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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/22/1994N APPROVED 7/13/94 Minutes of a Regular Meeting Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION 22,1994,7:00 P.M. ;, 26379 Fremont Road cc: k asserres tcl 1. ROT 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: Vice -Chair Ellinger, Commissioners Schreiner, Stutz & Takamoto Absent: Chairman Comiso, Commissioners Cheng & McMahon Staff: Linda Niles, Planning Director, Lani Lonberger, Planning Secretary 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 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. None. 4. REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF LUNE 15 1994 A public packet is available the Friday prior to the City Council meeting for the Planning Commission representative. 4.1 Vice -Chair Ellinger reported the following items were discussed at the City Council meeting: new Mayor-Elayne Dauber; approved consent calendar; Transportation Management Program ordinance approved; cable television Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 7/13/94 June 22, 1994 t Page 2 ordinance continued; discussion regarding CDBG funds ($200,000) and $13,291 was approved for ADA compliance; subcommittee (Hubbard and Dauber) formed to discuss tennis court material; and a June 29th meeting regarding City Council goals. 4.2 Planning Commission Representative for July 6 will be Commissioner Schreiner. 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS If you challenge the proposed action(s) in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described below, or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing. All applications approved or denied at tonight's Planning Commission meeting are subject to a 10 day waiting period during which any member of the City Council may initiate a Council review, or any member of the public may appeal the Planning Commission decision. 5.1 LANDS OF PAHL, 27431 Black Mountain Road (65-94-ZP-SD); A request for a Site Development Permit for a detached garage and a major addition to an existing residence. Ms. Niles noted that a letter had been received from Betty Dreessen, a neighbor. Staff visited the site again and noted there was heavy planting in front of the areas that are proposed to be added on. The proposed detached garage appears to be far enough back that it will not be seen from the neighboring property. Additional landscaping could be required as a landscape condition, however she did not feel it would be necessary. Commissioner Schreiner discussed a new roof on the structure and the new detached garage; no trees proposed to be removed; and the property being on septic. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Stephen Pahl, 27431 Black Mountain Road, applicant, noted the entire roof will be removed and replaced, most likely, with composite slate. The garage will have a flat tar and gravel roof set into the hillside. In discussing the conditions of approval (#5), he noted one large oak tree cannot be fenced at the dripline without tearing down the house. They will have the tree checked during construction. The garage (241/2 feet in height) will be brought up to code. He discussed the design of the addition and the detached garage which will be set into the hillside with no drainage concerns. The detached garage wall is actually a retaining wall. He noted that he can presently see his neighbor's pool from four rooms of his house and will not be able to see any more of the pool after construction of the addition. The flat roof garage is being designed now to Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 7/13/94 June 22, 1994 Page 3 4 accommodate a two story in the event a future owner or himself decide to put a secondary structure on the property. Also, the goal was to blend the garage into the hillside and not make it more obtrusive than it is. Betty Dreessen, 27447 Edgerton Road, neighbor, discussed her letter sent to the Planning Commission and her concerns with the addition, the view of her pool; the added two feet; and her easement. She requested that the Paws replace the survey stakes on the property as some of the stakes have fallen down. She further discussed landscaping for mitigation. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING The Planning Commission discussed the application noting modest improvements in relationship to the large amount of floor and development area remaining. They discussed landscaping for screening of the pool, noting landscaping can be planted on both sides of a property line. Ms. Niles noted that the addition proposed is only a slight pop -out on the second story in the den. The circular portion is a one story portion with existing landscape which will screen that view. It was felt any landscaping required would be covered in condition 2 as noted in the staff report. It was suggested that condition 5 be left to staff discretion regarding the large oak which will not be able to be fenced at 4.. the drip line. The applicant noted that he was in agreement with the conditions �r of approval. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Stutz and seconded by Commissioner Schreiner to approve the application as conditioned by staff. AYES: Vice -Chair Ellinger, Commissioners Takamoto, Schreiner & Stutz NOES: None ABSENT: Chairman Comiso, Commissioners Cheng & McMahon The approval is subject to a 10 day appeal period. 5.2 LANDS OF NGUYEN, 11632 Rebecca Lane (82-94-ZP-SD); A request for a Site Development Permit for an addition and pool. Staff had nothing further to add to the staff report noting that the conditions of approval placed on the tennis court (1992) are part of this approval. Vice -Chair Ettinger questioned the accuracy of the MDA/MFA figures being +1/+16. Ms. Niles noted that the driveway will be taken up and will be replaced with grasscrete. The development area saved will be used for the addition and pool. Also noted was that this piece of property has two human habitation setback lines. Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 7/13/94 June 22, 1994 Page 4 OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Larry Sturda, 905 Commercial Street, San Jose, represented Anthony Pools. He discussed the design of the pool on the plan being rectangle although they plan to modify the shape somewhat without deviation of square footage allowed. He received clarification regarding the request for the pool equipment enclosure. A discussion ensued regarding fencing around the pool and an alarm, if the house serves as one side of the enclosure with doorways going out to the pool, as required by UBC. Commissioner Schreiner questioned how they intend to walk around the pool without any kind of decking since they do not have any development area left. Mr. Sturda noted that was the reason for modifying the pool. The size of the pool was designed to allocate 910 square feet. The pool square footage will be smaller and the remaining square footage will be in decking which will include the pool equipment enclosure. Richard Meyers, 624 E. Evelyn, Sunnyvale, architect, noted the development areas were worked out closely with the planning department and basic rules were followed. The area going into the garage will be the open block with grass planting. The surface is definitely hard enough to drive on. In answer to a question regarding the slope of the driveway and whether it is safe for grasscrete, L he stated the slope was 7% or 8% and it was safe for driving. He noted approval 4r' of the conditions noted in the staff report. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Commissioner Takamoto had no problem with the addition which he felt was a good design, blending in with the existing house which adds square footage to the entertainment area in the back. He had questioned the tennis court previously as this was the perfect example of how not to design a tennis court. The retaining wall does not retain anything. Ms. Niles noted that the retaining wall on the original approval of the tennis court was shown differently. This was an element of the plan that was not part of the original approval but was in the second set of plans submitted but not noticed. Commissioner Stutz did not feel the grasscrete would meet the "high heel test" by the garage. Ms. Niles noted that the area directly in front of the garage was solid concrete. If you are parking in the flat area, you will be stepping onto grasscrete. Commissioner Stutz did not feel there was even one foot of development area left on the property. The area leading out of the new game room double doors do not show any step or series of steps. The design does not show the finished floor level of the addition. It should show some kind of step out pad. She noted that they are not showing any entrance to the new area on the plan which require 4 some square footage. Also not showing is the pool equipment site which would Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 7/13/94 June 22, 1994 Page 5 tar require additional square footage, or steps from the game room from the double doors. She suggested not approving all of the addition; only 20 X 32 instead of 22 X 33 which would reduce the square footage by approximately 200 square feet. She was also concerned with the length of time taken for the construction of the tennis court. She would like to see the landscaping in place as required. There seems to be a problem with completion of the previous project. Mr. Nguyen, 11632 Rebecca Lane, applicant, noted that the tennis court was almost completed. After that time, the landscape will be completed, however not until sometime next year. Vice -Chair Ellinger summarized the concerns: the walkway to the pool; pool equipment location and a place for it; access to the back of the house; the high heel rule and grasscrete; and the pool not going in as shown on the plan. Also a concern of Commissioner Schreiner's was putting structures into both Human Habitation Setback areas ( a pool and a tennis court). She would like to see the project scaled back. The Commission had concerns and discussed a re -design. Commissioner Takamoto asked staff for clarification of the high heel rule relating to stepping stones. Staff answered, noting that the UBC requires some landing outside all doorways depending on the distance between the floor level and the pad level. Some small area would be required outside the doorway as a solid concrete pad and then stepping stones could be used the rest of the way. Commissioner Stutz noted that the present plans of the house show a sliding glass door without a solid pad to step down on. Also, there is the area leading out of the new game room double doors without any step or series of steps either. There are omissions on the plans requiring correction along with the correct calculations. Mr. Meyers noted that the applicant does not want to reduce the size of the addition. They can cut down the pool and maybe a few inches on the building. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Schreiner and seconded by Commissioner Stutz to continue the application for a re -design to address items of concerns noted by the Planning Commission. AYES: Vice -Chair Ellinger, Commissioners Stutz, Takamoto & Schreiner NOES: None ABSENT: Chairman Comiso, Commissioners Cheng m c yna hc-.— This item will be continued to the July 27th meeting at the request of the applicant. Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 7/13/94 June 22,1994 Page 6 5.3 LANDS OF CHANG, 24712 Olive Tree Court (92-94-ZP-SD); A request for a Site Development Permit for a second story addition. Mrs. Davis introduced this item noting that due to the slope on the lot, the development area numbers are low. They are removing some development area and adding some to stay at the same level. An adjacent neighbor expressed some concern with the addition and their views. She had visited the site again and noted the neighbor's predominate view is a bay view in front of the house. She did not feel the project would impact them. She showed the neighbors the plan and asked them, after viewing the story poles, to express any concern in writing. They have left on vacation and did not contact her prior to leaving. There is vegetation between the two properties and she felt they would not see much of the addition from their house as they are set back from the property line. The adjacent neighbors are looking at the house now with the addition only popping out a little closer towards them. Commissioner Schreiner noted that this lot was part of a recorded subdivision. She asked what the development figures were at the time of the subdivision since they are so far over development area. She also asked if everything was permitted. Ms. Niles noted that all of the development was constructed in 1961. Mrs. Davis noted that the area under the addition will be grass so they will be losing a parking space. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Edward Sit, 100 Brookwood Road, Orinda, architect, clarified that the first and second floor count as development area. It was noted that the driveway was a large part of the development area. He reported the addition was only 432 square feet. He discussed condition 5 regarding one tree which is close to the development which they plan to save. Condition 7 requires fire retardant roofing being required for the addition. The present roof material is cedar shake and intend to have the same material for the addition. Staff noted that any addition over a certain square footage must have a fire retardancy classification of A or B, as defined in the UBC. They will check the exact square footage and advise the applicant. Commissioner Takamoto discussed the roof of the addition not being compatible with the existing design. He suggested a flat roof. This would lower the height of the building by two to three feet from the view of the neighbor above. He noted the overage of development area was due to the existing (1989) formula. The applicant agreed with the conditions of approval. They will work with staff regarding the fencing of the tree which is close to the construction. Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 7/13/94 June 22, 1994 Page 7 MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Takamoto and seconded by Commissioner Schreiner to approve the application as conditioned by staff. AYES: Vice -Chair Ellinger, Commissioners Stutz, Schreiner & Takamoto NOES: None ABSENT: Chairman Comiso, Commissioners Cheng & McMahon The approval is subject to a 10 day appeal period. Brief break at 8:55 p.m. 5.4 LANDS OF CHAN,14295 Saddle Mountain Road (61-94-ZP-SDGD); A request for a Site Development Permit for a New Residence (continued from June 8, 1994). At the applicant's request, this application was continued to July 13, 1994. 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.1 Council direction on lighting conditions. Ms. Niles reported that the reason the City Council questioned lighting was because they were concerned with placing conditions on approval which requires lighting be on motion sensors. She read the City Council discussion from the June 1st minutes. Dauber believed residents should be allowed to have a reasonable amount of lighting without motion sensors. Tryon also thought reasonable safety lighting was appropriate and was concerned about restricting necessary outdoor lighting. Seigel suggested neighbors advising each other if lighting was negatively impacting them. On this aspect it was noted that outside lighting should shine towards the house. He further supported the lighting issue being discussed at the time of Site Development. The City Council agreed that the Site Development Committee would address the lighting issues, case by case. Vice -Chair Ellinger commented the source of illumination should not be seen off site. He discussed types of lights and suggested perhaps sending out a notice to residents reminding them of what is not permitted. Ms. Niles noted presently they do not have any authority in the code to discuss this with people who have existing lighting as discussed. There are several zoning ordinance amendments that will be brought to the Planning Commission in the future which will include [ the authority to look at lighting when it is reported to be obtrusive. 4 Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 7/13/94 June 22, 1994 Page 8 Commissioner Stutz asked Ms. Niles if all pool equipment enclosures should be roofed. She responded that staff only requires when needed. Commissioner Schreiner briefly mentioned the Little League Field; the Fremont Hills Country Club swim meet scheduled for Thursday; and the letter from Mr. Sereni regarding a tour of the stables. OLD BUSINESS 7.1 General Plan Elements -Update schedule for work sessions. a. Land Use Element -Continued. b. Circulation Element -Staff Review. C. Conservation Element -Continued. d. Scenic Highways Elements -Continued. e. Open Space Element -Continued. 7.2 General Plan Elements -Review Status was updated. 7.3 Rotating Schedule for attendance of City Council Meetings 1994/1995 will be provided to the Planning Commissioners after appointment of a new Planning Commissioner. 8. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 8.1 Approval of the April 27,1994 Minutes. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To approve the minutes of April 27,1994 with a change to "$50,000" on page two. 8.2 Approval of the May 11, 1994 Minutes. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To approve the minutes of May 11, 1994. 8.3 Approval of the May 25, 1994 Minutes. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To approve the minutes of May 25, 1994. 8.4 Approval of the June 8, 1994 Minutes. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To approve the minutes of June 8,1994. Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 7/13/94 June 22,1994 ( Page 9 9. REPORT FROM THE SITE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING OF TUNE 7 AND 14. 1994 9.1 LANDS OF TSUI, 13928 La Paloma Drive; A request for a Site Development Permit for a Pool, Hardscape and Landscape. Approved with conditions June 7,1994. 9.2 LANDS OF YOUNG, 27840 Saddle Court; A request for a Site Development Permit for a Landscape Plan (continued to June 14, 1994). Approved with conditions June 14, 1994. 9.3 LANDS OF WILLIAMS, 26636 Altamont Road; A request for a Site Development Permit for a pool and spa. Approved with conditions June 14,1994. 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:40 p.m. Respectfully fully ssuubmiitttted, $ Lam Lonberger Planning Secretary taw