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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/13/1988PLANNING COMMISSION TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California Wednesday, January 13, 1988 Reel 132, Side II, Tract I, 000-990 Chairman Yanez called the meeting to order at 7:35 P.M. in the Town Hall Coun- cil Chambers. A. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Present: Commissioners Carico, Emling, Kaufman, Patmore, Struthers, Stutz and Chairman Yanez Absent: None Staff: Bill Ekern, Director of Public Works, Nancy Lytle, Town Planner, Leslie Mullins, Secretary City Council Representative: James Plummer B. CONSENT CALENDAR: Item Removed - B.1. (Kaufman) Commissioner Kaufman requested the minutes of December 30, 1987 be amended as follows: On page four, fourth paragraph, change "Carried" to "Failed". MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Kaufman, seconded by Stutz and passed by the following roll call vote to approve the Consent Calendar, specifically: 1. Minutes of December 30, 1987 as amended 2. Setting Public Hearings for January 27, 1988 (Items to be scheduled by staff) ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Emling, Kaufman, Patmore, Stutz and Chairman Yanez NOES: None ABSTAIN: Commissioners Carico and Struthers C. REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 16 1987 AND JANUARY 6, 1988: Commissioner Struthers reported the City Council at their December 16, 1987 meeting concurred with approval of Carr Variance and Conditional Use Permit; continued discussion on Vidinsky on Hillview for dedication of road right-of-way; discussed new ordinance regarding bicycles riding single file on certain roadways; ordinance passed regarding construction Planning Commission Minutes - January 13, 1988 hours; discussion over San Antonio Hills Annexation; continued discussion over Nagpal on Matadero Creek to go over MDA for solar panels; discussion on telephone at Little League Fields continued. Commissioner Stutz reported the City Council at their January 6, 1988 meeting approved appeal on Vidinsky on Hillview Road; approved Nagpal on Matadero Creek to exceed MDA for solar panels; public hearings for San Antonio Hills Annexation set for February 17th; Wilsey/Ham approved as Engineering Firm for the Town; discussion barking dog complaint from Barry Freeman; Adobe Creek Lodge Petition certified the number of signatures required to be scheduled for election in April - ballot arguments to be handed in by Friday 15th at 5:00 p.m.; Pinewood School Activity Board ap- proved; Dr. Howard Martin spoke under Presentations from the Floor regard- ing Quarry and Hale Creek pumping; report from Environmental Design Com- mittee noting resident offered to buy trees to plant throughout Town and Byrne Preserve; General Plan Steering Committee first meeting to be Thurs- day, January 14th at 5:00 p.m. D. REPORT FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING OF JANUARY 5, 1988: Commissioner Patmore reported the Site Development Committee on January 5, 1988 approved a Landscape Plan for Lin on Dawson Drive; approved Fence for Elvin on Rhus Ridge subject to Lot Line Adjustment being recorded; ap- proved driveway modification for Cranston on Camino Hermoso. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR: F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. LANDS OF SCHARFETTER, 13373 La Cresta Drive, File #CDP 1-87, Request for Conditional Development Permit for lot with less than .5 lot unit factor, File #VAR 12-87, Request for variance to exceed the Maximum Development Area, exceed the maximum height allowed, encroach into declining height envelope and exceed the 35' limit on lowest to high- est elevation requirement; and Site Development Permit for construc- tion of new residence (resbumittal) Ms. Lytle referred to staff reports dated December 2, 1987 and January 6, 1988 informing Commission this item was heard by Commission on December 9th and continued for redesign relating to size and bulkiness of the pro- posed structure, noting the applicant has redesigned their plans with an overall reduction in floor area to 3,509 sq.ft. and height reduction at various points in the structure. Ms. Lytle recommended that the Planning Commission approve the redesigned variance request to exceed the MDA, to exceed Maximum height, lowest to highest elevation limit, and to encroach into the declining height envelope for purposes of constructing the pro- posed new residence, as supported in findings per Municipal Code Section 10-1.1107 (2)(b), presented to the Commission in the December 2, 1987 staff report. Commissioner Patmore questioned why poles were not set on property to show height. Staff informed Commission this was not a motion or requirement made by the Commission at the previous review. %No~ -2- Planning Conmission Minutes - January 13, 1988 The Public