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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/01/1996%W, C'! Minutes of a Regular Meeting May 1, 1996 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Meeting Wednesday, May 1, 1996,6:00 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road 1. CALL TO ORDER. ROLL CALL. AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Pro Tem Hubbard called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Mayor Pro Tem Hubbard and Councilmembers Casey (arrived at 6:30 p.m), Dauber and Johnson Absent: Mayor Siegel Staff: City Manager/City Engineer Jeff Peterson, City Attorney Sandy Sloan, Planning Director Curtis Williams, Public Works Manager Ed Taylor and City Clerk Pat Dowd Press: Clyde Noel, Los Altos Town Crier Hubbard noted that a request had been received from the Chairman of the Community Relations Committee to place an urgency item on the agenda regarding new signage in the Town, particularly for the May 18, 1996 S'Bring In The Hills Event. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously by all members present to add the request from the Community Relations Committee for signage to the agenda (Item 6.2) as an urgency item. 2. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS 3. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT The Planning Director reported that the following items were discussed at the 4/24/96 Planning Commission Meeting: 1) Lands of Wolken, 27345 Deer Springs Way: request for a site development permit for a major addition and remodel - approved; 2) Lands of Teng, 25420 Crescent Lane: request for a site development permit for an accessory building - approved; and Lands of Taaffe, 12308 Concepcion May 1, 1996 Road: request for a conditional use permit renewal for a construction equipment and storage yard - continued. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR Items Removed: 4.1 (Dauber), 4.7 (Hubbard), 4.8 (Dauber), 4.12 (City Manager) and 4.13 (City Manager) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar: 4.2 Approved Warrants: $104,667.25(4/16/%) 4.3 Decided Not To Review the following Planning Commission Action at its Meeting on April 10, 1996: 4.3a Lands of Becker, 14271 Miranda Road: approved request for a Site Development Permit for a major addition and remodel 4.4 Issued Proclamation: June 7,1996: The First Annual Enterprising Woman of the Year Award 4.5 Approved grant of Easement for Pathway, Lands of Conradson and Wilker, 13020 Cumbra Vista Court — Reso #22-96 4.6 Approved vacation of Public Utility Easement, Grant of Public Utility Easement and Irrevocable Offer of Dedication of Sanitary Sewer Easement, Lands of Wayman, 262320 Moody Road -- Resolutions #23-96 through #25-96 4.9 Accepted Briones Way as a public street -- Reso #26-96 4.10 Robleda Road Retaining Wall Project; approved recommendation for Inspection Services 4.11 Accepted Camino Hermoso as a public street -- Reso #27-96 Items Removed: 4.1 Approval of Minutes: April 17, 1996 MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Dauber and passed by the following roll call vote to approve the minutes of the April 17, 1996 City Council Meeting with the following correction: page 6. Item 9.1, second May 1, 1996 paragraph, delete first sentence and insert the following: "Shelley Doran, Planning �Aw Commissioner, commented that the Planning Commission had referred to the Design Guidelines which stated that houses on hillsides should follow the slope of the hill. However, in this particular case she believed an exception could be made because this home could not be seen from any other lot" AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Hubbard and Councilmember Dauber NOES: None ABSENT: Councilmember Casey ABSTAIN: Councilmember Johnson 4.7 Grant of Sanitary, Public Utility, Water and Storm Drain Easement and Vacation of a Sanitary, Public Utility, Water and Storm Drain Easement, Lands of Winner, 24040 Oak Knoll Circle -- Resolutions # Hubbard noted that the plats did not correctly reflect all of the easements referred to in the resolutions. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously by all members present to adopt Resolutions #28-96 and #29-96 (including corrected plats showing all easements) granting a Sanitary, Public Utility, Water and Storm Drain Easement and vacating a Sanitary, Public Utility, Water and p Storm Drain Easement, Lands of Winner, 24040 Oak Knoll Circle 4.8 Authorizing the execution of an agreement of governing board members for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Group 2 Cities -- Reso #____ Dauber requested clarification of this agreement and Mayor Siegel's role as a voting member. Hubbard explained that this agreement was beneficial to the Town and it was necessary that it be approved by all involved cities. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously by all members present to adopt Resolution #30-96 authorizing the execution of an agreement of governing board members for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Group 2 Cities 4.12 Award of Contract for the Edgerton Road Landslide Mitigation Town Project -- Reso #_ The City Manager noted that a corrected resolution had been prepared for this item reflecting that the contract be signed by the City Manager not the Mayor. This was in conformance with the bid documents prepared by the Town. May 1, 1996 MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously by all members present to adopt Resolution #31-96 awarding a contract for the Edgerton Road Landslide Mitigation Town Project 4.13 Denial of Final Map, Lands of Fowler The City Manager asked that the item be moved to New Business as there were options to be discussed. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To move item 4.13 to 6.3 on the agenda. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 5.1 Modification to condition requiring pathway, Lands of Wythe, Moon Lane Dr. Wythe and Ms. Vitu, applicants, addressed the Council concerning this path condition. They referred to the staff report which included the recommendation that the path not be put in at this time but rather that in lieu fees be paid in the amount of $14,500. This amount was in line with the cost of Town projects and also included administration and inspection costs. They reported that while they concurred with in lieu fees they had obtained a bid for the same project for approximately $5,700. Les Earnest, Chairman of the Pathways Recreation and Parks Committee, believed the path along Moon Lane was the best location but also commented on the unique legal status. Since the owner of Moon Lane could not be found, the Town really did not have the right to widen it. Mrs. Handley, 13818 Page Mill Road, reiterated her comments from an earlier meeting that she was not against the path but was concerned about encroachment onto her property. MOTION SECONDED AND FAILED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by Casey and failed by the following roll call vote to allow the applicants not to build the path at this time but rather to pay an in lieu fee. AYES: Councilmembers Casey and Johnson NOES: Mayor Pro Tem Hubbard and Councilmember Dauber ABSENT: Mayor Siegel MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Dauber and passed unanimously by all members present to offer the following options to Dr. Wythe and Ms. Vitu regarding the condition requiring a path on their property: 1) Pay an in lieu fee of $10,000; 2) Build the path on the shoulder of Moon Lane with May 1, 1996 ` agreement by the neighbors for a two year period; or 3) Build path as stated in the br approved conditions without the switchbacks and with a transition to the Chown property built to the satisfaction of the City Engineer. 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.1 Discussion of participation in Los Altos On Line Paul Nyberg, Editor of the Los Altos Town Crier, explained the internet program now in place at the Crier. He noted that these were exciting times in the world of shared information and he explained the government listing pages. Presently they had the Town's rosters but much more information could be shared if Council wished. This could include meeting agendas, minutes, public hearing announcements, etc. Mr. Nyberg also invited Council and staff to participate in Los Altos On Line presentations at the Los Atos Town Crier Office (Media Room) on Friday afternoons. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by Casey and passed unanimously to approve the concept of participating in the Town Crier's Internet program and to appoint the Chairman of the Community Relations Committee the liaison between the Town and the Town Crier for this program. Prior to any information going on line, said information will be brought to Council for approval. 6.2 Request from the Community Relations Committee for installation of signboards at major entrances to the Town's limits to be used for public notification Roger Burnell, Chairman of the Community Relations Committee, explained his request to place signboards at certain locations in Town to announce Town activities. He showed Council pictures of possible locations. Of particular importance was the capability to advertise the upcoming S'Bring In The Hills Event on May 18th. The City Attorney commented that she would like to review this request for clarification of who can place signs on public property and other related issues. Council also had questions about the appearance of the signs as well as the exact locations and what announcements they would be made on the signs. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To continue the request from the Community Relations Committee for signboards to a future meeting to allow for the receipt of additional information on the request but to allow temporary signs announcing the S'Bring In The Hills Event. %W May 1, 1996 6.3 Denial of Final Map, Lands of Fowler The City Manager referred to the staff report which noted that Council had two options before them: 1) to deny the Final Map; or 2) to grant an extension of the tentative map. Mr. Fowler, applicant, explained that the property was for sale and there was interest now in someone purchasing the complete four acres. He was requesting an extension of his tentative map to see if this occurred. