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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/12/1979 (2)PLANNING COMMISSION `r Town of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, December 12, 1979 Reel 82, Side 2, Tr. 2, 199 to End; Side 1, Tr. 1, 001 to 807 Chairman vanTamelen called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:47 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Lachenbruch, Stewart, Dochnahl, Kuranoff, vanTamelen (Com- missioner Rydell arrived at 8:15 p.m.) Absent: Commissioner Carico Also Present: City Engineer/Planner John Carlson, Assistant Planner Pat Webb, Secretary Ethel Hopkins CONSENT CALENDAR: Items on the Consent Calendar were removed for separate consideration. Item No. 1, the Minutes of the November 28th meeting were corrected as follows: AW 1. Add the following before the motion on Lands of Philbrick, File #TM 2102-79, page three: 'Attorney Thoits suggested that the subdivision be continued in order for the applicant and the City Engineer to work out the problems of subdivision design.' 2. On page four, Item 2 under "New Business", delete the last three sentences in the paragraph and add instead: 'Commissioner Stewart pointed out that the CC&Rs of the subdivision could require that the color of homes in the subdivision be determined at the time of site development, and that these colors could not be changed unless the owner came before site development aaain. Commissioner Kuranoff observed that as houses were re -painted in approximately five to ten year intervals, by the time that a dwelling needed re-painting,the landscaping would have grown up to hide the dwelling. There- fore, there was no need to condition the color of a dwelling beyond the first painting. No further action was taken on this matter.' There being no further corrections to the Minutes, Chairman vanTamelen declared the Minutes of November 28 approved as amended. With the unanimous approval of the Planning Commission, it was decided that the meeting of December 26 would not be held, and that the following items would be heard in public hearing at the meeting of January 9, 1980 (Item 2 of the Consent Calendar): 1. Lands of Manuel, File #TM 2101-79 (continued from December 12) 2. Lands of Philbrick, File #TM 2102-79 (continued from December 12) t 3. Lands of Closs, File #SA 6100-77, 6101-77, 6102-77 COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL: Commissioner Dochnahl had no comments to make from t e ity ouncimeeting of ecember 5. However, as he would be Planning Commission representative to the meeting of January 2, he was asked to request more information PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - December 12, 1979 Page two 4W COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL: (continued) from the City Council on the kind of guidelines they wished the Planning Commission to develop for grading and drainage. Commissioner Lachenbruch felt some clarification had been achieved through recent Planning Commission discussion, but felt that further information from the City Council would also be helpful. He requested that this matter be placed on the Planning Commission agenda as soon as possible. COMPIENTSFROM THE VARIANCE AND PERMIT COMMISSION: Chairman vanTamelen informed the Commissioners of the recommendation of approval given for a variance for a second story addition for the Lands of Biorklund, File #VAR. 7064-79. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 5. LANDS OF TSUNODA, File #A 4570, Lot 5, Tract 6314, Rebecca Lane, San Antonio Subdivision, Request for Approval of Building Permit for Tennis Court (considered out of agenda order): Mr. Carlson discussed the subject request, noting that it had been referred to the full Planning Commission because of the objection of two neighbors to the view of the tennis court and because of questions on grading. Additional information on landscaping had been submitted. Commissioners discussed with Mr. Carlson the net acreage of the lot, the amount of impervious surface that was being used with construction, and the amount of cut and fill that would be needed to construct the court. Thereafter the hearing was opened to the public discussion. Alan Lambert, President of Gerard Homes, 141 First Street, Los Altos, discussed the location and deve opment of t e Tsunoda lot, noted that Mr. Zeoponi had since the Site Development meeting withdrawn his objections to the tennis court, discussed the landscape plans recently submitted, and asked that the tennis court be considered under Town regulations in effect when Mr. Tsunoda bought his lot. He urged approval of the tennis court. Thereafter, he discussed with the Commissioners the possibility of lowering the tennis court to lessen visibility to adjacent neighbors. He acknow- ledged an error on the landscape plans and