Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/12/2005Minutes of a Regular Meeting Approved 6/23/05 Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2005, 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road cc: Cassettes (1) #5-05 ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Chairman Kerns, Commissioners Collins, Carey, Cottrell & Clow Staff: Cut Cahill, Planning Director; Brian Froelich. Assistant Planner; Lam Smith, Planning Secretary 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR -none 4 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.1 LANDS OF LOS ALTOS HILLS, TOWN HALL SITE (Purissima Hills Water District, Applicant) 26375 Fremont Road (35-05-ZP-SD-CUP); A request for a Site Development Permit and Conditional Use Permit for the proposed 1,948 square foot new office building on the Town owned 2.72 acre site (CEQA Status Exempt per 15303(c)) (staff -Brian Froelich). Staff introduced this item by viewing the 2.72 acre site with the aid of a power point presentation highlighting the different aspects of the new project Initially the Conditional Use Permit will be reviewed after one (1) year and then once every five (5) years. Froelich indicated a correction to the staff report on page two, existing development area. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Gary Sawka, 12838 Concepcion Road, neighbor most impacted, reviewed the size of the new building and asked if the Water District and the Town could use some of the same facilities so the construction would not be so large. The neighborly thing to do would be to try and set an example, minimize the amount of building on this site. Both should share the meeting facilities, working together to minimize construction on the site (do not re -duplicate). He felt the existing building could be remodeled and they could use Town Hall facilities. The existing building location seems to be very convenient to use shared facilities or the new proposal could be 4 reduced in size. A better use of the proposed area is to turn it into a mini park. For clarification, �/ it was determined that Mr. Sawka would prefer having the existing Water District building Planning Commission Minutes Approved 6/23/05 May 12, 2005 Page 2 kmr remodeled and share some of the meeting spaces at Town Hall which he felt would be more convenient. Regarding screening, he indicated that the four way stop and the proposed trees will help but it still seems foolish to build a new facility with such low usage. Grace Sawka, 12838 Concepcion Road, reiterated comments made by her husband indicating the structure should be more modest. She would also prefer the area be used as a mini park. Natalie Shu, 26363 Esperanza Drive, referred to a meeting held on March 9`n where there was a discussion regarding the parking lot landscaping. Planning Director Cahill, for clarification, stated that the landscaping for the parking lot would be deferred until next year when the Water District building is complete and all the construction equipment is gone. There will be a hearing to discuss the landscape screening. Ms. Shu continued discussing future landscape screening of the parking area. She had been misinformed regarding the size of the new Water District building which was clarified by the Planning Director. Dan Seidel, 26642 Purissima Road, Vice President of the Water District, stated that the current semi termite infested building is approximately 960 to 1000 square feet and not in very good structural condition. The District decided it would be better to have a new building for the next ` 50 years (new lease) than the current structure. If during that time, the Water District moves out, w the building would revert back to the Town. He indicated that the District sent out a letter to every property owner within 500 feet of the parcel indicating no response to that letter. They have also contacted the more immediate neighbors with no objections noted. He felt a concern may be with the orange story poles which may appear imposing. He discussed the size, shape and orientation of the proposed building. He stated that the entire Water District is run from that building (not just office space). They have four employees who will be working in the building; perhaps a fifth soon. He felt this was an appropriate time to view the next 50 years regarding space needs. This is how the size was established. Commissioner Kerns asked if the cost of the construction would be passed on to the water users? Mr. Seidel responded that the District has one source of revenue, their customers, although he did not anticipate any impact on their customers. Mr. Seidel commented on the idea of reducing the size of their facility and sharing some of the facilities at Town Hall. He noted that they have done this in the past when they have had an issue that would draw a big audience using the Council Chambers or when not available they held meetings at Bullis or Pinewood School. They really do not need much space for meetings. They have their own Board meetings once or twice a month as well as planning meetings and they use meeting space for training, meeting with customers, and just general business of the District. Certainly if they anticipate over 100 people at a meeting, they would like to use the Council