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Casey, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously to grant a four month extension of the tentative map for Lands of Fowler, 25810 Vinedo Lane with the stipulation that the final map be brought back to Council no later than September 4, 1996. 7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES. SUB -COMMITTEES, AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES 7.1 Pathways Recreation and Parks Committee 7.1.1 Clarification of request for preliminary approval of 1` construction of Aric Lane Bridge The Chairman of the Pathway Committee explained that they would like to have Council's endorsement of this project, even though it was not yet budgeted, so that this endorsement could be sent to the City of Palo Alto in the hope that they too would endorse the project. Endorsement from both cities was necessary before the project could be scheduled for consideration. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously to endorse the bridge and pathway reconstruction leading from the end of Aric Lane into Palo Alto's Esther Clark Park. 8. STAFF REPORTS 8.1 City Manager 8.1.1 Recommendations for paths on both sides of certain roads The City Manager noted that staff would be glad to conduct tours of the recommended roads for paths on both sides. It was suggested Councilmembers contact the City Clerk to arrange for such a tour. May 1, 1996 8.2 City Attorney 8.2.1 Attorney services for the May 15,19% Meeting The City Attorney noted that she would not be at the May 15, 1996 City Council Meeting. Attending the meeting would be William McClure, City Attorney of Menlo Park. 8.3 City Clerk 8.3.1 Report on Council Correspondence dated 4/22/96 8.4 Planning Director 8.4.1 Peirce Model The Planning Director noted that the architects for the Peirce project had left the model for the project in Council Chambers for Council's review. This was an excellent example of a new home in the Town. 9. COUNCIL -INITIATED ITEMS 9.1 EI Monte - McCullouch Subdivision Path (Councilmember Casey) Casey referred to the above referenced path and believed it was a high priority that this be an emergency access road. Staff advised that easements were needed and the option of condemnation was mentioned. It was agreed that the City Attorney would bring back a report on the condemnation process. 9.2 Maintenance Program for Paths (Councilmember Casey) Casey asked if the Town had a path maintenance program and, if not, strongly urged the Town to get one in place. The Public Works Manager responded that summer help had been hired and the vegetation was being cleared. The erosion issue was also being addressed. Dauber suggested that estimates be obtained for outside crews to do this pathway work allowing the Town's crew to work on other projects. The Public Works Manager noted that it would take a lot of staff time to organize outside groups for this task while the Town's crew was familiar with the path system. 9.3 Thank you letters (Mayor Pro Tem Hubbard) Hubbard suggested and Council agreed that the Mayor send thank you notes to Michael Scott and William Smith of the Technology Improvement Committee for their work on putting the Town's Codes on disk and to Ethel Blank for her many accomplishments as Exhibit Curator. %W May 1, 1996 9.4 Lot Line Adjustments (Councilmember Dauber) Dauber commented that in her opinion the lot line adjustment which was approved in 1993 for the Lands of Jones on Via Ventana resulted in a very poor lot #2. 10. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR 11. PUBLIC HEARINGS 11.1 Request for a site development permit for a new residence and detached garage and a variance to allow driveway improvements and grading within ten feet of a property line, Lands of Shideler, 27994 Via Ventana Jay Shideler, applicant, commented on their project, specifically addressing the driveway issue. They had proposed the driveway be put in at the south end, going through the conservation easement, as a step toward working with the neighbors. He also noted their high priority of preserving the oak trees and their proposed use of native plants and trees. Their property was surrounded on three sides with a conservation easement and they had no plans for a pool or tennis court. Mr. Shideler stated that they planned to use bricks not paving for the road; would grant f a deed that they would not drive over the median; and would pay for an analyis of �W the drainage issue. Tom McNair, applicant's architect, stated that they had followed the Town's codes and guidelines. They had retained the natural atmosphere, used landscape screening, used natural colors, used house materials which had reduced fire danger, mediated the median issue, worked with the neighbors and integrated the driveway with the existing landscaping. Regarding the access issue they had brought the driveway in from the upper road but still wanted to use the lower access strictly for their own use (signing it as one way). They believed that by allowing paving on the lower portion, the drainage issue in that area would be resolved. The house does not step down but to do this the footprint would need to be larger. Since the Planning Commission did not have the authority to allow the driveway through the conservation easement, they had asked for Council review of the