HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.1 ITEM 7.1
Minutes of a Special Meeting
Town of Los Altos Hills 49Ap
PLANNING COMMISSION
Thursday, March 19, 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; Richard Chiu, Public Works Director;
Nicole Horvitz, Assistant Planner; Steve Padovan, Consultant Planner; Jaime
McAvoy, Planning Secretary
2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
There were no presentations from the floor.
I PUBLIC HEARINGS
3_1 LANDS OF PATEL; 26620 Purissima Road; File#189-14-ZP-SD: A request for a
Site Development Permit for a new 12,636 square foot two story estate home
(maximum height 27'). The applicant is also requesting Grading Policy exceptions
for cut of up to 4.2' where 4' is allowed and fill up to 4.5' where 3' is allowed.
CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304 (b) (Staff-N. Horvitz).
Ex Parte Disclosures: Commissioner Partridge stated that he had spoken with
neighbor John Selby. There were no other disclosures.
Chair Mandle opened the PUBLIC HEARING.
Assistant Planner Nicole Horvitz presented the staff report.
Commission asked questions of staff.
Rajiv Patel, applicant, greeted the Commission and introduced his project.
Kartik Patel, architect, spoke on behalf of the design and answered questions
posed by the commission.
Special Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
March 19,2015
Daniel Siedel, Los Altos Hills, lives above the applicants, and while he was not
opposed to the project, he was concerned with the reflectivity the roof may cause.
Bishakha Banerjee,Los Altos Hills, expressed similar concerns about reflectivity.
Chair Mandle closed the PUBLIC HEARING.
Commissioner Tankha stated her support of the application.
Commissioner Partridge stated his support of the project, but said that he agreed
with staffs recommendation to deny the grading policy exception.
Commissioner Couperus stated his support of the project and the granting the
grading policy exception.
Commissioner Abraham stated his support of the project and granting the
exception, or suggested granting the cut but denying the fill, should the rest of the
Commission not agree to the full exception.
Chair Mandle stated her support of the project, but opted to go with staff's
recommendation to deny the grading exception.
Commissioner Couperus suggested "due to the overall benefit to the neighborhood
and that it reduces the visible impact of the house."
Commissioner Abraham suggested "the Planning Commission finds that the
granting of the minimal grading policy exception complies with the intent of the
grading policy in that by granting it, it largely retains the existing contours and
basic landform of the site to the greatest extent feasible." This was agreed upon by
the other Commissioners.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Tankha moved to approve
the requested Site Development permit for a new residence and detached secondary
dwelling unit subject to the recommended conditions of approval in attachment 1.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Couperus.
AYES: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Couperus,
Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Mandle
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
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March 19,2015
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Abraham moved to grant
the grading policy exception for a new two story residence and detached secondary
unit, with the basis for the exception being that granting of the minimal grading
policy exception complies with the intent of the grading policy in that by granting
it, it largely retains the exiting contours and basic landform of the site to the greatest
extent feasible. 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.
12 UPDATE OF THE GENERAL PLAN CIRCULATION & SCENIC
ROADWAYS ELEMENT: FILE # 79-12-MISC (CONTINUED FROM
AUGUST 7, 2014). CEQA review: Negative Declaration (Staff - N. Horvitz/S.
Padovan).
Chair Mandle opened the PUBLIC HEARING.
Assistant Planner Nicole Horvitz presented the staff report.
Samuel Broydo, Los Altos Hills, stated his opposition to the possibility of bicycle
lanes on Purissima Road.
Public Works Director Richard Chiu explained this was a long term, overall
plan, and that the details would be determined at a later date.
Eileen Gibbons, Los Altos Hills, stated her concerns about the document, and
called out what she believed to be some inconsistencies.
Sue Welch, Los Altos Hills, expressed her concerns with the document, and also
called out what she believed to be inconsistencies.
Gary Waldeck, Los Altos Hills, spoke to the benefits of the Pathways System, and
that he disagreed with any discussion of putting a hold on its development.
Chair Mandle closed the PUBLIC HEARING.
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March 19,2015
Commissioner Couperus expressed concern that increased bike paths would
increase the number of cyclists that ride into Town and cause more issues on the
roads. Mr. Padovan explained that this proposal was directed at creating safe
routes for Town residents, not to attract more professional cyclists.
