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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/11/1979PLANNING COMMISSION 4/ Town of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, July 11, 1979 Reel 79, Side I, Tr. 1, 706 to End; Side 2,Tr. 1, 001 to End; Side 1,Tr.2, 001 to 108 Chairman vanTamelen called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:50 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Carico, Lachenbruch, Rydell, Stewart, Dochnahl, Kuranoff, vanTamelen Absent: None Also Present: City Planner/Engineer John Carlson, Planning Intern Pat Webb, Secretary Ethel Hopkins Press: Carol Saracen, Peninsula Times -Tribune CONSENT CALENDAR: E The Minutes of June 27 were corrected as follows: 1) Page three, paragraph six, \r' amend the second sentence to read: Consensus of the Commission was that another version of the Circulation Element be prepared to reflect the feeling that...(the rest of the sentence remains as written). Add after the end of the sentence: Both versions of the Circulation Element could then be discussed at the next meeting. 2) Page five, fourth paragraph (second motion): Amend the motion to read: It was moved by Commissioner Carico and seconded by Commissioner vanTamelen to delete the second sentence of Item 2 of the Circulation Element. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Comnissioner Dochnahl and seconded by Commissioner vanTamelen to approve the Minutes of June 27 as amended: AYES: Commissioners vanTamelen, Carico, Rydell, Dochnahl NOES: None ABSTAIN: Commissioners Lachenbruch, Stewart, Kuranoff PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. SPECIFIC PLAN - CHAPARRAL WAY AREA, Request for Recommendation of Approval of Specific Plan for C apa rral Way Area: Commissioner vanTamelen reviewed the contents of a proposed letter regarding the difference between a Specific Plan and a Sub -area Plan. Discussion ensued on how a sub -area plan differed from a specific plan, whether appropriate procedures had been followed, and whether the July 6th letter should be sent to the City Council. MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch that the draft of the letter dated July 6, subject "Title for Three Forks Area Requirements", be sent to the City Council. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - July 11, 1979 `` Page two v PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. SPECIFIC PLAN - CHAPARRAL WAY AREA: (continued) MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Carico and seconded by Commissioner Stewart to eliminate the Circulation Element proposed on June 8 and instead consider the Circulation Element proposed on July 6. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner vanTamelen and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch to amend Item #1 of the July 6th Circulation Element to read: Circulation and engineering standards on Chaparral Way shall remain essentially unchanged until property owners along Chaparral Way request improvement or the City Council determines it is in the best interest of the public welfare and safety to improve Chaparral Way. Considerable discussion occurred on when and how a connection with Altamont Road could occur, and how an assessment could be required to finance the improvements that would be needed for the road. The public hearing was opened. Nancy Horton, 505 Laurelwood Santa Clara, asked how road development would be mandated since only two addi trona residences could be built on upper Chaparral Way if any- one subdivided in the future. She expressed concern at any possibility of losing her private road and objected strenuously to any connection to Altamont Road from Chaparral Way. Various proposals were discussed to replace Items #2 and #3 of the proposed Circulation Element, since these were felt to be too specific for a Sub-area Plan. However, motions proposing replacement of these items were finally withdrawn in favor of a letter to be written by Commissioner Kuranoff that explained the final recommendation of leaving Chaparral Way as it is and deleting the recommendations proposing the percentage of property owners that would determine a connection to Altamont Road and assessment district to pay for the road improvement. Commissioner Stewart asked that a copy of Commissioner Kuranoff's letter be sent to all residents of Chaparral Way and in the sub-area, and that all Planning Commissioners also receive a copy of the letter. Consideration of the Land Use Element, Item #3, unfinished at the meeting of June 27 was next, with Mr. Carlson reviewing with Commissioners the "Impervious Surface Calculations" from his memo dated July 6. Commissioners felt that a 35% limitation in impervious surface was appropriate; however, Commissioner Stewart questioned whether this limitation would conflict with Town ordinances of 40% of impervious surface for lot development. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner vanTamelen and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl that the second sentence of Item #3 be de- leted, and that Commissioner Lachenbruch be responsible for writing an ordinance on impervious surface coverage limitation. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by Commissioner Carico to recommend approval of the Sub-area Plan for Chaparral Way as amended by the Commission. Mr. Carlson noted that the sub-area plans recommended to the City Council would be revised i,n format from the originally proposed Specific Plan, and would then be sent to the Council. 4 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - July 11, 1979 Page three PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 2. LANDS OF BERRY HILL FARMS, File #CU 8028-77, 14250 Page Mill Road, Request for Recommendation of Approval of Annual Review of Conditional Use Permit: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Carico and seconded by Commissioner Stewart to recommend renewal of the Conditional Use Permit for Berry Hill Farms, File #CU 8028-77, as amended by the July 11, 1979 staff report. 