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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/11/19764V PLANNING C044P11SSION Town of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, February 11, 1976 Comissioner Schick called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m., In the Council Chambers, Town Hall, Los Altos Hills, California. A. ROLL CALL: Commissioners K. Brown, W. Perkins, D. Proft, T. Schick, and K. Young. Also Present: A. D. Russell, City Engineer; K. R. Pastrof, Town Planner; D. Pennington, Secretary. Absent: Chairman J. Carico, and Commissioner L. Hillestad. B. CONSENT_ CALENDAR: - Approval of the Minutes of January 14, 1976. The following correctlons were made: Page 1, top of page, add date: January 14, 1976. Page 2, Strike last sentence of Paragraph One and Paragraph Two. Page 3, Strike second sentence of Paragraph One. Vinedo lane Page 7, Third Paragraph, First sentence, should read " . Last Paragraph, First sentence, strike fifth and sixth words. Substitute: 17peoDle in the Palo Alto school district were . Page 8, Strike the first paragraph. Beginning of Paragraphs Two and Three, should read Jack Elmber Carol Elmber Page 9, Paragraph Two, Sixth word should be spelled berm. Commission Proft moved, seconded by Commissioner Schick, that the minutes be approved as corrected. The motion passed by the following vote: AYES: Commissioners Brown Perkins'Perkins,chi okt . .n NOES: None ABSTAIN: Commissioner Perkins** ABSENT: Chairman Carico and Cor mis5loner Hllles tad *For the time period 7:30 to 11:00 p.m. **For the time period 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Commissioner Schick thought the minutes were overly long. C. STUDY SESSION: 11 INTROSPECTION Commissloner Schick asked If Mr. Pastrof and Mn Russell could be excused, he mission ent with t Introspection Night, thed that if tStaffmwould be w Involved, so they plansir for it was were not an excused. The Commissioners declared that they had not changed their viewpoints since the last meeting. 4W 4W L PLANNING CO*IISSION MINUTES - February 11, 1976 INTROSPECTION - Continued Commissioner Young noted that a few of the things that would be needed for that night would be the number of single family dwellings In 1955, the annual growth rate of the single family dwelling, the 'population arowth, the nature of the population, i.e., what ages; a survey of the land In use, the rate of absorption over the last twenty years, the possible rate of absorption for the next twenty years, then the study of the whole San Fran- cisco Peninsula and Its affect on Los Altos Hills. He commented that it was going to cost money. Commissioner Schick agreed with Commissioner Young : it would cost a lot of money. She advised that the Planning Commission cannot commit Itself to any expenditures of money unless the Town Council approves. To do the whole spectrum as suggested by Commissioner Young would amount to the expenditure of thousands of dollars. Before the Commission asked the ould then rationales forptthe sexpenditure randcallfor tis pojet, i the hbenefits e that would delineate wouldbe provided by going through this exercise. Commissioner Perkins believed the 1970 Introspection Night had cost about $500 in Staff time, plus about five weekends and a number of evenings for the Commissioners. He suggested adding the planning budget figures since its Inception, year by year, to Commissioner Young's list of information which would be desireable for the Commission to have for its Introspection Night. He also wanted the emphasis to be on looking ahead for the next twenty years, 1976 to 1996. Mr. Pastrof stated Staff was willing to help with the quantitative part of the question, but the qualitative part he and Mr. Russell would like the Commission to address itself to. Mr. Russell suggested meeting with the founding, fathers and discussing with them some of the thoughts they had at the time of the incorporation. Commissioner Schick suggested making use of Florence Fava's extensive collection of history. She also thought It would be a good idea to put a sum of money in the budget for Introspection Night. Commissioner Young suggested using a computer to project Into the future. Mr. Russell thought bar diagrams that would indicate the development of the Town, the residential starts between 1956 and 1976, the Increase in population during that same time period, would be adequate without going to the computer. Other things that the Commission might find helpful would be the number of subdivisions made between 1956 and 1976, how many lots were built on, haw much open space has been acquired by the Town. Commissioner Perkins thought that was ail information that the Commission ought to have at its fingertips right now. He too thought the analysis could be done without the aid of a computer, which would be a costly process. If the Planning Commission had the history of the Town