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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/12/1993L APPROVED �r Minutes of a Regular Meeting Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION Wednesday, May 12,1993, 7:30 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road cc: Cassettes 89-93 (1) 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, Comiso, Ellinger, Schreiner, & Stutz Absent: Commissioner Sinunu Staff: Linda Niles, Town Planner; Lani Lonberger, Planning Secretary 46r 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR 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 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. None 4. REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 5 1993 4.1 Planning Commission Representative was Commissioner Schreiner. There were 3 items on the consent calendar which were heard at the April 28th meeting. There were some questions on the Lands of Reddy on Magdalena which were resolved without the application being pulled. The concerns were: drainage on the grasscrete area answered by the City Engineer; slope of the driveway; maneuverability and turning radius if the Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED May 12,1993 Page 2 garage door was closed and the one parking space was occupied. The Council made a determination that there was enough development area left to add on and the City Attorney determined that this could be done without pulling this item. The turning radius was important also to prevent someone from having to back down the driveway. Other items discussed were the Norheim dedication being accepted; the application for the farm equipment placement by the Heritage House which is to the left of the house between the walnut tree and the far side of the path; use of broken concrete instead of the 1/4 ton boulders for Adobe Creek and this discussion will continue; continuing report regarding the Quarry and Commissioner Schreiner suggested to the Staff that since this item would be returning to the Planning Commission, some sort of information sheet could be prepared for the Commission regarding the deliberations and the discussions from the Council; General Plan update schedule; meals for the Planning Commission; Lands of Merrill, continued. Commissioner Comiso stated that it should be realized that drainage was reviewed by the City Engineer, and the Planning Commission should not be questioned regarding drainage concerns. This is Staff's responsibility. Regarding the Lands of Reddy, maneuverability of the driveway was not discussed by the Planning Commission at their April 28th meeting. She further discussed driveway standards. 5. PT JBII HEARINGS 5.1 LANDS OF CARSE, 27125 Taaffe Road; A request for a Site Development Permit for a Landscape, Hardscape, Pool, Spa and Fence Plan (continued from the Site Development Committee Meeting of April 20, 1993). Ms. Niles introduced this item stating that there were two conditions needing correction. Condition 12 should be deleted as it is not required, and Condition 11 regarding drain lines being daylighted. The City Engineer has worked this out with the applicant's engineer and an alternate drainage plan was produced which will work better. Condition 11 will be changed to read "all drain lines shall be as designated by the City Engineer". Items discussed were the pathway easement and the recommendations from the Pathway Chairman. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Sandy Carse, 27125 Taaffe Road, applicant, stated that she had nothing further to add. She had read the recommended conditions of approval and the only questions of concern had already been addressed by Ms. Niles. Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED May 12,1993 Page 3 4*0 Commissioner Stutz discussed the lighting on the property, keeping lighting to a minimum and not allowing any up lighting of a tree. Some properties in Town were not allowed any lights along the walkways except at the steps for safety. Mrs. Carse stated that all the lighting would be individually controlled and would not be on a timer. There was a recommendation to relocate some of the lights, however, they plan to remove some of the lights. Commission Stutz suggested having the lighting plan return to the Planning Commission for approval and to make sure that the lights were viewed in the evening with all lights on. Mrs. Carse agreed with the request. Chairman Pahl suggested requesting the outdoor lighting be put on a rheostat. Commissioner Ellinger discussed condition B, "directed away from adjacent properties'. He suggested down lights for the walking areas only for safety. He also discussed a sensory lighting system and low wattage lights. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING MOTION SECONDED, AMENDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Comiso and seconded by Commissioner Stutz to approve application with the following changes: Site Development condition #3 to add 'outdoor lighting to be on rheostats; #2 to require the lighting plan to return to the Planning Commission for approval including night viewing of all lighting; change #11 "all drain lines shall be as designated by the City Engineer'; #12 to be deleted. Commissioner Stutz discussed the landscaping and suggested, by requiring redlining, that the only landscaping that was required at this time was the planting of the live oaks which are all the larger trees which need to be started as soon as possible. The maker of the motion accepted the amendment. AYES: Chairman Pahl, Commissioners Stutz, Cheng, Comiso, Ellinger & Schreiner NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Simmu Commissioner Ellinger suggested photographing the night lighting in a way to illustrate a proper example of lighting. Ms. Niles explained the 10 day appeal period and all conditions listed at the end of the Staff Report must be completed/reviewed and signed off by the Town Planner and the City Engineer prior to acceptance of construction plans for plan check by the building department. Planning Commission Minutes May 12, 1993 Page 4 APPROVED 5.2 LANDS OF LEUNG, 25386 La Loma Drive; A request for a Site Development Permit for a Remodel, Addition and Driveway Modification. Ms. Niles introduced this item stating there was a change to condition #11. The street should be La Loma Drive rather than Magdalena Road. Staff recommended approval. Commissioner Schreiner discussed the staff report and the additional back-up space needed for adequate maneuvering for all vehicles out of the carport. She also questioned the location of the 20' pathway. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Raymond Leung, 25386 La Loma Drive, applicant, discussed conditions of approval, with special concerns regarding 2, 3, 8, 11 and 12 which were all explained to his satisfaction by Ms. Niles. Commissioner Schreiner asked Mr. Leung if he was planning on putting in a new septic system. Mr. Leung stated that he was only updating his system. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Commissioner Schreiner clarified that the easement only needed to be cleared. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Schreiner and seconded by Commissioner Cheng to approve with the recommended conditions. AYES: Chairman Pahl, Commissioners Ellinger, Schreiner, Stutz, Cheng & Comiso NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Sinunu This item will appear on the City Counsel consent calendar for May 19, 1993. 5.3 LANDS OF LEE, 26459 Taaffe Road; A request for a Site Development Permit for a New Residence and Driveway Relocation. Ms. Niles introduced this item stating there was a change to condition 411. The street should be Taaffe Road and Vista del Valle Court rather than Magdalena Road. Commissioner Schreiner discussed connection to sewer and it was determined that the project was too far to connect. She also discussed the two driveways proposed and asked if one driveway was considered. Ms. Niles felt the applicant could answer this ( question. Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED May 12,1993 Page 5 OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Mr. Lee, 26459 Taaffe Road, applicant, discussed the conditions of approval and felt they were acceptable. He discussed the issue of the two driveways proposed and he did not feel they were dangerous. Chairman Pahl asked Mr. Lee, regarding the two entrances that both come onto Taaffe Road, if he had considered accessing from one part of the property from Vista del Valle Court and from one part of the property from Taaffe rather than having both exit from Taaffe. It would seem to reduce the amount of development on the property and would make it safer and easier to enter and exit from Vista del Valle Court. Chairman Pahl questioned the fact that there was not a garage currently on the Vista del Valle side of the house and the new plan does not indicate a garage, only a driveway. He asked if they planned to have a garage on that side of the house. Mr. Lee stated that he had lived on the property for 21 years and had not experienced any difficulty with Taaffe Road. He felt that in order to have a driveway off of Vista del Valle he would have to remove at least 3 large pine trees. In answer to the garage question, he stated that the driveway was to access the kitchen area. Chairman Pahl stated that the plan was incorrect as the trees are not shown on the plan. He felt that it would be less obtrusive to have one of the accesses off of Vista del Valle Court. His concern was that they are proposing a house that is very prominent and his goal was to try to minimize that prominence. One of the ways to accomplish this was not to have the driveway access near the corner of Vista del Valle and Taaffe. He did appreciate the screening that has been done, however, he felt it would be beneficial not to have the second access on to Taaffe. He suggested instead of having a 60' drive in from Taaffe, bring in a 30' drive in from Vista del Valle. Mr. Lee stated that he would study this suggestion. Ms. Niles stated one of the considerations of an access off Vista del Valle would be lessening the pavement and eliminate the close drive to the corner. She would be concerned in respect to investigating whether or not there was a private road maintenance agreement on Vista del Valle because that is a private road and a subdivision of a private road. There may be a maintenance agreement that may have to be contributed to. Samuel Hong, 881 San Tomas Aquino Road, Campbell, Civil Engineer, discussed the slope of the proposed driveway location if accessed off of Vista del Valle. Discussion continued regarding driveway, extensive leach field, accuracy of the plan relating to contours, sidewalk not shown on plan to reach the front door, plan needing M Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED May 12,1993 Page 6 Itir to reflect what is being built and the bulk of this prominent home. It was suggested moving the house back and lowering the profile. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Commissioner Ellinger felt they needed more information on this project. The plan should reflect what is being built which would reflect the outdoor paving. He questioned the amount of leach field as it would tear up the property and was extensive. The plan was inaccurate in depicting the road. He was not in favor of bringing a second driveway off the corner at Taaffe. He requested this project be brought back with revisions for clarification. Commissioner Comiso would like to see the Vista del Valle entrance used and make it livable both for the neighbors and the applicant. The reason she would like this explored further was to get as much off of Taaffe. She would also like to see another area for parking cars off of Vista del Valle. The Commission received a letter from a neighbor, Mr. Happ, concerned with the trees on the east side of his property, bordering Vista del Valle Court and Commissioner Comiso felt the plan should show these trees. Chairman Pahl felt the house was very bulky. There were three items to be addressed; not all the development on the plan was reflected; a condition should be noted that the landscape plan be returned to the Planning Commission for approval; serious consideration should be given to coming off the Court, not destroying the foliage on Vista del Valle and perhaps having a meandering driveway. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Schreiner and seconded by Commissioner Ellinger to continue this application so the applicant can work with Staff regarding the Planning Commission's concerns. Mr. Lee agreed to continue this item. AYES: Chairman Pahl, Commissioners Cheng, Comiso, Ellinger & Schreiner NOES: Commissioner Stutz ABSENT: Commissioner Simmu 6. NEW BUSINESS None. 7.1 Discussion of the Housing Element of the General Plan continued from the special meeting held at 6:00 p.m. Planning Commission Minutes May 12,1993 Page 7 APPROVED 7.2 City Council approval for Mineral, Household Hazardous Waste and Source Reduction Elements to be scheduled for public hearing June 23, 1993. 7.3 Revised the General Plan Schedule with the Circulation Element included and scheduled for the June 9,1993 meeting. 7.4 The Planning Commission Representative for the May 19th City Council meeting will be Commissioner Cheng who will be replacing Commissioner Sinunu. 8. APPROVAL OF THE MINI TIES OF APRIL 28 1993 The minutes of April 28,1993 were approved by consensus with Commissioner Comiso abstaining and Commissioner Sinunu absent. 9. REPORT FROM THE SITE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING There were no scheduled Site Development Committee meetings. The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lard Lonberger Planning Secretary