HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/27/1979 (2)PLANNING COMMISSION
4►" Town of Los Altos Hills
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, June 27, 1979
Reel 78, Side II, Tr. 1, 606 to End; Reel 7Q, Side I, Tr. 1, 001 to 699
Chairwoman vanTamelen called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order in the
Council Chambers of the Town Hall at 7:50 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioners Carico, Rydell, Dochnahl, vanTamelen
Absent: Commissioners Stewart, Lachenbruch, and Kuranoff (excused absences)
Also Present: City Planner/Engineer John Carlson, Secretary Ethel Hopkins,
Planning Intern Pat Webb
CONSENT CALENDAR:
The Minutes of June 13, 1979 were corrected on page seven, item three under "New
Business: by deleting "...for Chairwoman vanTamelen" at the end of the second
e and beginning of the third lines.
�r MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded
by Commissioner Carico that the Minutes of June 13 be approved as amended.
AYES: Commissioners Dochnahl, Carico and vanTamelen
NOES: None
ASTAIN: Commissioner Rydell
OLD BUSINESS:
D.A.Steven son Applicant, noted that the portion of easement being abandoned had
been left when an additional portion of land had been added to Lot 19. The new
easement being provided was to run along the new property line encompassing the
enlarged boundaries of Lot 19. The easement was to be along Mr. Stevenson's side
of the property.
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and
seconded by Commissioner Carico to recommend abandonment of the Public Utility
Easement along the non-existent property line in view of a new Public Utility
Easement along the extended property line of the Stevenson property.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. SPECIFIC PLAN - CHAPARRAL WAY AREA, Request for Recommendation of Approval of
Specific Plan for Chaparral Way Area:
Mr. Carlson explained to the Commissioners that the report submitted to them dated
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - June 27, 1979
Page two
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
1. SPECIFIC PLAN - CHAPARRAL WAY AREA: (continued)
June 21 containing computations for impervious surfaces had not really addressed
their request, and that this information would be provided for the next meeting.
Commissioners continued their review of the Land Use Element, beginning with item
three. The following decisions were made:
Item 3: Commissioner vanTamelen supplied rough figures for impervious
surface estimates, and some discussion was held. The Commissioners,
however, decided to continue this matter to the next meeting, and
asked Mr. Carlson to provide figures on 25%, 30%, 35% and 40% of
impervious surface as determined by the yield unit of the parcel.
Item 4: The Commissioners agreed that this item was satisfactory.
Item 5: Mr. Carlson explained that this item was to minimize possible channeling
that could occur with terracing on slope areas. He referred Commissioners
to the soils report which also discussed the effects of terracing on slopes.
Item 6: No comments were made on this item.
Item 7: Mr. Carlson referred Commissioners to his June 20 memo on the Storm
Drainage Plan, and noted that the installation of the storm drainage
system would occur as development occurred and would be the responsibility
of the subdivider to install.
The Commissioners asked that Mr. Carlson amend Item 7 by making specific
reference to the storm drainage plan. A sentence reading "A storm drainage
system as shown on Exhibit—..." was to be added to Item 7.
Item 8: There was agreement among the Commissioners that Item 8 provided the
answer to the way storm drainage should be installed, but discussion
continued on the way that such a system could be financed. The suggestion
was made thats:urrounding property owners be a part of an assessment district
or come to an agreement on the financing of the storm drainage system.
Item 9: The Commission asked that Mr. Carlson consult with the City Attorney on
ways to provide conditions assuring a distribution of the costs for installinc
storm drainage facilities on future subdivisions.
The hearing was opened to the public discussion.
Mrs. Nancy Horton, 505 Laurelwood, Santa Clara, felt that an assessment district was
the only fair way to provide financing for the installation of the storm drainage
system and recommended charging for the storm drainage improvements on a per lot basis.
She also asked for clarification on ways to arrive at charges in the event that the
Lands of Hillestad should develop before the Lands of Horton.
