HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/26/1976 (2)PLA11KING COMMISSION!
Town of Los Altos Hills
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
Minutes of a Regular fleeting
Hednesday, May 26, 1976
Reel 51, Side 2 Tract 1, 666 to end; Side 1 Tract 2, 001 to 963.
Chairman Hahn called the meeting to order, in the Council Chambers, Town Hall,
Los Altos Hills, California.
ROLL CALL: Chairman Vlilliam Hahn, Commissioners William Perkins, Kenneth Young,
Michael Stewart, Judith Carico present.
Commissioner Richard Rydell, absent.
Also present R. E. Crowe, City Manager, Kenneth R. Pastrof, Town
Planner; Alexander D. Russell, City Engineer.
MINUTES No action taken as there were no minutes submitted for approval.
CONSENT CALENDAR No action was taken as there were no items listed.
ROE UEST FOR EXEMPTION FROM SUBDIVISION MORATORIUM, LANDS OF ROSSI, Summerhill
and E1 fdonte Avenues, Dexter Hhlgren, Enginer_r.
Town Planner Kenneth Pastrof reviewed the reasons for the floratorium and related
those reasons to the applicant's property, with emphasis on cuts and fills-, and
the general topographical layout of the 13+ acre parcel.
Commissioner Perkins expressed concern that the exemption request appeared on
the Planning Commission agenda preceding a public hearing on the OPEN SPACE ELE-
MENT -HISTORICAL SITES. City Manager Crowe stated that designation of historical
sites, if any, are addressed at the Tentative Map stage of property development,
that the Rossi's exemption request was distinctly separate from the public hear-
ing on the Open Space Element, and that the appearance of the two items on the
same agenda was coincidental.
Speaking from the floor, Dexter Ahlgren, engineer for the applicants, stated all
inputs had been made by himself and the applicants, and neither had any more to
add to the Commission's information.
Commissioner Carico, referencing the April 8, 1976, letter to the Planning Commis-
sioners fron the City Manager regarding procedures following exemption approval,
and referencing the past actions of the Planning Commission when the property was
known as the LANDS OF COSTELLO (i.e., request for an Environmental Impact Report
on the property) stated she would prefer to continue this exemption request.
4-71
The applicant had agreed, through his engineer, in a letter of Play 18, 1976, to
adhere to the proposed Subdivision Ordinance, should exemption be granted.
PLANNING COMh1ISsI0N MINUTES - May 2.6, 1976
LANDS OF ROSSI (continued)
an -
In response to Commissioner Carico's reqst s be granted exemptionor further tfrom the Slubdi-
ager Crowe explained that should an applicanta gran would have to agree in writ -
vision Moratorium by the City Council, said app
licantin to the cproposed"to tsubdivisi neOrdinance,tandsfor that if thety development "adopted" Subdivisionentec
Ordinance were less restrictive, the applicant �vould still have to adhere to the
"proposed" Ordinance, also that if the "adopted" Ordinance were more restrictive,
the applicant would als still have to comp`l `with the "proposed" ordinance. �
• ,
NOTION: onmiis i e e crmo
�ins`7o��recd mento Coun�approval of exemption
to the Subdivision Moratorium for the LANDS OF ROSSI, with the condition
that the applicant comply with the "proposed" Subdivision Ordinance, as
stated in the May 18 letter of the applicant's engineer to the Town.
Motion seconded by Commissioner Young, and passed by the following roll
call vote: Young, Chairman Hahn,
AYE: Commissioners Perkins,
Commissioner Stewart.
NO: Commissioner Carico.
ABSENT: Commissioner Rydell
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Consideration of Amendment to General Plan - OPEN SPACE ELE?"ENT-HISTORICAL
SITES.
City Manager Crone pstating that specificted the nature fthe referencedwasttoobehmadentoathe re-
open Space Element, 9
fromttheirRay
property, locatedRossi
atthat
Summerhillhistorical
El Monte Avenues. be removed
Speaking from the floor:
Civil Engineer for Ray and Jackie Rossi: Showed the Planning
Commission a Xerox copy of a photostat of an original map drawn
by Chester Lyman in January 1847, relating a particular survey
point on the map to the Juan Prado Mesa Adobe. Mr. Ahlgren
detailed the Lyman survey and stated that it was the primary
basis for his belief that the Mesa Adobe was not located on the
Rossi property. He explained that he felt any further searching
for the Adobe should be carried on by a governmental agency
rather than the Rossi's, and that perhaps the infra -red photo-
graphy method would be productive.
