hinckley moved, seconded by Hibner and carried unanimously, that the Minutes of June 23, 1969 be approved as submitted. CO[MtUNICATIONS: Chairman Perkins reviewed the communication from Commissioner Laurence A. Dawson presenting a donation to the Town of the portion of his property which lies between the center line of Page Mill Road and Matadero Creek for use as a park or parkette 4W and for path purposes, in accordance with the Town's adopted path plan. MOTION, SBGCNDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Minckley moved, seconded by Weisbart, that the Planning Commission express appreciation to Commissioner and Mrs. Dawson for their donation to the Town, was carried unanimously by voice vote, Commissioner Dawson abstaining. 1:14NO3I1 G7>'y k4OF Chairmen Perkins stated that the City Council had not approved the additional $6,500.00 needed for completion of Phase III of the General Plan Study and that it did not appear that these funds would be in the 1969-1970 Budget due to financial limitations. Assistant City Manager reviewed the following: 1) City Council had concurred with Commission recommendation for development of a long range fiscal plan for the Town and requested Staff to submit a proposed program for developing such a plan by September 1, 1969, 2) City Attorney had advised the Council that a Public Hearing on the proposed moratorium on development in the Central Drive area would be required at both the Commission and Council level due to the fact that the Town Zoning Ordinance is affected. Correspondingly, the Council had referred the matter of the proposed moratorium on development back to the Commission for a Public Hearing at the LO Commission level. COUNCIL REFERRALS cont'd (Moratorium) 4W and SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Minckley moved, seconded by Lachenbruch and carried unanimously, that the Commission set a Public Hearing for 8:00 P. M., August 11, 1969 to consider a possible moratorium on development in the Central Drive area. 3) Reviewed Council request for a clarification on the Citizens' report re: Los Altos Hills Country Club ,Land Use. Commission concurred to discuss this item following "COMMITTEE REPORTS". 4) Presented progress report regarding Spheres of Influence noting the Council had directed Staff to contact neighboring jurisdictions and report to the Commission concerning mutual considerations. It was further noted that LAMO has requested a progress report on determination of Spheres of Influence by the Town prior to August 6, 1969. 5) Reviewed Council request for Commission to review planning priorities for the 1969-1970 Fiscal Year due to Budget limitations. Commissioner Minckley stated the General Plan Committee would provide information on this matter during "COMMITTEE REPORTS". 1. Citizens' Committee Reviewing Animal Regulations. Commissioner Hibner reviewed Citizens' Committee report dated July 3, 1969 noting the following: a. The Committee had completed its charge to develop facts concerning the regulation of horses in Los Altos Hills. 4 b. The Town has an estimated horse population of 1000-3000 horses and the Town is approximately 60% developed at this time. c. There is a need for more equestrian trails and a corresponding need for better maintenance of same. d. Committee concurred that the correct care of horses is more important than the number of horses allowed per acre. e. Generally speaking, private stables are in reasonably good condition throughout the Town, although the Committee majority favored more strict enforcement of health regulations. f. Further study is needed in the following areas: consideration of a Citizens' Inspection Committee; consideration of individual permits for horses; regulation of commercial stables; and the desirability of a separate Stable Control Ordinance compared to amending the present Zoning Ordinance. Commission discussion ensued concerning the report, with Floor participation by Committee Members Dr. Ray Bewley and Mr. Laurence A. Watkins. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Minckley moved, seconded by Dawson, that the Commission accept the report with appreciation to the Committee and schedule a Public Hearing for the July 28, 1969 Meeting. It was carried unanimously by voice vote, Commissioner Hibner abstaining. Chairman Perkins suggested a summary of the general frame work of the Committee Report be set forth by the Staff and Commissioner Hibner for discussion at the July 28, 1969 Meeting. Commission concurred. 2. Commissioner Weisbart reviewed Tree Committee activities noting the following: a. Plans for landscaping the Little League baseball field will be presented to the City Council for approval and transmittal to the State Division of Highways. -2- COMMITTEE REPORTS cont -d b. The Tree Committee is interested in establishing an information center on trees located at the Town Hall. c. Future Tree Committee meetings will be held at the Town Hall the first Saturday of each month. 