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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/22/1979 (2)PLANNING COMMISSION Aw Town of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, August 22, 1979 Reel 79, Side 2, Tr. 2, 692 to End; Reel 80, Side 2, Tr. 2, 001 to 894 Acting Chairman Dochnahl called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order in the Council Chambers of Town Hall at 7:47 p.m.. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Carico, Lachenbruch, Rydell, Stewart, Dochnahl, Kuranoff Absent: Commissioner vanTamelen Also Present: City Manager Robert Crowe, City Enqineer/Planner John Carlson, Planner Pat Webb, Secretary Ethel Hopkins CONSENT CALENDAR: Items removed from the Consent Calendar were: Lands of Sander, File #A4418 and Lands of Horton, File #A4474. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Carico and seconded by Commissioner Rydell that the remaining item on the Consent Calendar, the Minutes of July 25, be approved as submitted. LANDS OF SANDER, File #A4418, 25440 Adobe Lane, Request for Approval of Site Development for New Residence: Because of the finding of unstable foundations on two silos to be incorporated into the proposed residence, this matter was continued. If the applicant decides that he will not use the proposed silos in his residence, the matter will go back to the Site Development Committee. Planning Commission consideration will not be necessary. LANDS OF HORTON, File #A4474, Altamont Road, Request for Approval of Site Develop- ment for Tennis Court: Commissioners expressed concerns on the amount of grading that would be needed for the proposed tennis court, the need for specific calculations on the amount of cut and fill needed to build the court, and the need for adequate landscaping to screen the court from the view of surrounding properties. Speakino for the request when the hearing was opened to the public discussion were: Don Roos, Landscape Architect for the A licant, discussed the cut and fill needed for the project and noted that it would be balanced on the site, answered questions Commissioners had on the project, and discussed the applicant's desire to provide adequate landscapina and a quality development of the site. Nancy Horton, Applicant, stated her willingness to comply with any conditions the Planning Commission might wish to make for the development, and noted that the proposed tennis would be screened from view. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - August 22, 1979 Page two `, CONSENT CALENDAR: (continued) LANDS OF HORTON, File #A4474: (continued) The public hearino was closed, and the following motions passed: MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by Commissioner Carico to add as a Condition on the Lands of Horton, File #A4474: Prior to final approval of the tennis court, the applicant shall submit a landscape plan to the Planning Commission. This landscape plan shall give consideration to all aspects of view for the tennis court, i.e., the view from the site itself, the view from adjacent Horton Subdivision lots, and the view from off the Horton subdivision. AYES: Commissioners Carico, Lachenbruch, Dochnahl and Kuranoff NOES: Commissioners Rydell and Stewart ABSTAIN: None MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by Commissioner Kuranoff to continue the request for approval of the proposed tennis court for the Lands of Horton, File #A 4474, to the first meeting in October. AYES: Commissioners Carico, Lachenbruch, Rydell, Dochnahl, Kuranoff NOES: Commissioner Stewart ABSTAIN: None PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. LANDS OF STEERS, File #TM 2087-78, Central Drive and Buena Vista Drive, G. Nolte and Associates, Engineer, Request for Recommendation of Approval of Neaative Declaration and Resubmitted Tentative Map and Circulation Study for the Buena Vista Drive Area: The above matter was continued to the meeting of September 12 at the request of the applicant's engineer. 2. MULTI-PURPOSERN, File #CU 8036-79, Purissima Road, Request for Approval of Conditional UseBAPermit: As there was no comment from the staff on this request, the hearing was opened to the public discussion. Mrs. Claire Lewis, 12723 Canario Way, who lives across from the subject property, expressed her concerns on tree removal, sound modification, fencing, and the dan- gerous road conditions near the site. She asked that something be done about the blind corner on Purissima and that poison oak on the hillside area be cleared. Her final concern was that some toilet facilities be provided for public use at the site in order to avoid inconveniences to neighbors by people requesting to use toilet facilities. City Manager Crowe responded to Mrs. Lewis' questions by discussing proposed land- scapinn for the site, stated that he would have the street crew work on the poison oak problem, noted that landscapino would provide some screening of the sound, that tthe Town did plan to fence the property, but that the fencing along the freeway is ,6r not the property of the Town. Thereafter the public hearing was closed. Commissioners questioned whether the proposed barn would be reviewed at Site Develop- ment, and Mr. Crowe responded that it would be. When questioned on tree removal, PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - August 22, 1979 Page three PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 2. MULTI-PURPOSE BARN, File #CU 8036-79: (continued) Mr. Crowe noted that the clearing had been with the full knowledge of the City Council. Also discussed were the dimensions of the proposed barn and improvements planned for the Little League fields. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Rydell and seconded by Commissioner Kuranoff that a Negative Declaration be recommended for the Multi -Purpose Barn, File #CU 8036-79. Mr. Crowe stated that the proposed barn would have six bay areas for the storage of Town -owned equipment; a loft area for the storage of Little League, soccer equipment, and excess Town records; a changing room for the crew; a small office and maybe a shower area. Thereafter, a review of the conditions was begun, with the following changes being made: Condition 2.A: Passed by Consensus: To amend this condition to read 'Normal hours of operation shall be seven o'clock in the morning to five o'clock in the evening (7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) weekdays.' Condition 2.6: Passed by Consensus: To amend this condition to read 'No vehicle or piece of construction equipment that exceeds a vertical height of fifteen feet (15') shall be allowed on site, including equipment loaded for transport.' Condition 2.D: Passed by Consensus: To amend this condition to read 'Areas over which vehicles move shall be paved or oiled to the satisfaction of the City Engineer for the purpose of reducing dust during dry months.' Condition 2.F: Passed by Consensus: To amend this condition to read 'A landscape plan shall be submitted to the Site Development Committee with the Site Development application. In response to Mrs. Lewis' request for toilet facilities to be available for groups using the barn, Commissioner Dochnahl asked that these facilities for the public be adjacent to the barn. MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner that the Multi -Use Barn, File #CU 8036-79, be recommended for approval with conditions as amended. At 9:15 a short recess was called. The meeting resumed at 9:30 p.m.. OLD BUSINESS: 1. LANDS OF STAMSCHROR-SILVER, File "' 8029-78, 25231 La Rena Lane, Compliance with Conditions of the Use Permit for Secondary Dwelling: Commissioners discussed again their dissatisfaction with compliance with the above - listed use permit. Points made were that the driveway to the secondary dwelling had not been removed, that there still existed a vehicle gate across the driveway, that the driveway in fact was still being used as an access, and that in general the PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - August 22, 1979 4 Page four OLD BUSINESS: (continued) LANDS OF STAMSHCROR-SILVER, File #CU 8029-78: (continued) conditions of the use permit had not been complied with. Commissioners, however, were reminded of the City Attorney's advice at the meeting of July 25, that a strong case must be made for revoking the use permit, and that the present owner of the property must be given an opportunity to comply with conditions. Commissioner Carico also noted her discussion of the matter with members of the City Council and their recommendation that a thorough investigation be made by the Planning Commission, after which they should make a recommendation to the City Council on whether the intent of the use permit had been complied with. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch that staff shall inspect the premises of the Lands of Stamschror-Silver, File #CU 8029-78, against the approved checklist and make a report to the Planning Commission, noting those items that have not been complied with. Thereafter a public hearing shall be set with notices sent nearby property owners, this procedure in order to carry out advice on procedure given by the City Attorney. 2. Chaparral Way - Discussion of Plan Amendment Request from City Council Meeting Discussion of August 1, 1979: Mr. Carlson discussed the above request, noting that it was his understanding that Lthe Council did not agree with the essentially "do nothing" recommendation made to them by the Planning Commission on the above request, and that the matter had been referred back to the Planning Commission for further consideration of the cul-de-sac plan. He suggested continuing this matter so that he could have time to develop data on a method of financing the needed road improvements and a time table in which these improvements could be accomplished. He also suggested that the matter be re -considered at a duly set public hearing. Commission discussion revolved around the fact that the Commissioners had made their recommendations, and whether the matter should or needed to be given further con- sideration. It was the decision of the Commission that all previous packet material be sent to them for the next meeting, and that a public hearing be scheduled to re- consider the matter. It appeared to be the consensus that the same recommendation would be made as previously. MOTION SECONDED AND APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Rydell that Chaparral Way Sub -area Plan be continued to the meeting of September 12. 3. Site Development Discussion: Commissioner Kuranoff began the discussion by noting that the process of Site Development was becoming more structured, and one of the biggest problems he had in reviewing a site was trying to visualize a proposed development. To remedy this, he suggested that Commissioners be supplied with copies of plans, road or tract maps at the minimum of two or three days in advance of the meeting so that they could visit the site with them and have a more adequate idea of what was being pro- posed. If plans from the applicant are late, he should be required to deliver them. Commissioner Carico stated that she did not agree with the proposal that Commissioners should spend six months on the Site Development Committee (No. 2 on Commissioner Perkins PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - August 22, 1979 Page five OLD BUSINESS: (continued) 3. Site Development Discussion: (continued) memo dated July 11, 1979). Commissioner Lachenbruch felt that neighbors should be notified at the time of Site Development. Other Planning Commission members concurred that this should occur. He noted that the Town has good staff support at Site Development at this time; he commended John Carlson on his efforts at Site Development, and as a further effort in putting more staff power into Site Development, suggested that George Mader be a part of the process. He stated that if the Town could afford it, Mr. Mader, the Town Engineer and the Planning Consultant should all be a part of the Site Development Committee process. Commissioner Stewart noted that complete sets of plans were an essential ingredient to savina time in preparing to attend the Site Development Committee and pointed out an experience he had had trying to reconcile