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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 7.17.1 Minutes of a Regular Meeting DRAFT Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5,2009,7:00 p.m. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. . Present: Chairman Harpootlian, Commissioners Cottrell, Collins, Clow and Abraham Staff: Debbie Pedro, Planning Director; David Keyon, Associate Planner; Nicole Horvitz, Assistant Planner and Victoria Ortland, Planning Secretary MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY CONSENSUS Motion made by Commissioner Abraham and seconded by Commissioner Clow to limit comment time to three minutes during Presentations from the Floor; and to limit comment time to five minutes for the public and twenty minutes for the applicant during Public Hearings. 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR - none 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.1 LANDS OF LOS ALTOS HOMES, LLC, 26462 Purissima Road, 9295-08-ZP- SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a landscape screening plan. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304 (b) (Staff -Nicole Horvitz). Planning Commission Ex Parte Contacts Policy Disclosure: Commissioners Abraham and Clow visited the site and spoke to the applicant; Commissioners Cottrell and Collins visited the site; and Chairman Harpoothan visited the site and spoke to a neighbor. Nicole Horvitz, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report for landscape screening for the new residence, pool, barn and guest house approved on March 6, 2008. Thirty-eight trees and 253 shrubs are proposed as well as landscape lighting. Dipesh Gupta, applicant, explained that the proposed trees would be drought tolerant. He offered to increase the size of some of the trees to increase screening for the neighboring Hickman and Jambulingam properties. The outdoor lighting and water features are compliant with Los Altos Hills' ordinances. He requested that the Planning Commission consider the reduction of the required landscape screening deposit from $20,000.00 to $10,000. Planning Commission Minutes February 5, 2009 Page 2 OPENED PUBLIC HEARING DRAFT Patricia Kirkpatrick, Purissima Road, said that the Los Altos Homes project has devalued her property which is now boxed in between the new residence and the freeway. George Kirkpatrick, Purissima Road, requested that the waterfalls on the property meet the noise ordinance requirements, the drainage and water storage system be examined for compliance with the approved plans and sandbags placed at his driveway by the Town to protect him from flood water. He asked that the solid wooden fence on the boundary line with his property be removed or replaced with a wrought iron or chain link fence. Thenmozhi Palaniappan, Purissima Road, stated that she could clearly see the house and swimming pool from the window of her living room. She requested that large branching trees be planted to provide screening for privacy. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Dipesh Gupta, applicant, said that he would consider increasing the size of specific screening trees at the Planning Commission's request. Commissioner Cottrell said that the Hickman property needed more screening with larger trees also. Dipesh Gupta offered to increase the size of the trees screening the Jambuligam and Hickman properties to a 12 foot minimum height. Commissioner Abraham felt that some of the neighborhood concerns would ease as the landscape plantings grow and mature. The drainage system for the project was more than adequate. Any excessive noise from the waterfall can be address by the Town's noise ordinance. The fence should remain as previously approved. Commissioner Cottrell was disappointed in the height of the trees that have already been planted. He asked the applicant to install taller trees to screen the neighbor's view of the new house. The drainage system was well engineered. Commissioner Collins was also disappointed in the height of the planted trees, but supported the landscape plan with increased height for the trees. Commissioner Clow stated that trees of at least 12 feet in height should be required to provide screening for the Jambulingam and Hickman properties. Chairman Harpootlian felt that if noise from the waterfall becomes a problem, the Town can help remedy the situation. He did not support a decrease in the landscape screening deposit. He wanted specific screening trees increased to at least 12 feet in height and additional plantings installed if needed to provide privacy for the neighbors. g Commission Minutes DRAFT ry 5, 2009 TION SECONDED AND PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE: Motion -,J- Commissioner Cottrell and seconded by Comm;cvion crow to approve the Site ovelopmont Permit with additional conditions of approval to require selected trees per the mdscape plan to be at least 12 feet in height installed in the view corridor of the neighboring iroperties of Hickman (from the garage to the northeast comer of the new house), Jambulingam (the two trees at the southeast property line) and Kirkpatrick (to block headlights on the driveway from reaching their bedroom window). AYES: Commissioners Collins, Clow, Cottrell, Abraham and Chairman Harpootlian NOES: none This item is subject to a 22 day appeal period and will be forwarded to a future meeting of the City Council. 3.2 LANDS OF EVERSHINE III, 13310 La Paloma Road, #159-07-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a landscape screening plan. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304 (b) (Staff -Nicole Horvitz). Planning Commission Ex Parte Contacts Policy Disclosure: Commissioners Abraham and Cottrell visited the site; and Commissioner Clow and Chairman Harpootlian visited the site and spoke to the project manager. Nicole Horvitz, Assistant Planner, reported on the application for the landscape screening and lighting plan. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed lighting plan, particularly the up lights and driveway lights. Tom Klope, Landscape Architect, explained that the Mediterranean style of the landscape has mostly water conserving plants and a lawn area. The driveway lights are very low profile spaced 40' on center and emit light only on the surface of the pavement. The lights proposed for the front entrance of the house are articulated lights to prevent the need of more fixtures for the house, driveway and walkway. The reflected light on the limestone facade of the house is characteristic of the style of architecture and lighting for a courtyard. The entrance of the courtyard is heavily screened. Up lights are planned to point at a 15' tall hedge at the back of the house that is not visible offsite. The lights hanging in the olive trees near the house are small cylindrical down lights. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Sandy Humphries, Environmental Design and Protection Committee, was concerned about the destination of the water directed down the hillside by the swales on either side of the driveway. Tom Klope explained the water was the naturally occurring flow coming off the undisturbed hillside that would follow the rock lined (to slow the speed of the runoff) Swale and be conveyed through pipes under the driveway and day lighted to the surface to travel to the rock lined ditch at the bottom of the property. Planning Commission Minutes DRAFT February 5, 2009 Page 4 Staff stated that thedraina dUsr��-fcx-tJta- cite would be inspected by the Town and signed off by a civil engineer that it had been installed according to the approved plan,. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Commissioners Cottrell, Abraham and Chairman Harpootlian supported the landscape plan. Commissioner Collins did not support the lighting plan and had concerns about the high water demands of the landscaping during a drought period. Commissioner Clow supported the landscape plan and the lighting plan as long as the lighting was not visible off site. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: Motion made by Commissioner Abraham and seconded by Commissioner Cottrell to approve the Site Development Permit subject to the conditions of approval in Attachment One. AYES: Commissioners Clow, Cottrell, Abraham and Chairman Harpootlian NOES: Commissioner Collins This item is subject to a 22 day appeal period and will be forwarded to a future meeting of the City Council. 3.3 LANDS OF LIU, 27755 Edgerton Road (proposed address change to 27300 Ursula Dr.), 4166-08-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 4,921 square foot two story new residence with a 852 square foot basement and the removal of eight (8) heritage oak trees. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303(a) (Staff -David Keyon). Planning Commission Ex Parte Contacts Policy Disclosure: Commissioners Abraham, Collins and Cottrell visited the site; and Commissioner Clow and Chairman Harpootlian visited the site and spoke with a neighbor. David Keyon, Associate Planner, presented the staff report for the proposed new residence on the steeply sloped, heavily wooded site. Discussion ensued regarding the placement of the driveway, the need for tree removal and the pathway requirement. Tim McKeegan, applicant, stated that much work had been done to locate the septic field around the oak trees. The driveway with the fire truck turn around configuration is a requirement of the fire department and necessitates the removal of one heritage oak tree. The wooded lot provides good screening of the house. Many changes have been made in the plans for the project to develop the best placement of the new residence with the least impact on the site. Mr. McKeegan responded to the neighbor's concerns regarding the size and orientation of the house, driveway design and placement, oak tree removal and landscape screening. Planning Commission Minutes DRAFT February 5, 2009 _ - Page 5 - Commissioner Collins asked if the house could be relocataa to preserve the oak tree in front of the proposed house. Mark Helton, projecle-glrieer, stated that the house cannot be moved further downhill because of the slope ofthe site. Chairman Harpoothan expressed concern over the slope of the proposed pathway and the protection from construction for the oak trees that will remain on the property. Commission Clow asked if the driveway could be moved to prevent removal of the 35" oak tree in the way of the fire truck turn around. Mark Helton replied that moving the driveway was not possible considering its design. The retaining wall height would increase, perhaps as tall as 17 feet, as the driveway is moved down the slope. --- --- OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Eileen Birnbaum, Edgerton Road, expressed concern about the steepness of the lot, the flow of water off the property, the efficiency of the proposed dissipater during times of heavy runoff, potential landslides, traffic disruption on Edgerton Road, the removal of the oak trees and the reliability of the soils report. Lennart Olsson, Ursula Lane, said the oak trees to be removed are important to their view. He felt a smaller house would be more appropriate for the lot. The placement of the driveway did not seem practical and is too close to the mature oak trees and his fence. Ginger Summit, Lenox Way, commented that a pathway easement was shown on the old Master Pathways Map. The Pathways Committee left the location of pathway to the discretion of the property owner because of the constraints of the site but perhaps the proposed pathway route could be moved more toward Edgerton Road in the Open Space area and out of the steep gulley. Most off road pathways are native paths with no gravel base and may have steps to facilitate pedestrian and equestrian travel. Sandy Humphries, Environmental Design and Protection