3. Commissioner Weisbart reviewed presentation to the Palo Alto Planning Commission on July 9, 1969 re: Development of Arastradero Road, noting the following: a. Palo Alto had been advised the Town is in the process of revising the General Plan and Master Path Plan. b. Palo Alto Planners had been most cooperative and had discussed a joint meeting with the Los Altos Hills Planning Commission. Commission concurred a joint meeting with the Palo Alto Planning Commission would be desirable to allow discussion of development plans for the Arastradero Road corridor. 4. Commissioner Hinckley noted the General Plan Committee had reviewed Planning Priorities for the 1969-1970 Fiscal Year pursuant to the request of the City Council and had unanimously concurred that the Planning Priorities for the coming year could not and should not be altered. RESOLVED: THAT the Planning Commission does hereby recommend to the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills that the entire General Plan Review Program is essential to the orderly development of the Town in keeping with the original objectives of incorporation and therefore should be continued in the 1969-1970 Budget for completion during that year as previously requested. In view of the pressing urgencies for General Plan revision and in coned- deration of possible lack of available funds this Planning Commission hereby endorses the following course of action: A. To undertake all those items of Phase I of the General Plan Revision Program as originally outlined: 1. Detailed work program. 2. Composite of General Plan and General Plan Elements. 3. Definition of Planning Areas and Review of Related Plans. 4. Land Use Inventory 5. Population Holding Capacity Estimates. 6. Traffic Study. 7. Preliminary Circulation Plan. 8. Street Standards Review. B. Housing Element of the General Plan as required by State law, not included in the original outline, becomes an extra part of Item 2 above. C. A sub -area Plan for the MMCP Area. D. The requested Sphere of Influence information would be part of Phase I but final recommendations might not be made until L Phase III. E. Such other Sub -area Planning as may be deemed requisite by developments in the future shall be taken as a part of the -3- COMMITTEE REPORTS: Resolution cont'd ` miscellaneous fund allocation, i.e., Adobe Creek basin, Arastradero Road corridor, and a portion of the cost of the MMCP Study. HE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in view of the urgent nature of all subjects in the General Plan Revision Program it is the intent of this Commission to adhere to their original schedule and complete the above priorities within the first six months of the 1969-1970 Fiscal Year. It is requested that during January 1970 a review of the fiscal balance of the budget be scheduled to ascertain whether funds might then be available to continue the Planning Review Program on schedule. x x x x x x x x x MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Hinckley moved, seconded by Dawson, that the above Resolution be adopted and transmitted to the City Council. It was carried unanimously by the following roll call vote: Ayes: Commissioners Dawson, Hibner, Iachenbruch, Minckley, Weisbart and Chairman Perkins. Noes: None. Absent: Commissioner McReynolds. 5. George G. Mader, Town Planner, distributed memo to the Commission dated July 14, 1969 containing background information on the proposed housing element for the Los Altos Hills General Plan. Mr. Mader suggested the background information be reviewed and discussed at the July 28th Meeting. OLD BUSINESS: 1. PUBLIC HEARING RE: AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 78 CONCERNING BUILDING SETBACK LINES AND VARIANCE CRITERIA George Mader, Town Planner, reviewed proposed amendments to Zoning Ordinance No. 78 as summarized below: (Complete context of amendments on file in the Office of the City Clerk) 1. Redefine net area to exclude from the gross area all public and private easements for vehicular access not for the exclusive use of the parcel on which such easements are located. 2. Change setback building line definitions so that where a lot abuts on more than me street or easement the 40 foot setback building line shall be required only from the major of the travel ways, with a 30 foot setback required from the second travel way (instead of 40 feet from each as presently required). 