HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/12/1976 (2)MITnITES
♦, PLANNI'tn U)'I".ISSInt'
Town of Los Altos Hills
?F37g Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
May 12, 107F
Reel 51 Side 1 Track 1 Count 4n4 to end; Side 2 Track 1 fount nnl to 287
RDLL CALL: Present: Commission Chairman Carico, Commissioners Pichard Rvdell,
Theodora Schick,14illiam Hahn, Michael Stewart, Kenneth
Young.
Absent: Commissioner Yilliam Perkins.
Also Present: City "lanager Robert E. Crov!e; City Engineer Alexander n.
pussell; Town Planner Kenneth P, Pastrof; Secretary gonna
Pennington.
Cnr!SE"!T CALE'!W'
Annroval of minutes: Commissioner Schick asked the City ""anaoer the reasons for
ac o presentation of Minutes for annroval by both the Variance and Permit Com-
mission and the Planning Commission. '!r. Crrnve said he assumed they were not com-
pleted. Commissioner Schick asked the record shoe^ there were no "^inutes of the
April ?8, 1n7r, meeting presented for anoroval.
Accentance of Tentative "cans for Filino:
'1nTIn'!: Commissioner Young moved
nF nnPTH,t the PPagei"illoRoad51lohncClegg, Engineer,
cent for filing
Tentative laps for LA
File #TM ?n34 -7F: and LRnnS OF STnt!ESRnnK,Sto�n�5 1F
uAvenue and Stone -
brook Court, gobert Foulk, Engineer, File -TM
commissioner Hahn seconded the notion, and motion PASSED by unanimous
consent.
FPSaIULIVII J1 ..n nu ...v. __..
P an - nPE"1 SPACE ELE""E"1T-HISTnRIf, L SITES: .ommissi -
a' City "ianager Crowe discussed the need to consider the annropriateness of the
designations of all HistoricalSites
and Poindateffortconsiaeration�ofcamendingathe
tions, relative to setting a , cons, Planning Commission
poen Soace Element of the general Plan at the 'lay fo,
meeting.
Commissioner Youna asked if all sites were to be considered en masse or one by she
one,
Commission had renuesteda same in her lettersaid dtoethem,l huts then"ayf?smpublici hearingcjoulds deal
with the Juan Prado mesa Adobe. Commissioner Ynunn recommended deferment of con-
sideration of the historical desionations en masse to the tine when Pa ch site's
designation was annealed, if at all.
len Tln"I: Commissioner Schick moved to adont the Resolution num" next in order
setting the nublic hearing for Consideration to Amend the renera'I Plan -
OPE9$ SPACE ELE"lE"!T - HISTnRICAL SITES, for "lay 2F, 1076, the next Plan-
ning Commission meeting. , ' jklAzV" cd i�� /,/I 1974.
` PLANNING CC`1"^ISSIng! MVIUTES - "av 12, 1"79
` rC"SENT CALF!nAn, continued:
1`10l'im, continued:
Chairman Carico seconded the motion.
Commissioner Young informed the nresent audierce that snecific considera-
tion vaould be. given to the LVInS nF RCSSI, Summerhill and E1 Monte Avenues,
at that public hearing.
'lotion PASSEn by unanimous roll call vote: P dell, Schick,
AYE: Chairman Carico, Commissioners Stewart, V
Young, Hahn.
'M: None
ARSE"!T: Commissioner Perkins
ARSTAIN: !lone
CZSCUSSIn'! A�{n ACTInH
1 . LhNCS of '!ESTMI°!n STABLES - netermine l!se for Property needed to Town:
Commissioner Schick renuested the record sho,,i that the City Council referred this
item to the Planning Commission for consideration: the use of the !dest,�dnd Rarn
Facilities. She pointed out that the three new Planning Commissioners might not
be aware of all that had transpired reqardina the blestwind oroperty• As the Plan-
ning Commission renresentative to the most recent City Council meeting, she said
she had been given more information then than the Planning Commissioners ever re-
ceived, and she couldn't see how new Planning Commission memhers could make any
judgements when they hadn't this same material. She also pointed out that the City
Council did not make a decision and they gIn have all the information, that the
Ad Hoc Committee a"pointed to study the uses possible for the nronerty also had
reached no specific conclusion or recommendation. She felt the deficiency of ao-
nlicable information did not allow for a proper determinatinn of the uses of the
nronerty. She also requested that an amendment be made to the agenda showing that
the Yestwind property had been sold and deeded to the To,,n.
11.r. Crowe pointed out that the barn ,as deeded as a gift to the Tovrn with 13+ acres
and the Town purchased the 1+ acre parcel for tpq,nnC'and that the Planning Com-
mission was being asked to determine some use for the barn. Commission Chairman
Carico noted that the Planning Commission had never been asked to forward their
recommendations on the compatibility of use of the nronerty with surrounding Pro-
perties before the negotiations for nurchase.-deed of the property or afterward,
and that the Commissioners did not have a cony of the Ad Hoc Committee Report as
presented to Council. She stated the Committee members recommended three possible
uses: 1 - continued use as a horse facility run by the Tovn, 2- using the Proper-
ty as Coen Snace; R- selling the property. She elaborated on individual Committee
member recommendations furnished her verbally in telephone conversations and re-
peated with their permissions.
