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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/03/1975PLANNING COMMISSION Town of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California March 3, 1975 Reel 32 - Side 1 - Tract 2 - 030 to 742 Chairman Spencer called the Special Adjourned Meeting of the Planning Commis- sion to order in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, at 7:35 P.M. ROLL CALL Tre ent: Commissioners BROWN, SCHICK, CARICO, SPENCER. se7�nt: Commissioners PHILLIPS, YOUNG, PERKINS. STAFF City Manager Crowe, City Engineer Russell, Assistant Planning Consultant Vlasic, Secretary Huffstetter. APPROVED PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE TOWN'S SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE TO BE RECOMMEND City Manager Crave distributed copies of the staff recommendation for amending Section 9-4.601 (i) (1 and 2). Assistant Planning Consultant Vlasic briefly reviewed his letter of February 28, 1975, to the City Manager, regarding his recommendation on the Commission's desires concerning changes to this section. He stated he feels the changes desired by the Commission could have a significant effect on the land and an EIR might be necessary prior to incorporating these changes into the Municipal Code. Chairman Spencer stated he was not certain the recommended changes to this sub -section and subsection (h) of 9-4.6)1 would effect the de- sires of the Commission. He felt these recommended changes had an open-ended affect. He reviewed different ideas on how it might be determined what the ideal number of lots or length of a cul-de-sac are, and suggested the Town might undertake a study on this matter. City Engineer Russell stated he felt the length of a cul-de-sac road should be determined by the type of terrain and the development that will take place. Upon Commissioner Brown's inquiry if the changes recommended by Com- missioners Schick and Carico and the recommendation by the staff provided sufficient guidelines for planning by future Planning Com- missioners and staff, City Engineer Russell answered yes. General discussion followed, in which Ken Pastrof, Building Inspector stated in setting policies for the future, the policies should not only address the individual subdivider, but also the area surround- ing the development, and the development's relationship to the sur - 4h/ rounding areas and the topography of the land. -1- PLANNING COMMISSION - March 3, 1975 Assistant Planning Consultant Vlasic stated the Commission needed to establish "the intent on why these changes are being made and the reasons behind the changes". The Commission should document all their actions, so in the future, if additional changes are desired, there will be a basis to work from. Motion was made by Chairman SPENCER, seconded by Commissioner CARICO, the previous vote on Section 9-4.601 (c) be rescinded,and the Plan- ning Commission refer Sections 9-4.601 (c) and (i) to the City Council with the recommendation a committee be formed to come up with a ra- tionale for standards that would provide a more meaningful ordinance than what presently exists. Motion failed by the following roll call vote: AYES: Commissioner NONE. NOES: Commissioners BROWN, SCHICK, CARICO, SPENCER. ABSENT: Commissioners PHILLIPS, YOUNG, PERKINS. Commissioner Carico stated she thought the recommended wording on Section 9-4.601 (c) is good, but possibly there should be some standards and guidelines on how to meet the requirements of this section. Ken Pastrof, Building Inspector, briefly outlined what could be covered in the standards, i.e., the other agencies that are involved, fire, health, etc., which would have certain regulatory powers on how the land is developed and the length and width of the roads, etc. Chairman Spencer stated he voted no on the motion because he felt the Commision had not delved into what they were doing and there were rtionales that could be applied to this matter. Motion was made by Commissioner CARICO, the Commission accept the wording in Section 9-4.601 (c) as approved by the Commission, but add "and include some guidelines to be worked out and included in the re- port as soon as possible, but before" City Manager Crowe stated the guidelines should be done as an inde- pendent study, not as part of the recommendations to the Council, at this time. Commissioner Carico amended the motion to, "the Planning Commission accept Sections 9-4.601 (c) and 9-4.601 (i) as recommended, with some design standards to be incorporated into these sections, prepared by the staff and brought to the Planning Commission the second meeting