noted that the tennis court fence would be ten feet (10') rather than twelve feet (12'). The public hearing was closed, and the following motion passed: MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch to approve the Site Development request for the Lands of Tsunoda, File #A 4570, for a building permit for a tennis court. Conditions of approval were that the pad for the tennis court be dropped to 341.0 feet and that drawings be revised to the satisfaction of the City Engineer. Final inspection of the tennis court will not be made until landscaping for the court is completed or a bond is established to guarantee that land- scaping will be done in the future. AYES: Commissioners vanTamelen, Lachenbruch, Stewart, Dochnahl, Kuranoff NOES: None ABSTAIN: Commissioner Rydell Commissioner Stewart asked, after the motion had been passed, that the comment be added after the motion: The tennis court fence shall be ten feet (10') rather than the twelve feet (12') noted on the landscape plans submitted on December 7, 1979. At 11:30, at the close of the discussion on Lands of Horton, Mr. Lull, 11623 Rebecca Lane appeared for the Tsunoda permit discussion. He asked about what had been done to preserve his view and was informed of the requirement to lower the tennis court. He thanked the Planning Commission for its consideration. 4✓ PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - December 12, 1979 Page three PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF NORTON, File #TM 2066-77, Altamont Road, Sandis & Associates, Inc., Request for Recond mmeation of Approval of Tentative Map: Mr. Carlson discussed the history of the Horton Subdivision request as outlined in his staff report dated December 7. He recommended approval of a revised Negative Declaration for the revised Tentative Map dated December 6, 1979. Commissioners asked about the accuracy of the map in delineating the conservation easement, how conditions in the conservation easement would be enforced, and who would own the conservation easement area. The public hearing was opened and closed with no one addressing the matter. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by Commissioner Stewart to recommend approval of the Negative Declaration with mitigating measures as outlined in the Neqative Declaration dated December 7, 1979. Mr. Crlsonion th a usion staffs reportc information (staffreviewreports datedof the Decembers 7 and Decembercl2)of his . After a period of brief questions on the subdividability of Lot 1, placement of houses on Lots 3 and 4, the question of increasing the size of Lot 3, and the location of the drainage Swale on Lot 2, the hearing was opened to the Public discussion. Tim Sandis, En ineer for the A licant, Sandis & Associates, 812 Castro street, Mountain View, commended t e City Engineer on t e quality of is staff report. He ase tat the Tentative M p and conditions be approved, with the exception of Condition I.B. He asked that Condition 1.B be removed as the majority of people on Chaparral Way felt that the dedication of the road was unnecessary. He discussed with Commissioner Stewart the reimbursement plan for connection to storm drainage and sewer improvements that would be installed by the Horton subdivision. Mrs. Nanc Horton, Applicant, stated her objection to the road dedication required in Condition 1.B, cited neig Por objection to a dedicated road on Chaparral way, and noted that the road dedication was conditioned to the phrase "should the need ever arise" in past staff reports. She requested that Condition 1.B be eliminated. A review of the conditions was begun, with the public hearing remaining open for dis- cussion. The following changes were made in the conditions: Condition 14(a):The last line of the condition was amended to read 'Lands of Riggen' instead of "Lands of Hillestad." read 'Alon arral Condition lA(b).onsLot 6yfrom sthe �proposed gtwenty five (25')e the coion to emergency access y easement to the Lands of Poole. Condition 1A(c):Over Versailles Court and the proposed twenty-five (25') emergency access easement connecting (a) and (b) above. Fran Stevenson Pathway Committee, discussed pathway requests in the t conservation easement area and pathway connections. Considerable discussion occurred among Commissioners, staff and the applicant's engineer on tithe feasi 4biility of constoructing a pathway along and theetimeewnenfthee pathway would bes estabj isnedionetheomap. problems, PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - December 12, 1979 Page four `. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF HORTON, File #TM 2066-77: (continued) Condition 1.A(d l: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch to add as Condition 1.A(d): A one hundred foot (100') wide easement for equestrian use along Chaparral Way on Lots 4 and 5. This easement shall not be used until a trail to prevent erosion is engineered and installed by the Town. Condition 1.B: Considerable discussion occurred among Commissioners, staff, and the applicants on the requirement for road dedication, the emergency access easement (Condition 1.B. and 1.E of the staff report dated December 7), and the conditions required in the Sub -Area Plan enacted by the City Council on September 19. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl to delete Condition 1.B of the December 7th list of conditions and to add instead the following Condition 1.B: The owner shall dedicate to the Town an emergency access easement over Versailles Court from Altamont Road to and including the emergency access road from Chaparral Way to Versailles Court. Condition 1.C: MOTION SECONDED AND DEFEATED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl to change the numbering of Con- dition 1.E of the December 7th list of conditions to Condition I.C. (all subsequent conditions re -lettered) and to amend the condition to read: The owner shall dedicate a twenty -foot (20') wide emergency access easement between Chaparral k!ay and Versailles Court in the location shown mthe �entative Ma . VOTTE: A es: CCo ission r � ew rt an Do&as airi :None oes: ommrsssoners vanTamel e Lachenbruch, y�e , urano f; PASSED BY CONSFNSUS: To re -letter Condition 1.E as Condition 1.0 and to leave the size of the easement at twenty-five (25) feet. Condition 1.E: (formerly Condition 1.D) PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To change the first line of Condition 1.E to read: 'The owner shall dedicate conservation easements as shown on the Tentative Map dated December 6, 1979:', t delete sections (a) and (b), and to re -letter section (c) as (a). It was the understanding of the Commission that the City Engineer would work with the applicant's engineer in delineating the conservation easement areas on the Tentative Map. Condition l.F: Commissioners discussed an easement from the Lands of Horton to the adjacent Lands of Riqqen, noting that for all intents and Purposes that the Lands of Riggen was a land -locked parcel. Tim Sandis, Engineer for the A licant, spoke against the easement be- cause t e requirement would a an intrusion on the Lands of Horton and would be more area for the intrusion of unwanted traffic such as motor- cycles and would also be an intrusion onto the living area of Lot 2. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch and seconded by Commissioner Kuranoff to add as Condition 1.F: A fifteen [ foot (15') wide emergency access easement shall be provided along the 4/ northeasterly line of Lot 2 to the nearest point of the driveway of Lot 1 of the Lands of Riggen. This easement shall be included in the CC&Rs of the Horton Subdivision. No improvements shall be required in the easement PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - December 12, 1979 Page five PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF MORTON, File #TM 2066-77: (continued) Condition 1.F: (continued) but the easement shall be maintained in a condition that is sufficiently unobstructed so that emergency vehicles can pass: a break -away fence would be acceptable. This easement shall not affect the building setbacks from the property line. Vote: AYES: Commissioners vanTamelen, Lachenbruch, Dochnahl, Kuranoff NOES: Commissioners Stewart and F.ydell ABSTAIN: None Condition 2.A (e): PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To add as Condition 2.A(e) the following: The soils report dated December 11, 1979 is to be incorporated with the Final Soils Report. Condition 2.B: PASSED BY CONSENSES: To include Condition 2.B with the list of conditions. Condition 4.A: PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To add to Condition 4.A, after the first sentence: Any future connections to this sewershall share in the cost of the con- struction of the sewer on a pro rata basis. A formal agreement between the City and the Developer delineating the cost of these pro -rata shares shall be prepared and shall be reviewed by the City Attorney. Condition B.A: PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To add after the first sentence of the condition: Any future connections to the Storm Drainage Improvements shall share in the cost of these improvements on a pro -rata basis. A formal agreement between the City and the Developer delineating the costs of these pro - rata shares shall be prepared and shall be reviewed by the City Attorney. r Condition 9.B: There was no change in this condition, but the Commission requested that the secretary check with the Historical Society for a street name to re- place "Versailles Court." *The secretary did check with Rosemary Meyerott of the Historical Society who suggested 'Elizabeth' or 'Yuba' as street names of