portrayed in simple charts and MIPS, it could project twenty years easily because there is only about thirty percent of the Town left to be developed. What should emerge from all this are the cing ma that sorthofPTowni l9 wouldsion like toould be see someayearrsto make hence. this cortr commissioner Perkins stated the Planning Commission made the statement in 1970 and It is just as true now, that It was spending all Its time coping with problems and not planning ahead. This Planning Commission should.be advising the Council. - 2 - PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - February 11, 1476 INTROSPECTION INTROslener Brown reminded the Commission that it they were going to loo 04W Into the ftue, were goingutor be, tand those would t not be finished for abouow what the new vttwooordinances months. commissioner Schick mentioned that it would be nice to have the maps that used to hang In the Council Chambers put up again. She asked what happened to the map that a draftsman was working on several years ago that showed the developable land left in the Town. Mr. Russell advised that he did not know. She also said that she thought one of the clerks was working on a recorded paths easements map. Mr. Pastrof advised that there was a pathway map, 200 scale, comprised of sixteen pages, which would more than cover any wall in the Chambers. It does not show pathways that are built into the rights of ways and therefore Is Incomplete. Mr. Russell warned that the map was inaccurate - paths were shown on the map as being dedicated ease- ments when in fact the dedication had never been made. He explained that when a final subdivision map comes In, it shows the offers made by the owner of the property which he has been required to make. However, there is a section in the Municipal Code which says that the Council cannot accept any easements wherein any improvements have to be placed. Thus, the Council" only alternative is to reject the offer. The offer cannot be rescinded by the owner, but if the Council desires to do so, it can instigate vacation proceedings. Mr. Russell commented that Commissions in other areas usually devote at least one of their meetings a month to the study and analysis of what the Planning Commission really is, and that is, looking at tomorrow. His opinion was that what this Commission has been for a onn, long tl me has l ent drehwa been a grievance committee. Mr. PHeasked where rt�eRussell swhere were five days a week 'firefighting.' the resources for the type of planning that the Commission was talking about. Commissioner Perkins replied that it was abundantly clear that the resources ng more than sufficient to meet and the efforts at the present time are nothi the day to day firefighting. if there was no Introufrom here on out, there had been enough input this evening to bring out what he felt was the ctlon t- most crucial thought of all: The Town needs more resources, professional and financial, going Into the planninn function. Commssioner Young observed that over the past few years there had been a number of subdivisions. In each case there had been no effort to plan out- side that piece of land --there was no cooperation between owners. How can anyone plan that way-- In little rectangular chunks ? Each subdivision made should relate to the other. Aplan should dwbe drawn ntheiand up f hat the Town is going to look like twenty years hel)ce- ing to become. The Planning Commission should be the catalyst which brings ideas and people together. He wanted to see curving streets going through the countryside without long sight distances. He cited the Stanford campus as being a good example of what he meant. Commissioner Perkins stated Commissioner Young had made an excellent point. Many roads and subdivisions in Los Altos are extraordinary rural because t` of the way the read is laid out In relation to the property around It. He v noted that part of the problem is that the °Town Standards" for fa ci titles is based on those of the surrounding communities, and so is strictly urban design. These standards don't fit the Torun at all. He would like these Commission shouldbeorked doing,tisfit the Town. updating the GeneralrPlaoect the Planning - 3 - PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - February 11, 1J76 INTROSPECTION - Continued Mr. Pastrof advised that the mere principls that are involved, the lower the Improvement costs. Ile said long range plans were a good investment In that they saved money. Mr. Russell commented that the crux of the whole thing was getting the property owners to cooperate. Commissioner Young reiterated that the Planning Commission should act as a catalyst and show them how they would benefit from that cooperation. Comamissloner Perkins advised that several years ago the Planning Commission got 995, of the people in the Moody Road, Moody Court, Central Drive, and Page Miil Road (D1MCP) area to agree on a plan