Committee, said the site contained clusters of rare, slow growing heritage Blue Oak trees. She thought the magnificence of the trees in this beautiful setting would outweigh the desire to build a home of the proposed size on the property. Felix Lee, 27330 Ursula Lane, had concerns about the massive scope of the structures, the removal of the eight century old oak trees and the loss of privacy. He felt the lot had significant constraints to development due to steep slopes, unstable soils and difficult access. The large size of the home seems massive in comparison to the existing homes on Ursula Lane. He felt the driveway was poorly designed and vehicles would pass too closely to the oak trees. Planning Commission Minutes DRAFT February 5, 2009 i Commissioner Collins said iS',t rdocatine :be house down the property would create higher retaining walls along the driveway that Mr. Lee would view. Felix Lee replied that the retaining wall would appear as a handball court when viewed across his yard. The new home would be in a direct line from his house and ailo,, a clear view to his master bedroom and bathroom. Kimberly Lee, Ursula Lane, suggested that the landscape plan be considered prior to approval of the new residence as privacy is an important issue. The oak trees planned for removal and the large oaks at the proposed driveway entrance should be reviewed. Tall trucks entering the site have already begun hitting the exiting oaks along the driveway route including an oak tree on her property. Maintenance of the pathway is a concern especially because the area contains a lot of poison oak. Tim McKeegan, applicant, was willing to plant trees on his property and the Mann's and Spector's properties to provide screening. Moving the house down the site would affect the area of the septic;,'d. — - Commissioner Collins asked about possible design changes that would preserve the beautiful large oak tree proposed to be removed for the house construction. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Commissioner Cottrell wanted more oak trees preserved if possible and in particular tree #35 mentioned by Commissioner Collins. He suggested continuance of the application to allow an increased effort to save the trees. The drainage runoff must not be greater after construction, so the drainage system must be engineered properly. Commissioner Clow was concerned about the visual impact of the high retaining wall and the number of heritage Blue Oak trees planned for removal. A smaller home may need to be designed because of the difficult lot and the many exceptions that will be needed. He wanted oak 935 saved and more if possible. He supported the pathway recommendation. He did not support the application based on the amount of grading and fill required and wanted to continue the project. Commissioner Collins agreed that the project needed more time for better solutions to be examined and requested a continuance. She did not support the amount of cut and fill and thought a different design or smaller house might fit better on the difficult lot. Commissioner Abraham said the two acre lot allowed only a 5,000 square foot house because of the slope and moving the structure downhill would require much more cut and fill. He saw no way to save tree #35 short of reducing the size of the house. He proposed planting some of the replacement oak trees to provide screening for the Lees. He felt the best effort had been made with the location of the driveway and fire truck tum around. The pathway was on the Master Pathways map and should be required. Planning Commission Minutes DRAFT February 5, 2009 Page 7 Chairman Harpoothan thought the design of the house could be changed to save oak tree 935. The applicant has the right to build on the lot, but there are significant problems that need to be addressed. Commissioner Clow pointed out that constraints on a lot may limit the size of home that can be built. Some lots may not be able to support the allowable 5,000 square feet because of difficult site conditions. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE: Motion made by Commissioner Cottrell and seconded by Commissioner Abraham to continue the application to allow the applicant to revise the site plan to save oak tree 435. AYES: Commissioners Collins, Clow, Cottrell, Abraham and Chairman Harpootlian NOES: none 4. OLD BUSINESS - none 5. NEW BUSINESS - none 6. REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING 6.1 Planning Commission Representative for February 12`h — Commissioner Abraham 6.2 Planning Commission Representative for February 26`h — Commissioner Harpootlian 6.3 Planning Commission Representative for March 12th— Commissioner Collins 7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 7.1 Approval of January 15, 2009 minutes MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY CONSENSUS: Motion by Commissioner Cottrell and seconded by Commissioner Clow to approve the January 15, 2009 minutes with the following changes: Add Commissioner Cottrell's name to the Ex Parte Disclosure list for all public hearings for the meeting. Change to wording on page two, paragraph five, from "once or twice a day" to the word "weekly". AYES: Commissioners Collins, Cottrell, Clow, Abraham and Chairman Harpootlian NOES: none Planning Commission Minutes DRAFT February 5, 2009 Page 8 REPORTS FROM FAST TRACK MEETING — JANUARY 27. 2009 8.1 LANDS OF TAI, 28080 Story Hill Lane, File #291-08-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a new 4,960 square foot two story new residence (maximum height 25'5") with a 2,682 square foot basement and a 600 square foot swimming pool. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) & (d) (Staff -Nicole Horvitz). 9. REPORT FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETING - none 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 10:07 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Victoria Ortland Planning Secretary