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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/10/1979PLANNING COMMISSION Town of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING Hednesday, January 10, 1979 Reel 75, Side 1, Tr. 2, 001 to End; Side 2, Tr. 2, 001 to 308 Chairman Stewart called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order in the Council Chambers of Town Hall at 7:50 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Stewart, Lachenbruch, Rydell, Dochnahl and Kuranoff Absent: Commissioners Carico and vanTamelen Also Present: City Manager Robert Crowe, City Engineer/Planner John Carlson, Secretary Ethel Hopkins SEATING OF COMMISSIONER RYDELL: City Manager Crowe administered the oath of office to newly -appointed Commissioner Rydell. (Commissioner Rydell replaces Commissioner Reeves who resigned in December.) CONSENT CALENDAR: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch that the following items on the Consent Cal- endar be approved: 1. Acceptance for Filing of Tentative Map: LANDS OF HILLESTAD, File #TM11 2095-79, Chaparral ':lay, Paul Nowack and Associates, Engineers 2. Minutes of December 13, 1978. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. LANDS OF STEERS, File #TM 2087-78, Central and Buena Vista Drive, G. Nolte anFTssociates, Engineer, Request for Recommendation of Approval of Negative Declaration and Tentative Map: Commissioner Lachenbruch disqualified himself from participation in the discussion on the above request because of his proximity to the applicant's property and be- cause of his use of and participation in maintainance of Buena Vista Drive, the private road access to the property. He therefore felt that he had a financial interest in the item under discussion. Jerome and Jacquith Metzger, 11620 Buena Vista Drive, both requested that Commission- er Dochnahl disqualify himself from the discussion because he is a neighbor to the fAW Steers property and because of his friendship with the Steers family. City Manager Crowe noted that the only reason for Commissioner Dochnahl's disqualify- ing himself would be for personal reasons or financial interest, and that no affidavits PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - January 10, 1979 Page two PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF STEERS, File #TM 2087-73: (continued) had been filed charging that the Commissioner was pre -disposed to a given position, nor was there any evidence of a financial interest in the property. Commissioner Dochnahl acknowledged that he is a neighbor to the Steers property but he noted that as a Planning Commissioner he was bound b. ordinance a s of -..0 the Town and if the Steers subdivision met the requirements of the ordinances, City Engineer/Planner Carlson proposed that the Negative Declaration be considered for the Steers Subdivision and that the public hearing be opened for the discussion on this item. Jerry Metzger, 11620 Buena Vista Drive, emphasized that the proposed subdivision would have an impact on the Metzger property as far as view is concerned. Ramesh doshi, 1785 Gran er Avenue, Los Altos, asked that the Negative Declaration be recommended for approval for the subdivision as the proposal met with all requirements. 6 MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE: It was moved by Commissioner Rydell and seconded by Commissioner Kuranoff that the Negative Declaration be recommended for approval for the Lands of Steers, File #TM 2087-78. John Carlson reviewed pertinent features of the proposed subdivision, including pathway requests and conservation easements. Planning Comnicsion discussion centered on whether the setback .areas and contours were correctly shown on the tentative map. Thereafter, Chairman Stewart opened the discussion to the public. questioned whether the conservation easement being requestea mignt not m priately be considered when further subdivision takes place on Parcel A. Chairman Stewart responded that the Commission did have the authority to request a conservation easement with the subdivision under consideration, and that it was the feeling of the Commission that the time was appropriate now. He noted that this easement would not deduct from the gross area of the property. Maury Abraham, George Nolte & Associates, Engineer, discussed his efforts with the Health Department to extend the leach lines on Lot 1 to permit greater design flexibility for the residence, the correction of map contours, and the failure to provide new slope density calculations for the revised lot lines. The public hearing was closed; and it was determined by Chairman Stewart that since no new slope density calculations had been submitted, the Lands of Steers would be continued to the meeting of January 24 when it would be the first item on the agenda under public hearings. taw 6 `1 PLANNING COMlISSIO14 MINUTES - January 10, 1979 Page three PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 2. LANDS OF MILLER, File #T1`1 2093-73, Natoma Road, Civil and Construction Con- sultants, Inc.,Engineers, Request for Recommendation of Approval of Negative Declaration and Tentative Map: John Carlson recommended that the Negative Declaration be considered for the subdivision of the above request into two lots. Thereafter Chairman Stewart opened the discussion to the public participation. John Dannenberg, 12374 P1elody Lane, expressed concerns on drainage, diminished wiTdli e in t e area as a result of this development, and that Town ordinances on slope density be upheld. Russell Schoenberg, 12386 MelodyLane, stated his agreement with the concerns enumerated by Mr. Dannenberg and added his concern on additional traffic in an area of steep turns in both directions. Commissioners and staff discussed the access for the proposed subdivision