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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.4 • 4 TOWN OF LOS ALTOS)HILLS February 22, 1995 Staff Report to the Planning Commission RE: REQUEST FOR SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT FOR GRADING FOR A LANDSCAPE PLAN AND A GROTTO; LANDS OF MELCHOR; 13212 EAST SUNSET DRIVE. FROM: Susan Manca,Planner RECOMMENDATION That the Planning Commission: 1. Approve the requested Site Development Permit,subject to the recommended conditions. DISCUSSION: Site Data: Net Lot Area: 1.34 acres Average Slope: 29.2% Lot Unit Factor: .79 Floor Area and Development Area: Area Max. Prop. Exist. Incrs. Left Devel. 6,162 10,444 10,540. -96 0. Floor 4,000 4,865 4,865 0 0 The applicant is requesting approval of a Site Development Permit for a landscape plan which includes major grading, with 1,160 cubic yards of cut and 1,405 cubic yards of fill. Two hundred and forty five cubic yards of fill are required for the project., The property is located at the end of East Sunset Drive on a visible knoll. • The applicantproposes the reconfiguration of the hillside to add three major terraces with masonry retaining walls ranging from 2 to 5 feet in height. These walls will be constructed with a stucco finish. Several small areas will also be terraced to accommodate a number of improvements and landscaping. The Planning Commission February 22, 1995 Lands of Melchor Page 2 project includes a large amount of orchard trees and plantings which will screen the graded hillside and the new terraces. The existing improvements on the property exceed the maximum floor and development area allowed for this lot. The applicant may propose any combination of additions and deletions so as not to exceed the existing floor and development area. No new floor area is proposed and 397 square feet of brick patio and a fish pond are proposed to be eliminated. The proposed plan will result in a net decrease of 96 square feet,of development area. The applicant proposes the addition of a decomposed granite walkway along the eastern portion of the hillside, and grass along the terraces. The existing patios around the residence will be modified for aesthetic effect. Although some of the patio will remain in the setback,the proposed design reduces the amount of hardscape within the setback. The applicant proposes to relocate the existing spa closer to the residence for easier accessibility. In the location of the existing spa, a new circular fountain of approximately 75 square feet will be installed. A second fountain is proposed in the center area of the first terrace. This is a larger fountain of approximately 174 square feet. A wall of approximately 3 feet in height extends behind this fountain along the terrace. The wall will be contstructed with stone veneer. An uncovered,enclosed garden is proposed to be constructed along the first terrace from the 3 foot wall. The plans show that the existing rose garden is to be reconfigured to include small terraces and 3 foot masonry walls with a stucco finish. The new configuration is out of the setbacks and will include a walkway down the center of the terraces. There are two existing sheds and an arbor on the western side of the.property. The applicant proposes to repaint the sheds and plant climbing roses around them to improve the visual quality of the structures. A hedge maze is proposed on the first terrace, along the western side of the property. The maze is partially located within the side setback of the property but does not include any hardscape. Lawn is proposed for the walkway and the hedge will consist-of yew trees. A greenhouse is shown on the plans,which would qualify as floor area. The applicant is not proposing the greenhouse at this time due to limitations on the floor area. Planning Commission February 22, 1995 Lands of Melchor Page 3 The property currently has two entrances. One is located at the end of East Sunset Drive and includes a paved driveway which leads to the garage and parking area. A second entrance for the property is located at the bottom of the hillside and is currently fenced off with a gate. This entrance is not paved and allows for additional cars to be parked on the property at the bottom of the hillside. The applicant proposes to construct a grotto below the existing grade. A tunnel will lead to a cave room under the existing patio. This area, as designed, complies with the definition of basement. Therefore,it is excluded from the floor area calculations. The applicant proposes to plant numerous orchard trees, as well as bushes and flowers. Perimeter planting has been completed on the property to help mitigate for the visibility of the grading and the terracing of the hillside. Although a large quantity of grading is proposed, the hillside will be planted with a great deal of landscaping. A landscape deposit is required to ensure that the landscaping be completed. Staff is available to answer any questions from the Commission or any member of the community. ATTACHMENTS: . 1. Recommended Conditions of Approval for Site Development Permit; 2. Development plans: site plan,section and elevations. cc: Jeff Melchor 10 First St.,Suite 506 Los Altos,CA 94022 Baronian Associates 392 Richardson Way ' Mill Valley,CA94941 Planning Commission February 22, 1995 Lands of Melchor Page 4 ATTACHMENT 1 RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS FOR SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT FOR GRADING FOR A LANDSCAPE PLAN AND A GROTTO MELCHOR- 13212 EAST SUNSET DRIVE A. PLANNING DEPARTMENT: 1. Any changes or modifications to the approved plans shall be approved by the Planning Director or the Planning Commission, depending on the scope of the changes. 