HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/22/1981 (2)PLANNING COMMISSION
Town of Los Altos Hills
ikl 26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, April 22, 1981
Reel 92, Sd.I, It. II, 990 -End; Sd. II, Tr.II, 000 -End; Sd.I, Tr. I, 000-66.
The meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order by Chairman vanTamelen
at 7:50 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioners Caries, Dochnahl, Lachenbruch, Rydell, Stewart, vanTamelen
Absent: Commissioner Kuranoff (excused absence)
Also Present: City Engineer/Planner Sohn A. Carlson; Assistant Planner Pat Webb;
Secretary Leslie Penfold
' Press: Leslie Conley, Palo Alto Times
CONSENT CALENDAR:
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl
and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch to approve the Consent Calendar, namely:
1. Minutes of April 8, 1981
2. Setting of Dates for Public Hearings, May 13, 1981 meeting:
a. Lands of Taaffe, File #TM16-89
b. Lands of Betz, File #SA 3-81
C. Development Intensity Ordinance
REPORT FROM VARIANCE AND PERMIT COMMISSION: Commissioner Carcio reported that
the Variance and Permit Commission unanimously approved a variance request for
the Lands of Brownrigg, File #VAR 1-81.
REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 15, 1981: Mr. Carlson informed the
Commission that the Council elected Mr. Proft as the new Mayor; and Mr. Perkins
as Mayor Pro -tem, they also approved: 1) Lands of Ramirez Variance; 2) Lands of
Sunset Ltd. for Site Approval.
MOTION SECONDED AND APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Caries
and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch that the order of the Agenda be changed
as follows: Item F.3. be heard prior to Item F.2.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. VERBAL REPORT ON THE LANDS OF RIGGEN
Mr. Carlson reported on the status of the Tentative Map for the Lands of Riggen,
noting that the map still has not been approved by the City Council, due to the
driveway. He indicated the new driveway proposal reduces the grade from 25% to
20% and angles past the Rathjen residence, however, it does pass through a swals,
which is disruptive to the land.
Planning Commission Minutes of April 22, 1981
Page Two
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch and
seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl to request to City Council that the Lands
of Riggen be returned to the Planning Commission for further consideration.
164.1 Staff will prepare a letter to the City Council requesting this.
2. SUGGESTIONS FOR MAY 30th PARADE
Commissioner Dochnahl expressed the need for a response to the flyer mailed
to organizations and committees to participate in the parade. He noted that
there will be old automobiles and possibly a marching band.
3. Ms. Webb informed the Commission that Mr. Oktay Oskay has written a letter
dated April 20, 1981 requesting an extension of the compliance period which
is up on May 4, 1981.
After discussing this request the Commission decided to reject the request
for time extension and uphold the ninety day compliance period, which is up
May 4, 1981. A written report will be prepared for the meeting of May 13, 1981.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. LANDS OF WIDMAN, FILE # PM 13-80, REVIEW OF PRELIMINARY MAP
Mr. Carlson presented the Preliminary Map to the Commission for their deter-
mination of the acceptability of the proposed access, prior to acceptance of
the Tentative Map for filing. Referring to his staff report dated April 16,
1981, Mr. Carlson noted the proposed driveway is over land with a slope greater
than 40% and would need retaining walls; the existing driveway is an alternate
(, access, (as suggested at the Subdivision Committee Meeting).
Mr. Tim Sandis, Engineer, indicated that a lot of thought was put into this
project, and the grades shown on the maps will be a workable driveway, it
would also give the future and existing residences privacy.
Commissioners discussed in detail the two alternatives for access to the
proposed property.
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl
and seconded by Commissioner Stewart not to accept the proposed driveway access
on the basis that it is not in compliance with the General Plan due to grading
and disruption to the natural terrain.
11r. Saudis asked Commission if they would accept the alternative of extending
the existing driveway. Commission indicated they would accept this plan.
Commissioner Stewart requested that the applicant supply tests on permeability
of the existing drainfield and future expansion proposed.
2. DEVELOPMENT INTENSITY ORDINANCE
Mr. Carlson and Commissioner Lachenbruch gave a brief background discussion
on the proposed ordinance as presented to the Commission, as prepared by the
Sub -committee and William Spangle.
`. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and
seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl to send the proposed ordinance as is to the
City Attorney for preparation of Resolution and Ordinance.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF APRIL 22, 1981
PAGE THREE
3. LANDS OF MATADERO CREEK SUBDIVISION, (formerly Lands of Los Altos Hills),
File #PM 1-81
A. OPEN SPACE
Mr. Carlson reviewed in detail his staff report dated April 3, 1981,
indicating to the Commission that a policy must be established for uses
within the open space and conservation easements, (several examples were
outlined in the staff report).
Mr. Nick Ward, 27947 Via Ventanna, indicated he would like to see the open
space as one large contiguous parcel to preserve wildlife habitat, he further
indicated that the area could be set-up like Foothills Park in Palo Alto.
Mr. Ward noted that he felt the development should be along Page Mill Road
to eliminate view of residences on Via Ventanna.
Mrs. Diana Miller, 13435 Thendara Way, expressed her concern over the mean-
ing of conservation easements, and also indicated there should be a large
contiguous piece for open space use.
Mr. Don Young, 27665 Via Cerro Gordo, felt the development would cause a
significant impact on the land, feeling that lots 18, 19 and 20 should not
be built upon.
Mr. Walter Babbitt, 27911 Via Ventanna, concerned with: 1) Town making a
profit; 2) preserving wildlife and ridge lines; and 3) limiting the size
of the residences with C.C.6R.'s. He also indicated that he would not like
to see tennis courts, ball fields in the conservation easements.
Mr. Frank Saul, 27977 Via Ventanna, indicated that there is a used of protective
measures for preservation of natural beauty of the land, noting that the number
of lots should be reduced.
Mr. Paul Reneau, 13149 Byrd Lane, wanted to be sure the lots would not be
further subdividable, he noted that the open space should be kept free and
open withthe exception of trails for hiking, etc.
Ms. Ciddy Wordell, Committee for Greenfoothills, noted that there should be a
large contiguous parcel of open space for wildlife preservation, with public
access. She also indicated that the Town should not make a profit, and felt
the subdivision should be modeled similar to "Portola valley Ranch", in Portola
Valley.
Mr. Peter Wallace, 27975 Via Ventanna, supported statements made by others in
the audience and passed the Commission an alternate sketch that he prepared
for their consideration. The sketch showed: a contiguous parcel of open
space, less lots and an alternate access to the property. He also noted that
the land should be self maintained, and uses limited to trail access for use
by residents of the Town.
Commissioners discussed with audience their ideas and how they intended them
to work. They informed the audience of the difficulty in policing a self
maintained parcel of open space.
Ms. Laurie Cassin, resident of Palo Alto, asked who maintained the open land
when the City of Palo Alto owned it and how was it then policed?
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF APRIL 22, 1981
PAGE FOUR
Mr. Bering, 27744 Via Ventanna, supported Mr. Wallace's suggestions.
Commissioners discussed the uses within the easements, the open space
easements will be as is, with the exception of possible landscaping and
minimal use allowed within the easements.
Commissioner vanTamelen questioned staff if there was any chance to have
a one way road, like the existing water district road, for access. Staff
will look into this possibility.
B. LOT DESIGN AND LAYOUT
Mr. Carlson referred to his staff report dated April 3, 1981, indicating
to Commission the need for establishing a policy for the design and lay-
out of the lots. In determining this the following criteria should be kept
in mind: 1) location of houses: outside easements, away from ridges and
existing residences, and Page Mill Road; 2) Location of Access: the least
disturbance to the land; 3) lots shall not be further subdividable; and 4)
paths should surround the subdivision and provide access throughout.
Mr. Frank Saul, 27977 Via Ventanna, asked if it were possible to combine the
lots and make fewer but larger lots for estate purposes.
Mr. Walter Babbitt, 27911 Via Ventanna, felt the access should be changed
to either the existing water district road or a one lane extension of Country Way.
Mr. Peter Wallace,27975 Via Ventanna, questioned the proposed access and
` wondered if there couldn't be another alternative.
�/ Mr. Ward, 27947 Via Ventanna, suggested that the access be gained through
Country Way not Page Mill Road.
Commissioners agreed to criteria for establishing a policy for lot design
and layout as outlined in staff report dated April 3, 1981.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS to adjourn the meeting at 12:00 a.m. and continue the
Lands of Matadero Creek Subdivision discussion to an adjourned meeting on
May 4, 1981 at 7:45 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Commissioners were informed of several short course seminars that are
being offered.
2. Planning Commission meeting of May 27, 1981, a new Chairman will be
appointed.
There being no further new or old business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:00a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Leslie Penfold
Engineering/Planning Secretary