appropriate historical interest to the area. Condition 9.C: PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To include Condtiion 9.C, in the list of conditions. (A motion was made to this effect by Commissioner Dochnahl, seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch.) Condition 9.H: PASSED BY CONSENSUS: On the motion of Commissioner Lachenbruch, the follow- ing condition was added as Condition 9.H: The northwesterly line along the panhandle of Lot 2 is to be increased up to at least 175 feet in order to obtain a better balance between Lots 2 and 3, and to increase the build- ing area of Lot 3. Condition 10.A: PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To delete Condtion 10.A. because the applicant will be constructing Storm Drainage Improvements. (Change Total Fees.) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Kuranoff to recommend approval of the Lands of Horton, File #TM 2066-77, with conditions as amended. Vote: AYES: Commissioners Lachenbruch, Rydell, Stewart, Dochnahl, Kuranoff NOES: Commissioner vanTamelen ABSTAIN: None Commissioner vanTamelen commented that she had voted against the recommendation of approval of the subdivision because of Section 9-4.604(3)(e) and (f) of the Munici 1Cop She noted that Lots 2 and 3 were smaller than the minimum required by Section 9-4.�$4(BJIe 0, and that Lots 4, 5, and 6 were barely above minimum. She also questioned whether there were three adequate building sites on Lots 2, 3, and 4. The hour being 11:30 p.m. when the Lands of Horton was concluded, it was the consensus of the Commission to continue the meeting to hear the Lands of Riggen. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - December 12, 1979 Page six PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 2. LANDS OF RIGGEN, File #TM 2095-79, Moody Road at Chaparral Way, Dexter Ahlgren, Engineer, Request for Recommendation of Approval of Tentative Map: Mr. Carlson recommended that the Planning Commission recommend approval of a revised Neaative Declaration for the subject. After a brief discussion, the following motion was passed: MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by Commissioner vanTamelen to recommend approval of the Negative Declaration for the Lands of Riggen, File #TM 2095-79, as amended on December 12 to include conservation easements for land over forty percent slope and drainage swales over thirty percent, as delineated on the revised Tentative Map. Mr. Carlson continued the discussion of the Tentative Map, referring to his December 10 staff report which reviewed pertinent background on the request. He noted that he had not included the actual soils report, but he had included Mr. Cotton's review letter on that report. He corrected his statement on the stability of the driveway (Pane 21_ December 10 report, paragraph on "Soils") by stating that according to Mr. Cotton's latest review letter dated December 4, he approved measures proposed by the applicant's engineer to ensure the roadway stability. Mr. Carlson continued the discussion with information on storm drainage measures to be installed about midway at the driveway area to connect to similar storm drainage improvements on the Horton Subdivision, turn- outs to be installed on the driveway, the possible widening of the thirty-foot radius L- turn, and the engineer's re -alignment of the driveway entrance away from the Rathjen fir' residence. Commissioner Lachenbruch enquired about the soils study of the area underlying the roadbed, expressed concern for the safety of the Rathjen residence at the end of the driveway, dismay at how the roadway had been built in the first place, and proposed a barrier to stop out -of -control traffic at the end of the driveway. He also questioned if there were other ways to serve this essentially land -locked property. Commissioner vanTamelen had questions on the slope density of the lots and the steepness of the drivewa; Dexter Ahlgren Engineer for the Applicant 20320 Highway 9, Boulder Creek, stated that Ch—ere was no way to investigate further the underlying soils at this po nt in the drive- way construction but that he had great confidence in the report by Terrasearch on the stability of the driveway and noted that after corrective measures are taken, the maxi- mum slope of the driveway would not be greater than 25%. Mr. Carlson said that he had reviewed alternate ways of access for the Riggen property, and that the Horton access was the best possible access, but that this had not been possible because of property owner objections to other access points or because of the same difficulties of steepness and tortuous access points as exists with the present driveway access. He discussed paving and ways to cut down the visual imoact of the steep driveway. Commissioners proposed that a natural dirt berm be constucted at