HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 7.1Minutes of a Regular Meeting DRAFT
Town of Los Altos Hills
PLANNING COMMISSION
Thursday, Much 10, 2005, 7:00 p.m.
Bullis School Multi-PuTose Room, 25890 Fremont Road
cc: Cassettes ( 1 ) #4-05
ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The planning Commission regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Bullis School
Multi -Purpose Room.
Present: Chairman Kerns, Commissioners Collins, Carey, Cottrell & Clow
Staff: Carl Cahill, Planning Director; Debbie Pedro, Senior Planner; Leslie Hopper, Project
Planner; Lam Smith, Planning Secretary
2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR -none
3. PI TBLIC HEARINGS
3.1 LANDS OF MOCK, 26360 Calle Del Sol (123-04-ZP-SD-GD); A request for a
Site Development Permit for a 5,057 square foot new residence (maximum height
25 ft. 4 in.) and swimming pool (staff -Leslie Hopper).
Staff introduced this item by reviewing the staff report, in Particular, the 27" cork oak tree at the
rear of the house and the request for an exception to the Towns grading policy to allow a
differential of up to 7 feet between the finished floor of the front deck and portions of the house
and the existing grade below. The lot slopes upward from the street with a 13% slope. The
owners want to keep the cork oak tree which is located in the center of the property, in the most
logical place for a house. The existing house wraps around the oak tree. Since the owners want
to keep the cork oak tree, they have designed their new house around the tree. In doing so, the
front deck and front portion of the house requires a grading exception (greater than three feet).
This is unfinished crawl space (approximately 900 square feet) proposed to remain open with
lattice work as camouflage. The owners intend to fully landscape in front of that area which is a
condition of approval (92). She also noted that the house includes 12 skylights which should not
cause my problems to the neighbors due to existing vegetation and the neighbors are set back.
The Planning Director indicated that the project has been conditioned (#10) so the crawl s
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Dean Rhodes, project architect, felt the staff report explained the project very well and the goals
they are trying to achieve. He discussed the cork oak tree which will be a focal point of the site.
They are siting the new house where the current house is located.
Mr. Lee, 13020 La Paloma Road, addressed the private mad easement asking that the road be
maintained during the construction and be repaired there after.
Staff indicated this is a standard condition of approval (#18). He suggested, since this is a
private road, that the owners get together regarding my existing repair work as the Town will not
require the applicants to totally restore the road.
Discussion ensued regarding the deck area and the lattice setting back 18" indicating the
applicants we trying to utilize the natural grading on the site.
Jim Vedder, 26355 Calle del Sol, voiced concerns regarding more drainage coming off a large
house. He noted the swale and the catch basin in the street. He would like as much water as
possible dispersed on the property before it gets dumped into the drain which is a concrete pipe
under the street that opens out onto his property about 10 feet further down. In a good rain fall,
this ditch runs pretty fall. Another concern is parking. He understood that all parking should he
on the site. However, all the damage existing on the street was done by the previous contractor
without much satisfaction from the Town. The street has a turning hammer -head which is a
problem for big trucks, etc. Also, with cars parking on the street, it becomes very difficult
getting onto your own property driveway.
The Planning Director indicated that Mr. Vedder could call the Town, and sometimes it may be
necessary to call the Sheriff if there are issues when the office is closed. The usual procedure is
that if the Town receives many complaints, a "stop work notice" will be issued. Most contractors
do find a way to make the conditions work.
Leslie Vedder, 26355 Calle del Sol, stated
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to the neighbors with contact numbers if issues arise. She continued by asking if the swale was
shown on the plans? The Planning Director directed her to condition 411 (peak =off rates).
Commissioner Cottrell indicated his questions have been answered, voicing support.
Chairman Kerns also voiced support stating they have done a good job building the house around
the cork oak tree and the design is in keeping with the existing home.
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY CONSENSUS: Motion by Commissioner Clow,
seconded by Commissioner Cottrell and passed by consensus to approve a request for a Site
Development Permit for a 5,057 square foot new residence and swimming pool, Lands of Mock,
26360 Calle Del Sol, with the recommended the conditions of approval.
This approval is subject to a 23 day appeal period.
3.2 LANDS OF UNLU, 25701 Deerfield Drive (222-04-ZP-SD-GD-VAR-CDP); A
request for a Conditional Development Permit for a 3,267 square foot two story
new residence with a 908 square foot basement (maximum height 24' feet), and a
Variance to allow two (2) outdoor parking spaces to encroach in the side yard
setback (staff -Debbie Pedro).
Commissioner Carey stepped down from the hearing due to the proximity of his residence to the
project site.
