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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/27/1993APPROVED 4ar Minutes of a Regular Meeting Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION Wednesday, January 27,1993,7:30 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road cc: c.assenes xt-7o til 1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Chairman Pahl, Commissioners Cheng, Ellinger, Schreiner, Sinnott & Stutz Absent: Commissioner Comiso Staff: Linda Niles, Town Planner; Lani Lonberger, Planning Secretary far 2. PRESENTATIONS FRQM-jUEE-QXq Persons wishing to address the Commission on any subject not on the agenda are invited to do so now. Please note, however, that the Commission is not able to undertake extended discussion or take action tonight on non-agendized items. Such items will be referred to Staff or placed on the agenda for a future meeting. None 3. CONSENT CALENDAR Items appearing on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be adopted in one motion, except for any item removed for separate consideration elsewhere on the agenda. The Chairman will ask the Commission and the audience for requests to remove these items. N1a•: 4.1 LANDS OF HIFAI, 26856 Almaden Court; A request for a Site Development Permit for a New Residence and Pool (continued from October 14, 1992). ( Ms. Niles introduced this item stating that this application was reviewed at the `. Planning Commission meeting of October 14, 1992 and was continued for redesign. The Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED January 27, 1993 Page 2 kW applicant submitted a conceptual review application and was heard by the Planning Commission at a conceptual site analysis meeting on December 9, 1992. At that time, the Commission gave the applicant direction in order to continue review of the application. Ms. Niles stated that the applicant has submitted their redesign for the Commission's review and approval. The redesign addressed the issues of concern discussed at the two previous meetings. There were only a few additions to the conditions of approval, one being Condition 5 regarding the landscape plan that needs to be submitted requesting that care be taken to add planting on all sides around the house in areas where there are vacancies. There are already existing trees around the house, however, there has been input from some of the neighbors that when the landscape plan is submitted that care be taken for any views, blocking the views from any living area and the windows around the sides of the house. The last sentence of Condition 5 will read "shall take into consideration appropriate and adequate trees to be required on the south west side of the lot between the road and the house and on the north, south and east sides of the lot in order to assist in the screening of the house from the road way and neighboring properties". Also, for Site Development projects that have pools proposed, Ms. Niles will be adding the standard pool conditions which will be added as #12. Chairman Pahl stated that the last time they discussed the issue of basements was on the project off Magdalena and he asked Staff if the Council had provided guidance on basements. Ms. Niles responded that the Council had made some suggestions for consideration for changes to the zoning code. Those suggestions will return to the Planning Commission as soon as the Housing Element is completed. She felt that the basement issue would be one of the first issues to be discussed. Ms. Niles stated that there may be a possibility that the Council may consider changes to the code that would require that the basement be sunk more than 6' in order not to have a half floor or to have 2' to 3' visible above ground. Another consideration was, for an example, if a project had more than 5,000 sq. ft. that maybe 25% of it would be counted as floor area which would encourage a smaller area above ground if the applicant wanted a large underground area. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Glen Cahoon, G & G Design, the applicant's designer, stated for clarification, that the garage and basement area was not included in any of the floor area computations and this was discussed at the Site Analysis meeting. He also stated that he greatly appreciated all the help and direction given by Staff and the Planning Commission. He discussed the driveway being revised to a maximum 15% slope; reduced the square footage from 4,024 to 3,904 MFA and 8,092 to 7,726 MDA to reduce the mass and bulk; lowered the family room elevation by 3', the nook floor elevation by 2' and the master suite elevation by TV' to better step the residence with the natural grade; basement Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED January 27, 1993 Page 3 kw patio has been eliminated and the basement is completely under the residence with the exception of the garage door entrances; overhang has been increased from 6" to 18" for a greater shadow line. He stated that they had gone through the County Health Department for a sign off on the septic system. It was his understanding since Giuliani and Kull, Civil Engineers, designed the septic system that the property was not close to a sewer connection. Chairman Pahl discussed with Mr. Cahoon the design of the house and the appearance of three stories; the garage, the primary windows and the windows above. Mr. Cahoon stated that if it were a condition of approval to change the windows he felt that would not be a problem. Mr. Cahoon continued by discussing the basement and the fact that in the previous plan the basement was a little more exposed with a well and