Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/14/1979PLANNING COMMISSION Town of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, November 14, 1979 Reel 81, Side 2, Tr. 2, 281 to End; Reel 82, Side 1, Tr. 2, 001 to 426 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 vanTamelen, Carico, Lachenbruch, Rydell, Stewart, Dochnahl, Kuranoff Absent: None Also Present: City Engineer/Planner John Carlson, Assistant Planner Pat Webb, Secretary Ethel Hopkins CONSENT CALENDAR: Commissioner Stewart asked that Item 4.(a), Lands of Snedigar, File #A 4529, be re- moved from the Consent Calendar for discussion separately. Item 4(b), Lands of Woolworth, File #A4555, was removed by the applicant prior to the meeting. MOTION SECONDED AND APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl that the remaining items on the Consent Calendar be approved, namely: 1. Approval of Minutes: Minutes of October 24 and November 1 meetings. 2. Acceptance for filing of Tentative Maps: (a) LANDS OF BELLUCCI, File #TM 2104-79, Moody Road, Paul Nowack & Associates, Engineers (b) LANDS OF WESTWIND DEVELOPMENT, File #TM 2103-79 (formerly Lands of Tambellini).Page Mill & Arastradero Roads, Paul Nowack & Associates, Engineers 3. Setting of Dates of Public Hearings for Planning Commission Meeting of November 28: (a) Lands of Horton, File #TM 2066-77 (b) Lands of Philbrick, File #TM 2102-79 LANDS OF' 8" fdisile #A 4529, Request for Building Permit For Tennis Court: Mr. Carlson and Commissioners cussed the background of the request, noting that the present plan was a revision of an earlier plan. It was the feeling of the Commissioners (Rydell and Dochnahl) that a tennis court in the front yard of the property should be reviewed by the whole Planning Commission, and that neighbors should be able to comment on the matter. Thereafter, the hearing was opened to the public discussion. Ron Gile, 26070 Fremont Road, spoke for maintaining the area in its rural state, stated t at t e tennis court should have been incorporated into an overall plan when the house structure was presented for approval, and spoke against having a tennis court at the front of the Snedigar site. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - November 14, 1979 Page two CONSENT CALENDAR: (continued) Lands of Snedigar, File #A 4529: (continued) Gordon Snedi are A licant, discussed the changes made in the proposed tennis court since the cto r 10t meeting, discussed several landscaping plans and ways in which the proposed landcaping would provide screening of the tennis court from off-site view, and requested that the Planning Commission approve the building permit for the court. Ed Stiles, 26012 West Fremont Road, stated that he objected to the tennis court on the same grounds as stated in his letter to the Planning Commission on October 10. He stated that he was not in favor of the present plan, that he objected to a tennis court at the front or at the side of the property; and he requested that the permit be denied. Commissioner Stewart asked that Mr. Stiles' letter of October 10 be read into the record. Other Commissioners discussed the amount of cut and fill proposed and whether this was in accordance with ordinance limitations, the grade of the court and the possibility of lowering it, the attempts of the applicant to comply with requests by the Planning Commission to redesign the court, whether the grade of the tennis court could be further lowered to lessen the amount of grading needed, and finally, the effect of the tennis court on adjacent neighbors. The public hearing was closed, and Commissioners expressed the following viewpoints: Commissioner Kuranoff noted that the applicant had tried to mitigate the effect of the court and that short of abandoning the idea of building a court, there was little else that could be done. The applicant's request was within the ordinances. Commission- er Carico felt sympathetic to concerns expressed by neighbors that tennis courts were detracting from the ruralness of the area, and that the tennis court should have been proposed at the time that the dwelling was discussed and should have been considered for the back of the property rather than the front. Commissioner Stewart felt he could not support the tennis court because of the large amount of grading and essential re -design of the property that was not in keeping with a rural environment. He also felt that the applicant had gained the advantage of a tremendous view, but that he could not support the additional amenity requested of having a tennis court in the front yard. Commissioner Lachenbruch agreed with several of the comments made, but noted that with appropriate sceening and the lowering of the level of the tennis court, the tennis court would not be a problem. Commissioner vanTamelen noted that while the front of the property does face on Fremont Road, many other properties have back yards facing on Fremont Road. MOTION SECONDED AND FAILED: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch and seconded by Commissioner Kuranoff that the building permit for a tennis court for the Lands of Snedigar, File #A 4529, be approved, with the following conditions: 1. The finished grade of the tennis court shall be lowered so that the cut and fill are balanced and no additional material is brought on site. 2. A bond shall be posted for landscaping (the amount to be determined by staff) to mitigate the impact of the cut and fill banks and of the new structures when viewed from off site, with particular attention being given to avoiding 4, unnecessary obstruction of views of neighbors across the property. The bond shall not be released until the final inspection by the Environmental Design Committee and Town staff. 