HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/19/1958PLANNING COMMISSION
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
April 190, 1958
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Mrs. Hal Williams Saturday,
April 190, 1958 at 8:43 A. M. at the Town Hall, 26379 West Fremont, Los
Altos Hills.
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Dawson, Holm, Mellquist, Sherlock, Spain, Stedman,
Chairman Williams, Tantau arrived 8:50 A. M,
ABSENT: None.
MINUTES: April 3rd, 1958.
Correction: Page 1, MINUTES: Delete: "VOTE: Passed
unanimously r.—
ACTION:
Adopt minutes of April 3rd, 1958 as corrected.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. John M. Fowle, Mayor - Letter, dated April 170, 1958, proposed that
b 3inance ,#35 be amended relative to non professional subdividers.
Referred to the Planning Committee.
It was announced that there will be a Planning Committee Meeting
at the Town Hall, Wednesday, April 23, 1958 at 7:30 P. M.
2. California Division of Highways - Letter, dated April 9m, 1958,
announced that there will be a public hearing held at 10:00 A. M.
on May 70, 1958 in the Auditorium of the Fremont High School, at
Sunnyvale for the residents of Santa Clara County regarding the
proposed "C" route of the Junipero Serra Freeway.
Noted.
3. Sidney W. Treat, Councilman - Letter, dated April 160, 1958, was
relative to R P?onte Heights Subdivision, Tract No. 1547 and the
future O'Keefe/Josefa Road.
Deferred to New Business.
4. Count of Santa Clara Planning Commission and Board of ZoningAd-
us mene-oda f6r the regular DI -monthly meeting�o a Ke
pr 958.
OLD BUSINESS:
None.
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NEW BUSINESS:
1. El Monte Heights - Letter, dated April 16t, 1958 from Sidney W.
t Treat and deferred from Correspondence, was read at this time.
fir' Maps, dated August 42, 1894, accompanied the letter.
The letter and maps will be referred to the Map Committe for de-
termination of the correct rights of way of O'Keefe and Josefa-
Avenues.
2. Variances:
a) Congregation Beth -Am - (V-25-58). Use of land for religious
purposes.
Chairman Williams read the application for the use permit, re-
questing the use of 9.06 acres of the Martha Werele property,
located in the vicinity of West Fremont Avenue and Arastradero
Road, for religious purposes.
Two of the adjoining property owners, Mr. Leonard Burkart and
Mr. William Paulin, signed as having no opposition to the grant-
ing of this variance.
Letter, dated April 17%, 1958, and signed by James Zischke,
President of the Los Altos Hills Association, requested that
"No exception be granted to the present zoning law."
Memorandum from Nestor Barrett, Planning Consultant, was com-
mented on, and copies were given to the Commissioners for
perusal.
Mr. Jerry Marcus, past President of the Board of Directors of
the Congregation Beth 'lm, Mr. James Dumond, and Mr. Goodwin
Steinberg appeared to represent the Congregation Beth Am.
Mr. Steinberg, architect, is a resident of Los Altos Hills.
Mr. Marcus stated that about two hundred seventy-five (275)
families make up the membership, and they are residents of
Woodside, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Stanford, Los Altos, and Los
Altos Hills. He stated that if the variance was granted, the
buildings and landscaping would be in keeping with the surround-
ing area.
questions were asked by members of the Planning Commission and
were answered by Mr. Marcus as follows:
Q. Would there be any dwellings?
A. No.
q. What percentage of members live in Los Altos Hills?
A. One third (1/3) live in Los Altos, Los !Altos Hills, and
Stanford.
4 Mr. Marcus stated that there is no neighborhood concentra-
tion. He was asked to submit a breakdown of the percentage
of parishioners living in Los Altos Hills.
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Commissioner Dawson pointed that under the existing Zoning
Ordinance, the Town is strictly residential and agricultural.,
The granting of such a variance would place an additional tax
burden on the residents of the Town, due to the fact that church,
so are tax exempt. He stated that the Commission should con-
sider how many people in the immediate community would benefit
from this establishment. Wouldaserve residents in the immediate
area?
RECOMMENDATION:
Lo That the variance application of the Congregatlon�Beth Am
(v-25-58) be referred to the Planning Committee for study,
to be reported on at the meeting of the Planning Commission
on May let, 1958.
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Would there be related activities, other than church ser-
vices and Sunday School?
A.
No. Church and Sunday School activities only.
t
`+ Q.
Could a lesser amount of land be used? Commissioner
Sherlock stated that due to the fact that Churches are
exempt from paying taxes, that a miaumum of land should be
used. He also requested that more specific plans be pre-
sented.
A.