application. Viole McMahon, 27975 Via Ventana, commented that the median issue appeared to be resolved but she did not believe the driveway functioned as a one way road. Ms. McMahon asked if a deed restriction could be required that the median be maintained but the City Attorney responded that this could not legally be done. Robin Knutson, 27999 Via Ventana, stated her opposition to the lower driveway access. This paved road doubled the length of the driveway and the grading and May 1, 1996 affected the drainage on the neighboring lots. It was a safety issue and she saw no `,, reason for the lower driveway. Katie Stella, 27975 Via Ventana, commented on the safety issue of the driveway and the bulky almost three story facade of the proposed house. She did not believe the house fit on the land nor was it in conformance with the Town's design guidelines. Katie Kells, 27990 Via Ventana, expressed her concerns about paving this road and the issue of speeding on Page Mill and confusion when people get to Via Ventana. It was already a safety concern and she believed liability was increased by making this one way and paving the road. She also commented on the negative impact on their oak tree and the drainage issue. Victoria Gilbert, 27990 Via Ventana, stated her concerns about drainage and safety. She was not concerned about the Shidelers using the lower driveway but she was concerned about others not familiar with the property. Jeanine Knutson, 27999 Via Ventana, commented on the proposed pathway, noting that it did not go anywhere. Les Earnest, Chairman of the Pathways Recreation and Parks Committee, noted that they hoped this path would connect in the future. William Groechel, 27985 Via Ventana and Eric Gilbert, 27990 Via Ventana, stated their safety concerns about this dangerous corner. Walter Babbitt, 27911 Via Ventana, noted that he had lived in Town for 22 years and had seen a lot of development take place. He believed that allowing this applicant to put the driveway in the conservation easement would be setting a dangerous precedent. Mary Stutz, 25310 Elena, noted that according to the Fire Department either access to the property was appropriate so it was not necessary to go through the conservation easement. Pavel Curtis, 27990 Via Ventana, commented that he had lived in Town for nine years and there had been no mudslides in their area. Council discussed the application before them and the revised driveway plans. Hubbard commented that this was a major change from the plans reviewed by the Planning Commission and in his opinion there were other issues, including the siting of the house, which needed to be addressed. Dauber believed the application should be sent back to the Planning Commission with direction from the Council. `r May 1, 1996 `r Ln She did not believe the applicant had worked with the Planning Commission on this application. When given the opportunity for denial for continuance by the Planning Commission, they had taken denial and appealed the matter to the Council. Dauber did not think this was the appropriate approach. Casey did not believe the design of the house needed further review and agreed to continuing this application to the next Council meeting to allow staff the opportunity to review the plans but not to send it back to the Planning Commission. Johnson believed there was only one issue to resolve and that was the driveway and the matter should be decided at this meeting. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Hubbard and passed by the following roll call vote to refer the Shideler's application for a site development permit and variance back to the Planning Commission for review with the following direction to the applicants for desired plan changes: Casey: no redesign of house, doesn't have a problem with driveway going through conservation easement, staff to review the driveway; Dauber: concurred with going through conservation easement, move house back, minimize cut and fill, noted bonus room on plans not being counted as floor area, expressed concerns about fire department requirements including a 14' road and turn arounds - this resulted in a loss of trees and Dauber believed the house could be resited so that the fire department requirements could be met without such a loss of trees; Hubbard: shift house, move garage to east side, step down house, reduce grading; Johnson: design of house does not need to be changed, driveway only issue. AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Hubbard and Councilmembers Dauber and Johnson NOES: Councilmember Casey Johnson stated that he reluctantly voted to send this application back to the Planning Commission. He just did not see consensus on the Council to take any other action. 11.2 Proposed levying of increases in fees, deposits, charges for services and other assessments -- Reso # This Public Hearing is continued to the May 15, 1996 City Council Meeting. 10 May 1, 1996 n 12. ADIOURNMENT There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council Meeting was adjourned at 11:15 p.m. Respec�tfuelly submitted, Patricia Dowd City Clerk The minutes of the May 1, 1996 City Council Meering were approved at the May 15, 1996 City Council Meeting. 11 May 1, 1996