Fcr the record, Mr. Ahlgren desired to point out that the Lyman
survey map was true and valid as far as the Juan Prado Mesa Adobe
location was c,interned, and that wto ho thn survey was done for or
who the
Lyman Survey Map, that thehad mapwasdo with a validthe surveydand did by
the Juan Prado Mesa Adobe.
Dexter Ahlgren,
Florence Fava, Town Historian: Desired the Planning Commission not remove the
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PLANNING COFiMISS10fl MI11UTES - May 25, 1976
GENERAL PLAN AMEND11 IT (continued)
Historical Site designation from the Rossi property on the basis
of magnetometer tests done, and of the findings of George Keith,
who dug into the wall and gave a piece of the Adobe to the Univ-
ersity of California at Berkeley for study, as mentioned in a 1939
news article. She stated that the Lyman survey map was the wrong
map to use as the claim it was to back up was rejected.
Commissioner Young questioned Juan Prado Mesa's contribution to
history, explaining that if there were none, then there could be
no historical significance to the site. Mrs. Fava responded that
Mesa was from a distinguished California family and that he himself
had served as a soldier under Vallejo. She declared that the Rossi
property was also an Indian Occupational Site, that Indian arti-
facts had been found on the site.
Dorothy Refinery, Portola Valley: Spoke in favor of removing the Historical Site
designation from the Rrs;i property.
Ray Rossi, 25299 La Loma Drive, Los Altos Hills, owner of the subject property:
Detailed the process by which the County and State agencies removed
the Historical Site designation from his property.
( Discussion followed between the Planning Commission and the City Mana-
4ar ger on the actions taken by the County and the State agencies.
Jacki Rossi, 25299 La Loma Drive, Los Altos Hills, co-owner of the subject pro-
perty: Requested the Planning Commission hear City Engineer's com-
ments on Historical Site designation.
City Engineer Alec Russell's comments focused on the Lyman survey
map. Mr. Russell stated that it was a remarkably accurate map from
a civil engineering perspective, and the only map presented to the
Town that calls out the location of the Juan Prado Mesa Adobe rela-
tive to something that has been established, i.e., an oak tree with
two cuts, on a hill about 50 rods Southeasterly of the Mesa house.
At this point, Chairman Hahn closed the public hearing.
MOTION: Commissioner Carico moved to continue the Public Hearing on the Amend-
ment to the General Plan to the next meeting of the Planning Commission,
June 9, 1976, with direction to include in the packet material a copy
of the Lyman survey map, and Minutes of the State regarding their action
on the Historical designation.
Motion failed for lack of a second.
MOTION: Commissioner Young moved to recommend to the City Council that the Juan
Prado r1esa Adobe site be removed from the list of points of Historical
t Interest in the Town of Los Altos Hills.
1r Motion failed for lack of a second.
Chairman Hahn called a five minute recess.
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PLANNING CommISSION MINUTES - Iiay 26, 1976
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT (continued)
Upon resuming the meeting, Chairman Hahn read in its entirety the Resolution
calling for the public hearing considering removal or retention of the Juan Prado
Mesa Adobe Historical Site Designation and an Amendment to the General Plan, Open
Space Element, Historical Sites.
Discussion followed between the Planning Commissioners and Staff on what the Los
Altos Hills Municipal Code required should the Historical designation be retained,
and the difference between a Historical Site and Historical Point of Interest
designation in the Town's perspective.
MOTION: Commissioner Perkins moved the Planning Commission recommend to the City
Council that the Historical designation not be removed and the General
Plan not be modified, that all be left as is at present.
Motion seconded by Chairman Hahn.
Mction passed by following roll call vote:
AYE: Chairman Hahn, Commissioners Carico, Perkins.
NO: Commissioners Stewart, Young.
ABSENT: Commissioner Rydell.