Considerable discussion occurred on ways to install the storm drainage system, and
how to provide that it be shared equally among developing properties. The discussion
was concluded by Commissioner vanTamelen who stated that the Planning Commission
wanted fairness in the distribution of costs, and that the mechanics of providing
and assuring this fairness were a matter to be worked out by Staff.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - June 27, 1979
Page three
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
SPECIFIC PLAN - CHAPARRAL WAY AREA: (continued)
Item 12: To be added to the Land Use Element: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Carico and seconded by
Commissioner vanTamelen to add as Item 12: All site development
applications shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission.
The Lands Use Element review was concluded with the summation that Items 1, 2, and
Items 4 through 12 shall be adopted as submitted or as re -written, and discussion turned
to the Circulation Element.
Mr. Carlson reviewed his recommendations in the Circulation Element, particularly
with respect to Chaparral Way. He stated that this road should be more narrow
than it is at present, and that the travel way should have not more than ten feet
of paving. Thereafter, the public discussion began:
Bob Poole, Chaarral Wa , discussed drainage as it related to his property (No. 6 on
the drainage pan map) and the large amount of drainage coming off Julietta Lane onto
Chaparral Way. He noted that the amount of drainage was highest at his property,
stating that it was not his intent to subdivide his property and cautioning the
Commission to be aware of the expense involved in making their recommendations.
Mrs. Horton questioned having to give up her private road for people in the future.
4W S e stated she would relinquish the private road only if all parties consented to it.
Discussion on the development of the Chaparral Way area covered the following points:
1) the desire of the residents for the road to remain as it is, 2) future development
of the area, 3) and whether needed fire access was provided for area residents. Con-
sensus of the Commission was that the Circulation Element be re -written to reflect
the feeling that Chaparral Road should remain as it is with no road inprovements recom-
mended as part of the Specific Plan, and that the connection between Chaparral Way and
the Horton property be made at the mutual concurrence of all parties affected.
At 9:15 p.m. a recess was called with the meeting resuming at 9:27 p.m. Thereafter,
the Commission gave consideration to the Conservation Element of the Specific Plan.
They commended Mr. Carlson on the quality of this element. The consideration of
the Specific Plan for Chaparral Way was continued to the next meeting to await calcu-
lations on Item 3 of the Land Use Element as well as sections to be re -written. Final
consideration of the matter would be at the next meeting.
2. SPECIFIC PLAN FOR THREE FORKS AND SOUTH FORK LANE, Request for Recommendation of
pproval of Negative Declaration and Specific Plan Line:
Mr. Carlson introduced Planning Intern Pat Webb who would be working for the Town
through the summer.
Consideration of the Negative Declaration was recommended to the Planning Commission,
and the hearing was opened to the public discussion.
440 Carl Cottrell 13480 North Fork Lane, asked for clarification of area to be under
a conservation easement kdreds with a slope greater than 40%).
Commissioner Carico advised the Commission of the feeling of area residents at a meeting
on May 1, 1979 that the area remain as it is.
4W
U
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - June 27, 1979
Page four
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
2. SPECIFIC PLAN FOR THREE FORKS AND SOUTH FORK LANE: (continued)
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and
seconded by Commissioner Rydell that the Negative Declaration for the Specific Plan
for the Three Forks Area be recommended for approval.
Mr. Carlson discussed the Specific Plan for the Three Forks Area as submitted with
his memo of June 21. In response to Commissioners' questions on the development of
roads, he noted that roads would have to be part of the development as the subdivision
process occurs, and that there was no provision in the Specific Plan for assessment
districts. Thereafter, the public hearing was opened.
Carl Cottrell, North Fork Lane, discussed Item 2 of the Circulation Element and noted
that FIs property was more affected by the proposed plan than anyone else. He noted
that at the neighborhood meeting a fourth alternative had been mentioned, that of
leaving Three Forks Lane as it is and coming across at an angle to connect to
Page Mill Road, and asked that this be also considered by the Planning Commission.
He objected to the plan presented to move Three Forks Lane across his property and
to connect to Via Feliz as a limitation on his options for the future development of
his property. He asked why a graceful, sweeping road was being proposed when a right-
angle lane would accomplish what was needed and stated that the equestrian and pedestrian
paths, as proposed by Exhibit 3, should be reconsidered or totally deleted because of the
demands made on his property and because of the proximity of the proposed pathways to the
Royden and Cottrell residences. He requested that the right-angle connection to Page
Mill Road be implemented and that the proposed plan for his property be postponed.