plans and on-site conditions. He also pointed out that an underlying idea behind the suggestion to have Commissioners serve for six months on Site Development might be to use professional help instead. He pointed out that Planner George Mader used to sit on Site Development, More flexible participation by Commissioners would lead to a better variety in decisions being made. Commissioner Kuranoff pointed out the embarrassment of trying to discuss technical matters one was unprepared for in front of the applicant. He wanted to be able to call someone and find out critical areas that might be discussed and get more information on them. Commissioner Carico pointed out that she used to talk to Mr. Russell and Mr. Pastrof on matters such as Mr. Kuranoff mentioned, and that this might be a solution. She did not know, however, if Mr. Carlson had time avail- able for such discussion. Commissioner Rydell said that he had no objection to serving a flexible period on Site Development, but he did not like the six month suggestion. He suggested that Mr. Mader might be more helpful in this area. Mr. Carlson noted that there was only one zone in the Town, and that ugly houses were a result of lack of architectural control. He felt that the system as it existed was adequate, noting that criteria had to be spelled out and that the Town was going in this direction slowly. What was discussed at Site Development was grading, drainage and landscaping. The Town did not wish to have placement of houses or architectural control, so a planner was not needed. All that was needed was someone to administer the rules at Site Development. He added, however, that a gray area was the problem of a defined policy for landscaping. Commissioner Stewart noted the need for someone to interpret landscape plans for the Commissioners and suggested Mr. Mader as a help in this matter. The discussion continued on the difficulty of providing landscaping or planning for houses that were not sold at the time of completion. A discussion on the policy of providing deposits and maintenance agreements on completed housing followed, with the need pointed out to provide specific guidelines on landscape policy being emphasized. No further decisions on this matter were made, except that Staff was instructed to list areas in Site Development that needed clarification by the Commission. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: That the following items be done for Site Development Committee meetings: 1) Drawings of the proposed site development shall be sent to Commissioners, PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - August 22, 1979 Page six 60 OLD BUSINESS: (continued) 3. Site Development Discussion: (continued) these drawings to include contours, drainage, etc.; 2)Adjacent neighbors and any other affected parties should also be notified; 3)The site should be posted, with precautions taken in bad weather to assure the sign will not be washed away or destroyed. Commissioner Lachenbruch requested at the end of the discussion that the Planning Commission be provided with a list of areas in which policy statements or guidelines were needed by the Site Development Committee. Discussion was terminated with the request that this information be conveyed to Councilman Perkins. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Set tin of Date of Public Hearin for Discussion of Town's Tennis Court Policies, Reso of No. -6: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Kuranoff and seconded by Commissioner Stewart to adopt Resolution No. 79-6 setting September 26, 1979 as the date of the public hearing to consider tennis court policy, the time of the meeting to begin at 7:30 p.m.. 2. Set tin of Dates of Public Hearings for September 12 for Variance and Permit and P anm ng Commission Meetings: PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To set the following items on the agendas of the Variance and Permit Commission meeting: Lands of Behn, File #SA 6113-79; and Planning Commission: Lands of Johnson, File #TM 2098-78 and Lands of Melchor, File #TM 2100-79. 3. Report from City Council Meetings of August 1 and August 15: Commissioners Rydell and Lac en ruch 1. Commissioner Rydell had no report on the August 1st meeting. 2. Commissioner Lachenbruch noted that the suggested Landscape Policy Statement needed some staff work and some re -writing of the statement passed by the Commissioners. He informed the Commissioners of the return of the Three Forks Sub -area Plan to the Planning Commission and discussed some of the options that could be presented as a result of further engineering studies. 4. Ordinance Limiting Impermeable Surface and Intensity of Lot Development: Commissioner Lac en ruc discussed a proposed or finance he had written on the above subject, noting that the proposed ordinance would limit the intensity of development and impermeable surface by keying development to the slope density of the lot. He noted that his proposal needed further study and comment, even embellishment before going to a public hearing. Therefore, he requested that Staff look at a few of the bad lots in the Town, to examine the Site Development plans for the number of square feet of roof the residence contains, plus paved surface, net area and the slope of the parcel. Specific sites to be investigated were: The Lands of Horton, File #A 4474, (it was noted that some studies had been made on other Horton lots, but the newest formula could be used also on these lots); the Woolworth house on Campo Vista Way, the Woolworth house on Purissima (on the panhandle); the house on Voorhees Drive across from Traficanti; and although the staff investigation was to be confined mostly to developed lots to see how the proposed ordinance would affect development, were applying gbthe for for to Lands of Clossmlotswas also suggested. Staff computations PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES: - Augst 22, 1979 f Page seven 4r' ADJOURNMENT: There being no further new or old business, the meeting was adjourned by the Chairman at 11:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ethel Hopkins Secretary li