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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.1 7. l Minutes of a Regular Meeting ,/� Town of Los Altos Hills �+ PLANNING COMMISSION ''''� A> Thursday, February 05, 2015, 7:00 P.M. 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, Planning Director;Nicole Horvitz, Assistant Planner; Cynthia Richardson, Consultant Planner; Steve Padovan, Consultant Planner; Jaime McAvoy, Planning Secretary 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR There were no presentations from the floor. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ex Parte Disclosures: Commissioner Tankha said that she had spoken with neighbor Raj Reddy. Commissioner Couperus stated that he had spoken with neighbors Glenn Reddy and Jim Abraham. Chair Mandle said that she had spoken with the Reddy family. Commissioner Partridge had nothing to disclose. 3.1 LANDS.OF KAVEH; 12815 Viscaino Road, File#382-14-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a landscape screening plan for:a new 4,990 square foot two story residence with a basement, a swimming pool, and a new property line fence and driveway gates approved at the February 19, 2013 Fast Track hearing. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304 (b) (Staff-N. Horvitz). Commissioner Abraham recused himself as he shares a property line with the applicant. Chair Mandle opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Assistant Planner Nicole Horvitz presented the staff report. Commission asked questions of staff. 1 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 5,2015 Applicant Sue Kaveh spoke on behalf of her project. T uaAragi, Landscape Designer, discussed the screening plan, as well as how s1i had met with neighbor Raj Reddy to discuss his concerns. She further stated , ,' t at Mr. Reddy's concerns would be best addressed through his own landscaping, not the applicant's. Ms. Haragi then answered questions posed by the Commission. Glenn Reddy, on behalf of his father Raj Reddy, discussed the privacy issues his family had been experiencing with this construction. Commissioner Couperus said that this was the best location for the house on the property, which left very little room for screening, and to screen this house completely would destroy it. Commissioner Tankha said that she would like to hear from Mr. Reddy before the Commission makes a decision. Commissioner Partridge said that the plan was not quite ready, and that maybe another month should help the applicant and Mr. Reddy come to a mutual decision. Chair Mandle would also like to hear from Mr. Reddy, as well as his landscaper and what he is proposing. She then stated her support for continuing this item. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Couperus moved to continue this item to the March 5th Planning Commission meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Tankha. AYES: Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Mandle NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Commissioner Abraham MOTION CARRIED 4-0-1. Commissioner Abraham returned to the dais. 12 LANDS OF WEALE: 27181 SHERLOCK ROAD, File #294-14-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a landscape screening plan for a 4,786 square foot new residence approved by the Planning Commission on December 12, 2002. CEQA: Categorically Exempt per Section 15303(e) (Staff-C. Richardson). 2 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 5,2015 Ex Parte Disclosures: Commissioner Couperus said that he had spoken with neighbor Joan Sherlock. There were no other ex parte disclosures. Chair Mandle opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Consultant Planner Cynthia Richardson presented the staff report. Commission asked questions of staff. Applicant Howard Weale spoke on behalf of his screening plan. Applicant Sylvia Weale also spoke on behalf of their project, and asked the Commission to consider their application today. Susan Ballinger, Landscape Designer, spoke on behalf of the screening plan and answered questions posed by the Commission. Kay Nicholson, Los Altos Hills, requested the Commission continue this item so that the neighborhood could have an opportunity to give feedback. Cris Schiebold, Los Altos Hills, felt there were a couple areas where the screening could be increased, but would like his neighbors to get a chance to see the plans as well. Commissioner Tankha said that while the house is well screened, she realized that the neighbors had not been given an opportunity to represent themselves, and that postponing this item may be a good decision. Conunissioner Partridge said that he did not think it was necessary for this item to be returned to the Commission as the applicant was agreeable with the demands of his neighbors, and suggested this be resolved at the staff level. Commissioner Abraham spoke in favor of postponing this item one month to allow neighbors more time to evaluate the plan. Commissioner Couperus stated that this was an adequate screening plan, but was concerned that a number of neighbors had not been able to examine it, and felt that they should be given opportunity to comment. Chair Mandle said that she was in favor of continuing this item to a date certain. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Abraham moved to continue this item to the March 5th Planning Commission meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Tankha. AYES: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner 3 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 5,2015 Partridge, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Mandle NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 13 LANDS OF KDCI DEVELOPMENT LLC; 25608 Deerfield Drive: File#233-14- ZP-SD-CDP-VAR; A Conditional Development Permit and Site Development Permit for a new 3,511 square foot, two-story single-family dwelling with a 1,398 square foot basement on a .36 acre lot and setback Variance requests to allow for two required uncovered parking spaces in the side yard setback, vehicle back-up area within 10 feet of the property line, roof eaves encroaching up to one foot into the side yard setbacks, a chimney encroaching one foot into the side yard setback and a rear patio encroaching four feet into the rear yard setback.