HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.1 ITEM 7.1
Minutes of a Regular Meeting
Town of Los Altos Hills 040
PLANNING COMMISSION Aipt
Thursday, March 05, 2015, 7:00 P.M.
Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
L 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; Jaime McAvoy, Planning Secretary
2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Esther John, Los Altos Hills, submitted a petition to the Planning Commission protesting
the Linebarger Development on Mora Drive.
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
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) (CONTINUED FROM THE FEBRUARY 5, 2015 PLANNING
COMMISSION MEETING).
Ex Parte Disclosures: Commissioners Couperus and Partridge said that they had
spoken with the applicants. There were no other disclosures.
Commissioner Abraham recused himself as he shares a property line with the
applicant.
Assistant Planner Nicole Horvitz presented the staff report.
Commission asked staff questions pertaining to the foliage changes. Ms. Horvitz
deferred to the landscape designer.
Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
March 5,2015
dogg
Tina Haragi, landscape designer, spoke to the landscape changes proposed by the
applicant and answered questions posed by the Commission.
Raj Reddy, Los Altos Hills, explained to the Commission that he had reached an
agreement with Mr. and Mrs. Kaveh, and had no further issues with this
development.
Glenn Reddy, Los Altos Hills, supported his father's statements, and discussed
more of the details of the agreement.
Jim Abraham, Los Altos Hills, spoke to his concerns of additional requirements to
plan on the Reddy's property, and how they would affect the views of the other
neighbors on Viscaino.
Scott Howarth, Los Altos Hills, also expressed his concerns that this new plan
would block his view of the Bay.
Applicant Sue Kaveh requested the Commission decide on their project, as they
would like to complete the construction.
Chair Mandle closed the PUBLIC HEARING.
Commissioner Couperus said that the Town should not require applicants to plant
trees on other people's property as a part of their screening applications, but two
neighbors should be able to come to an agreement on their own terms without
involving the Town.
Commissioner Partridge agreed with Commissioner Couperus that the Town
should not require applicants to plant trees on other people's properties, and
expressed concern that this could set negative precedent for future screening plans.
Commissioner Tankha agreed that neighbors should be allowed to come together
and create a solution, but the Town was only facilitating.
Chair Mandle stated that planting on a neighbor's property has been agreed to in
conditions of approval before, and that this was a good solution to the issue,but that
the heights of these trees could affect other residents in the area.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Couperus moved to
approve the requested site development permit for a landscape screening plan
subject to the recommended conditions of approval in attachment 1, with the
amendment that item 4 be removed. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Partridge.
2
Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
March 5,2015
AYES: Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Partridge
NOES: Commissioner Tankha, Chair Mandle
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Abraham
MOTION FAILED 2-2-1.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Tankha moved to approve
the requested Site Development Permit for a landscape screening plan, subject to
the conditions of approval in attachment 1, with a modification to item 4 to read
four (4) trees with a maximum height of 20 feet. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Couperus.
AYES: Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Mandle
NOES: Commissioner Partridge
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Abraham
MOTION CARRIED 3-1-1.
Commissioner Abraham returned to the dais.
3_2 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)
(CONTINUED FROM THE FEBRUARY 5, 2015 PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING).
Ex Parte Disclosures: There were no ex parte disclosures.
Consultant Planner Cynthia Richardson presented the staff report.
Commission asked questions of staff.
Applicant Sylvia Weale addressed the Commissioners and informed them that they
had performed neighborhood outreach, and that they had received positive
responses. She then answered questions posed by the Commission.
3
Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
March 5,2015
Susan Stultz, Los Altos Hills, stated as long as she could not hear the air
conditioning units, and that the erosion control was adequate, she had no issues.
Chair Mandle closed the PUBLIC HEARING.
Commission discussion ensued.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Abraham moved to
approve the requested Site Development Permit for the landscape screening plan of
a new residence, Lands of Weale, 27181 Sherlock Road, subject to the conditions of
approval in attachment 1, with the amendment that item 14 states "bisects the
owners' property", and to include added conditions 15, 16 and 17 per the staff
recommendations. 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.
3.3 LANDS OF MAUPILE; 26970 Orchard Hill Lane, File# 387-14-ZP-SD; A
request for a Site Development Permit for landscape screening for a new two-story
residence approved by the Planning Commission on May 9, 2013. CEQA review:
Categorical Exemption per Section 15304 (b) (Staff- S. Avila).
Ex Parte Disclosures: Commissioner Couperus said that he had spoken with the
applicant. There were no other disclosures.
Planning Director Suzanne Avila presented the staff report.
Commissioner asked questions of staff.
Chair Mandle opened the PUBLIC HEARING.
Randy Theume, landscape architect, spoke on behalf of the project.
Jin Huang, Los Altos Hills, stated the landscape did a good job neutralizing the
imposing house, but expressed concern with privacy from the balcony as it looks
down into his bedroom window. Mr. Theume explained the planned screening that
would protect his privacy.
4
Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
March 5,2015
Chair Mandle closed the PUBLIC HEARING.