Commissioner Ynunq questioned the urgency of discussive '�Iestwind at the Present
time, since the Ad Hoc Committee Report was not in the possession of the Commissio•,
Tovdn Planner Ken Pastrof responded that Security Patrol guard Cordon Penfold and
the City Tanager had noticed increased security problems as well as notential fire
hazards arising during the hot, dry ensuing summer months. If the disposition of
the barn dragged on into the summer, it would become a moot Point.
- 2 -
( PLAMMIMq rn^r+ISS1nM MINITES - 'lav 12, 107°
�+� IIESTI,IIMn, Continued:
Commission chairman Carico stated the Ad Hoc Committee had done a good job and if
the City !Tanager provided the Commission with conies of the Committee's report, a
determination could he offered to the City Council.
Further discussion continued among Planning commission members concerning the Pro-
s onersnHahn and Pydellral, and innuestioned theconjunction rth the Ad helpfulnessoof�thertteerenort asrt. writtenmis-
Commissioner Chairman CArico opened the discussion to sneakers from the floor.
Sneakinq from the floor:
6lma 'food, Stonebrook, member of A,I Hoc Committee: Presented Committee considera-
tions and procedures; Horseman's Association desires: concerns of resi-
dents living adjacent to or in the neighborhood of the barn and nroner-
ty; ramifications of the purchase/deed/subdivision of the property.
Mrs. I•!ood objected to having her tax monies expended furthering an ex-
clusive use of the barn (i.e., horse oriented) because she felt it had
been clear that a boarding stable was not a profit-making use.
Cindy Hettinger, 12372 Priscilla Lane: Felt the Torn should not exclude other
uses for the horse facilities, that A -H groups, and similar or-
ganizations should he included; that the To1dn should consider its
use as a community center or as rental space for individual groups.
Commissioner Young pointed out that either State regulations or Building Code re-
quirements to maintain these uses could result in renovation of the barn, and these
could cost areat amounts of monev rather than save money, and that the To+,yn services:
might have to he increased to provide trafficecontrol or fire hazard control, etc;
however, he was opposed to destruction of nronerty without 'ull consideration of
its potential, both present and future.
city "+ananer Crowe then nave a summary of the nronerty's history, the deed/gift to
the To!nn by Countess Bessenyev, the purchase of the one acre plus property, the
subdivision of the `• acre parcel, the nresent uses and structures located at the
site, and the oronerty's topography.
Chairman Carico declared a short recess after this surmnarv.
When the meeting reconvened, further comments and nuestions +.!ere presented from the
floor as follows:
Jim nu( gan, '420 Parkinson, Palo Alto: Sugq^_sted use as a natural science, history
or community narden area. Asked what costs the lessee of the property
and harn would have to contend with to maintain a horse facility in
a-gord with To!an regulations or rwnuirements.
7Lau�va� nv4`na - ,`, � nffered his firm.
( se view manager, Riade Ranch, Exeter, California:
\r � services if the Tn!•+n desired a cost analysis of running the barn as
a horse facility or a feasibility study for other uses.
i11/ a
PL4PInIryr Cn,imlSSIM MI'IHTES - °fay 11, 1875
MESTIJIHn, Continued:
Pete McSweeney, County resident, sneaking for the Los Altos Hills Horseman's Asso-
ciation: Stated that if the Town could charge 4425/month rental
and provide two stable boys to •-nrl( the barn only as a 34 stall
boarding stable, at 445g/month, an income of Olin^/month was
possible, that cash fio!a could be generated. He stated in re-
sponse to Commissioner Hahn that the City Council had not solici-
ted Horseman's Association innut on the use of the barn or a cost
breakdown of maintaininn the barn as a leased 34-stall stable,
but that the Horsemen were very interested in the disoosition of
the barn, as were other grouns of residents. fie vent into detail
concerning the research and 7-page report of same they had Pre-
pared.
Frances Stevenson, 2911:x1 Beaver Lane: Spoke in sunnort of using the barn as a
horse facility.
Arthur Sobell, 1B2P5 Christopher's Laney Spoke against using the yarn as an ex-
clusive horse facility and nutting any more Torn money into the
harn's maintenance.
I
rreq Hawkins, 2317n P.avenshurv, County resident: Stated a hoarding stable could be
nrofitable and there are some bankers -rho Will lend money for same.
Ann Younqman, 27911 Black "fountain Poad; Snoke in sunnort of using the barn as a
horse facility.
Sue Stevenson, 25o Bn Beaver Lane:Spoke in support of using the barn as a horse
facility.
At this point, Chairman Carico returned the meetinq hack to the Planning Commis-
sion for further discussion and considerations based on what they had heard from
the floor and any other information provided.
i Commissioner Young felt the Planning Commission had to determine the highest and
best use of the nroperty and in his opinion it rjas horse oriented, because anything
else would involve expenditure of considerable sums of money to brino the building
into suitable condition. He therefore recommended that the To,•n advertise for bids
for lease agreement to operate the barn and land on !shich it stands, together with
the present equestrian facilities.