windows. There are no windows in the basement now and the only thing that faces to the outside are the three garage doors. He further discussed the steepness of the driveway being reduced. Chairman Pahl asked what was the absolute height of the property, from the bottom of the garage from the driveway to the peak of the highest point of the roof. Mr. Cahoon stated that it was 32' which is far less than previously designed. L Commissioner Ellinger asked how he reduced the driveway slope down to 15% while fir' they stepped the house down at the same time. Mr. Cahoon stated that at that particular location he raised the garage up. Where he stepped the house down was on the other side of the garage. The garage came up 2'. Commissioner Ellinger discussed the basement and asked if Mr. Cahoon had a preference for a window in the basement. Mr. Cahoon responded stating that he would like to have a window in the basement. Mr. Cahoon had removed the basement window from the original design because he was under the impression that the Commission did not approve of the window as it would give the feeling of a third level. Commissioner Schreiner asked how they were proposing to get from the house to the pool and asked if there was a gravel walk way or stepping stones. Mr. Cahoon stated that there were stepping stones which would go out the family room onto the patio area and down some steps, and from there it was a stepping stone walkway to the pool area. It was stated that because this is less than 4' in width, it is not counted in the MDA. Mr. Cahoon stated that they were trying to conserve as much MDA as possible so that at a later date if the owners would like a different hardscape, there would not be a problem with development area. Chairman Pahl stated that the pool was part of this application and asked Mr. Cahoon if he had calculated the pool development area in the MDA and the response was yes. Mr. Cahoon also discussed the height of the wall that would be to the left when coming down the driveway and turning to the right. Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED January 27, 1993 Page 4 Bob Taylor, 16601 Oakland Avenue, Morgan Hill, discussed the sewer and that it was determined impossible to connect to a sewer. Commissioner Schreiner asked for the cut and fill figures as she felt that there was more cut and fill with the redesign now that the basement has been lowered. Mr. Cahoon stated that the cut and fill figures were less with the redesign. He also stated that there would be some off premise hauling primarily due to the basement and they had discussed this with Staff and thought this was mentioned in Condition 11. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Commissioner Stutz, in discussing condition 9, stated that she was not sure that they had a previous pathway installed on this property, however, a pathway should be installed and not just repaired damage if there was not one there. Ms. Niles will check on the pathway. Commissioner Sinunu stated that he had a concern with this application previously and part of the concern related to being so close to the maximum MDA. In reviewing the redesign he went by the property and felt the design has been improved. He also felt that there should be ample landscape around the perimeter to block it from the property f below. Chairman Pahl stated that he had two requests that the Commission should give consideration to. First, on the last page of the plan (if numbered it would be page 6), he felt that the highest row of windows above the garage should be eliminated as they give a three story appearance and he felt it was desirable that they eliminate three story appearances. His second suggestion was a concern over the pool and driving down a 15% slope. He suggested not approving the pool at this time and to bring the landscape and pool plan back to the Planning Commission for approval after they see what the driveway and house will look like on this site. Chairman Pahl felt that while the numbers look feasible, there would be a lot of grading and construction and his suggestion would not deny the pool but only delay approval of the pool to be reviewed with the landscape plan during construction. Commissioner Stutz asked if possibly the reason the pool was being submitted now was because the grading would have to be done before the driveway is finished. She asked if it would be difficult to reach the back to do the grading and install the pool after completing the driveway. Chairman Pahl responded no. It was felt that it was not a significant vertical distance between the pool and the turn around between the third and fourth parking space. He f felt that this suggestion supported Commissioner Sinunu's concern regarding landscaping. The landscaping and pool plan can be submitted after the house is sealed. Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED January 27, 1993 Page 5 Commissioner Ellinger stated that he was troubled by approving a pool now. What he thought he would see on the Plan would be a reversal position of the pool and the leach field for two reasons; to eliminate the possibility of a car going into the pool and he also felt that the view of the pool would be better from the family room rather than the living room. He stated that he was not troubled by the window in the back over the garage that has the transom windows over it. He felt that it was a design element which he liked and it does have a significant amount of roof on the elevation above it. He did not feel that it contributed to a story view. Commissioner Ellinger stated that he was concerned with building a basement without daylight. He was concerned about it for safety reasons and practicality. He further discussed the possibility of moisture in the basement and the difficulty of drying it out without a window. He did not like the idea of a basement window that is day lighted and with a side exposure that gives you a full three story look. However, if it could be done with a well where you provide light yet it is not seen from an off site view, he felt it would be far better. He recommended that a comment be added to the conditions regarding the basement window, if approved, that would give the Staff an opportunity to work out an acceptable daylight arrangement for the basement. MOTION SECONDED AND FAILED: Motion by Commissioner Ellinger and seconded by Commissioner Sinunu to approve the Site Development Permit with the 4, recommended conditions of approval and requesting the pool and the landscape plan return to the Planning Commission for approval and add to Condition 9 that a pathway be installed. There was a discussion regarding the modification of the basement and Ms. Niles was asked if they do not say anything about day lighting the basement, does she have the authority to make that revision. Ms. Niles stated that the only way she would be able to approve something like this would be if it did not change the exterior of the elevation, if you could not see the change, and if it was a modification that was not visible so that the design that the Commission would approve would be the design constructed on the lot. She requested that the Commission indicate that they do not have a problem with the applicant working with Staff to come up with a basement window that would not be visible. Add to motion Condition 13, that the Commission would like the applicant to work with Staff to provide a daylight arrangement for the basement provided that it would not create an off site appearance of a three story construction. AYES: Commissioners Simmu, Cheng & Ellinger NOES: Chairman Pahl, Commissioners Stutz & Schreiner ABSENT: Commissioner Comiso Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED January 27, 1993 Page 6 4 Commissioner Stutz stated that her no vote was strictly regarding the window well proposition. Being a tie vote, no action has been taken. Chairman Pahl stated that he would support Commissioner Ellinger's motion if the window above the garage was eliminated. He stated that he would not support a three story eliminate. Commissioner Stutz stated that if the owner would like to do away with the window well in the basement she would support the application as is. Commissioner Ellinger asked if the project were approved as proposed without any comments regarding any windows, would the applicant have the ability to come back and petition to add a window well. Ms. Niles stated yes, and then it would be her determination as to whether it would be an administrative approval if it could be considered in substantial conformance with the original approval as discussed previously. She stated that she would also have the option of returning any modifications back to the Planning Commission for their review if she felt uncomfortable. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Ellinger and seconded by Commissioner Stutz to approve the Site Development Permit with the recommended conditions of approval, changing Condition 9 to state that a pathway be installed and requesting that the pool and the landscape plan be returned to the Planning Commission for approval. AYES: Commissioners Simmu, Stutz, Cheng, Ellinger & Schreiner NOES: Chairman Pahl ABSENT: Commissioner Comiso This item will appear on the City Council consent calendar February 3, 1993. 5. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business. 6. OLD BUSINESS 6.1 Discussion of the Housing Element of the General Plan (continued from the January 13th special study session held at 5:30 p.m. and the regular Planning Commission meeting of January 13, 1993) will continue after adjournment of the regular meeting. Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED January 27, 1993 Page 7 4 7. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 13, 1993 MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Schreiner and seconded by Commissioner Cheng to approve the Minutes of January 13,1993. AYES: Chairman Pahl, Commissioners Cheng, Ellinger, Schreiner & Stutz NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Comiso ABSTAIN: Commissioners Simmu 8. REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 6,1993 Commissioner Schreiner was the Planning Commission representative. Items discussed: Garbage rate increase; continued discussion on Lands of Viso and approval of the application; three easements excepted on the Lands of Markoff on central Altamont and an off road path; Roger Burnell produced an extremely well done report for the Community Relations Committee regarding the float; a report from the sub- committee (Elayne Dauber and Bill Siegel) on the Vidovich property; an update of the Planning Commission's review of the Housing Element. 9. REPORT FROM THE SITE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING OF fi DECEMBER 29,1992 9.1 LANDS OF SHAKER, 12476 Briones Way; A request for a Site Development Permit for a Landscape/Hardscape Plan. Approved with conditions. 9.2 LANDS OF RUCCOLO, 24719 Prospect Avenue; A request for a Site Development Permit for a Landscape and Deck Plan. Approved with conditions. 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 8:20 p.m. to a committee meeting for the continued discussion of the Housing Element. Respectfully submitted, LaniLonberger Planning Secretary