Commission discussion ensued.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Partridge moved to
approve the requested Site Development Permit for the landscape screening plan
subject to the 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
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
3.4 LANDS OF PATEL; 11637 Dawson Drive, File #309-13-ZP-SD-GD: A request
for a Site Development Permit for a 8,213 square foot new residence, 934 square
foot second unit and 2,099 square foot garage (maximum height 29'10"). CEQA
review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (Staff- S. Avila).
Ex Parte Disclosures: There were no ex parte disclosures.
Chair Mandle opened the PUBLIC HEARING.
Planning Director Suzanne Avila presented the staff report.
Commission asked questions of staff.
Applicant Monique Patel addressed the Commission and introduced her team.
Architect Terry Townsend spoke on behalf of the applicant and answered
questions posed by the Commission.
Harry Emerzian, Los Altos Hills, expressed concern over the size of the house
and how visible it would be to the surrounding area.
Chair Mandle closed the PUBLIC HEARING.
5
Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
March 5,2015
Commissioner Couperus stated that the house met all the requirements for Fast
Track, except for its size, but expressed concern over the reflectivity of the house
from Highway 280, and would like to see something more specific than "50%
reflectivity".
Commissioner Partridge stated his support for the house, but asked the applicant
to consider keeping the oak that was marked for removal.
Commissioner Tankha expressed her concern about the off-site impact, and
recommended reducing the reflectivity of the exterior color.
Commissioner Abraham acknowledged the difficulty of the lot, and commended
the architect for the design. He then stated that he did not see a need for the paint
reflectivity to be less than 50, and that they should only consider how it affects the
neighbors, not the commuters on the freeway.
Chair Mandle suggested the lowering the reflectivity would benefit the residents
on the other side of the freeway, but did not feel comfortable approving a color
subjectively.
The Commission discussed requiring the applicant to provide paint samples to them
during the landscape screening process.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Tan kha moved to approve
the requested Site Development Permit, subject to the recommended conditions of
approval in attachment 1, with the amendment that in item 6a the words "planning
department" be changed to" Planning Commission" and to strike "prior to
acceptance of plans for building plan check", and add "all color samples be
submitted to the Planning Commission at the time of landscape approval." 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.
4. OLD BUSINESS - none
5. NEW BUSINESS/CONSENT CALENDER
6
Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
March 5,2015
5_1 Filing of Tentative Map, 12345 Gigli Court, File#51-15-TM (Staff- S. Avila).
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Partridge moved to accept
the Tentative Map and accompanying data and information for filing. 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_2 Subdivision Ordinance Comprehensive Update (Staff- S. Avila).
Director Avila informed the Commission that she would be advising the City
Council of the need to update the Subdivision Ordinance, and will request that it be
returned to the Commission and staff for evaluation.
Chair Mandle opened the floor to public comment.
Enrique Klein, Los Altos Hills, addressed the Commission and said that the Town
needed to update the ordinance to protect the citizens from developers.
5.3 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - Purissima Creek/O'Keefe Preserve (Staff- S. Avila).
Director Avila gave the Commission an update of this project.
6. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
6.1 Planning Commission Representative for February 9 - Chair Mandle
Chair Mandle reported on this meeting.
The Planning Commission discussed the upcoming City Council meetings and it
was decided the Chair Mandle would attend March 30 for Commissioner Tankha,
and Commissioner Abraham would attend the Special Meeting on March 31. It
was then suggested that they cancel the April 2, 2015 meeting, but no decision was
made.
6.2 Planning Commission Representative for March 30 -Commissioner Tankha
7
Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
March 5,2015
6.3 Planning Commission Representative for March 31 - TBD
6.4 Planning Commission Representative for April 20 - Commissioner Partridge
6.5 Planning Commission Representative for May 21 - Commissioner Abraham
7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
7.1 Approval of the February 5, 2015 minutes.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Partridge moved to
approve the February 5, 2015 minutes. 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.
8. REPORTS FROM FAST TRACK MEETINGS - FEBRUARY 17, MARCH 3, 2015.
8.1 LANDS OF CARMACK; 26815 Ortega Drive, File #404-14ZP-SD-GD; A
request for a Site Development Permit for a new 6,041 square foot two-story
residence (maximum height 27'), with a 4,557 square foot basement, and a 1,166
square foot swimming pool. The applicant is also requesting to remove one (1)
multi-trunk heritage oak tree. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section
15303 (a) & (e) (Staff-N. Horvitz).
8.2 LANDS OF WEI & LI; 12492 Robleda Road, File #268-14-ZP-SD; A request for
a Site Development Permit for a new 6,178 square foot two-story residence with
an attached secondary dwelling unit (maximum height 27'). The applicant is also
requesting to remove one (1) heritage oak tree. CEQA review: Categorical
Exemption per Section 153030 (a) (Staff-N. Horvitz).
8
Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
March 5,2015
9. REPORTS FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS -FEBRUARY 10, 2015.
9.1 LANDS OF FREMONT HILLS COUNTRY CLUB; 12889 Viscaino Place, File
#381-14-ZP-SD; The proposed project includes a request for a Site Development
Permit for 1,320 square foot new horse stall structure. CEQA review: Categorical
Exemption per Section 15303 (e) (Staff-C. Richardson).
10. ADJOURNMENT
Respectfully Submitted,
paime Z. /,4
Jaime L. McAvoy
Planning Secretary
9
Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
March 5,2015