in April." After discussion on the motion and the time limits involved, Commis- sion Carico amended the amended motion to, "the Planning Commission accept Section 9-4.601(i) (1, 2 and 3) as recommended by the staff.,, Commissioner SCHICK, seconded the amendment to the amended motion. ` Potion was approved by the following roll call vote: W AYES: Commissioners BR04!I, SCHICK, CARICO. NOES: Commissioner SPENCER. ABSENT: Commissioners PHILLIPS, YOUNG, PERKINS. - 2 - PLANNING COMMISSION - March 3, 1975 Motion was made by Commissioner CARICO, seconded by Commissioner SCHICK, the staff present to the Planning Commission, at the second meeting in April, some design standards for implementing Sections 9-4.601 (c) and 9-4.601 (i). Motion was carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Commissioners BROWN, SCHICK, CARICO. NOES: Commissioner SPENCER. ABSENT: Commissioners PHILLIPS, YOUNG, PERKINS. Town Standard Specifications For Subdivision (1) Roads assistant Planning Consu tant asic rev! 5t recommended change in the Town Standard Specifications for Subdivision (1) Roads, stat- ing the only recommendation at this time is in changing the width of pavement for cul-de-sac roads from 16' to 18' to only 18'. Discussion followed on the width for roads, types of usage on them and the present and future needs on these roads. Motion was made by Commissioner SCHICK, seconded by Chairman SPENCER, the recommended change in cul-de-sac roads to 18' only not be approv- ed, and the road width be kept at the present 16'-18' widths. Mo- tion was carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Commissioners BROWN, SCHICK, SPENCER. NOES: Commissioner CARICO. [ ABSENT: Commissioners PHILLIPS, YOUNG, PERKINS. Town Standard Specifications For Subdivision�2) Curbs Assistant Tanning Consultant V asiT— c revieqed the recommended change which would add the following to the Town's Standard Specifications for Subdivision, "Where the City Engineer determines road curbs are necessary, they shall be asphaltic berms except where the City Engineer determines other curb types are absolutely necessary to ensure sound engineering." Following discussion on when and where and what type of curb or berm would be used, motion was made by Chairman SPENCER, seconded by Com- missioner CARICO, the addition relative to curbs be approved as recommended. Motion was carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Commissioners BROWN, SCHICK, CARICO, SPENCER. NOES: Commissioner NONE. ABSENT: Commissioners PHILLIPS, YOUNG, PERKINS. RECESS Chairman Spencer declared a short recess at 8:55 P.M., and reconvened the meeting at 9:05 P.M. PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE TOWN'S SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE Section c r Chairman Spencer stated he had intended to vote yes, not no, on his motion to ^scind the previous vote on Section 9-4.601 (c) and (i). - 3 - PLANNING COMMISSION - March 3, 1975 Section 9-5.601 Assistant Planning Consultant Vlasic stat>d he had not made an evalu- ation on the recommendation by Commissioners Sc'iick and Carico, to change the required number of parking spaces from 6 to 4. City Engineer Russell gave a brief background report on why 6 parking spaces were required, stating he felt 4 parking spaces would provide adequate parking for each residence. Ken Pastrof, Building Inspector, stated the staff was also recommend- ing the number of parking spaces be reduced from 6 to 4, inclusive of the garage, and also the word "unobstructed" be removed, as this would eliminate some of what he felt was "unnecessary" paving. He would, however, recommend the addition that the driveway and/or park- ing area provide for "nose out" access to the road. Following further discussion on the parking requirements and needs of the Town and individual property owner, motion was made by Commission- er SCHICK, seconded by Chairman SPENCER, the recommended change in parking requirements of 6 spaces to 4 be approved, inclusive of the garage, and the word "unobstructed" eliminated and the requirement that "nose -out" access to the road be added. Motion was carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Commissioners BROWN, SCHICK, CARICO, SPENCER. NOES: Commissioner NONE. [ ABSENT: Commissioners PHILLIPS, YOUNG, PERKINS. �r Motion was made by Commissioner SCHICK, seconded by Commissioner CARICO, all proposed changes to the Town's ordinances, which have been approved by the Planning Commision, be put into final form, and after being attested to by the Chairman, be submitted to the City Council for their consideration and action. potion was carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Commissioners BROWN, SCHICK, CARICO, SPENCER. NOES: Commissioner NONE. ABSENT: Commissioners PHILLIPS, YOUNG, PERKINS. ECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY AND FUTURE ACTION BE eh S -ace Zone And 0 en S ace Action Program Assistant anning onsu tant V asic reviewed briefly the recommenda- tion a new open space zone and an open space action program, as described in the General Plan, be recommended to the City Council. Motion was made by Commissioner CARICO, seconded by Chairman SPENCER, the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council a study be done on a new open space zone and an open space action program. Motion was carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Commissioners BROWN, CARICO, SPENCER. NOES: Commissioner SCHICK. ABSENT: Commissioners PHILLIPS, YOUNG, PERKINS. - 4 - PLANNING COMMISSION -lurch 3, 1975 Town Standards Document Assistant Planning Consultant Vlasic reviewed briefly the recommenda- 4W tion concerning the overhauling of the Town's standards document. Motion was made by Chairman SPENCER, seconded by Commissioner CARICO, the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council a study be made on the need to overhaul the Town's standards. mlotion was carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Commissioners BROWN, SCHICK, CARICO, SPENCER. NOES: Commissioner NONE. ABSENT: Commissioners PHILLIPS, YOUNG, PERKINS. Pathway Standards Assistant Planning Consultant Vlasic reviewed briefly the recommenda- tion concerning revising the pathway standards. Motion was made by Commissioner CARICO, seconded by Chairman SPENCER, the Planning Conmisison recommend to the City Council a study be made on revising the pathway standards to be consistent with current Town plans and needs. Motion was carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Commissioners BROWN, SCHICK, CARICO, SPENCER. NOES: Commissioner NONE. ABSENT: Commissioners PHILLIPS, YOUNG, PERKINS. Town Lands c��app��i__ngg F��rM�lork 4W _P sis at�in�nsultant Vlasic reviewed briefly the recommenda- tion concerning the establishment of a Town landscaping framework, along with suggested wording for a resolution. Motion was made by Commissioner CARICO, seconded by Chairman SPENCER, the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council a study be made on the establishment of a Town landscaping framework. Motion was carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Commissioners BROWN, SCHICK, CARICO, SPENCER. NOES: Commissioner NONE. ABSENT: Commissioners PHILLIPS, YOUNG, PERKINS. Comnissinner Schick stated she wanted to changeftervote on the New Open Space Zone from no to yes. Subdivision Design Manual Assistant Planning Consultant Vlasic reviewed briefly the recommenda- tion on the preparation of a subdivision manual concerning the kinds of subdivision development and the natural conditions existing with- in the Town. Notion was made by Commissioner SCHICK, seconded by Commissioner CARICO, the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council a study be made on a subdivision design manual for the Town. Motion was car- ried by the following roll call vote: - 5 - PLANNING COMMISSION - March 3, 1975 AYES: Commissioners BRMIN, SCHICK, CARICn, SPENCER. [` NOES: Commissioner NONE. ABSENT: Commissioners PHILLIPS, YOUNG, PERKINS. 4W Lot Development Relative To Flood Control Assistant Planning Consultant Vlasic reviewed briefly the recommenda- tion on further investigation on the limitations imposed on lot de- velopnent by drainage easements established for flood control. Motion was made by Commissioner SCHICK, seconded by Chairman SPENCER, the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council a study be made on the limitations which could he imposed on lot development by drainage easements established for flood control. Motion was car- ried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Commissioners BROWN, SCHICK, CARICO, SPENCER. NOES: Commissioner NONE. ABSENT: Commissioners PHILLIPS, YOUNG, PERKINS. City Manager Crowe stated he recommends the commission not do any- thing on this item until the maps requested from the Santa Clara County Water District have been received. Assistant Planning Consultant Vlasic stated the Torn should respond to the letter from the Water District concerning their willingness to cooperate in a study on the problems. ADJOURNMENT —Fifotn was made by Commissioner SCHICK, seconded by Commissioner BROWN, the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 P.M. - 6- Respectfully submitted, Virginia A. Huffstetter Secretary