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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/25/1983PIANNING CaIDUSSION Town of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road Ips Altos Hills, California ` MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, May 25, 1983 Reel 105, Side I, Tract I, 714 -End; Side II, Tract I, 000-500 Chairman Steuart called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in the 'loan Hall Council Chambers. A. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Dochnahl, Lachenbruch, Rydell, Stewart and Struthers Absent: Commissioners Carico and Kuranoff Staff: City Engineer/Planner John A. Carlson; Assistant Planner Pat Webb; Secretary Leslie Mullins * Chairman Rydell arrived at 8:15 p.m. moTIcN SECUMIDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Struthers, seconded by Lachenbruch to approve the Consent Calendar, namely: 1. Minutes of May 11, 1983 C. REPORT FROM CTM ODUNCTL FETING OF MAY 18, 1983: Cc m ssicner Struthers reported the council approved termite repair work at Town Hall; hiring summer help frim SPEDY Program for maintenance and office help; changing positions for the maintenance supervisor; Ordinance regarding Patios at Grade; and discussed the Fastbrcok School Site noting this parcel is in the Tun's sphere of influence and the Planning Camussion will be asked to look into this matter. D. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. Lands of Meringo - Feiler, File #VAR 3-83, 13333 La Cresta Drive, Request for variance to allow a maximum encroachme=nt of 15' into building setback and maximum encroachment of 30' in height into building envelop for a remodel of an existing residence. Referring to her staff report of May 20, 1983, Ms. Webb noted this request is for a maximum 15' encroachment into the building setback line as per Section 9-5.504 (b) of the Municipal Code and a maximum encroach- ment of 30' in height into the building envelop as per Section 9-5.503 (a) of the Municipal Code. Ms. Webb gave a background of the history of the house, noting there are numerous existing oak trees and a his- torical rose garden and various other items relating to the history of the house. Noting the property is constrained by a 32' vehicular access Y easement which encroaches 16' into the property on 2 sides in the location of the existing house. Because of existing mature landscaping which almost completely screens the structure from off site. Staff recommends approval of the variance with statements and conditions as outlined in staff report of May 20, 1983. Planning Commission Minutes - May 25, 1983 Page Two D. PUBLIC HFARTWS: (continued) Lards of Meringo-Feiler The Public Hearing was then opened. Mr. Henry Schmidt, 13367 La Cresta, indicated to conmission he felt the architects have done a very good job and arevery cooperative, and questioned the maintenance of existing trees and the route of construc- tion vehicles suggesting that they enter on La Cresta and exit through Beaver Lane. M, Michael Layne, Camarago & Layne Architects, expressed to the commission the philosophy of the designing of the remodel was to retain the facade of the existing residence, noting there will be no additional bativnans being added. Mr. Layne added the design of the remodel will not impact any of the existing oak trees. Mr. Kenn Williams, Camargo & Layne Architects, informed commission they have held open house so the neighbors could see what we are proposing. comtission, staff and architect discussed the existing landscaping, total living area of the residence, and the route the construction vehicles should use during the construction stages. Mr. Michael Layne, further noted to commission there is a need to have a full time caretaker at the residence due to the historical rose garden and other landscaping. As there are 3 bedrooms in the house there is t only one that is suitable for an adult, as the others have very low ` ceilings due to the dormers. The Public Hearing was then closed, concussion began review of the Conditions of Approval. Passed by consensus to reword #1 as follows: Exceptional or extraordinary circumstances exist due to the constraints imposed on the property by a large driveway easement, previous siting of existing structures which pre- date the Town, existing mature landscaping, including numerous oak trees and the location of a historical home at the crest of a steep sided hill. Passed by consensus to amend #2 as follows: Due to these exceptional circwmstances the literal enforcement of the code would result in practical difficulties, in particular the inability to affect a modest increase of living area of the house as it stands to meet the needs of the property owners while preserving the style of this unique old hare. Passed by consensus to add "reasonable" to #3 after accomodate the... Passed by consensus to amend #4 as follows: That the granting of such variance will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to the property or improvements in the vicinity of in the zoning district in which toe property of the applicant is located. Because of the topography and existing landscaping the home is not readily visible from adjacent properties or frau distant vantage points throughout the Town. M=UN SECaDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Struthers, seconded by Dochnahl and passed unanimously to recamend approval to the City Council the Lands of Meringo - Feiler, File #VAR 3-83, with conditions as amended from the May 20, 1983 staff report. Mrs. Irma Goldsmith, President Historical Society, gave the commission a brief background of the history of the old Beaver residence. Planning Commission Minutes - May 25, 1983 Page Three E. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Report on ABAG Workshop - State Housing Element Requirement Ms. Webb reported Chairman Rydell, Councils Perkins and herself attended a ABAGG Nbrkshop regarding State Housing Element req ,-aniants, noting there were several speakers including: representative from State who gave their view of the new legislation and inplementation; City Council and Planning Commission Representatives from San Jose, Oakland and Woodside gave their view of the requirements noting there is alot of frustration of what semis to be an ideal housing source; three other cities involved in discussion indicating what they're working on and types of policies they're looking into were San Pablo, Marin and Sunnyvale. Chairman Rydell noted the Director of State Housing was just appointed to his Post last week and still looking into the interpretation of the new legislation. Chairman Rydell indicated the Housing Task Ebrce Committee. will be scheduling a meeting the beginning of June for discussion of the legislation and imple- mentation of policies. 2. Satellite Dishes - location of known dishes in Ins Altos Hills Ms. Webb indicated O miissioner Kuranoff and staff conpiled a list of known dishes in Los Altos Hills and suggested that comiission go by each property for future discussion. Chairman Rydell encouraged cannission to look at sites prior to next omudssion meeting. 3. Report on wall at 12251 Menalto Drive c. Ms. Webb informed commission the owner has decided to apply for a variance w for the small section of wall which exceeds the height limit arca has requested in writing to have the fees waived. The City Attorney has indicated there is no procedure set in the Municipal Code for waiving fees and has suggested the Planning CmYnission if they wish to suggest that the City Council provide provisions for waiving fees. The City Manager indicated to staff that it would be in order for a penalty to be inposed on the owner for work performed without a permit. Ms. Webb noted at this time there is no penalty for a zoning permit, however, there is a penalty for building without a building permit which is lOx the cost of the permit itself. Commissioner iachenbruch agreed with the City Manager that there should be a fine imposed for work performed without permit, and the Planning Commission should look into adopting a zoning penalty and get this into effect as soon as possible. Commission asked staff to investigate further with City Attorney for procedures. Commissioner Struthers suggested staff and conTaission look into an electric fence located along pathway at corner of Purissima Road and Robleda Road (not marked). Staff is to gather necessary information for next meeting, for discussion of pillers, gates and electric fences. Planning Commission Minutes - May 25, 1983 Page Four F. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Amendment to Section 9-5. of the Municipal Code - ornamental garden structures ♦ Ms. Webb informed commission the memo dated March 8, 1983 to Commissioner Lachenbruch explains the suggested amendments to municipal code regarding ornamental garden structures, which includes a requirement to be added as follows: ... not requiring excavation more than two feet below natural grade and not exceeding a total develop- ment area of 200 square feet, staff felt this requirement combined with height re- strictions could preclude such items as gazebos, fish ponds, elaborate arbors, etc. Ms. 9kdh further noted Councilmen Perkins suggested to amend section relating to setbacks and panhandle lots_. Commissioners and staff discussed the types of items which should be included in the definitions of ornamental garden structures, and suggested. the following wording be used in the amendment to this section of the Municipal Code: A minor ornamental garden structure, such as, fountain, sundial, pond, statue, birdbath explicitly for , p other than ornamental purposes and subiect to the heiqht limits specified in Section 9-5.503 (d), not requiring excavation of more then two feet below natural grade and not exceeding a total development area of 200 square feet. fu,)o_ r$, Ir TMJ MOTION SECOMM AMID CARRIED: Moved by Dochnahl, seconded by Lachenbruch and passed by the following roll call vote to send the proposed amendment to Section 9.5 of the Municipal Code relating to ornamental garden structures to the City Attorney for preparation of ordinance. ROLL CALL: Ayes: Cc missioners norhnah7, Lachenbruch, Rydell and Stewart Noes: Commissioner Struthers Commission suggested that staff return with more information relating to the panhandle and flag lots. 2. Squirrel Guards - Commissioner Lachenbruch indicated he has in the past been in contact with PT&T regarding the placement of squirrel guards throughout the Town, noting he received a letter recently and routed it on to the Mayor for proper channels. Commission suggested that staff find out what exactly the problems are and what specific areas are having troubles. The Planning Commission as a whole would like the City Manager to know their concern over this issue; Commissioner Lachenbruch will act as their spokesperson. 3. APPOINmdENP of CHAIRMAN AND vicE-C[-I mAm Continued until full Commission attendance. 9. Mosquitoe abatement - Commission asked staff what steps are being taken regarding the mosquitoes in the Town; staff informed commission the Pollution Control Committee was looking into the problem and have brought literature to 'Town Hall from the County Health Department. There being no further new or old business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Leslie Mullins Engineering/Planning Secretary