Robert Bahr, 13464 Three Forks Lane, agreed with Mr. Cottrell's statements and added
that he too was for the angle connection from Three Forks to Page Mill Road. He felt
that by postponing further road development something more agreeable to area residents
could be worked out in the future.
The public hearing was closed, and discussion returned to the Commission. Mr. Carlson
continued his discussion of traffic studies and reasons for recommendations on the
Three Forks Area. He noted that the wide sweep of the road was to lesson grading in
the area.
Councilman Perkins, Snell Lane, discussed the background of this area, noting that
it had ono been an area of concern to the Town because of the lack of safety for
access areas, and that the Town had hoped that area residents would get together
and agree on a better plan than an access adjoining Country Way. He cautioned the
Commissioners against qetting a less than reasonable plan for the area and that the
Town's engineering staff could be legally liable if such a plan were recommended.
Commissioners reviewed the various alternatives presented with Commissioner Dochnahl
asking that the specific yield of the Cottrell property be worked out, and Commissioner
Carico asking that Mr. Carlson show how a road could be routed along the Cottrell property
line and connecting to his private road, then to Via Feliz. It was noted for Mr. Cottrell'
information that a wide road easement could encompass the pathways for equestrians and
pedestrians and did not necessarily mean a wide paved area for vehicular traffic only.
It was determined that a large part of Mr. Cottrell's objections to the proposed road
were predicated on the cost of developing the road, plus the loss of other options on
development of the property. Commissioner Carico reminded the Commission that the
consensus of the neighborhood meeting was that the area. remain as it is, and that the
right angle connection to Page Mill was a desirable solution to the road improvement.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - June 27, 1979
Page five
kv PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
2. SPECIFIC PLAN FOR THREE FORKS AND SOUTH FORK LANE: (continued)
Discussion continued until it was agreed that a right angle connection to Page Mill would
a safer access to the Three Forks area than presently exists, and that road develop-
ment would await subdivision of the Cottrell land. Commissioner Carico cautioned that
propertyowners who use or would benefit from roads constructed should help to pay for
their construction. Mr. Carlson added that this could be accomplished by an assessment
district if more than fifty percent of the property owners were in agreement on the
road construction.
Mr. Bahr indicated his willingness to work with staff to pay for improvements to
Three Forks Lane, specifically the right-angle access to Page Mill Road, and the
following motion was passed:
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and
seconded by Commissioner Carico that the second sentence of Item 4 of the Circulation
Element be deleted, and to recommend that the intersection of Three Forks and Page Mill
Road be improved for safety to a right angle intersection with Page Mill Road as soon
as possible.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Carico an sacpndeY�1em
Commissioner vanTamelen to delete the second sentence of Item 2 `terd-a
t44 -.d sentence to read. A-_the-area-leve-op5-,-the prec-ise--location of the.. roads
an4-pathrs-may-be-"`so'�"„"
AYES: Commissioners Carico, Dochnahl and vanTamelen
NOES: Commissioner Rydell
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Carico and
seconded by Commissioner Rydell to recommend approval of the Specific Plan for the
Three Forks area as amended for the reasons outlined in the first paragraphs of
the report, namely, the concern for a method of safe vehicular access and circulation
in the area, and to preserve the natural vegetation and drainage channels.
3. Lot 11, Tract 6400, Countr Wa Re uest for A royal of Grading, Drainage and
Landscaping P an for enols Court is Be 1 Builders:
Commissioner vanTamelen explained that the Site Development Committee had referred
the above application to the full Planning Commission because of the large amount
of grading needed to construct a tennis court. Thereafter the hearing was opened
to the public discussion.
Rick Bell, Applicant, discussed the changes he had made in the plans submitted to
reflect a reduced cut, landscaping, steps for access to the court, and existing trees.
He stated that the tennis court was not in the conservation easement on the property
and requested that the Commission approve his request.