L. LANDS OF RUSSELL, Hillway, John Riley, Engineer, File #CUP 8012-76, Request
for Recommendation for Approval of Conditional Use Permit.
Staff requested Continuance of this public hearing, pending clarification of
prior legislation on the property.
MOTION: Commissioner Carico moved to continue the LANDS OF RUSSELL, Request
for Conditional Use Permit , to the next meeting of the Planning
Commission, June 9, 1976.
Motion seconded by Commissioner Perkins, and passed by unanimous
roll call vote,=Commissioner Rydell absent.
3. LANDS OF URIGHT, Elena Road, Paul Nowack, Engineer, File #TM 2027-75, Re-
quest for Recommendation for Approval of Tentative flap.
The Town Planner noted that the Town Geologist, William Cotton, requested dele-
tion of Condition #2 of the Staff Report, dated May 20, 1976, and deletion of
any and all references to geology in Condition #3. He then reviewed the back-
ground of the property and the Tentative Map preparation, explained the Roadway
and Driveway Plans, and detailed the developmental relationship of the LANDS OF
WRIGHT, to adjacent properties of HENRY, UHALDE, and AMERICAN SAVINr,S AND LOAN.
Speaking from the flcer:
Mr. Henry, owner of 5.2 acres adjacent to LANDS OF WRIGHT and IS 200: Replied
to Commissioner Young's concerns over his arrangements for access to
Elena Road, that he and Mr. Iverson, applicant, agreed in principle
on the use of the proposed 25 foot easement for that access. How-
ever, City Engineer Russell emphasized that this arrangement did not
�r guarantee access by means of the easement to any future subdivision
of the 5.2 acre property.
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( PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - flay 26, 1976
LANDS OF WRIGHT (continued)
Albert Uhalde, Elena Road: Wished it understood that any access easement used
by Mr. Henry would be only for Mr. Henry's individual use, not
for any subdivision Mr. Henry might propose.
Irma Goldsmith, 27330 Elena Road: Spoke against recommended approval of the Ten-
tative map because she felt the development of the subdivision
would generate increased traffic problems and the impact of the
development on t neighborhood would be distasteful.
uct�Gaa«�,
Jack Schoenhair, Elena Road: Asked Staff if extension of Natoma Road was consi-
dered to resolve the traffic problem. The City Engineer re-
sponded in the negative.
Evaluation of road configuration and traffic engendered by subdivision develop-
ment continued between Staff and Planning Commission.
Betty Schoenhair; Elena Road: Spoke to the Elena Road pedestrian, equestrian and
bicycle traffic and its relation to the proposed road entry to
Elena, and the need for adequate paths to accommodate same.
Mr. Baker, corner of Elena and Natoma Roads: Suggested road entry be contained
at one rather than two; stated there was an "easement of prescription"
currently being used for access to the Henry property.
MOTION: At this point, Commissioner Carico, because the appointed hour of ad-
journment approached, moved to continue the present meeting until com-
pletion of action on LANDS OF WRIGHT, and further amended this motion
to include Item #4 on the Agenda, and to continue Item #6, LANDS OF
STONEBROOK to the next regular meeting of the Planning Commission, June
9, 1976.
Motion seconded by Chairman Hahn.
Motion passed by following roll call vote:
AYE: Commissioners Carico, Stewart, Chairman Hahn.
NO: Commissioner Young.
ABSENT: Commissioner Rydell.
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Perkins.
Ida Baker, Elena Road and Natoma Road intersection: Addressed the subject of ac-
cess entries onto Elena Road and subsequent traffic problem.
Paul Nowack, Los Altos, Civil Engineer for applicant: Stated the road entries
as delineated on the Tentative Map were the safest for all concerned.
There was again further discussion of road access design between Staff and the
Planning Commission. Commission Chairman Hahn recommended returning the matter
to Staff for further review of an equitable road access for the area. Commis-
sioner Young felt the p )posed cul-de-sac access was the most feasible.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - May 26, 1976
LANDS OF WRIGHT (continued)
MOTION: Commissioner Young moved to recommend to the City Council the approval
of Tentative ?lap #2027-75, subject to Conditions of the Staff Report
of May 20, 1976, excluding Condition #2 and amending Condition #3 as
requested by Staff.
