HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3.1Item 3.1
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS April 2, 2009
Staff Report to the Planning Commission
RE: REVIEW OF A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE PACKARD
FOUNDATION MEETING FACILITY AND AN AMENDMENT TO EXTEND
THE TIME PERIOD FOR PERMIT REVIEW FROM 5 YEARS TO 10 YEARS;
LANDS OF THE DAVID AND LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION, 26580
TAAFFE ROAD, ##42 -09 -CUP
FROM: David Keyon, Associate Planner "D K -
APPROVED BY: Debbie Pedro, AICP, Planning torDlil
That the Planning Commission:
Forward a recommendation of approval to the City Council for the requested amendment
of the Conditional Use Permit to increase the time period between reviews from 5 years
to 10 years.
The subject property is 38.39 acres and is located at 26580 Taaffe Road. The property
was the private residence of David and Lucile Packard which has been remodeled to serve
as a meeting facility for the Packard Foundation and its grantees. The main building on
the property is sited on a knoll and surrounded by approximately 35 acres of apricot
orchard which has been dedicated as a conservation easement.
Pursuant to Section 10-1.703(m) of the Municipal Code, the City Council approved a
Conditional Use Permit in December of 1999 to allow the Packard Foundation to utilize
the residence and detached office structure for meetings of non-profit organizations
subject to certain conditions (Permit 41-99-ZP-SD-CUP-ND). On April 15, 2004, the
City Council approved a request to modify the conditions of the original permit to
increase the maximum number of people allowed at small meetings from 30 persons to
45 persons.
DISCUSSION
Per Condition #2, a review of the Use Permit by the Planning Commission at a noticed
public hearing must occur every five years to determine that the use and operation of the
facility remains in compliance with the conditions of approval. The applicant is
requesting to increase the time period between reviews of the Use Permit from five (5)
years to ten (10) years.
The facilities are used for meetings of the Packard Foundation board and committees as
well as nonprofit groups funded by the Foundation. The original Use Permit established
restrictions on the number and size of meetings permitted each year, which were changed
by a modification to the original Use Permit in 2004. The number of meetings of more
Planning Commission
Lands of The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
April 2, 2009
Page 2
than sixty (60) persons is limited to no more than six (6) meetings per year, while
meetings of between 46 and 60 guests are limited to no more than ten (10) per year.
Small meetings of up to 45 persons may be held at the property without limitation on the
number of events per year. As evidenced in the following table, the number and size of
meetings held annually at the Taaffe House me well within the limits established by the
Conditional Use Permit.
Meetine Facilities Usaee 2004-2008
Year of
Events
Small
(up to 45guests)
Medium
(46-60guests)
Large
over 60guests)
Total
2004
120
7
1
128
2005
157
4
1
162
2006
165
3
0
168
2007
152
3
0
155
2008
132
3
1
136
Source: The Packard Foundation
CONCLUSION
The operation of the Taaffe House meeting facility complies with the conditions of
approval established under the amended use permit in 2004 (Permit #31 -04 -CUP). The
size and number of meetings we within the specified limits, and restrictions on puking
and noise are closely adhered to. No complaints have been received by the Town since
the Packard Foundation began using the Taaffe House as a meeting facility.
The requested modification to the Conditional Use Permit to increase the amount of time
between reviews from 5 years to 10 years is consistent with the intent of the original
approval. Additionally, the Planning Director may, at any time, schedule a review or
revocation hearing before the Planning Commission regarding the Use Permit, if any
condition of approval is not being met or if the use of the site is inconsistent with the
approved use or in violation of Town Municipal codes and/or policies. (Condition #1)
CEOA STATUS
The proposed use permit amendment is categorically exempt from the provisions of the
California Environmental Quality Act by provision of Section 15301 (Class 1 -Existing
Facilities).
ATTACHMENTS
1. Recommended conditions of approval
2. Letter of request from the Packard Foundation dated Much 4, 2009
3. Site Map
4. Informational brochure on Taaffe House
Planning Commission
Lands of The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
April 2, 2009
Page 3
ATTACHMENT
RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR
MEETINGS OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
LANDS OF THE DAVID AND LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION
26580 TAAFFE ROAD
File 442 -09 -CUP
This conditional use permit allows the use of the subject property for occasional
meetings and overnight accommodations relating to the charitable activities of the
Packard Foundation, subject to the following conditions and site plan (Exhibit
"A"), as approved by the City Council on December 2, 1999 and amendment
approved by the City Council on April 15, 2004, and outlining the boundaries of
the Improvement Area, the Conservation Easement, and the Trail Easement. Any
expansion or change of the use shall require an amendment to the conditional use
permit. Additionally, the Planning Director may, at any time, schedule a review
or revocation hearing before the Planning Commission regarding the use permit, if
any condition of approval is not being met or if the site is being used inconsistent
with the approved use or in violation of Town Municipal codes and/or policies.