Commissioner Partridge thanked Mr. Padovan for the clarification on the
purpose of the bike paths, as he too had been concerned. He then inquired as to
why a certain program had been removed from the report, as it is currently part of
Town protocol. Director Chiu stated that staff would look into the matter.
Commissioner Tankha asked if a need for safe routes had been identified on the
streets suggested in the report. Mr. Padovan said that creating the safe place
would encourage people/children to ride in these areas. Director Chiu added that it
would provide a safer route for the less experienced and the elderly who are riding
for exercise.
Commissioner Abraham stated that certain roads identified in the report were not
optimal for adding bike paths, as they were not wide enough and it did not make
financial sense to create them.
Chair Mandle said that staff had done well incorporating the comments from the
last meeting, and that she was largely in favor of the document.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Couperus moved to
continue this item to the May 7, 2015 Planning Commission meeting. 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.
13 MANDATORY UPDATE OF THE HOUSING ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL
PLAN. Housing Element update to analyze housing needs and adopt goals,
policies, programs and quantified objectives to provide for housing needs. State
law requires each town, city, and county to update its Housing Element every
eight years. The 2015-2023 Housing Element is the statutory update of the
Town's Housing Element adopted by the Town and certified by the State on
November 18, 2010. File #382-13-MISC, CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption
per Section 15061(b) (3) (Staff-S. Padovan).
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March 19,2015
Chair Mandle opened the PUBLIC HEARING.
Consultant Planner Steve Padovan presented the staff report.
Commission asked questions of staff.
Chair Mandle closed the PUBLIC HEARING.
Commission discussion ensued.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Abraham moved to
forward a recommendation to the City Council to adopt the Housing Element as
prepared by staff. 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.
4. OLD BUSINESS - none
5. NEW BUSINESS
This item was not discussed.
6. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
6.1 Planning Commission Representative for March 30 - Commissioner Mandle
6.2 Planning Commission Representative for March 31 - Commissioner Abraham
6.3 Planning Commission Representative for April 20 - Commissioner Partridge
6.4 Planning Commission Representative for May 21 - Commissioner Tankha
7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
7_1 Approval of the March 5, 2015 minutes.
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MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Partridge moved to
approve the March 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 - MARCH 10, MARCH 17, 2015
8.1 LANDS OF LEE; 13020 La Paloma Road, File# 272-15-ZP-SD; A request for a
Site Development Permit for a 2,165 square foot addition to an existing residence
with a 1,847 square foot basement (maximum height 22'6"), and a 960 square foot
second unit with a 960 square foot basement (maximum height 14'9"). CEQA
review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (Staff- S. Avila)
8.2 LANDS OF FAN & LIU; 25691 Vinedo Lane, File# 7-15-ZP-SD-GD; A request
for a Site Development Permit for a new 4,985 square foot two-story residence
(maximum height 27'), with a 2,303 square foot basement. CEQA review:
Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (Staff-N. Horvitz).
8.3 LANDS OF PARK; 26343 Esperanza Drive, File# 419-14-ZP-SD-GD; A request
for a Site Development Permit for a new 1,009 square foot two-story addition
(maximum height 26'), and an 840 square foot sports court. CEQA review:
Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (Staff-N. Horvitz).
8.4 LANDS OF SHAHIDI; 12825 Deer Creek Lane, File# 411-14-ZP-SD; A request
for a Site Development Permit for a new 5,609square foot two-story residence
(maximum height 23'6"), with a 1,847 square foot basement. The applicant is also
requesting a Grading Policy exception of up to 9'6" of cut for the house where 8' is
allowed. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (Staff-N.
Horvitz).
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9. REPORTS FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS -MARCH 10, 2015.
9.1 LANDS OF JING & FU; 26310 Esperanza Drive, File# 417-14-ZP-SD; A request
for a Site Development Permit for a landscape screening plan for a new 5,092
square foot, two-story residence approved at the September 3, 2013 Fast Track
hearing. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304 (b) (Staff- S.
Padovan).
10. ADJOURNMENT
Respectfully submitted,
9aime 4, 7,147 ioey
Jaime L. McAvoy
Planning Secretary
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