The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About7.1 ITEM 7.1 Minutes of a Regular Meeting Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION Thursday, December 04, 2014, 7:00 P.M. bli'44Pr Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Present Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Mandle Staff: Suzanne Avila, Interim Planning Director; Cynthia Richardson, Consultant Planner; Jaime McAvoy, Planning Secretary 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR There were no presentations from the floor. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.1 LANDS OF CRESTON DEVELOPMENT; 26880 Elena Road, File #250-14-ZP- SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a landscape screening plan for a 5,000 square foot new residence with a 2,746 square foot basement approved by the Planning Commission on July 19, 2012. The proposal includes fencing and entry gates along the front property line and fencing along the side property line. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (e). (Staff- C. Richardson). Ex Parte Disclosures: There were no Ex Parte Disclosures. Consultant Planner Cynthia Richardson presented the staff report. Commissioner Abraham inquired about a previous issue with PG&E. Ms. Richardson said that this issue had since been resolved by the Town's engineering department. Commissioner Partridge inquired into the choice to replace the oak trees with olive trees. Interim Planning Director Suzanne Avila reiterated that the neighbor was in agreement with the olive trees as it ensured preserving more of the neighbor's view. 1 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes December 4,2014 ,,,ti '4' ? /Q g � t¥ Chair Mandle opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Joseph Huettl, Landscape Architect, responded to questions posed by the Commission. Mike Ma, represented the north side property owner, said that the owners expressed concern with the height of certain trees proposed on the screening plan. Steven Chang, neighbor to the south side, stated that the applicant had been very responsive to their concerns, but expressed further concern of screening property versus blocking their views. Chair Mandle closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commission discussion ensued. Commissioner Abraham felt the olive trees were a good alternative, and suggested upping the number of trees to five to ensure adequate screening for the neighbors. He also inquired about the AC units and wanted to clarify that the units were still where the Commission had originally approved and if they met the noise requirements. Ms. Richardson confirmed they were in the approved location and met the noise ordinance. Commissioner Tankha supported changing to olive trees, and supported Commissioner Abraham's suggestion to increase the tree count from three to five. Commissioner Couperus said he would have preferred the oak trees, but if the neighbors and applicant were happy with this resolution then he supported it. Commissioner Partridge agreed that as long as the goal of screening the property from the neighbors was accomplished, then he was open to the suggestions made for the trees. Chair Mandle said that the applicant had done a wonderful job coordinating with the neighbors and that she hoped it would continue. She also agreed on increasing the tree count to five, as well as requiring them to be a fruitless species, but suggested that this discussion happen between the neighbor and the applicant. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Abraham moved to approve the Site Development permit for a landscape screening and fencing plan for Lands of Creston Development, 26880 Elena Road, subject to the conditions of approval in Attachment 1. Additionally, the three (3) oak trees on the backside/west property line will be substituted with five (5) fruitless olive trees, and this substitution could be modified by mutual agreement between the applicant and the neighbor Mr. Chang. Furthermore, noise created by air conditioning and pool equipment must be measured by staff with all equipment running at full power, at 2 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes December 4,2014 the property line, to ensure that they are compliant with the Town code. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Partridge. AYES: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Couperus., Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Mandle NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 32 LANDS OF ENERGY-EFFICIENT SUSTAINBABLE PERSONAL RESIDENCE DEVELOPMENT, LLC; 13651 Burke Road, File # 238-14-TM; A request for a two-lot subdivision of an existing 2.67 (gross) acre parcel. Request for removal of 16 heritage Oaks. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15315 (Staff- C. Richardson). Ex Parte Disclosures: Commissioner Abraham disclosed that he spoke with the applicant, Greg Badros, and his engineer. Commissioner Couperus stated that he spoke with a neighbor of the project. Commissioner Tankha stated that she had also spoken with Mr. Badros. Commissioner Partridge and Chair Mandle had nothing to disclose. Consultant Planner Cynthia Richardson presented the staff report. Commissioner Partridge asked for the justification for removing so many oak trees from the lot. Commissioner Abraham inquired into the engineering department's reasoning for requesting the right-of-way dedication at the Old Altos Road property line. Chair Mandle opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Applicant Greg Badros spoke on behalf of his project. Commissioner Tankha asked how the applicants came decided on the lot design. Mr. Badros stated that it was a direct result of the Town's request for a right-of- way easement. 3 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes December 4,2014 Commissioner Partridge inquired into the undergrounding of utilities, and at what point during the subdivision this would be carried out. He further inquired about the tree replacement, and if the applicant had enough future planning to be able to plant immediately. Jeff Lea, Lea and Braze, clarified the aspects of undergrounding and during which parts of development they will occur. Michael Young, Urban Tree Management, spoke about his arborist report and answered questions posed by the Commission. Seeing no one else wishing to speak, Chair Mandle closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commissioner Couperus expressed concern with the trees and suggested staggering the removal process. Commissioner Tankha agreed with Commissioner Couperus, and reiterated that the Commission needed to look at the intent of the ordinance and ensure that they are not following it blindly to the detriment of the lot. Commisisoner Abraham agreed that one size did not fit all and some middle ground needed to be made with the tree issue. He further requested the removal of the right-of-way easement from Old Altos Road. Commissioner Partridge did not see a need to replace trees that were not being removed for the development area. Chair Mandle stated that the subdivision looked appropriate, and was open to reducing, but not removing,the right-of-way easement. Commission discussed whether or not the right-of-way was necessary as the property line is already 10 feet from the street. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Abraham moved to forward a recommendation that the: City Council adopt the tentative map for the property as it was presented with the exception that the right-of-way easement of 10 feet along Old Altos Road, as it is only a one-way road, be changed to a utility easement, and that the line bisecting the property be straightenend, and the angularity of it adjusted so as to achieve optimal area for each of the parcels created. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Couperus. AYES: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Couperus., Commissioner Tankha NOES: Commissioner Partridge, Chair Mandle 4 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes December 4,2014 ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED 3-2. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Couperus moved to amend attachment 2, recommended findings for the two-lot tentative map subdivision of a 2.67 acre parcel by doing the following: Delete the last sentence of item 4, " The arborist report prepared for this property recommends removal of several trees that are in poor or declining health and proves to be good horticultural practice", and add an additional item 7, " Trees #9 and #6 are pines in declining health as per the arborist report prepared for this property, are in the way of demolition, and thus are permitted to be removed during demolition. Tree #56 is an oak that is in the process of falling apart as per the Arborist report prepared for this property and is likewise permitted to be removed during demolition. Furthermore, any bay trees determined by laboratory testing to be infected with sudden oak death are permitted to be removed during demolition." The motion was seconded by Commissioner Abraham. AYES: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Mandle NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED 5-0. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Couperus moved to amend the previous motion to state: and add an additional item 7, " Trees #9, #6, and #72 are conifers in declining health as per the arborist report prepared for this property, are in the way of demolition, and thus are permitted to be removed during demolition. Trees #23 and #56 are oaks that are in the process of falling apart as per the Arborist report prepared for thie property and is likewise permitted to be removed during demolition. Furthermore, any bay trees determined by laboratory testing to be infected with sudden oak death are permitted to be removed during demolition." The motion was seconded by Commissioner Abraham. 5 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes December 4,2014 AYES: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Mandle NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED 5-0. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Couperus moved to amend the Conditions of Approval in Attachment 1 to read: #3, The applicant shall remove only trees #9, #6, #56, #23 and #72 and any bay trees determined by laboratory testing to be infected with Sudden Oak Death. Removal of any further trees shall be deferred until a Site Development plan is approved for each of the respective new lots. Should the applicant request additional removal before Site Development, they are required to apply for removal by standard Town process. The subsequent replacement of these trees, and the determination of whether this needs to be done on a 2:1 basis as well as the positioning of the new trees shall be deferred until a landscape screening plan is brought before the Commission. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Abraham. AYES: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Mandle NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED 5-0. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Couperus moved to forward a recommendation that the City Council approve the tentative map, based on the amended findings in Attachment 2 and subject to the amended Conditions of Approval in Attachment 1. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Abraham. AYES: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Mandle NOES: None 6 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes December 4,2014 ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. OLD BUSINESS - none 5. NEW BUSINESS/CONSENT CALENDAR 5.1 Filing of Yiu Tentative Map; 25700 Bassett Lane, File# 370-14-TM-IS-ND Chair Mandle appointed Commissioner Couperus to the subcommittee for this project. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Tankha moved to accept the tentative map and accompanying data and information for filing at the time the application was accepted by the Town. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Abraham. AYES: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Mandle NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5_2 Wildland Urban Interface Map update Interim Planning Director Suzanne Avila informed the Planning Commission that the City Council accepted their recommendation for updating the map, and have sent it back to them for discussion. Commissioners Abraham and Couperus volunteered to be on the subcommittee for this update. 7 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes December 4,2014 5.3 Amateur Radio Antennas - new policy and/or ordinance amendments Interim Planning Director Suzanne Avila explained why this item was being brought before the Commission. Chair Mandle opened the floor to public comment. Scott Overstreet, launched the Emergency Communications Committee (ECC) when it was discovered that cell phones were unreliable in emergency situations. Dru Anderson, past Chairman of ECC, stated her support in updating the Town's policies. Greg Olsen,Los Altos Hills, stated his support of updating the Town's policies. Chair Mandle appointed Commissioners Abraham and Tankha to the subcommittee for this update. 5.4 January 2015 Planning Commission Meeting Commission agreed to move the January 2015 meeting to Tuesday, January 13, 2015. 6. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 6.1 Planning Commission Representative for November 10 - Commissioner Mandle Chair Mandle presented a report on this meeting. 6.2 Planning Commission Representative for December 11 - Commissioner Abraham 6.3 Planning Commission Representative for January 15 - Commissioner Couperus 6.4 Planning Commission Representative for February 19 - Commissioner Partridge 7. MINUTES 7.1 Approval of November 6, 2014 minutes Commissioner Partridge noted a correction to the minutes. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Abraham moved to approve the November 6, 2014 minutes with corrections. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Tankha. 8 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes December 4,2014 AYES: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha,_Chair Mandle NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 8. REPORTS FROM FAST TRACK MEETINGS - SEPTEMBER 18, 2014. 8.1 LANDS OF PAGE MILL ROAD VENTURES, LLC; 13686 Page Mill Road, File #200-14-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a new 5,998 square foot two-story residence (Maximum height 27') and a 686 foot swimming pool. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) and (e) (Staff- N. Horvitz). 9. REPORTS FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS - none 10. ADJOURNMENT Respectfully Submitted, pole Z. am/ Jaime L. McAvoy Planning Secretary 9 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes December 4,2014