Hearing was then opened. Mr. Scharfetter, 1200 Arthur Court, commented upon issues raised at last meeting regarding size, bulk, floor area, development area, noting they have redesigned the proposed project and request that the Commission ap- prove the Variance as amended. Mr. John Stanley, Project Manager and Glen Dodds, Architect, presented Commission with overlays of the proposed projects modifications from last review and redesign to show changes made in floor area and height of structure and existing floor area and development area of surrounding properties, asking Commission to approve requested variance application. Mr. Thomas, 13385 La Cresta Drive, informed Commission his concerns at last review was not over square footage, but was regarding the impact of this proposal on this size and shape of lot. Mrs. Schmidt. 13367 La Cresta Drive, questioned if a structure could be built on property without requiring so many variances? Commissioners questioned where height of house is over 271; are all roofs at 5 + 12 pitch; and how is height measured? Mr. Dodds indicated the structure is over height in peak area, and yes roof pitch is 5 + 12. Ms. Lytle informed Commission the house height measurements are from natural grade to every point of the structure as according to our Ordinances. The Public Hearing was then closed. Commissioners, staff and applicant discussed the areas of reduction in floor area, height reduction in family room area (per last review concern [. over Schmidt views), noting applicant has indicated they reduced more de- velopment area than they should have in stairwells where they need an ad- ditional 64 sq.ft. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Kaufman, seconded by Patmore and passed unanimously to approve Lands of Scharfetter, File #VAR 12-87, sub- ject to findings as listed in the December 2, 1987 staff report, and as shown on plans dated "Received, December 23, 1987" to exceed Maximum De- velopment Area (Section 10-1.502) by 1,689 sq.ft.; maximum height allowed by a maximum of five feet (5'); to encroach into the declining height en- velope, and the thirty five (351) limit on lowest to highest elevation re- quirement by one foot (11) (Section 10-1.504)• Ms. Lytle referred to staff report dated January 6, 1988 recommending that the Commission approve the conditional development permit to construct the house as proposed on plans dated "Received, December 23, 1987", and based on findings supported in the December 3, 1987 staff report as per Municipal Code Section 10-1.1107 (3) on a lot with less than .5 lot unit factor. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Stutz, seconded by Kaufman and passed unanimously to approve the Lands of Scharfetter, File #CDP 1-87, for construction of a new residence as proposed on plans dated "Received, December 23, 1987" for a lot with less than .5 lot unit factor as based on -3- Planning Ccmnission Minutes - January 13, 1988 findings made in the December 3, 1987 staff report per Municipal Code Sec- tion 10-1.1107 (3). Mr. Ekern referred to recommended conditions of approval for the Site De- velopment Permit per Staff Report dated January 7, 1988. Commission reviewed recommended conditions of approval, making amendments as follows: 1. Include :"...provided "for approval" at time..." 2. Remains unchanged. 3. Include :"...retardant roofing "and underfloor". 4. Remains unchanged. 5. Remains unchanged. 6. Include: "...observe "for the purpose of preserving the trees referred to in #5 above,..." and at end inlcude: "to be provided at time of landscape plan". 7. Remains unchanged. 8. Remains unchanged. 9. Include :"...base rock driveway "and parking"... 10. Remains unchanged. 11. Remains unchanged. 12. Add new condition to read as follows: "Pathway on La Cresta Drive shall be upgraded to a Type IIB standards (with one headerboard) prior to final inspection of building permit". MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Struthers, seconded by Stutz and passed unanimously to approve the Site Development Permit for Lands of Scharfetter for new residence subject to recommended conditions of ap- proval as listed in the January 7, 1988 staff report and as amended. 