The Congregation Beth 1m does not wish to purchase more
land than 1s necessary. The fact that the proposed site
is situated at the edge of the Town, there would be a min-
imum of expense relative to maintainence of roads.
Relative to the potential congregation, Mr. Marcus stated
that a limit had been established of five hundred 500)
families.
Q.
How will the growth be controlled?
.A.
A new Congregation will be established.
Q.
How long is the option taken by the Congregation?
A.
Mr. Dumond stated that the option would run until June 1,
1958.
Q.
What time are services usually held? Are there any outdoor
services held?
A.
Services are held Friday evenings from 8 to 10 P. M. and
Sunday mornings. No outdoor services are held.
Q.
Will there large gatherings at the services? Reference was
made to cars, parking, etc.
A.
As in most churches, the attendance is usually less than
the membership. During special holidays there is larger
attendence.
Q.
Are there to be any activities such as picnics orsocial
gatherings; etc„?
A.
No. The act'-vities will be confined to Friday evening
services, followed by a social hour, and -Sunday morning
services.
Commissioner Dawson pointed that under the existing Zoning
Ordinance, the Town is strictly residential and agricultural.,
The granting of such a variance would place an additional tax
burden on the residents of the Town, due to the fact that church,
so are tax exempt. He stated that the Commission should con-
sider how many people in the immediate community would benefit
from this establishment. Wouldaserve residents in the immediate
area?
RECOMMENDATION:
Lo That the variance application of the Congregatlon�Beth Am
(v-25-58) be referred to the Planning Committee for study,
to be reported on at the meeting of the Planning Commission
on May let, 1958.
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MOTION: Mellquist; SECOND: Dawson; VOTE: Passed unanimousl,
Commissioner Spain suggested than an extension of the option
be applied for, due to this being a precedent setting case, and
that it may take longe: than usual variances. ..Iso, he stated
that it would be wise to explore the possibility of an exten-
sion before any attitudes for or against are established.
Chairman Williams asked for comments or questions from the floor,
Mr. Paul B. Hunter, an adjoining property owner, stated that he
had no objections to the establishment of a church, but that he
would object to any noise. He presented a letter stating cer-
tain conditions which he would like the Planning Commission to
consider before granting the variance.
It was Mr. Hunter's opinion that the Town should maintain its
rural atmosphere, and pointed out that if churches are allowed,
the taxes: will become higher.
Mrs. Constance Hunter asked about activities to be permitted in
comparison to the activities of the Jewish Community Center.
Mr. Marcus explained that the establishment would be strictly
for religious worship.
Mrs. Hunter mentioned that the architectural plans called for a
structure of three (3) stories high.
Mr. Marcus explained that the architecture would be in keeping
with the rural area, and that a portion of the structure would
be higher, but it would not be three (3) stories high.
Mr. Christensen expressed the same sentiment as Mr. Hunter
regarding keeping the Town a rural residential community.
Miss Caroline Christensen stated that the community should be
kept residential,
Mr. William Paulin stated that he is in favor of churches, and
that there is a need for them. He and his wife have no ob-
jection to the granting of this variance.
Mr. Francis Duveneck stated that he did not live in the area,
but that a church can be a very desireable neighbor.
2. Divisions of Land:
a) Kertz Realty Company - (96-57) 3 lots. Engr. Reinoehl.
Commissioner Stedman reported that all requirements had been
met regarding this map.
640 Letter, dated February 25a, 1958, from the Santa Clara Health
Department, was read regarding the adequacy of water supply.
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RECOMMENDATION:
That the r1anning Commission approve the division of land
` of Kertz Realty Company (96-57) 3 lots. approval for
building shall be subject to the approval of the Santa
Clara Health Department of the water supply.
MOTION: Dawson; SECOND: ,Holm;
VOTE: AYES: Dawson, Holm, Sherlock, Stedman, Williams
NOES: Spain, Tantau
ABSTAINED: Mellquist
ABSENT: None
Minority Report in the case of Kertz Realty Company application
(96-57) for division of land will be filed with the maps.
b) Knupfer, Genevieve - (107-58) 2 lots. Engr. Reinoehl.
Commissioner Stedman, Chairman of the Map Committee, stated
that the map met all requirements of the Planning Commission.
It was noted that this map appeared before under the name of
Raymond Isacson, although the property is owned by Genevieve
Knupfer.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Planning Commission approve the division of land
of Genevieve Knupfer, with non -access on Purissima and
temporary access is to be permitted on the existing drive.
Any future division of this property will be conditional
upon the development of the cul -d -sac (Genevieve Court) to
Town Standards.
MOTION: Dawson; SECOND: Mellquist; VOTE: Passed unanimous)
c) McNamara, R. G, - (108-58) 2 lots. Engr. Reinoehl.