Concerns expressed by Commissioners were: 1) Whether it was appropriate to construct
a tennis court on the edge of a conservation easement and the need to retain the
rural, natural beauty of the site; 2) The effect on the tennis court as it overlooked
neighboring properties, and 3) The scarring of the land that would occur with the
construction of the court.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - June 27, 1979
Page six
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
3. Lot 11 Tract 6400, Country Way: (continued)
Two opinions were expressed to continue the matter until a firm policy on tennis
courts had been established: Commissioner Carico suggested that a moratorium be
declared on the issuing of permits for tennis courts until the ordinances on the
granting of exceptions and variances are reviewed and clarified, and Commissioner
Rydell asked that the matter be continued until his subcommittee had made a review
of tennis courts as structures and grading.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by
Commissioner Carico to recommend denial of the tennis court request for Lot 11,
Tract 6400, Country Way, on the basis that the grading exceeds the "six and six"
policy for cut and fill and violates the General Plan.
AYES: Commissioners vanTamelen, Carico and Dochnahl
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Rydell
NEW BUSINESS:
a
` (a) No public hearings were scheduled for the Variance and Permit Commission.
(b) The following would be scheduled for the Planning Commission:
(1) Berry Hill Farms, File #CU 8028-77, Use Permit Review
(2) Fremont Hills Country Club, File #CU 8010-76, Use Permit Review
(3) Lands of Closs, Files #SA 6100-77, 6101-77, 6102-77*
*Mr. Carlson reminded Commissioners that the Minutes of the proposed
field trip would be handed out at the July 11th meeting.
2. Report from the June 6th City Council Meeting: Commissioner Dochnahl reviewed
per inen in orma ion f"ro—m Fis a en ance at the June 6th City Council Meeting:
(1) Lands of Troedson, Tract 6324: Concern was expressed that as this tract
was Bing developed, itappeared to be more urban and rural. It was noted
that the Planning Commission should take steps to prevent other developments from
turning out like Lands of Troedson.
Councilman Perkins, Snell lane, suggested a greater concern for overseeing
subdivisions as they develop.His concern centered on the turn radius for the
Troedson subdivision and unnecessary tree removal as well as street signs that
were inappropriate, but noted that there was no way to determine that the develop-
ment would not be appropriate from the tentative and final maps.
(2) Commissioner Dochnahl informed the Commission that Commissioners Carico and
Kuranoff had been re -appointed for a two year term to the Planning Commission.
(3) He reminded Commissioners of the importance of attending scheduled meetings.
t (4) Lands of Binder, File #VAR. 7055-78: Carried over on a tie vote with the request
�I t at reason a given the Council on what was distinctive about the Binder request
as opposed to the Lands of Chu or Lands of Oliver.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - June 27, 1979
Page seven
�r NEW BUSINESS: (continued)
3. Tennis Courts: Commissioner Rydell submitted a draft memorandum on "Tennis Court
onstruction and Use" and asked that this be considered, along with background
file information, ordinances, fees and information on tennis courts from neighboring
towns, as an agenda item for discussion at the Planning Commission meeting of July 11.
Commissioner vanTamelen asked that the list of variances for tennis courts be
summarized by dates and amounts of variances granted.
Commissioner Rydell asked that Staff look into the grading question raised on the
Lot 11, Country Way request, and noting the need for grading criteria, and asked
what the Town had done on grading for tennis courts in the last ten years.
OLD BUSINESS: (continued)
2. Site Development Review: Commissioner vanTamelen called attention to the checklist
she had made for recording actions taken by the Site Development Committee.
Commissioner Rydell noted the problem he had as a working member of the Planning
Commission with getting to Site Development meetings. He felt that the second
Planning Commissioner at meetings was important to provide representation when
working members could not attend.
Councilman Perkins addressed the Commissioners on proposals to make Site Development
Fore effective, either as a totally different way of reviewing and approving site
fAw development requests, or as a body with much more specific guidelines and ordinances
with which to operate. He promised to have his proposals for changes typed up and
sent to the Commissioners and Council before the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further new or old business, the meeting of the Planning Commission was
adjourned by Chairwoman vanTamelen at 12:40 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ethel Hopkins
Secretary
040