HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/13/1983VARIANCE & PERMIT COMMISSION
Town of Los Altos Hills
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, April 13, 1983
Reel 104, Side II, Tract II, 000-355
Chairman Lachenbruch called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in
the Town Hall Council Chambers.
A. ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioners Carico & Lachenbruch
Absent: Commissioner Struthers
Staff: Assistant Planner Pat Webb; Secretary Leslie Mullins
B. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Lands of Hwang, File #VAR 1-83, 25313 La Loma Drive, Request
to allow a maximum 10' encroachment into the rear yard setback
for swimming pool; and a development area in excess of the
existing development area by 4,100 square feet and the allowed
development area by 6,400 square feet
Ms. Webb referred to her staff report of April 8, 1983 noting the
request is for a maximum 10' encroachment into the rear yard setback
for construction of a swimming pool and a development area in
excess of the existing by 4,100 square feet and the allowed by
6,400 square feet. Ms. Webb indicated the applicant's have been
caught in the transition from old to new ordinances regarding cov-
erage of property, noting they had previously been granted site
development permits for pool and hand ball court, but let them
expire. Ms. Webb noted the topography of the lot is such that an
outdoor living area is precluded anywhere else on the site except
the area proposed, causing an encroachment into rear setback. There
have been no verbal or written objections to this request, staff
recommends approval with criteria as met in staff report dated
April 8, 1963.
The Public Hearing was then opened.
Mr. Peter Wright Shaw, 522 Ramona, Landscape Architect, noted the
style and intent is in keeping with the rural atmosphere of the
Town, they will be planting erosion control also. Mr. Shaw indi-
cated the final planting plan will be available at site develop-
ment time.
The Public Hearing was then closed.
n
Variance & Permit Commission, April 13, 1983
Page Two
B. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
Lands of Hwang
thr Commission and staff discussed the development area with regard
to the intent of the ordinances, noting ordinance was designed to
eliminate excessive development on steeper lots, however, this
case the property was designed prior to ordinance adoption.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Carico, seconded by
Lachenbruch and passed unanimously to recommend approval of the
Lands of Hwang, File #VAR 1-83, to allow a 10' encroachment into
the rear yard setback and excessive development area by 4,100
square feet. Criteria for granting of variance, were approved
as outlined in staff report dated April 8, 1983, with changes
to Item #1 as follows: And addition to Condition:
l.a. Exceptional circumstances exist due to the property's
location on the city limit line, and its surroundings
which are in undevelopable open space.
l.b. Mitigating circumstances relating to development:
The site development plan which was based on old ordinances
has not yet been fully implemented, the existing portion of
development lacks minimum amenities for outdoor living.
CONDITION:
` 1. The Site Plan, dated Received February 15, 1963, is accepted
�r only with complete landscape plan in accordance with Landscape
Policy Resolution #1256.
2. LANDS OF CHAN, File #VAR 2-83, 12840 Normandy Lane, Variance
request to allow a maximum encroachment of 9' into the rear and
side yard setback for tennis court; and a development area in
excess of the allowed MDA by approximately 2,500 square feet.
Ms. Webb referred to her staff report of April 8, 1983, noting
this request is to allow a maximum encroachment of 9' into the
rear and side yard setback and to allow development area in excess
of the allowed MDA by approximately 2,500 square feet. Ms. Webb
noted the tennis court has been cut and trimmed (smaller than most
courts). Ms. Webb noted using the guidelines as set forth in
Resolution #1289 regarding impervious surfaces, staff can not
recommend approval of the excessive development area. Regarding
the setback encroachment request, Ms. Webb noted staff recommends
approval with statements and conditions as outlined in the
April 8, 1983 staff report.
The Public Hearing was then opened.
Mr. Jim Ransohoff, Architect, asked commission to grant approval
of this request, and discussed with commission the existing dry well
on property whichwill handle all drainage from the court and other
areas.
Commission and applicant discussed the existing development which
could be removed to reduce the requested development area.
Variance & Permit Commission, April 13, 1983
Page Three
B. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
Lands of Chan
Mr. Chan, 12840 Normandy Lane, indicated he would prefer not
to remove any existing areas, but if necessary, he would remove
the brick area around oak tree and replace with small pebbles.
Ms. Ransohoff, discussed the removal of brick around oak tree
noting they could replace with small pebbles; commission indi-
cated this would be counted as development area and suggested
the application plant grass around the tree. Mr. Ransohoff
noted it would not be good for the oak tree to water grass fre-
quently.
The Public Hearing was then closed.
Commissioner Carico noted she was finding it very difficult to
insist that the applicant remove existing patios, noting in
doing this it would not help drainage problems if any exist;
further noting she was in favor of granting the variance as
there would be no negative impact on property or surroundings.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Lachenbruch, seconded by
Carico and passed unanimously to recommend approval of the Lands
of Chan, File #VAR 2-83, to allow 9' encroachment into rear and
side yard setback and excessive development area by 3,200 square
feet. Criteria for granting of variance approved as outlined
in April 8, 1983 staff report, with changes to Item #1 as follows:
l.a. Exceptional or extraordinary circumstances exist due to the
property's long narrow shape, its proximity to an I-280 right-of-way
and El Monte Road, and the existence of specimen oak tree m
patio area which cannot tolerate watering in its proximity.
l.b. Mitigating circumstances relating to existing development:
1) There exists an ideal undeveloped tennis court site on
property-
a)
ropertya) it *sires no grading -
b) it is thoroughly screened from off site view.
c) the noise from tennis court would be below back-
ground noise from vehicular traffic adjacent to
site.
d) there exists a dry well on site that can accomodate
additional runoff.
2) Lot was developed with a site reserved for tennis court
before Maximum Development Area limit was imposed by
Ordinance.
%1W 3). The excessive development area will not result in a style
of development inconsistent with pattern already established
on Normandy Lane which is unique in Los Altos Hills.
Variance & Permit Commission, April 13, 1983
Page Four
B. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
Lands of Chan
The exceptional circumstances listed that relate to property
justify minor encroachment of setback in accordance with 3.b.
of tennis court policy, Resolution #1289. The mitigating
circumstances justify exception to MDA, MDA Ordinance has two
purposes:
1. limit visual impact of intense development
2. limit runoff
C. OLD BUSINESS:
D. NEW BUSINESS:
E. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further new or old business, the meeting was
adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Leslie Mullins
Engineering/Planning Secretary