Staff introduced this item by reviewing the project and staff report with the help of an aerial
photograph of the neighborhood. Them are a number of substandard lots in this neighborhood
and all me developed with one or two story single family homes. The existing house is a single
story with a detached garage coming off of Deerfield Drive. The existing home and garage
encroaches by up to 22 feet within the front and side yard setbacks. The applicant is proposing
to demolish the existing house, replacing it with a two story home with a basement and attached
garage. The house is designed to meet setbacks, height and MDA/MFA requirements. The side
setback in 30 feet, the front setback is a little more than 40 feet, and the rear setb
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Discussion ensued regarding the existing house pad at 275 elevation which is generally the pad
elevation of the new home. Commissioner Cottrell questioned a concealed wall on the north side
along the property line with a seven foot drop off between this property and the neighbor. The
question was deferred to the project architect.
OPENED PUBLIC HEARING
Paul Okamoto, project arichitect, stated that they have worked out many mitigations with the
down hill neighbors which should preclude a longer presentation. This is a modest house
compared to today's standards. They have worked closely with Town staff and have met all of
the neighbors. He provided a letter of support from the owners at 25700 Deerfield Drive. He
referred to the letter from Bart Carey noting that they have made some negotiations that will
deviate slightly from the plans. There were seven (7) conditions noted in Carey's letter, referring
to what they have agreed to as follows: (1) Agreed to reduce the elevation of the house by two
feet by going down further. A two foot drop will still be in compliance with the slope of the
driveway (15% maximum slope) (275 to 273 elevation). (2) Plate height of the upper story to
eight feet was agreeable. (3) Negotiated to provide a lattice screen along the east side of the
deck. (4) agreed to look at the roof and slope it toward the Lands of Carey, whether it is a hip or
a shed, they have not agreed yet but they will work directly with the neighbor. (5) They prefer
not do comply with suggestion. Debbie Pedro indicated that the engineering department has
reviewed the drainage request and has determined that it does meet the C3 requirements because
the water needs to run over the land as it dissipates. Staff does not recommend diverting the
excess ruritiff. (6) They have negotiated a compromise to plant four mature redwood trees
(between a 36" box and a 40" box) paid for by the owner; Bart Carey will plant two in
conjunction to save costs. (7) Agreed with the request th
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kitchen deck; (4) shed roof over the kitchen has become a non -issue because they are willing to
work with them; (5) taken off the table not realizing it was contrary to Town engineering
recommendations; (6) installing landscape screening at downhill property line (four mature trees
on the Urdu property; with the Care)�s installing two), coordinating the installation; and (7)
agreed by both. They have a project that certainly has impacts on him but he was happy to say
that he can support the project with these modifications.
Jonathan Stone, Palo Alto, representing John Mozart, 13850 Templeton Place, neighbor, stating
they had reviewed the plans, in particular, the four trees targeted for removal which will remain.
This is encouraging as it will provide some screening. The landscape screening plan is not
required until after framing of the residence. Mr. Mozart would like some insurance that
plantings on the north boundary will be sufficient in number and size to mitigate the visual
impact of this home. He felt the approval should be deferred until such time that the plantings
are specified and reviewed by staff and the Commission. At a minimum, he requested a note
added to the current drawing set that provide more screening, similar to the note depicting more
landscaping along the eastern edge of the property. He also felt it was nuclear from the plans
what the exterior of the home will look like. The staff report indicates that the proposed
materials on the house include painted stucco exterior, wood clad windows, asphalt composition
roof and decorative horizontal siding. They would like to see exterior renderings of the home
prior to approval. He concluded stating they felt the mass of the structure is too great for the size
of the lot. He appreciated the previous comments regarding the reduction in height. He did
believe that Mr. Mozart has spoken to the applicants concerning the trees.
Staff provided an overview photo of the Mozart property as it related t
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6. REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
6.1 Planning Commission Representative for March P-Comorissioner Clow,
reported on the following: consideration of a letter to the Los Altos City Council requesting a
resolution in support of the Los Altos School District offering the Bullis/Purissima site to the
Bullis Charter School; renewal of the Conditional Use Permit for the Westwind Community
barn; and the attendance of Little League parents.
6.2 Planning Commission Representative for Much 17ffi - Commissioner Carey
6.3 Planning Commission Representative for April 7� -Commissioner Kerns
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
7.1 Approval of February 10, 2005 minutes
7.2 Approval of February 24, 2005 minutes
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CLOW, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER COTTRELL
AND PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To approve the February 10 and 24,2005 minutes.
REPORT FROM FAST TRACK MEETING -MARCH 1, 2005
8.1 LANDS OF ZHU AND XU, 24910 La Loma Court (206-04-ZP-SD-GD); A
request for a Site Development Permit for a new 4,762 square foot two story
residence (maximum vertical height 25'8") (staff -Debbie Pedro). Approved with
conditions.
9. REPORT FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETING- MARCH 1 & 8,2005
9.1 LANDS OF GRIMES, 28010 Elena Road (141-04-ZP-SD); A request for a Site
Development Permit for a 1,398 square feet first and second story addition
(maximum height: 25'8") (staff -Debbie Pedro). Approved with conditions.
9.2 LANDS OF LISBONNE, 26110 Eucalyptus Lane (5-05-ZP-SD); A request for a
Site Development Permit for landscape screening and hardscape improvements
(staff -Brian Froelich). Approved with conditions.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lam Smith
Planning Secretary