2. LANDS OF WONG, Lot #7, Rhoda Drive, File #VAR 15-87, Request to exceed the Maximum Development Area and Floor Area, and Site Development Permit for construction of new residence Mr. Ekern referred to Staff Report dated January 6, 1988 informing Commis- sion this item has been scheduled twice for Commission's review, and con- tinued to allow the applicant to address concerns of the Town Geologist, and to allow staff to review revised plans submitted by the applicant, noting the resubmitted plans have been reviewed by staff and are those presented to Commission this evening. Mr. Ekern informed Commission staff recommends that the Commission deny the variance request based on the in- ability to make the findings required by Section 10-1.1107 (b) as outlined SC planning Caumission Minutes - January 13, 1988 in the January 6th staff report, however, Mr. Ekern noted that prior to denying this application, staff recommends that the Commission allow the applicant the opportunity to redesign the residence and return to Commis- sion with a new proposal. %, The Public Hearing was then opened. Mr. Vince Wong, 13456 Mandoli Drive, informed Commission this is probably their 7th attempt for approval since buying the property from Dr. Mager, noting they did not intend to go over the Floor Area by 108 sq.ft. as shown in staff report and would like opportunity to redesign to be in con- formance with floor area, informing Commission that because of the driveway length the mda is exceeded. Mr. Wong informed Commission the proposed roof will be concrete tile in grey tone, with structure light grey with darker grey accents. Mr. Wong further noted that concerns raised by Wm. Cotton & Associates will be addressed prior to issuance of Building Permit. Mr. Thomas Osborne, 13245 Rhoda Drive, submitted letter to Commission for their review prior to meeting, thanking the Commission for opportunity to address his concerns over driveway location and car lights shining bedroom windows, views of their (Osborne) patio and swimming pool, need for landscape screening and restrictions of types of fences allowed between properties and their height. Mrs. Ruth Morrison, 27641 Purissima Road, questioned if access could be from Purissima Road? Mr. Wong informed Commission he had spoke with Mr. Sun regarding an easement through his property when purchasing this prop- erty, noting Mr. Sun was not agreeable. L The Public Hearing was then closed. � I Commissioners, staff and applicant discussed possible access from La Cresta or Purissima; possible sewer connection; access rights across Mil- ler property. Staff informed Commission access is shown on Tract Map for driveway easement to lot #7 through Miller property, but shows more than that allowed by easement and would have to obtain approval from Miller, no access from La Cresta or Purissima; and sewer is approximately 2 miles away. Commission raised concern over the proposed structure due to its visibility and bulkiness from off site views, suggesting that the living area above the garage be removed, noting views from northwest second story area and garage are too bulky; and noted that applicant may wish to expand structure more towards the northeast side of the property and step down the hillside with the proposed structure to better fit the land. With regard to concerns raised by Mr. Osborne, the Commission suggested that the applicant and Mr. and Mrs. Osborne get toegether to work out their concerns over the driveway and privacy. It was also noted that when the applicant returns with re -design, that it include driveway easement on the subject lot and obtain a letter of intent for access for Mr. Miller. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Struthers, seconded by Carlco and passed unanimously to continue the Lands of Wong, Lot #7 Rhoda Drive, Var- 4 -5- Planning Commission Minutes - January 13, 1988 iance and Site Development Permit for construction of new residence for re -design, with applicant's consent for continuance. 3. Lands of Miller, 24965 La Loma Drive, File #VAR 29-87, Request to en- croach into setback for overhang and Site Development Permit for pro- posed addition This item is continued to January 27, 1988 Agenda to allow staff time to prepare Staff Report for Commissioners review. G. NEW BUSINESS: 1. General Plan Steering Committee Ms. Lytle informed Commission the first meeting of the General Plan Steer- ing Committee (GPSC) has been scheduled for January 14, 1987 at 5:00 p.m., referring to Staff Memo dated December 21, 1987 and outline of goals and policies of the Town's current General Plan. Ms. Lytle informed Commis- sion the GPSC will be developing a questionnaire for the residents of the community and results will allow the GPSC to update these goals and policies. Commissioners and staff reviewed and goals and policies provided, with recommendation that the GPSC look into: what is a neighborhood, neighbor- hood preservation; are there neighborhoods; one acre zoning; cluster hous- ing; open space; riparian habitat protection and preservation; code enfor- cement, etc. 2. Commission indicated that the City Council would like a clear out policy on road right-of-way dedications. Commissioner Emling expressed L thanks to Commissioner Struthers for speaking up on the Vidinsky appeal 4I with regard to the right -o£ -way dedication at the City Council meeting. H. OLD BUSINESS: I. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further new or old busisness, the meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Leslie Mullins Planning Technician