4W PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - November 14, 1979 Page three CONSENT CALENDAR: (continued) Lands of Snedigar, File #A 4529: (continued) MOTION SECONDED AND FAILED: (continued) 3. Another bond (the amount to be determined by staff) shall be posted to guarantee maintenance of the landscaping for a period of one year. In discussion before the vote, Commissioner Lachenbruch suggested that Mr. Snedigar contact neighbors on the landscaping to assure that everything that can be done is done to ensure that neighbors' rights are not violated. VOTE: AYES: Commissioners vanTamelen, Lachenbruch, Kuranoff NOES: Commissioners Carico, Rydell, Stewart, Dochnahl ABSTAIN: None Mr. Snedigar was advised of his right to appeal the Planning Commission's decision to the City Council. Thereafter a recess was called from 9:08 p.m. to 9:20 p.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. LANDS OF WESTWIND FARMS, File #CU 8022-77, c/o Friends of Westwind Co-op, 27210 Altamont Road, Request for Recommendation of Approval of Conditional Use Permit Review: Assistant Planner Pat Webb discussed the Use Permit and suggested amendments, as contained in her November 14th staff report. A short discussion followed, with Commissioner Lachenbruch noting that the conditions of the use permit, specifically Condition A.10,are not adhered to when horse shows occur at the Westwind facility. He noted that there were many cars parked on Byrne Preserve and along Altamont Road, and requested that either the practice be abandoned or the use permit be changed to reflect that consideration had been given to the problem of parking when these special events occur. Thereafter the hearing was opened to the public discussion. [6990 Orchard Hill Barn, noted that there had been three horse shows at Westwind during the past three and one-half years. He stated that as horse shows do not occur frequently, some modification of the use permit would be a sensible way to provide for the excess of parking that occurs at the facility. He then discussed the need for participation by area -wide equestrian interests when putting on a horse show, noting that such an event could not occur with only Los Altos Hills participation. The public hearing was closed, a review of the conditions was begun, and the following motions passed: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl that Condition A.10 be amended by changing the last sentence to read 'Except as provided in Condition B.2, the cars of guests and visitors shall at all times be parked on the property.' Condition B.2 was to be amended by striking the last sentence reading "No street ordriveway parking is allowed." and adding instead the following: 'Street and/or driveway parking will be allowed at the discretion of Town Staff. When there is parking in the streets or driveway, parking attendants as requested by Staff will be present.' MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Carico and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl to recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit for Lands of Westwind Farms, File #CD 8022-77, with amendments as suggested in the November 14th staff report as as amended by the Planning Commission. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - November 14, 1979 Page four PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF WESTWIND FARMS, File #CU 8022-77: (continued) Commissioner Carico informed the Commissioners that funds had been .approved for the construction of a bridge from Westwind to Byrne Preserve. NEW BUSINESS: Barbara Gordon Traffic and Public Safety Committee, noted the importance of providing for the use of bicycles along Town roads. In conjuction with this, she showed a film on what the state of Maryland has done to provide for bicycle traffic. After the film, there was a short discussion in which Commissioners noted the need for an educational program on the safe use of bicycles, the problem of getting motorists to be more aware of cyclists on the road, and the problem of getting cyclists to use paths where provided instead of the roadway. Mrs. Gordon informed the Commission on efforts her Committee was making to provide for bicycle traffic. The Commission thanked Mrs. Gordon for her presentation. 2. CitCouncil Comment b Commissioner vanTamelen: Commissioner vanTamelen noted the following items: Counci had agreed that all neighbors would be notified on Site Development matters; 2) the Landscaping Policy and Adobe Creek Conditional Use Permit had been continued; 3) Lands of Horton had been sent back to the Planning Commission; 4) Lands of Steers had been approved but without the undergrounding re- quirement which was stricken as this would tend to encourage further development in the area. Further, Commissioner vanTamelen noted that the Council had asked for stated reasons from the Commission when a conditional exception to the ordinances was recommended. 