(Maximum height 27'). CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303(a) (Staff-S. Padovan). Ex Parte Disclosures: Commissioner Partridge and Chair Mandle said that they had spoken with neighbor Alice Rimer. Commissioner Couperus said that he had spoken with both Doug and Alice Rimer. Commissioner Tankha said that she had spoken with neighbors Alice Rimer, Scott Akiyama and Ray Strimaitis. Chair Mandle opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Consultant Planner Steve Padovan presented the staff report. Commission asked questions of staff. Dan Rhodes, Young and Borlik, architect, spoke on behalf of the project and the findings for the variances being requested by the applicant. Bart Carey, Los Altos Hills, stated his support for combining the two parcels into one, which would have less of an impact on the neighborhood. Doug Rimer, Los Altos Hills, requested a lot merger, and suggested a continuance so all neighbor concerns could be heard. Ray Strimaitis, Los Altos Hills, expressed concern with the density this would add to the neighborhood. Scott Akiyama, Los Altos Hills, expressed concern over possible traffic issues that an extra driveway and screening would cause on Deerfield Drive. 4 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 5,2015 Judy Krakauer, Los Altos Hills, expressed concern with the future landscaping plans as the design was bulky, and requested that the landscape screening deposit be increased to 25,000 or more. Mr.Rhodes gave a closing statement. Oskar Kabali, applicant, gave a closing statement, and said that he was not open to merging the lots. Chair Mandle closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commission discussion ensued. Commissioner Abraham said he did not see any neighborhood support, and that he could not support certain findings for the variances. Commissioner Partridge said that this application does not compliment the General Plan's concept of larger lots and a more rural nature. Commissioner Couperus stated that this application pushed the limits of variances too much, and he could not support them. Commissioner Tankha said she would like to see the house stepped to reduce bulk, and that she could support some of the variances, but did not see justification in others. Chair Mandle said that she saw these as two developable lots, and the applicant has the right to do so, but she could only support the variance to allow for the vehicle back up area. She then suggested offering guidance to the applicant to allow them to make modifications and then return with a more compliant proposal. Commissioner Abraham said that the applicant had enough guidance to be compliant with the Town's planning and building codes. Commissioner Couperus stated that he wanted the plans to be more compliant,not necessarily completely compliant. Commissioner Abraham agreed. Commissioner Tankha said that she did not want to dismiss the house all together, and that they should evaluate the intent behind the variances, as some can be beneficial to the property. Commissioner Partridge stated that even if the applicant removed all the variances the house would still fail to complement the neighborhood. 5 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 5,2015 Commissioner Couperus said that the Planning Commission did not want to micro-manage, but provide designers and architects with "maximum flexibility" as long as the final product is justifiable. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Abraham moved to deny. the request for the Conditional Development and Site Development permits and. variances for Lands of KDCI Development LLC, 25608 Deerfield Drive. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Partridge. AYES: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha NOES: Chair Mandle ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED 4-1. 4. OLD BUSINESS 4.1 Housing Element Update Consultant Planner Steve Padovan presented the Commission with an update on the Housing Element. Planning Director Suzanne Avila suggested a second meeting in March to further discuss this item. The Commission requested staff propose possible meeting dates. A date was not decided at this time. 5. NEW BUSINESS 5.1 10730 Mora Drive - Possible.Study Session Director Avila suggested to the Commission that it may bebeneficial to have a study session to provide direction for these applications, given the nature of the development and the concerns of the neighbors. 6. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 6.1 Planning Commission Representative for January 15 - Commissioner Couperus Commissioner Couperus presented a report on this meeting. 6 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 5,2015 Chair Mandle and Commissioner Partridge switched the dates they will attend City Council meetings. 6.2 Planning Commission Representative for February 9.- Commissioner Partridge 63 Planning Commission Representative for March 19 - Commissioner Tankha 6.4 Planning Commission Representative for April 16 - Chair Mandle 7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 7.1 Approval of the January 13, 2015 minutes. Chair Mandle noted a correction to the minutes. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Partridge moved to Approved the January 13, 2015 Planning Commission minutes with corrections. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Tankha. 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 -none 9. REPORTS FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS -JANUARY 20, 2015. 9.1 LANDS OF DAYANOV; 26560 Anacapa Drive: File #305-1314-ZD-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for landscape screening for a 5,122 square foot two-story new and a 978 square foot swimming pool approved on June 25, 2013. Request includes review of new driveway gates and fencing. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304 (b) (Staff- C. Richardson). 10. ADJOURNMENT 7 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 5,2015 Respectfully Submitted, (rote,L'. nc,4aoe Jaime L. McAvoy Planning Secretary 8 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes February 5,2015