Commissioner Hahn felt the City Council was not correct in charnino the Planning
Commission with determinino the use of the nrogerty dpeded the Town because the
Commission had inadenuate informat'on.. Chairman Carico concurred..
Commissioner Young referenred the nreviously established grcency of coming to a de-
cision to forv•lard to Council. Commissioner P.ydell agreed with Commissianted oner Young's
recommendation to maintain the present use of the nrnnertv,
uses
added, rather than strictly horse-oriented ones. Commissioner Young did not agree
with this additional use proposal, as a lease agreement was only between two nartie
- 4 -
PLAMM IG CD VISSIM 11INUTES - "lay 12, 1076
4 WES111MD, Continued:
'inTIDN: Commissioner Hahn moved that the Planning commission return the matter
to City Council for the City rouncil to make a decision based on the
facts they had.
'lotion was secnnded by Commissioner Schick.
Commissioner Young pointed out that the City Council should have some recommenda-
tion from the Planning Commission, and the use he would recommend to them, based
on the fact that 1) the property cannot be sold except to one particular buyer be-
cause it is landlocked:. ?) the barn was not suitable for public use on a mass ba-
sis; 3) no monetary return from use by the volunteer organizations could be expec-
ted, was its present use, maintained by lease agreement.
'lotion failed by the following roll call vote:
AYE: Commissioners Schick, and Hahn.
ND: Commissioners Stewart, Pydell, Young; Chairman Carico.
ABSENT: Commissioner Perkins.
,ABSTAIN: 11one.
40TIWI: Commission Chairman Carico moved, because she wanted to send a positive
reply to Council, that the established use be continued at no additional
cost to the Tmvn e5 long as it was consistent with Torn ordinances.
Commissioner Young seconded the motion.
Plotion FAILE^ for lack of a majority according to the following roll
call vote:
AYE: Commissioners Young, and STewart; Chairman Carico.
go: rommissioners Hahn, Schick, Rydell.
ABSE7: rommissioner Perkins.
ARSTAI'l: 'Ione.
wnTIM: Commissioner Stewart moved that Prior use has heen established, therefore
it he recommended that the use he continued at no additional cost to the
Torn as long as it was consistent with Town nrdinances, and that the City
Council also investigate additional uses in conjunction with groups simi-
lar to 4 - H, Boy Scouts, Future Farmers of America, etc. (NnTE: The
motion did no` EXCLUDE these groups).
Commissioner Schick seconded the motion.
"lotion passed by roll call vote:
AYE: Chairman Carico, Commissioners Schick, cydell, Steuart
and Young.
Nn: Commissioner Hahn.
ABSENT: Commissioner Perkins.
ABSTAIN: None.
Commissioner Carico thanked all those lsho attended and spoke on the 'lestwind matter.
2. nenort Concerning Proposed Abandonment of Elena Road:
City Engineer Alec Russell reviewed the Town's acquisition of and realignment of a
certain portion of Elena Road and adjacent driveways, and subsequent litigation
regarding same. The Commission was to consider the matter hecause Government Code
Section 654n2 demanded that if a General Plan had been adopted, no abandonments
- 9 -
4 PLANHIPir CO"41ISSIM'IFNITES -'lay 12, in7^
ELENA PnAn ABWInnr;rlE"IT, Continued:
could be processed unless the Planning Commission renorted on the abandonment and
purpose of abandonment to the City Council. 'Ir. Russell also pointed out that if
the abandonment were processed, trades of land could be affected between the Town
and the residents involved in the litigation.
nOTIMI: Commission Chairman Carico moved to recommend to the City Council the
abandonment of certain nortions of Elena road.
'lotion was seconded by Commissioner Schick.
lotion PASSED by unanimous consent.
oL0 BIiSI"IESS No items presented.
NEH BUSINESS Staff report information:
NOTION: Chairman Carico moved that Staff include information regarding gross and
net acreages and slope density at the too of all applicable Staff reports
that are nre.sentpd to Commissions and Council.
(lotion seconded by Commissioner Ste.,'art, and passed by unanimous consent.
Election of officers: Retirinn Planning Commission Chairman Carico asked for names
U be offere in nomination for the office of P'anning Commission Chairman.
4W commissioner Schick offered Commissioner Hahn's name. 'Io others were offered. Com-
missioner Carico directed the Planning Commission Secretary to cast a white ballot,
and then asked for names offered in nomination for the office of vice Chairman of
the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Schick offered Commissioner Carico's name. Nn others were offered.
The retiring Chairman directed the Commission Secretary to cast a white ballot.
Commissioner Hahn, the new Planning Commission Chairman, took up the gavel and
entertained a motion for adiournment. 'lotion made, seconded, and passed by unani-
mous consent of the Commission.
Planning Commission Chairman Hahn declared the meeting adjourned.
respectfully submitted,
Helen A. Cygnarowicz
HAC/s