2. Any outdoor lighting must be approved by the Planning Department prior to installation. All lighting must be shown on the site plans. No lighting may be placed within setbacks except two entry or driveway lights. 3. A$3,500.001andscape deposit shall be posted prior to final inspection. Required plantings shall be installed within one year. An inspection of the landscape to ensure adequate establishment and maintenance shall be made six months after the installation. 50% of the bond shall be returned following the date of the inspection. The remainder will be released one year later if the plantings remain viable. 4. Paint colors shall be chosen by the applicant and approved by staff in conformance with the Town's adopted color board or to match the existing structures. A color sample shall be submitted to the Planning Director for approval prior to painting of the exterior of all structures. 5. Two copies of a grading and construction operation plan shall be submitted by the property owner for review and approval by the City Engineer and Planning Director prior to acceptance of plans for building plan check. The grading/construction operation plan shall address truck traffic issues regarding dust,noise, and vehicular and pedestrian traffic safety on East Sunset Drive, Burke Road and other roadways in the area; storage of construction materials; placement of sanitary facilities; clean-up area (see Engineering Department for specifications); parking for construction vehicles; and parking for construction personnel. A debris box (trash dumpster),shall be placed on site for collection of construction Planning Commission February 22, 1995 Lands of Melchor Page 5 debris. Arrangements must be made with the Los Altos Garbage Company for the debris box,since they have a franchise with the Town and no other hauler is allowed within the Town limits. 6. The property owner shall inform the Town of any damage and shall repair any damage caused by the construction of the project to pathways,private driveways,public and private roadways prior to final inspection and release of occupancy permits and shall provide the Town with photographs of the existing conditions of the roadways and pathways prior of submittal of plans for buiding plancheck. 7. A deed restriction shall be recorded stating that the MDA of 10,444 square feet and the MFA of 4,865 square feet established for the property under this permit are the maximum levels of development currently allowed by the Town. The Planning Department will prepare the deed restriction and the signed,notarized document shall be returned to the Town prior to acceptance of plans for building plan check. 8. Upon completion of construction, a final inspection shall be set with the Planning Department and Engineering Department at least two weeks prior to final building inspection approval. B. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT: 9. The site drainage associated with the proposed development must be designed as surface flow wherever possible to avoid concentration of the runoff. The proposed drainage shall be designed to maintain the existing flow patterns. The grading and drainage plan all be stamped and signed by a registered civil engineer and shall be submitted for review prior to acceptance of plans for building plan check. Final drainage and grading shall be inspected by the Engineering Department and any deficiencies corrected to the satisfaction of the Engineering Department prior to final approval. 10. Any, and all,changes to the existing grading and drainage plan shall first be approved by the Town Engineering Department. No grading shall take place during the grading moratorium between November 1 and April 1 except with prior approval from the City Engineer. No grading shall take place within 10 feet of any Planning Commission February 22, 1995 Lands of Melchor Page 6 property line except to allow access to East Sunset Drive and for removal of existing improvements within this area. 11. An erosion and sediment control plan shall be submitted for review and approval by the Engineering Department prior to acceptance of plans for building plan check. The contractor and the property owner shall comply with all appropriate requirements of the Town's NPDES permit relative to grading and erosion / sediment control. Any areas on the site that have the native soil disturbed shall be protected for erosion control during the rainy season and shall be replanted prior to final approval. CONDITION NUMBERS 5, 6, 7, 9 AND 11 SHALL BE COMPLETED AND SIGNED OFF BY THE PLANNING DIRECTOR AND THE CITY ENGINEER PRIOR TO ACCEPTANCE OF CONSTRUCTION PLANS FOR PLAN CHECK BY THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT. ALL OTHER CONDITIONS MUST BE SATISFIED PRIOR TO FINAL INSPECTION. NOTE: The Site Development permit is valid for one year from the approval date (until February 22, 1996). All required building permits must be obtained • within that year and work on items not requiring a building permit shall be commenced within one year and completed within two years.