3. Require the following findings prior to granting a variance: (a) Exceptional or extraordinary circumstances applying to the property. (b) Enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance would result in unnecessary hardship. (c) Enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance would deprive properties of privileges enjoyed by Similar properties. (d) The granting of a variance will not be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to the neighborhood. (e) The granting of a variance will not constitute a grant of special privilege. (f) The variance will be in harmony with the general purpose of the Zoning Ordinance and the General Plan. At 9:10 P. M. Chairman Perkins declared the Public Hearing open and comments from the Floor were presented by Glen Taylor and David Jansson, 27440 Sherlock Road. -4- OLD BUSINESS: Public Hearing cont'd AV Chairman Perkins declared the Public Hearing closed at 9:29 P. M. and Commission discussion ensued concerning the proposed amendments. Commission concurred that the proposed amendments to Section 9:10 should be revised to read as follows: "Where a lot abuts on more than one street or easement as specified in (a) above, the 40 foot setback building line shall be required from only one such property line. In such instances the property owner may select the property line provided such choice, in the opinion of the City Manager or authorized representative, will not be injurious to adjacent properties". The Commission also concurred that all variance criteria should include reference to conditions in the same vicinity and zoning district. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Minckley moved, seconded by Dawson and carried unanimously, that the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council that the proposed amendments,as revised,to Zoning Ordinance No. 78 be approved and implemented. RECESS: 10:00 P. M. - 10:08 P. M. VARIANCES: 1. FISK, NORMAN (V-329-69) - Request for 20' reduction in front setback to 20' for garage and 10' reduction to 30' for residence at 13367 la Cresta Drive. Staff report was presented,noting the lot was extremely steep and there appears to be ` no better solution for the location of the house than to move it closer to the private �y road, build it on piers and not disturb the slope of land in any way. Correspondingly, the Staff recommended approval. Commissioners Weisbart and Hibner presented a Map Committee Report concurring with the Staff recommendation. Commission discussion ensued with Floor participation by Ira Ota, 13303 Wilderest Drive, Mrs. F. W. McKean, former owner of the lot, Edmund Wadsworth, representing Dr. Fisk, and Mary G. Steers, 11641 Buena Vista Drive. Mr. Wadsworth noted that if the residence were moved further back from the private road, an additional variance would be required since the 30 foot building height requirement would be exceeded. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Hibner moved, seconded by Iachenbruch and carried unanimously, that pursuant to Section 65-906 of the State Planning Act,the Planning Commission recommend that the request of Norman Fisk (V-329-69) for 20 foot reduction in front setback to 20 feet for garage and 10 foot reduction to 30 feet for residence at 13367 La Cresta Drive be approved. 2. !!HEEL, ADRIAN D. (V-330-69) - Request for 10' reduction in side setback to 20' for residence addition at 26929 Almaden Way. Staff report was presented noting only the corner of the building encroaches into the side setback as the house sits at an angle to the side property line and recommending approval. Commissioners Weisbart and Hibner presented the Map Committee Report, questioning the possibility of moving the residence addition northerly to avoid encroachment into the side setback. Dr. Mandel stated a northerly relocation would interfere with existing tv door and window and would place the structure too close to the chimney. Dr. Mandel further noted that the time the lot was built upon, the street design for the adjacent -5- VARIANCES Mandel, Adrian D. cont'd 4W subdivision had not been determined. Consequently, the house had not been located to maximum utilization of setback requirements. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Lachenbruch moved, seconded by Dawson, that pursuant to Section 65-906 of the State Planning Act, the Planning Commission recommend approval of the request of Adrian D. Mandel (V-330-69) for 10 foot reduction in side setback to 20 feet for residence addition at 26929 Almaden Way, was carried by majority voice vote, Commissioner Weisbart opposed. 3. WEILAND, LAWRENCE (V-331-69) - Request for 10' reduction in front setback to 30' for residence addition at 12680 La Cresta Drive. Staff report was presented, noting the existing house sets back 30 feet from the front property line and the addition requested stays within the front line of the existing building. Staff recommends approval. MOTION, SECINDED 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 recommend approval of the request of Lawrence Weiland (V-331-69) for 10 foot reduction in front setback to 30 feet for residence addition at 12680 La Cresta Drive. 