for development of that area. It was never adopted, but the Planning Commission did work as a catalyst in that Instance and was very successful. Commissioner Brown suggested that a sub -committee be formed to develop an outline for a scope of study. That the indivisudal subjects be assigned to the Planning Commissioners for an indepth study, and thereafter brought back to the Planning Commission as a whole. Mr. Russell thought he and Mr. Pastrof could prepare the outline of items of work that needed to be accomplished that the Commissioners could add to or delete. He thought the idea was going to net lost if it went to a sub- committee. Commissioner Perkins volunteered to work with Staff on that. Commissioner Young had In his possession statistics on subdivisions for the past fifteen years put out by the County's Planning Department that he offered to share Commissioner Schick thought the report made by with the Commissioners. tthe he Subdivision commix ee, of Commi tteerdue9 out would a few oe few as would be report of Ope eeks It was agreed that the theme of INTROSPECTION NIGHT should be stepping ahead, 1976-1996. A deadline of two weeks for the Staff to compile the Information and come back with the outline was considered. Comm issl orer Schick ck did not thank sanction Of Pit or .anaq pRusselltoffe ed toat meet with the Planninnut eCommissionersthe on al Saturday wor asaset dupyforHis l0:OOf arm ,sSatur Saturday, Februarwith y 14,ks and 1976.study sessf on meeting C. STUDY SESSION: 2) PROPOSED CONSOLIDATION OF MUNICIPALITIES This Item was tabled pending receipt of more information. D. NEW BUSINESS: Discusslon re ill nutes Commissioner Proft suggested direction be given to the secretary re what that tthe Commssion he ones) for January d 14nwere too long. Thethe mites. statement that was d theconsensusbeen , then he tthought ou e wanted, then should betarye. 11shouldthes told rthat kind personally, had mixed feelings about the minutes. He thought, however, they did con- tain everyone's points. v Commissioner Young commented that the minutes were well presented on this occasion. Some of the other minutes leave thought the50 y shoularce d leave auto the that they haven't meant very much. discretion of the secretary which points to emph asl ze and which to leave ou - 4 - PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - February 11, 1976 DISCUSSION RE MINUTES - r,,gtlnUef. Commissioner Young suggested that the members of the Commission write down their motions before making them. Commissioner Proft noted that there was a printed form for that which showed the nama of the person making the - motion, who seconded it and the motion itself. The secretary was asked to provide the form to the Commissioners so that they could use It if they wished to. Commissioner Schick stated that once the secretary learns to distinguish betwr. what Is Important and what is not, she will be all right. Some of the min- Ites in the past have not revealed what led to the vote. 111 - 5 - Donna Pennington Secretary Commissioner- Perkins thought the minutes that came out were quite balanced and gave more than the absolute minimum that was required. He commented that once in a while someone gets pretty wrought up about a point and perhaps when they did, they should ask that their thoughts and statements be reflected In the minutes, or perhaps write It �Ot, and have the secre- tary type It and distribute It. Commissioner Proft noted that It naJ bee,i 1 1^n„t'ny Tooting. D. NEP: BUSINESS: BUDGET DISCUSSION Commissioner Proft noted the Planning Commisslon hadn't given much thought to its 1976-77 budget needs. He suggested that they do so because the budget process will start soon. His suggestion was well supported. He noted that If the Planning Commission has to plan for the community, It has to plan for Itself first. It has to think about what It Is going to he doing, and how much money it needed to accomplish Its plans. Also, how It was going to spend the taxpayers money In their best Interest. Commissloner Perkins asked if It would be possible for the planning Com- mission to have a copy of the expenditures of the Commission for the past few years. It was decided to ask for as much of a breakdown of expenses as possible from the City Manager's office. The Budget Discussion was placed on the first meetinn in ilarch agenda, and it was he;)ed that the Information could be made available to them by this time. D. NEW BUSINESS: AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS Comm issloner Schick advised that the Town received an allocation of $14,000 for aerial photographs. These will be utilized in the Introspection study. E. ADJOURNMENT: 9:35 p.m. Commissioner Brown moved, seconded by Commissioner Young, that the meeting be adjourned to a study session on February 14, 1976 at 10:00 a.m. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, 111 - 5 - Donna Pennington Secretary