with John Carlson recommending the access in the middle of Natoma Road. Chairman „e� _ Stewart, however, inquired about an access recommended by Artemas Ginzton, aHkcpnt� property owner, who recommended that access be on the public right-of-way off the Charles Avenue side of the property and that it drop below Natoma Road to service both lots with the same driveway. Mr. Carlson agreed that a driveway coming off Charles Avenue would be preferable to access off the middle of Natoma Road. Pete Huttlinger, Civil and Construction Consultants, Inc., Engineer, stated that the oronosed develooment had no negative impacts that could not be mitigated, that the drainage in the area would be improved with the development, and that the conservation easement would preserve the wildlife in the area. The public hearingg was closed, and the following motion passed: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIM USLY: It was moved by Commissioner Kuranoff and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch that a Negative Declaration be recommended for approval for the Lands of Miller, File #TM 2093-78. Mr. Carlson continued discussion of the request for subdivision as outlined in his staff comment sheet for the meeting, noting that it was the staff recommendation that the request be denied because it did not conform to slope density requirements. When queried as to whether any consideration had been given to a previous recommenda- tion of approval under old slope density requirements, Mr. Carlson stated that the previous request had not been considered at all. The Lands of Miller request had been treated as a brand new application under the slope density requirements presently in effect. The first request for subdivision was never completed because no final map had been filed. Commissioner Kuranoff questioned why the land had been taxed as two separate parcels, but it was noted by Mr. Huttlinger, Engineer that the land was actually taxed as one assessor's parcel. Clarification of the matter was provided by Chairman Stewart who observed that the two units of benefit were for the sewers that the land could accommodate when the sewer districts were set up. A short recess was called. The meeting resumed at 8:53, and discussion turned to the possible widening of the pavement on Natoma Road and how the Planning 6 In PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - January 10, 1979 Page four PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 2. LANDS OF MILLER, File #TM 2093-78: Commission should deal with the request, whether to recommend denial or to recommend the granting of a conditional exception to the slope density ordinances. The hearing was opened to the public discussion. Pete Huttlinger, Engineer, urged the Planning Commission to recommend a conditional exception to the slope density ordinance, noting that the uniqueness of this particu- lar situation called for such a response to the request. He stated that it was his understanding from the Subdivision Committee meeting that the Lands of Miller would pay a path -in -lieu and improvement fee rather than construct a path or improve the road. Mr. Huttlinger emphasized that denial of the request would be an undue hard- ship on the applicant, and noted that the present subdivision was not any more dense than the Mueller subdivision up the road, nor would it create too great a traffic burden in the area since only two homes would be added to the area. John Dannenberg, 12374 Melody Lane, said that it was in the best interest of the property owners in the area to uphold the slope density ordinances. He said also that he appreciated the plea of hardship, but failure to execute the final map in 1963 should not be cause for turning back on slope density requirements now. Mr.Schoenberg, 12386 Melody Lane, noted that the average lot size in the Natoma Road area was roughly over two acres, and in light of this the Miller lots would be some of the smallest in the area. Chairman Stewart discussed with Mr. Huttlinger the size and location of the building envelope in relation to the leachfield areas on the lots. Don Miller, Applicant, discussed the history of his ownership of the property anc�l�Tit e7ci icf' y of acquiring additional land to meet slope density requirements. He noted that with the required dedications for the road area, that property had been lost. He said that no adverse effect would accrue to the wildlife in the area as a result of his development. The public hearing was closed, and discussion returned to the Commission. It was the feeling of Commissioners Kuranoff and Lachenbruch that the slope density ordinances had been designed to meet situations like the Lands of Miller, and that the value of one lot today was greater than the value of the two lots ten years ago when the sub- division was first proposed. Commissioner Kuranoff pointed also the the extreme steep- ness of the area and therefore the need for more land area for development. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch that the Planning Commission recommend disapproval of the Lands of Miller, File#TM 2093-78, because the proposed subdivision is sub- standard. It does not meet the intent of the slope density ordinance or the General Plan. Chairman Stewart advised Mr. Miller and his engineer Mr. Huttlinger that they had the recourse of going directly to the City Council to ask for their consideration and approval of the subdivision request. A recess was called and the meeting resumed at 9:37 p.m. Lr 4W PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - January 10, 1979 Page five PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 3. LANDS OF LARRY DAWSON, File STM 2094-7II H14H, Inc., Engineer, Request for Recommendation of Approval of Negative Declaration and Tentative Map: Mr. Carlson presented information on the Negative Declaration to be considered for the above request, the public hearing was opened, and after a short discussion the following motion was passed: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by Commissioner Rydell that a Negative Declaration be recommended for the Lands of Dawson, File NTM 2094-78. Mr. Carlson reviewed for the Commission pertinent information regarding areas of fault and shear zones on the Dawson property, access, landscaping to provide screening from the Page Mill Road area, and fencing as detailed in his report to the Planning Commission for the meeting of January 10. Commissioners had questions on the routing of pathways, particularly along Paseo Del Roble and through the conservation easement area, whether the slope density calculations provided related to the map given to the Commissioners, the geological report as it addressed the proposed locations of building sites, and the location of the driveway on Lot 3. Commissioner Stewart also requested, with the consensus of the Commission, that Commissioners who attended the Subdivision Committee meeting be listed on the face of the staff report. Thereafter, the hearing was opened to the public discussion. Ken Pastrof, Woolworth Construction Co., Developer Representative 740 Camden Avenue Campbell, objected to the Pathway Committee's proposal fora path connection to the Matadero Oaks subdivision because it was redundant in light of existing pathways, discussed the developer's intent in providing larger lot sizes than slope density requirements allowed as a desire to develop a tasteful subdivision, and asked that the following conditions be amended: Condition 13 Requested that the condition read "The owner shall create... (the rest of the condition remains as written). Condition 1.D To allow the developer to provide common driveways where possible,to allow for height limitations and best view, requested that the condition be modified to read: "The owner may,at his option and with Site Development Committee permission, provide common driveway easements..." (the rest of the condition remains as written. This amendment would apply to items (1), (2), and (3) under Condition 1.D. It was acknowledged that item l.D(4) should be a common driveway. Mr. Pastrof spoke against a pathway adjacent to Page Mill Road since pathway use was on the opposite side of the road, and since providing screening land- scaping and a pathway would substantially reduce the building envelope that the developer could work with in this area. He noted the developer would gladly landscape Mr. Pastrof also requested that the entrance to Lot 13 (Condition 10(a)be near the common borders of Lot 13 and 14 so as to reduce cut and fill and to preserve the natural state of the area as much as possible. La Dawson, Owner, protested the request of a pathway along Page Mill Road as unreasona a see Mr. Dawson's letter of November 8 regarding this request). He noted furt er that the logic and necessity for an easement across the spike area no longer existed. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - January 10, 1979 Page six 4W PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 3. LANDS OF LARRY DAWSON, File HTM 2094-76: (continued) Bets Fiksdal, former Chairman of the Pathwa Committee, spoke for a pathway connection a ong Page Mi Roa for the Lan s of Dawson, and for all pathways proposed by the Pathway Committee. Fran Stevenson, Pathway Committee, spoke for the path along Page Mill Road through the conservation east as a way to get horses off the road area. u Chairman Stewart discussed for a time the matter of pathway access along Page Mill Road for subdivision of Lands of Borello, Saddle Mountain Estates and Berry Hill Farm as .these path uses related to the pathway proposals for the Lands of Dawson. He also proposed that conservation easements for the subdivision be connected. The public hearing was closed, and the Commission consensus was that no decisions could be made until more information was available. Commissioner Lachenbruch re- quested that new slope density calculations be provided and that a better scale map with contdursbe provided the Commission, along with enough information to make an appropriate decision on providing safety for people and horsemen along Page Mill Road. Commissioner Kuranoff requested that a detailed cross-section of Page Mill Road, including the available pathways and the land donated by Mr. Dawson, be available for the next discussion on this subdivision. 6 With the concurrence of Mr. Dawson, the following motion was passed: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by Commissioner Kuranoff that the Lands of Dawson be continued until the meeting of January 24 when it would be the second item of business on the agenda. It was also proposed that a field trip take place on Saturday, January 13,at 11:00 A.M. Commissioners were to meet at the Dawson residence with members of HMH Engineering firm, Engineers for the development. Commissioner Lachenbruch clarified his request for more information on pathways. He wanted to know the boundaries of land owned by the Town, the relationship of the topography, travel way and existing vegegation to the boundaries of land owned by the Town or land within which an easement can be placed at this time. Condition 1.E(1) was corrected as follows: "(1) Along the northerly lot lines... (the rest of the condition remains as written). Discussion on the Lands of Dawson was concluded. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Site Develo ment A lication of Frank Saul, File NA4252, Lot 2 Ursula Lane, Request for P anning Commission Approval of Site Development Plans: Frank Saul, Applicant, reviewed for the Commission his proposal to construct a dwelling at the subject site and to conform to Town ordinances. He requested approval of his site development proposal. John Riley Engineer R Third Street, Los Altos, discussed the amount of cut and fill that would be needed at the site. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - January 10, 1979 Q Page seven 4r OLD BUSINESS: (continued) 1. Site Development Application of Frank Saul, File #A 4252: MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Kuranoff, and carried that the Site Development Application of Frank Saul, File #A 4252, be denied. The reasons for denial are: This does not conform to the Land Use Element of the General Plan and the lot is being created as a flat lot to accommodate a home that possibly is not suited to the site. AYES: Commissioners Stewart, Lachenbruch, Dochnahl and Kuranoff NOES: None ABSTAIN: Commissioner Rydell 2. Lands of Stamschror-SilvFile rtU 80-7Discussion of Applicants' Permit.Compliance with on itioeo Co98 Chairman Stewart discussed with Commissioners his findings on compliance with the conditions of the use permit of Lands of Stamschror- Silver. Basically, it was his finding that the following Conditions had not been met: Condition 1.(a), (b), and (e), Condition 2, and Condition 5. He added that PG&E had connected service to the secondary dwelling on January 10, and that the property had been sold to Meral Oskay. It was the consensus of the Commission that any compliance with conditions had been merely cursory, and it was their request that City Manager Robert Crowe and Building Official Daryl Fazekas be present at the January 24 meeting to explain their actions in stating that the conditions of the use permit had been met by the applicants. It was also requested that the new owners of the property be notified and asked to be present at the meeting. 3. Re ort 'y the Cit En ineer re Im rovement Plans for Campo Vista Lane, Lan s o Lenzen, FIT e TM -78: John Carlson presented to the Commission his report on the private road, Campo Vista Lane. He noted that the road is private, has plenty of sight distance, is essentially a low use road, is rural (people do not drive fast on it), that the section on cul-de-sac streets in the subdivision ordinance is applicable to this road, and that there is adequate room for turn -out to allow the passage of vehicles in an emergency. He reviewed his plan for the development of the road and pro- ceeded to answer questions of Commissioners regarding the the needed land acquisitions to meet the proposed plan. Thereafter the public hearing was opened to allow comment from neighbors and the developer of the Lands of Lenzen, Mr. Woolworth. Penn Woolworth, Cam o Vista Lane, reviewed the history of the development of the road an t e pro ems o acqut ng necessary area to bring the road up to Town standards. She noted that Mrs. Young has a very bad problem, but noted that they (the developers of Lands of Lenzen)were trying to improve her situation. Carol Gottlieb, Pathway Committee, noted that there was an irrevocable dedication of a pathway on the right hand side of Campo Vista Lane, and that the pathway area L is where some of the road improvements installed by the Woolworths is located. Ken Pastrof Woolworth Construction Company, stated that the irrevocable dedication contained some condition that must be met in the future before the pathway could be installed. He advised that conditions for the Moyer subdivision be checked for the pathway dedication. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - January 10, 1979 Page eight 4W OLD BUSINESS: (continued) 3. Report on Improvement Plans for Campo Vista Lane: (continued) Commissioner Lachenbruch noted that Campo Vista Lane was still a private road, and that the Town at this time really had no responsibility for improvements on the road. Chairman Stewart, however, stated that the concern for turn -out areas and parking on the road was expressed by Mrs. Young at the subdivision meeting for the Lands of Lenzen and as emphasized by Chase B. Young's letter of December 26, 1978. Al Woolworth, Developer, agreed to the hammerhead proposed for Campo Vista, said that he would remove the retaining wall and work out an agreement on the road improvements. He stated, however, that it was not his reponsibility to provide parking on the private road. Ken Pastrof, however, stated that a full solution to the matter could not be worked out until the Winnbiggler land comes in for subdivision. It was the consensus of the Commission that the Woolworths try to work out some agreement for the improvement of Campo Vista Lane with the Winnbigglers, and if this is not possible they should notify the Planning Commission regarding this matter. 4. Amendment to Ordinance No. 239, page 9, subparagraphs 5 and 6: The planning secretary was asked to check on the progress on the above amendment to ordinance requirements and to call Commissioners Lachenbruch and Stewart.F3;>s.or finance "`rte is with City Attorney Frank Gillio for drafting into final ordinance form for action by the City Councilt#rCommissioners above were notified on this matter. NEW BUSINESS: IQ 1. Setting of Dates of Public Hearings for Variance and Permit Commission and Planning Commission Meetings of January 24: MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl that the following public hearings be set for the Variance and Permit and Planning Commission meetings of January 24. Variance and Permit Commission: Lands of Ma, File #BSA 6104-77 Lands of Love, File #BSA 6103-77 Planning Commission Meeting: Lands of Low, File #TM 2088-78 Lands of Boston, File #TM 2090-78 ADJOURNMENT: There being no further new or old business, the meeting of the Planning Commission was adjourned at 1:00 p:m to January 13 at 11:00 a.m. u n/ Respectfully submitted, Air Ethel Hopkins Secretary