4. HOLM, KLAUS (V-333-69) - Request for 15' reduction in rear and side setbacks to 15' for pool at 12440 Hilltop Drive. Staff report was presented, noting the applicant had selected this particular location because it is the most level spot at the rear of the residence and that the remainder of the lot is heavily planted with fruit trees and restricted by drain field location. Commissioners Weisbart and Hibner presented Map Committee Report, noting it appears the pool could be relocated to the plateau area behind the residence, noted a map deficiency due to lack of contours and questioned pool design. Commission discussion ensued with Floor participation by Mr. and Mrs. Holm. Mr. Holm noted 19 signatures from adjacent property owners had been submitted in support of the variance request and that it is only 54' from the slope of the house excavation to the rear property line. MOTION, SECONDER) AND CARRIED: Commissioner Hibner moved, seconded by Weisbart and carried unanimously, that the variance request of Klaus Holm (V-333-69) be continued to the July 28th meeting to allow map revisions so as to include contour lines and information on the shape and design of the pool. USE PERMIT: 1. STEEDS, MARY G. (UP -332-69) - Request for Guest Cottage on 14+ acres at 11641 Buena Vista Drive. Staff report was presented, recommending approval subject to the condition that Use Permit No. 287-67, previously approved to allow construction of a Guest Cottage across Buena Vista Drive, be rescinded. Commission discussion ensued with Floor participation by Mrs. Steers, Mr. Laws, 11210 Hooper Lane and Jerome Metzger, 11620 Buena Vista Drive. Town Planner noted that a proposed 75' setback for the Guest Cottage should be more than adequate in the event Buena Vista Drive were realigned at a future date. III USE PERMIT: Steers, Mary G. cont'd MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Hibner moved, seconded by Weisbart and carried unanimously, that the Commission recommend approval of the request of Mary `, G. Steers (UP -332-69) for a Guest Cottage at 2.1641 Buena Vista Drive, subject to the condition that UP -287-67 be rescinded. 4ua�Y,/:YY�Vi�u/ASI 1. BOBS, HOWARD S. (358-69) - 2 lots, 3.54 acres, Black Mountain Road. Eugr. J. W. Riley. Staff report was presented recommending the Tentative Map be continued to allow sub- mission of additional information to determine location of the existing septic tank and drain field on Lot No. 1 and to determine whether access exists to Lot No. 2. Commission discussion ensued with Floor participation by John G. Riley, applicant's engineer, and Louise Dragert, prospective purchaser of the property. Mr. Riley noted Lot No. 2 is proposed to be designated "Not A Building Site" and that the location of the existing septic system and the right of access to Lot No. 2 would be determined prior to filing a Final Map. Commissioner Minckley moved, seconded by Hibner, to proceed with preparation of a Check List was carried by a majority voice vote, Commissioner Weisbart and Perkins opposing. The Check List was prepared with the following additional conditions: 1. In -Lieu payment for Black Mountain Road as required by the City Engineer. 2. Deeded access to a public road for Lot No. 2 to be demonstrated prior to filing a Final Map. 3. Existing septic tank and drain field shall be located within the subdivision in accordance with Town Ordinances. 4. Lot No. 2 is designated "Not A Building Site". MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Hibner moved, seconded by Minckley, that the Planning Commission recommend that the Tentative Map of Howard S. Bobb (358-69), 2 lots, be approved in accordance with the conditions of the Check List. It was carried by majority voice vote, Commissioner Weisbart opposing, Commissioner Perkins abstaining. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. City Manager noted that pursuant to previous Commission recommendations, filing fees for applications prepared by the Town would be amended to establish the following deposits against which professional services rendered to the Town would be charged: Tentative and Final Maps $200 Deposit - Less than 5 lots $500 Deposit - 5 or more lots Building Site Approval $200 Deposit Use Permits $200 Deposit Variance $100 Deposit Site Development Permits $200 Deposit There being no further business to come before the Commission, Chairman Perkins adjourned the meeting at 12:33 A. M. TO: ` NEXT REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING: Monday, July 28, 1969 at 7:45 P. M., Town Hall. Respectfully submitted, PRISCILLA R. WEISEART, Secretary Planning Commission DRL/vik Town of Los Altos Hills 7/18/69 -7-