Chambers. The flip side is that if the Town needed a meeting space they would be happy to share their room with whatever committee. This offer has been made in the past. They want to be good neighbors and good tenants. Planning Commission Minutes May 12, 2005 Page 3 CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Approved 6/23/05 Commissioner Collins was not sure it was their role to discuss the Water District's space planning and the need for the space. Commissioner Kerns agreed. Planning Director Cahill stated that the Water District is served by an elected Board and residents would need to approach that Board to discuss space issues, revenues, etc. He also noted that the Council has entered into a new lease with the Water District that was subject to public hearings. The lease allows the Water District to construct a new building. It was noted that the Water District and Town Hall will be sharing the parking area. He further noted that the Council Chambers are used for the Planning Commission and City Council and the Town facilities are constantly being booked. The Town has dozens of committees who use the facilities as well as miscellaneous meetings. The Council Chambers do not sit empty. Commissioner Collins questioned the entry to the building on the east side asking why they didn't put the entrance on the north side so folks can walk straight in. She also questioned the patio located at the driveway entrance to Town Hall which would not be appropriate for staff lunches, etc. She requested that the space not be called "patio" and the space be used for native plants or a garden which shows a better use of water instead of a paved patio. She also asked that any signage designed for the Water District building be consistent in quality to Town Hall signage. 4fiI John Miller, project architect, stated he wanted to have a presence on the street so when people drive by it would be clear that this was the Water District building. He did not feel they needed to face the parking lot. Regarding the patio, he felt it would be integrated within the landscaping project. The patio is an outgrowth of the room and could be used on warm nights when having a Board meeting. Other than that, they did not feel it would be used very often. Commissioner Cottrell liked the proposal. He has heard the neighbors but as stated by the Planning Director, those issues should have been directed to the elected members of the Water District. The Town Council has made the land available, the building meets all of the codes, it will only be 16 feet in height, and landscape mitigation will make this building attractive and fairly invisible. He voiced support of the project. Commissioner Carey agreed. The plans fit the ordinances and he has no significant objection to the proposal. It is unfortunate that the neighbors are concerned but he felt with the landscape screening plan the concerns can be successfully addressed. Commissioner Clow agreed with Commissioner Cottrell's comments and supports the project. Chairman Kerns also supported the project. He did not have an issue with the patio area as landscaping can mitigate the area. He agreed with Commissioner Collins regarding the signage which should match and be consistent with the new Town Hall. For clarification, he noted that the landscape screening plan will be reviewed after the building is framed to add additional landscaping, as needed. He supports the design as is with no change. Planning Commission Minutes May 12, 2005 Page 4 Approved 6/23/05 MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY CONSENSUS: Motion by Commissioner Clow, seconded by Commissioner Cottrell and passed by consensus to recommend to the City Council approval for the requested Site Development Permit and Conditional Use Permit for the Purissima Hills Water District to construct a new operations center, Lands of Los Altos Hills (Town Hall site) 26375 Fremont Road. This item will appear on a future City Council agenda. 4. OLD BUSINESS -none NEW BUSINESS -none REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING 6.1 Planning Commission Representative for April 21", Commissioner Collins, reported on the following: Environmental Initiatives Committee considering solar panels and a development area credit; Lands of Alon discussion by a neighbor; and the De Anza Trail Alignment (location to be confirmed). 6.2 Planning Commission Representative for May 5ih, Commissioner Clow. reported on the following: Presentations from the Floor -Cranston -regarding the proposed traffic light on Arastradem Road. Brief discussion ensued regarding a letter received from neighbors regarding the La Lanne Court new construction and staff involvement to date. 6.3 Planning Commission Representative for May 19th — Commissioner Cottrell 6.4 Planning Commission Representative for June 2od — Commissioner Carey 7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 7.1 Approval of April 14, 2005 minutes PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To approve the April 14, 2005 minutes. 8. REPORT FROM FAST TRACK MEETING -none 9. REPORT FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETING -none k Planning Commission Minutes May 12, 2005 Page 5 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Planning Secretary 4w Approved 6/23/05