3. LANDS OF FREMONT HILLS COUNTRY CLUB, File #CU 8010-76, Viscaino Road, Request for Recommendation of Approval of Annual Review Conditional Use Permit: Commissioner Rydell stepped down from the discussion of this use permit because of his membership in the Fremont Hills Club. Thereafter the hearing was opened to the public discussion. Fran Stevenson, Pathwa Committee, requested that the club be requested to move ors>1 a trailers away from a newly constructed exercise ring that is very close to the path area. Horses on the path area were being spooked by the trailers parked near the exercise ring and path area. Planning Intern Pat Webb suggested that staff work this out with the club manage- ment rather than add it as a condition to the use permit requirements, and the Commission agreed that the matter should be handled in this way. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by Commissioner Carico to recommend approval of the Annual Review of the Conditional Use Permit for Fremont Hills Country Club, File #CU 8010-76, as amended by the staff report of July 11, 1979. AYES: Commissioners Carico, Lachenbruch, Stewart, Dochnahl, Kuranoff, vanTamelen NOES: None ABSTAIN: Commissioner Rydell 4. LANDS OF CLOSS, files #SA 6100-77 #SA 6101-77 #SA 6102-77, Ravensbury Avenue, Pau Nowack and Associates, Engineers, Request for Recommendation of Approval of Site Approval Mr. Carlson noted that the above request had been referred by the Variance and Permit Commission to the full Planning Commission for their consideration. He also proposed that the request be re -considered as proposed in his memo to the Planning Commission dated July 11. Commission discussion raised the following issues: 1) Since the passage of Ordinance 250, there are ordinances available to deal with the Lands of Closs; 2) Commissioner Kuranoff observed that the alternatives to consider were that two conventional building sites could be recommended, or the site approvals could be recommended as originally proposed, with SA6100 developed as a smaller house with parking separate from the dwelling. He proposed that this latter suggestion be considered as a solution to the problem of granting site approvals to these lots; and 3) Commissioner Lachenbruch questioned whether site approval could be given without the geotechnical report for the lots. Thereafter, the hearing was opened to the public. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - July 11, 1979 Page four `, PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 4. LANDS OF CLOSS, Files HSA 6100-77, #SA 6101-77, #SA 6102-77: (continued) Paul Nowack, Engineer for the Applicant, pointed out that a geotechnical report was a costly expenditure if it is required before site approval is given, stated that the lots under consideration were approved by a subdivision some fifteen years ago, unlike Lands of Love which was created illegally, and pointed out that Ordinance 250 was brought about by the State Map Act rather than by consideration of the Lands of Love. He pointed out that the Health Department had caused some of the delay on this request, discussed proposals to install a pipe in the creek area, slope density requirements, and asked for approval of the site approvals as origi- nally proposed. Mrs. Closs, Applicant, stated that the property had been purchased in good faith, noted that some people would prefer a small house such as proposed for SA 6100, and pointed out that a maintenance and security problem existed in the area pro- posed as a conservation easement by Mr. Carlson's July 11th letter and that a dwelling on the site would do much to alleviate the problem. She requested that the Planning Commission approve the requests because site approvals had lapsed. The public hearing was closed, and discussion returned to the Commissioners. Commissioner Stewart pointed out that the requirements that could be imposed by the Planning Commission could easily be circumvented if Mrs. Closs chose to have four different owners for her lots. Commissioner Lachenbruch discussed slope t density requirements and the 160 foot circle requirement for developed lots as 4r this pertained to the Lands of Closs, and expressed the need for legal advice in order to properly consider the requests and to uphold the ordinances of the Town at the same time. MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch that the Lands of Closs be continued to the next Planning Commission meeting or to a meeting when the City Attorney can attend. (Mr. Gillio was to be requested to attend by a letter from Chair- man vanTamelen.) 5. LANDS OF LYNCH, File #A 4438, 27501 Lomita Linda, Request for Approval of Grading, Drainage, and Landscaping for Tennis Court Mr. Carlson reviewed the grading, drainage and landscaping problems which necessitated review by the full Planning Commission for the Lands of Lynch. After a short period of comment from Commissioners, the hearing was opened to the public discussion. Paul Nowack, Engineer for the Applicant, discussed the history of the present request, noting t a>1 t origina y a variance had been requested, then the tennis court relocated with the present request for approval of cut and fill. He re- viewed information on grading, retaining walls and landscaping as well as a lot line change to add area to the Lynch property. 12T" om Lynch, Applicant, discussed the grading proposed and noted that all neighbors 4L had agreed to the original request for a variance for the tennis court. He re - 1W quested that the Planning Commission approve the grading and the tennis court. Commissioners questioned whether Mr. Lynch's lot was suitable for the constuction of a tennis court and whether a variance was still required for grading within PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - July 11, 1979 Page five 4W PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 5. LANDS OF LYNCH, File WA 4438: (continued) ten feet of the property line. Other issues cited were the concern for ruralness in the Town and the policy set by the Town in 1975 regarding tennis courts. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch and seconded by Commissioner vanTamelen to recommend denial without prejudice of the Lands of Lynch, File NA 4438, on the basis of Resolution 694 passed on February 7, 1973 regarding swimming pools and tennis courts on residential lots. AYES: Commissioners vanTamelen, Lachenbruch, Stewart, Dochnahl NOES: Commissioners Carico and Kuranoff ABSTAIN: Commissioner Rydell The hour being after the 11:30 p.m. time of adjournment, it was moved by Commission- er Stewart and passed by consensus to extend the meeting until 1:00 a.m. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Site Development Review: Draft Policy Statement Regarding Landscaping for Recommendation on Landscaping Policy to City Council: Commissioner vanTamelen requested that Commissioners consider items for Site Development submitted to them. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: It was moved by Commissioner Carico and the consensus of the Commission to continue this matter to the next meeting, and at that time consider Mrs. Ginzton's recommendations for a policy statement to be recommended to the City Council. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Tennis Court Construction and Use: Commissioner Rydell began the discussion with referral to information he had sent to the Commissioners and his statement that a well -landscaped, properly graded, properly placed tennis court could enhance a rural environment, and that the 1973 policy on tennis courts may not be entirely appropriate at this time. He encouraged comment from other Commission- ers with the hope of exploring their feelings on the matter and from there to possibly formulate an ordinance to be considered in a future public hearing. Statements from Commissioners included: Commissioner Carico - noted that the Los Altos Hills policy of less impact on the land is a way of maintaining ruralness. She asked about more information on clay courts and noted the problem that noise from tennis courts could be, particularly in certain areas in the Town. Commissioner Stewart - noted that barns are rural but tennis courts are not, as Town policy now stands. He pointed out that lawns were not rural either, but football and baseball which are played on lawns are encouraged, while tennis, because it is played L on a court which can be paved, or could be lawn or clay, r+ is not encouraged. Commissioner Lachenbruch - commented on "rural" by mentioning that the Town policy statement on tennis courts does not mention M5 V PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - July 11, 1979 Page six NEW BUSINESS: (continued) 1. Tennis Courts: (continued) "rural", but that the General Plan had spelled out the intention of the Town - to minimize disturbance on the land and to reduce the intensity of use of the property, to maintain scenic vistas, etc., to maintain the countryside as residents found it. Commissioner vanTamelen - read from the General Plan Recreational Element and noted that it referred to mostly open space areas. Organized recreation or public recreation was to be conducted at school sites (Item N2 under the Recrea- tion Element). She pointed out to noise problems with tennis courts. Commissioner Rydell - pointed out that school sites were not available with so many school sites closing and that there was no place for children to play. Also noted were that there were tennis courts in Town he did not like as well as desirable courts, but that a more realistic control of courts should be required. Commissioner Kuranoff - pointed out the difference of a tennis court on ten acres as opposed to the tennis court on an acre lot - it was more expensive to hide the latter. (Comment on Item D. of Commissioner Rydell's draft memo) Commissioner Rydell noted that tennis court policy would be agendaed for a public hearina to be held on August 8. He proposed that courts be considered as a separate recreational element rather than as a structure. Commissioners would receive the following, along with any other information they wished to be sent out: 1)Letters from interested parties, 2) Information from neighboring communities, 3) A summary of research on building permits issued for tennis courts and those courts that re- quired more than six foot of grading. Commissioner Rydell asked that his draft memo be considered point by point, with pro and con comment on suggestions made.. Questions that might be discussed at the public hearing were listed, with the request that Commissioners send to Mr. Rydell any other questions that they had considered but not mentioned. Questions were: 1. What about back to back tennis courts? 2. Discussion of optional or ridiculous places for tennis courts. 3. Good places for courts but ordinances prevent them. 4. Tennis courts approved by the Town but undesirable. 5. Tennis courts where owners gave lessons - no let-up in use. 6. The suitability of larger lots for tennis courts because of lessened impact of impermeable surface area. Ralh Holtzclaw, resident of the Town, noted the necessity of maintaining pro- fessions y and adequate y clay tennis courts, as amateurish maintenance could result in an eyesore. He pointed out that there were good looking courts and 46 very poor looking courts in the Town and asked that alternatives to tennis courts such as paddle and platform tennis courts also be discussed, as these were becoming more popular for recreation. Discussion was concluded. G A PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - July 11, 1979 Page seven NEW BUSINESS: (continued) 2. Setting of Dates for Public Hearings for Variance and Permit and Planning Commission Meetings for July 26, 1979: PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To set Lands of Janklow, File #VAR. 7062-79 for Variance and Permit Commission hearing, and Lands of Sanders, File #A4418 for the Planning Commission. Lands of Closs Site Approvals were to be considered if the City Attorney is available, along with continued matters on Lands of Stamschror-Silver, File #CU 8029-78 and Lands of Tryon, File #CU 8034-79. 3. Report from the City Council Meeting: No Council Meeting held because of the 4th of July holiday ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned by Chair- man vanTamelen at 1:03 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Ethel Hopkins Secretary