the Chaparral Nay end of the driveway to deflect the "gunbarrel end of the driveway" from existing L residential development, that it be designed in such a way as to give maximum chances of survival to the passengers in a vehicle, and that it be aesthetically unobtrusive (i.e. built of natural material and landscaped with native vegetation, oaks, etc.). Commissioner vanTamelen asked that Mr. Carlson include a condition on this in the next staff report (Condition 8C). PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - December 12, 1979 Pane seven ` PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 2. LANDS OF RIGGEN, File #TM 2095-79: (continued) Commissioners were assured that the lots were well within slope density requirements. Commissioner Kuranoff, however, requested that some assurance should be given, after this subdivision that "this should never happen again." Discussion turned to the need to show conservation easements on the map. Planning Commissioners asked that the Tentative Map be changed to reflect the conservation easements on the map, beginning with the 640 contour line on Lot 1 and to include all land over 40% in slope and drainage swale areas greater than 30% slope. Conservation easement areas were also to be drawn in on Lot 2. Commissioners agreed that Mr. Carlson should work out conservation easements with the engineer for the applicant. Commissioner Kuranoff asked that the Condition 1.B.1, be chanqed to read: Lot 1. All the area south of the driveway as well as from Chaparral Nay to the 640 foot contour. Commissioners asked that Mr. Carlson prepare an additional condition on the emergency access easement from Lot 1 joining the easement obtained from the Lands of Horton (to be written the same as the Lands of Horton condition). Fran Stevenson Pathway Committee, discussed the pathway request to provide area for the pathway to meander to avoid t threes. Mr. Carlson noted that the pathway could be used the same as the Horton pathway - not until the Town had built the pathway. This was to ensure that damage would not be done to the area. Commissioner Stewart asked the engineer to provide details of the material that would be used to build the retaining wall area, and a profile of the berm to be ..used. Mr. Carlson noted that the Planning Commission would be provided with the final design of the berm to be installed once the Tentative Map is approved. Commissioner Lachenbruch noted his real concern was for the safety of the road. He expressed concern on the expense involved, but suggested that even cutting through the grade to cut off the dangerous entry on Chaparral might be worthwhile. Mr. Carl- son said that he could provide several options for improving the access at the Chaparral Nay road entrance. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To continue the Lands of Rignen, File #TM 2095-79, to January 9. The applicant's engineer concurred in the continuance of the Tentative Map. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Subcommittee Re orts: Commissioner Rydell agreed to have a report to the City Counci on Tenors Court Policy for the January 2nd meeting. There were no other reports from Subcommittees. Mrs. vanTamelen referred to a letter from Marin County regarding housing and work balance which she said Commissioners could read individually NEW BUSINESS: 4W 1. Lands of Palo Alto School District, File #PM 4045-79: Commissioners discussed ways of dealing wit the subject subdivision in order to prevent ugly houses or a too dense development. Ways mentioned were to limit the square footage of the dwellings, ways to limit the amount of impervious surface, and ways to limit the PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - December 12, 1979 Page eight [NEW BUSINESS: (continued) 4W 1. Lands of Palo Alto School District, File #PM 4045-79: (continued) the number of houses built annus y. pen space easements and conservation easements were mentioned as a means limiting development in the subdivision. Also a design review board was proposed, but the need to define procedures and and the task of the board was mentioned. No action was taken. 2. Absence of Commissioner vanTamelen: Commissioner vanTamelen informed the Commission- ers that s e would e a sent from the next three Planning Commission meetings. 3. D. R. Lull, Re uest to Amend Landsca in Re uirements, Lot #4, SanAntonio Rancho: Mr. Carlson informed Ag e Commission that a request for the modification of the landscaping along the freeway for the above subdivision may be referred to them for consideration by the City Council. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further new or old business, the meeting of the Plannina Commission was adjourned by Chairman vanTamelen at 1:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ethel Hopkins Secretary 4W 99.