Commissioner Stedman reported the Map Committee recommended
approval of this subdivision.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Planning Commission approve, for planning purposes,
the 2 lot subdivision of R. G. McNamara (108-58) with non -
access to South Elena except for cul-de-sac easement shown
on the map.
L MOTION: Holm; SECOND: Stedman;
VOTE: AYES: Dawson, Holm, Sherlock, Stedman, Tantau,
Williams
NOES: Mellquist
:;BSENT: None
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Commissioner Mellquist suggested that in the future that this
type of map, which is potentially an eight lot division, 'and 'should
be studied as such prior to approval.
Commissioner Tantau susgested that the question of advance study
of this tpye of division of land be taken up with Mayor Fowls in
reference to his letter regarding the :aendment to Ordinance #35-
d) Duveneck, Francis - (101-58) 4 lots. Magr. Nolte.
Commissioner Stedman stated that the requirements had been met
with regard to the question of E1 Monte. It was also pointed
out that the Cul-de-sac radius of thirty (30) feet is below
Town Standards.
Mr. Duveneck was asked to submit specifications, for approval,
in regard to the surfacing of Rhus Ridge and Feck Roads.
It was noted that this is now a 5 -lot subdivision instead of
4 lots.
That the tentative subdivision map of Francis B. Duveneck, Jr.
(101-58) 5 lots, be approved for planning purposes, with the
provisions that the standards of development of Rhus Ridge
Road and Peck Road be subject to the approval of the Flaming
Commission. '.
MOTION: Mellquist; SECOND: Dawson; VOTE: Passed unanimously
a) Smith, Richard (103-58) 2 lots. Engr. L. G. Brian.
Commissioner Stedman reported that the Map Committee recommend-
ed approval of this division.
RECOMMENDATION;
That the division of land of Richard Smith (103-58) 2 lots
be given final approval.
MOTION: rellquist; SECOND: Holm; VOTE: Passed unanimously
f) Garth, Edwin P. •- (95-57) 6 lots. Engr. L. G. Brian.
The recommendation of the Planning Commission meeting of
December 21, 1957 was read and it was found that the
the conditions had not been met.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the map of Edwin P. Gerth (95-57) 6 lots be returned
to the engineer for completion.
MOTION: Mellquist; SECOND: Spain; VOTE: Passed unanimously
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g) Fremont Hills Unit ,ZD - (91-57) 49 lots. Engr. L. G. Brian.
Letters of approval were read from the City Engineer and
40 the Santa Clara Health Department.
It was noted that there are now only forty-nine (49) lots
in this subdivision.
That the Planning Commission given final approval to
the tentative map (D776A) of the Fremont Hills Unit #5
Subdivision (91-57) 49 lots, subject to the conditions
outlined in the letter from the Santa Clara Health De-
partment of apr11 150, 1958.
MOTION: Tantau; SECOND: Dawson; VOTE: Passed unanimously
3. Preliminary Discussion:
a) Leonard Burkhart - Division of Land.
Mr. Don Carr, representing Mr. Burkhart, presented plans show-
ing a 5 -lot subdivision.
It was agreed that there are no apparent problems, and Mr. Carr
was advised to submit scale drawings for further consideration.
4. Commissioner James H. Stedman - Resignation.
Commissioner Stedman stated that he is no longer a property owner
in Los Altos Hills, and submitted his resignation.
Commissioner Dawson expressed the regret of losing Commissioner
Stedman and commended him for his fine work as Chairman of the Map
Committee.
It was noted that there are now two existing vacancies on the Com-
mission.
5. Street Names - New Subdivisions.
Commissioner Tantau was appointed to bring in a proposal for an
advisory committee on street names.
6. Map Committee - Chairman appointed.
Commissioner Oscar Holm was appointed to succeed Commissioner
Stedman as Chairman of the Map Committee.
7. Freeway - Junipero Serra "C" Route.
It was suggested that the Planning Committee have Nestor Barrett,
Planning Consultant help prepare an official statement of protest
of the proposed "C" route of the Junipero Serra Freeway.
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MM
It was agreed that the Planning Commission of the Town of Los Altos
Hills should make an official statement, to be presented at the
public hearing to be held in Sunnyvale, May 7%, 1958 at the Fremont
W High School.
MEETING :ADJOURNED: 12:30 P. M -
NEXT REGULItR MEETING: Thursday, May let, 1958 at 7:30 P. M. at the
Town Hall, 26379 Nest Fremont .Avenue, Los Altos
Hills.
jlm
AW
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Respectfully submitted,
OMAR N. SPAIN
ecretary
Planning Commission