HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/08/1987( PLANNING COMMISSION
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
Wednesday, April 8, 1987
Reel 127, Side I, Tract II, 857 -End; Side II, Tract II, 000 -End
Chairman Struthers called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order in
the Town Hall Council Chambers at 7:32 p.m.
A. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Present: Commissioners Carico, Emling, Kaufman, Patmore, Stutz, Yanez
and Chairman Struthers
Absent: None
Staff: Michael Enright, City Engineer; Lori Scott, Acting Town Planner;
Leslie Mullins, Secretary
City Council Representative: Mayor van Tamelen
B. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Item Removed - B.1. (Carico)
Commissioner Carico requested that the minutes be amended to include the
following statement on page three, "When streets are subject to further
subdivision the ordinances should apply" in regard to the Komo appeal.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Carico, seconded by Stutz and
passed unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar, specifically:
1. Approval of March 25, 1987 as amended.
2. Setting Public Hearings for April 22, 1987:
a. Lands of Schubart, File #VAR 2-67, 24624 Olive Tree Lane,
Variance and Site Development Permit for new residence
b. Lands of Cook, 11471 Page Mill Road, Relocation of Private
Roadway
c. Lands of Kiremidjian, Lot #7, Berry Hill Court, Site Development
Permit for new residence
Planning COMMission Minutes - April 8, 1987
Page Two
�WC. REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 1, 1987:
Commissioner Kaufman reported the City Council adopted resolution to set
public hearing for abandonment of right-of-way on Ursula for Rick Bell
Developers; concurred with variance approval for Gaskill; held public
hearing on Del Monte Developers tentative map and continued item for
further review of drainage between City Engineer, Nowack & Associates and
Sandia & Associates, the Council did delete the bridge and allow a culvert
and continued the hearing to May 6th; the zoning overlay has been referred
to the Planning Commission for study; the City Council passed resolution
of public nuisance on the Gilfoil property on Carillo; discussion of
landscape bond policy, the City Attorney and Manager are to draft a
resolution and return for review and approval; there is a Regional
Leadership Quorum on June 16 and 17 at USC, if there are any Commissioners
interested in attending; and April is California Earthquake Preparedness
Month.
D. REPORT FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETINGS OF MARCH 31, 1987 AND
APRIL 7, 1987:
Chairman Struthers reported the Site Development Committee on March 31,
1987 approved Swimming Pool, walks, pillars and driveway modification for
Burnell on Black Mountain; approved sound berm and fence for Currie
Subdivision; approved landscape plan for Chang on Bentley Court.
Commissioner Emling reported the Site Development Committee on April 7,
1987 approved driveway modification for Cotsworth on Colina Drive.
E. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR:
F. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Lands of Carnes, File #VAR 2-86, 14090 Tracy Court, Variance request
to exceed maximum height allowed for fences and berms along roadways
and within setback areas, and to allow grading within ten feet of
property lines, and Site Development Permit
Ms. Scott referred to Staff Report dated April 3, 1987 informing
Commission that this item is a continued public hearing to consider a
variance request to exceed the maximum height allowed for fences and berms
along roadways and within setback areas, Section 10-1.504 (d), by a
maximum of 3' and to grade within ten feet of property line, for the
purpose of constructing a berm and fence that will block noise and
headlights of vehicles travelling along Arastradero Road, as well as for
privacy. Ms. Scott noted that staff recommends that the Planning
Commission approve the variance request to exceed the maximum fence height
requirements and to grade within ten feet of the property line, based on
favorable findings of Section 10-1.1107 (b) as supported in the April 3,
1967 Staff Report.
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planning commission Minutes - April 8, 1987
Page Three
Commissioner Patmore questioned the practical difficulties associated with
` this lot, with regard to the required findings for granting approval of a
variance. Ms. Scott referred to the findings listed in the Staff Report.
The Public Hearing was then opened.
Mr. Don Brandeau, Landscape Architect, reviewed the required findings
noting that most of the adjoining properties have residences that set way
back on the property, noting there was some screening previously provided
by four eucalyptus trees which were burnt in the fire, noting the
applicant is requesting a variance to allow for privacy and screening of
traffic along Arastradero Road. Mr. Brandeau informed Commission that the
wall has been eliminated and will use a berm with landscaping, noting some
difficult with the creek and location of proposed berms, also noting that
the fence height has been reduced per discussion at the last public
hearing.
The Public Hearing was then closed.
Commission and applicant discussed the location of proposed fence, walls
and berms and location to the creek. Commissioners indicated that they
had concerns over the wall crossing the creek and the visual impact it
would have. Commissioners indicated that a berm could be accomplished
without the need of a variance. If grading is allowed to be conducted
within ten feet of the pathway, the grading should be kept 7-8' from
pathway.
%W MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Kaufman, seconded by Stutz and
passed by the following roll call vote to approve the Lands of Carnes,
File #VAR 2-86, only to allow grading within ten feet (101) of the
property line, based on favorably making required findings of Section 10-
1.1107 (b).