5) Lands of Melchor had been continued so that a letter from the Town Geologist might be obtained; and 6) The Council had requested the Planning Commission to make recommendations for drainage and grading, i.e., adapt statements from the General Plan that would be applicable to use when considering subdivision. Commissioners attempted to ascertain specifically what was being requested in item 6) above, but determined that the Planning Commission representative at the next City Council meeting should ask the Council for further guidelines, after which Mr. Carlson would prepare some philosophical questions that Commissioners might use to formulate their recommendations. Mr. Carlson noted that it was Councilman Perkins' feeling that the matter of storm drainage had been dealt with on a subdivision to subdivision basis, but that a broader, tributary area way of addressing this matter was needed. It was pointed out that Mr. Perkins and Mr. Helgesson had some time ago done an extensive study of storm drainage in the Town, but no recommendations on what action should be taken or where had been made. (Commissioner Carico asked that she be sent a copy of this report.) Commissioner Lachenbruch noted that in addition to obtaining the information on the specific problem the Council wants the Commission to address, the basic problem to be addressed was whether natural drainage should be contained in a swale or whether it should be diverted by artificial means. He suggested a recently published State Manual on Erosion and Sediment Control by the State Department of Conservation as a help in formulating some policies on the matter of drainage. ` OLD BUSINESS: 1. LANDS OF STAMSCHROR-SILVER, File #CU 8029-78, 25231 La Rena Lane, Compliance with Conditions of Use Permit for Secondary Dwelling: Commissioners discussed various alternatives for enforcing compliance with Use Permit conditions. Commissioner Carico noted that no report was given on what occurs inside PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - November 14, 1979 Page five `. OLD BUSINESS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF STAMSCHROR-SILVER, File #CU 8029-73: (continued) had been made. She noted that cars use the driveway to the secondary dwelling on occasion, but not every day. Alternatives named for dealing with the accessibility of the driveway from the street were the placing of a berm across the driveway entrance or the removal of the gate and driveway area. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch and seconded by Commissioner Kuranoff that the City Attorney be advised that it is the feeling of the Planning Commission that the property owner is not in compliance with Condition 1(e) of the Conditional Use Permit. To comply, Planning Commissioners feel that the minimum action on the part of the owner would be to remove the portion of the driveway pavement that comes down the hill (or about thirty feet (30') feet of pavement), and plant it with grass or shrubbery or other landscaping. A footpath or steps or any other such thing would .not be inappropriate, but the vehicle gate must be removed. It was noted by Commissioner Kuranoff that the important reason for stating the motion strongly is whether or not the Town is capable of enforcing a use permit. Commissioner Lachenbruch also noted that Mr. Gillio should really look at the minutes of the Planning Commission meetings to understand the context of the Planning Commission discussion with the applicants Stamschror and Silver. It was the feeling of the Commission that the they had had only perfunctory compliance with the requirement to remove the driveway. A memorandum for Chairman vanTamelen's signature was to be prepared to be sent to the City Attorney. The minutes relating to the driveway matter were to be enclosed. It was noted that compliance with Condition 1(f) is really an internal matter to be handled by Town staff. No further action was taken on this matter. 2. Tennis CourtPolicy: Commissioner Rydell reviewed with Commissioners thoughts on tennis court policy developed in a meeting with Planner George Mader. Commissioners made various suggestions and noted preferences on possible alternatives for dealing with tennis courts. Commissioner Rydell noted he would take these into consideration and present a fuller report to the City Council in the near future. 3. Reviewof Workship Projects: Commissioner vanTamelen advised anyone desiring to change their committee assignments on the November 9th memo on the 'Reactiviation of Committees' to contact her. It was noted that Mrs. Webb would be available as a planning representative to keep in touch with planning matters affecting the sphere of influence of the Town. The Planning Commission endorsed the sending of a letter to Standing Committee Chairmen. Commissioner vanTamelen advised the Commission that if funds were needed for Planning Commission areas of concern, Commissioners should contact her and she would present the request for the expenditure of funds to the City Manager. 4. Discussion of the Ma or's memo on Tentative Ma Processin : Mr. Carlson stated that a would prepare a memo in reply to Mayor McReynolds' November 1 memo on the above subject. It was his feeling that the problems the mayor was trying to solve 4W were no longer current. Commissioner vanTamelen asked that this memo be on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting. 5. Ordinance No. 239 and 247 Changes: Commissioner Lachenbruch reviewed reasons for t�dinance changes suggested by Councilman Perkins' memo to the City Manager PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - November 14, 1979 Page six OLD BUSINESS: (continued) 5. Ordinance 239 and 247 Changes: (continued) dated November 6. He emphasized the need to move quickly on these changes. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Carico and seconded by Commissioner Rydell to heartily endorse the November 6th memo from Councilman Perkins to the City Manager and to recommend prompt action. VOTES: AYES: Commissioners vanTamelen, Carico, Lachenbruch, Rydell, Dochnahl, Kuranoff NOES: None ABSTAIN: Commissioner Stewart Commissioner vanTamelen requested that the memo be placed on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further new or old business, the meeting was adjourned by Chairman vanTamelen at 12:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ethel Hopkins Planning Secretary 40