2. Not later than five (5) ten (10) years after the date of approval of this conditional
use permit modification, the applicant shall request and the Planning Commission
shall then review the use permit at a noticed public hearing, to determine that the
use remains in compliance with the conditions of approval. Subsequent to the
initial review, reviews shall occur every five(5)ten (10) years thereafter.
Uses permitted on the site are limited to the following:
The facilities located in the Improvement Area may be used by the
Packard Foundation for meetings. The term "meetings" shall include
(without limitation) breakfast, lunch and dinner meetings, seminars,
conferences and receptions.
b. The Packard home located in the Improvement Area may be used by the
Packard Foundation to provide overnight accommodations to directors and
guests of the Foundation.
C. The maintenance of the apricot orchard located on the Packard Homesite
Property, including the maintenance and installation of fences, irrigation
systems, apricot drying, storing and refrigeration facilities and equipment
storage facilities, is confirmed to be an "agriculture" use within the
meaning of sections 10-1.203 and 10-1.701(b) of the Los Altos Hills
Zoning Code.
Planning Commission
Lands of The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
April 2, 2009
Page 4
d. In order to facilitate recreational or educational tours of the apricot orchard
and other open space areas on the Packard Homesite Property by school
children and other invitees of the Packard Foundation, the Foundation may
install temporary shelters, toilets, tables, chairs, umbrellas and other
appropriate facilities at selected locations on the Packard Homesite
Property, but for not more than three (3) consecutive days at a time, except
with the prior written approval of the City Manager.
4. The Packard Foundation shall ensure that all meetings held at the Packard
Homesite Property shall be in furtherance of the charitable, educational, and
scientific purposes of the Foundation.
5. No fees or rentals shall be charged by the Packard Foundation for the use of any
of the facilities on the Packard Homesite Property.
6. Events involving music and/or entertainment shall end not later than 10:00 p.m.
daily Sunday through Thursday, and not later than 11:30 p.m. on Friday and
Saturday.
7. No outdoor sound amplification shall be allowed on the site, except with the prior
written approval of the City Manager. Noise levels shall be limited to comply
with the provisions of Section 5-2.02 of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code.
S. No parking shall be allowed on any surrounding neighborhood street or on the
driveway entrance to the Improvement Area of the Packard Homesite Property.
Whenever necessary, the Packard Foundation shall provide shuttles to and from
off-site parking areas.
9. The number of meetings of more than sixty (60) persons shall be limited to no
more than six (6) per calendar year. The applicant shall provide the Town with
notice a minimum of two (2) weeks in advance of any meeting of more than sixty
(60) persons.
10. The number of meetings of more than forty-five (45) and less than sixty (60)
persons shall be limited to ten (10) per calendar year. The number of meetings of
forty-five (45) or less persons is not limited.
11. The Conditional Use Permit shall become null and void 180 days after the
delivery to the Town of Los Altos Hills by the Packard Foundation written notice
that the Foundation intends to abandon the Conditional Use Permit. Likewise,
the Conditional Use Permit shall become null and void 180 days after the Town
has delivered to the Packard Foundation a written notice that the Conditional Use
Permit is revoked.
Attachment 2
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
I OWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
March 4, 2009
Debbie Pedro
Planning Director
Town of Los Altos Hills
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
Dear Debbie;
Thank you very much for meeting with Susan Lake to discuss the renewal of the conditional use
permit for Taaffe House. '
Since our renewal in 2004, Taaffe House has enjoyed a busy schedule of meetings on behalf of
the Packard Foundation, our grantees, sister foundations and other non -profits. The majority of
our events are daytime meetings. In addition, we also host some evening receptions and dinners.
In 2006, we formalized a parking agreement with Foothill College for the use of one of their
parking lots when parking at the Taaffe House is inadequate and we need to provide shuttles for
guests coming up to larger events at Taaffe House.
As shown on the floor plan in the enclosed brochure (10 copies enclosed, as requested), Taaffe
House has three conference rooms and two terraces that are used for meetings, as well as the
living room/dining room areas that are used for receptions and dinners.
We are in compliance with all aspects of the use permit and satisfied with the changes made in
2004 with respect to the definition of small events (up to 45 guests) with no limit in the number
of these events; medium events (up to 60) limited to 10 per year and large events (60+), limited
to six events per year.
The only change we would like to make in the conditional use permit process in 2009 is to
request a 10 year review cycle.
Thank you for your consideration of our request to renew and amend the Conditional Use Permit.
If you require additional information, please feel free to contact Susan Lake or me at 948-7658.
We look forward to continuing to work cooperatively with the Town of Los Altos Hills in our
goal of offering our grantees the use of the Taaffe House for meetings and receptions at no cost.
Sincerely,
George Vera
Vice President and CFO
Soo Second Street / Los Altos, California 9402 / tel (650) 948-7658 / ww packard.org