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_ Town Of Los Altos Hills March 11, 1998 Staff Report to the Planning Commission RE: WORK PROGRAM RE: POLICIES AND ORDINANCES FROM: Curtis S. Williams, Planning Director RECOMMENDATION That the Planning Commission: Review the attached list of issues and establish priorities and a schedule for making recommendations to the City Council. BACKGROUND The Planning Commission and City Council conducted joint study sessions on October 29, 1997 and February 10, 1998 to discuss a number of issues of concern related to planning review. Attached are staffs summaries of those items, including City Council direction on how to proceed on each. DISCUSSION A total of ten planning issues were discussed at the two joint study sessions ("three story facade/single story"was discussed at both sessions), as outlined in the summaries. Some of the concerns discussed (scope of Commission review, staff review process, and sensitivity to applicants) do not require any follow-up actions, other than for staff to report to the City Council regarding distribution of staff reports to applicants. The City Council directed that staff report directly to the Council on a couple of other items regarding fire turnarounds and Building Code requirements for basements, such that further Commission review is not required. It is staff's understanding that the remaining issues regarding: 1) secondary dwellings, 2) chimney heights, 3) height limitations for "single story" buildings, 4) development area restrictions for "challenged lots", and 5) options for garages or carports, are to be presented for review and recommendation by the Commission,prior to Council action. Staff expects to return to the City Council regarding fire turnarounds and basements within the next two months, and will report to the Commission in advance regarding those issues, for your information. The Council has suggested that the other items be grouped together so that separate hearing dates are not required for each. Staff suggests that secondary dwellings be considered along with garages/carports, and that chimney heights be considered along with single story height, and that development area for "challenged lots" perhaps be treated as a separate item. It would be desirable to attempt to address one grouping per month, but that is dependent on the project workload and on the number of meetings it takes to review each item. Staff is looking for direction regarding the scheduling of these items, and any suggestions you have about information you might anticipate needing to evaluate these issues. ATTACHMENTS 1. Staff Summary of October 29, 1997 Study Session 2. Staff Summary of February 10, 1998 Study Session