ROLL CALL:
ES: Commissioners Emling, Kaufman, Patmore, Stutz and Chairman
Struthers
NOES: Commissioners Carico and Yanez
ABSTAIN: None
Commissioner Carico noted she could not make findings 1, 2, 3, and 6.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Kaufman, seconded by Patmore and
passed by the following roll call vote to continue the Site Development
Permit for the Lands of Carnes, to allow for redesign, application shall
be heard by the Site Development Committee.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: Commissioners Carico, Emling, Kaufman, Patmore, Stutz and Chairman
Struthers
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Yanez
The applicant was informed that they have ten (10) days to appeal the
decision of the Planning Commission to the City Council.
Planning Commission Minutes - April 8, 1987
Page Four
2. Lands of Hu, File #VAR 8-67, 14463 Liddicoat Circle, Variance request
f w to exceed the maximum development area for the lot by 3,200 sq.ft. and
maximum floor area by 506 sq.ft. for the purpose of constructing a new
residence, driveway, parking and walkways, and Site Development Permit
The applicant has requested that this item be continued, the public
hearing will be scheduled for May 13, 1987.
G. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Request to abandon covenant, former Lands of Cooley, Adjacent to
Ursula Lane, Request by Rick Bell
Mr. Enright referred to Staff Report dated April 2, 1987 informing
Commission that at the time of lot creation, a covenant was entered into
to provide for potential access to a larger parcel that was not yet
subdivided, noting in later years Ursula Lane and Edgerton Road were
created and serve properties that would have been served by the future
right-of-way. Mr. Enright noted that if the covenant is abandoned, there
will be greater freedom in siting of the residence on the lot and should
allow more trees to be saved when the property is developed. Mr. Enright
recommended that the Planning Commission provide a report to the City
Council stating that abandoning the covenant reserving land for a future
road right -o£ -way dedication off of Black Mountain Road is an acceptable
land use action. Mr. Enright informed Commission that the City Council
has set this item for public hearing and is required by ordinance to have
Planning Commission review the impact of abandoning the covenant.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Carico, seconded by Patmore and
passed unanimously to recommend to the City Council that the land reserved
for future right-of-way dedication by the covenant is not necessary as
part of the Town's traffice circulation land use due to the presence of
Ursula Lane and Edgerton Road as existinng access roads to Black Mountain
Road.
Chairman Struthers indicated that the need for fire and pathway easementss
should be researched.
Lands of Riley, Preliminary Review for Variance, APN: 336-28-053,
12241 Stonebrook Drive
Ms. Scott referred to Staff Report dated April 2, 1987, informing
Commission that this item is before the Commission for a preliminary
review only of the site plan to determine the feasibility of applying for
a variance, prior to the applicant finalizing their site plans. Ms. Scott
informed Commission that the Riley property is currently located in the
County, and have applied for annexation. Ms. Scott indicated that the
Riley's are planning on constructing a single family residence, pool and
tennis court, and have provided Commission with their preferred plan and
undesired plan for review. Commissioners received a letter from Mr. and
Mrs. Keefer, 12231 Stonebrook objecting to a variance for this property.
NW
Planning Cfarmission Minutes - April 8, 1987
Page Five
Commissioners reviewed the plans provided, noting they did not feel that
they could favorably make the required findings for variance, suggesting
that the applicant review the Town's zoning and site development
ordinances with regard to setbacks, height limitations, maximum
development area and maximum floor area and design their project in
conformance with the Town's Ordinances.
Commission and Staff discussed the preliminary review process on
variances, asking that we schedule a Study Session for review variance
procedures and minor and major variance applications.
Chairman Struthers discussed with Commission the possibility of
recommending to the City Council that a landscape designer or similar
be hired to review landscape plan plantings once the owner's have
installed the required plantings as approved by the Site Development
Committee.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Patmore, seconded by Stutz and
passed unanimously to agendize for further discussion of a landscape
inspector for the April 22, 1987 meeting.
4. Commissioner Emling questioned who would be attending the meeting at
Foothill College regarding landscaping of the new fields. Mayor van
Tamelen indicated that Council will appoint two commissioners to attend
the meeting on Tuesday, April 14th.
Commissioner Emling questioned why the trees at Altamont and Elena were
cut down. Mr. Enright informed Commission that the majority of the trees
were dead, noting the removal was a result of a service request, and that
the stumps will be removed soon.
Commission, Mayor van Tamelen and staff discussed existing ordinances with
regard to tree removal, noting the only ordinance is in the subdivision
ordinances. Commissioners requested that tree removal on public and
private property be placed on a future agenda for study session.
Ms. Scott referred to memo dated April 6, 1987, informing Commission that
currently being processed is a zoning permit for a new residence which
she needs interpretation of Section 10-1.227 regarding backfill provision.
Ms. Scott provided Commission with copies of the area in question, noting
that the retaining wall is not technically incorporated into the structure
leaving a narrow 1 1/2 foot space between the building and the retaining
wall. Commission and staff discussed the plans, noting that the backfill
provision would not apply in this case.
OLD BUSINESS:
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further new or old business, the meeting was adjourned at
10:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Leslie Mullins
Planning Technician