Motion seconded by Commissioner Carico.
Motion FAILED by roll call vote as follows'
AYE: Commissioners Perkins and Young.
NO: Commissioners Stewart and Carico, Chairman Hahn.
ABSENT: Commissioner Rydall.
MOTION: Commissioner Carico moved that LANDS OF WRIGHT be referred to Staff for
further road alignment possibilities to be presented at the next regular
Planning Commission Meeting, June 9, 1976.
Motion failed for lack of a second.
MOTION: Commissioner Carico moved to recommend to the Council denial without
prejudice of the request for approval of the Tentative Map for LANDS
of ELSIE WRIGHT.
Motion seconded by Commission Chairman Hahn.
Motion PASSED by roll call vote as follows:
AYE: Commissioners Young, Perkins, Carico; Chairman Hahn.
e NO: Commissioner Stewart.
fir, ABSENT: Commissioner Rydell.
4. LANDS OF DELLES-OKEY, Baker Lane and Purissima Road, Paul Mowack, Engineer,
File #TM 2032-76, Request for Recommendation for Approval of Tentative Map.
Town Planner Ken Pastrof reviewed the reconfiguration plan of the subject property
and the settlement of prior litigation concerning the property.
Speaking from the floor:
Redding, California, applicant: Requested clarification on the Park
and Recreation in lieu fees assessed for subdivision vs. realign-
ment of lot line, relative to the new State Bill which holds it is
illegal to re -assess Park and Recreation in lieu fees on already
created parcels.
In response to this, Staff requested amendment to Condition #10 b
of the May 20, 1976, Staff Report, to include the City Attorney's
opinion as to the appropriateness of assessing said Park and Rec
in lieu fees. Mr. Delles agreed to the amendment of the Condition.
John Delles,
MOTION: Commissioner Carico moved to recommend approval of the LANDS OF DELLES-
OKEY Tentative Map, #2032-76, with the conditions so stipulated and
all fees subject to the City Attorney's ruling.
Motion seconded by Commissioner Young.
(�. Motion passed by following roll call vote:
AYE: Chairman Hahn, Commissioners Carico, Stewart, Young.
NO: None R dell.
ABSENT: Commissioners Perkins, Ry
dell.
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PLANNING CORJISSION MINUTES - May 26, 1976
LANDS OF DELLES-OKEY (continued)
MOTION: Commissioner Carico moved to recommend to Coundil that a Negative Decla-
ration be filed with the County Clerk.
Motion seconded by Chairman Hahn.
Motion passed by unanimous consent, Commissioners Perkins and Rydell
absent.
There being previous action to consider no further Agenda items, Commissioner
Stweart moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded, and passed by unanimous
consent of present Commissioners.
HAC/s
6
respectfully submitted
Helen A. Cygnarowicz
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,r
B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Meeting, of May 26, 1976. 161�z'
Commissioner Perkins reauested the addition of the follooiinn comment on
Page four of the May 26th Minutes. He asked that prior to his motion on
the Historical designation,the statement "It appears that whether or not
the Historical designation is removed, the Rossi property can be developed
within aur Town Ordinance." be inserted.
Chairman Ham asked that a typed statement given him by Mrs. Irma Goldsmith
be inserted into the May 26th Minutes in place of the remarks ascribed to her.
There was some discussion as to whether this was correct procedure in correct-
ing minutes, and whether this in fact was exactly what Mrs. Goldsmith said.
The result was to add a statement to the remarks existing in the Minutes.
MOTION: Commissioner Stewart moved, seconded by Chairman Hahn, to amend
the remarks ascribed to Mrs. Goldsmith on page five of the Minutes,
with the statement "She felt the intersection at Natoma should be
a four-way intersection."
Motion passed by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Commissioners Perkins, Ste�oart, Young and Hahn
NOTION: Commis-ioner Young moved, seconded by Chairman Hahn, that the
Minutes of the meeting of flay 26th stand as written and corrected.
Motion passed by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Commissioners Perkins, Stewart, Young and Hahn.
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Rydell abstained because he was absent from
the flay 26th meeting.
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