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Home My WebLink About10/07/2021Approved November 4, 2021 1 Planning Commission Regular Meeting October 7, 2021 Minutes Town of Los Altos Hills Planning Commission Regular Meeting October 7, 2021 Minutes Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California 1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Via teleconference according to the Government Code Section 54953(e), Chair Indaco called the October 7, 2021 Planning Commission Regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present: Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Patel, Vice-Chair Waschura, Chair Indaco, Staff: Interim Planning Director Padovan, Associate Planner Loh, Management Analyst Einfalt, Planning Technician Brunner, Claire Lai, Assistant City Attorney 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Persons wishing to address the Commission on any subject not on the agenda are invited to do so now. Please note, however, that the Commission is not able to undertake extended discussion or act tonight on non-agendized items. Such items will be referred to staff or placed on the agenda for a future meeting. Chair Indaco opened PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR. Kit Gordon announced the death of Art Lachenbruch, read his obituary, and requested the Town consider a dedication of some type in his honor. No other presentations from the floor. Chair Indaco closed PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.1 Approval of September 2, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes Chair Indaco requested to strike out "and support of" at the top of page 3. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Patel moved that the September 2, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes be approved as discussed. The motion was seconded by Vice-Chair Waschura. MOTION PASSED: 5-0 AYES: Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Patel, Vice-Chair Waschura, Chair Indaco NOES: None ABSTAIN: None RECUSE: None ABSENT: None 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS Planning Commission Ex Parte Commissioner Patel had no ex parte communications. Vice-Chair Waschura had communications with Commissioner Couperus, Michael Grady, and email correspondence with Kit Gordon on Item 4.1 Commissioner Smith had communications with Kit Gordon and Sue Welch on Item 4.1. Approved November 4, 2021 2 Planning Commission Regular Meeting October 7, 2021 Minutes Commissioner Couperus had communications with Sue Welch and Chair Indaco on Item 4.1; and Vice-Chair Waschura on Item 5.1. Chair Indaco had communications with Carol Gottlieb of the Environmental Design & Protection Committee (EDPC), Kit Gordon, and Sue Welch on Item 4.1; and with Commissioner Couperus on Item 5.1 4.1 28001 Elena Road (APN 182-02-0196) – File # ZP21-0047 – Lands of Sea Landing LP Zoning Permit for new 6’-0” tall property line fencing and gates. Continued from August 5, 2021 Planning Commission meeting. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303(e) Project Planner: Staff: Jeremy Loh Chair Indaco opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Associate Planner Loh presented the staff report. Vice-Chair Waschura asked staff clarifying questions during the presentation. A question-and-answer session between the Commissioners and staff ensued at the conclusion of the staff presentation. The applicant's representative, Stephen Pahl, offered comments to the Commissioners. Commissioner Patel addressed the applicant regarding the lack of prepared information requested by the Commission at the conclusion of the August hearing for this hearing. A question-and-answer session between the Commissioners and the applicant ensued. Public Comment Michael Grady, a Los Altos Hills resident, expressed his concerns regarding the proposed fence to the wildlife and staff’s response to the unpermitted work. Kit Gordon, Open Space Committee Chair, offered comments in support of wildlife’s continuing access to the property. Charles Bronitsky, an attorney for the owners of Parcel 1, offered comments regarding his clients’ concerns about the proposed fence. Alisa Bredo, a Pathways Committee member, offered comments against allowing the gate and for supporting a pathway and a wildlife-friendly fence. Sue Welch, a Los Altos Hills resident, offered comments in support of maintaining a wildlife corridor and against the proposed fence. Stephen Pahl, the applicant offered to answer questions from the public, but none were asked. Vice-Chair Waschura asked the Assistant City Attorney, Claire Lai, for guidance regarding the Planning Commission’s limitations regarding various conditions of approval for a fence permit. Commissioner Patel asked staff questions regarding agricultural habitats. Chair Indaco offered comments against the applicant’s intent to plant bamboo. Chair Indaco closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Approved November 4, 2021 3 Planning Commission Regular Meeting October 7, 2021 Minutes Commission Discussion Commissioner Couperus offered comments regarding the applicant’s adversarial position with the Planning Commission versus a collaborative one. He offered additional comments regarding the details of the Williamson Act, the proposed fence and its impact on wildlife, and shared slides illustrating wildlife trails on the property. Commissioner Smith agreed with Commissioner Couperus' comments. Commissioner Patel agreed with Commissioner Couperus' comments and noted the applicant's incomplete application at this second hearing. He suggested continuing this item, contingent upon three factors: 1. all unpermitted fences be removed immediately, 2. return to the Planning Commission only if there is a detailed and accurate proposal for the fencing locations; and 3. have the Live Oak Associates evaluate the wildlife corridor for this property and present their findings at the same hearing for this matter. Vice-Chair Waschura offered comments regarding possible conditions of approval and requested the applicant reevaluate their application. Chair Indaco agreed with Commissioner Couperus' presentation, Commissioner Patel’s and Vice-Chair Waschura's comments, and offered additional comments. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Chair Indaco motioned that the Planning Commission CONTINUE to a date uncertain with these instructions to the applicant: 1. remove all the unpermitted fences immediately, 2. prepare and submit a detailed fence proposal, referencing Associate Planner Loh's letter from the August 2021 Planning Commission meeting, 3. have the Open Space Committee walk the area to evaluate the wildlife concerns, and 4. ensure anything proposed by the applicant has been agreed upon by the owners of Parcel 1 and Lot 1. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Patel. MOTION PASSED: 5-0 AYES: Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Smith, Vice-Chair Waschura, Chair Indaco NOES: None ABSTAIN: None RECUSE: None RECUSE: None ABSENT: None 4.2. 12255 Menalto Drive – File # APL21-0003 – Lands of St. Ledger Appeal of the Site Development Committee’s approval of Site Development Permit (SD21-0009) for landscape screening and fencing for an approved new residence. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) Project Planner: Jeremy Loh Item 4.2 was continued to the November 4, 2021 Planning Commission meeting at the request of the appellant. 5. NEW BUSINESS 5.1 Appointment of a two-member subcommittee to review requirements for new construction and explore options with the County Fire Department. Director Padovan provided a brief description of the nature of the request by the City Council. Approved November 4, 2021 4 Planning Commission Regular Meeting October 7, 2021 Minutes Commissioner Couperus provided the history and update on this topic. Commission discussion ensued regarding appointing Commissioner Couperus and Vice-Chair Waschura to this committee. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Motion by Chair Indaco to appoint Commissioner Couperus and Vice-Chair Waschura to a subcommittee to review requirements for new construction and explore options with the County Fire Department. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Patel. MOTION PASSED: 5-0 AYES: Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Smith, Vice-Chair Waschura, Chair Indaco NOES: None ABSTAIN: None RECUSE: None RECUSE: None ABSENT: None 5.2 Update on the Revised Outdoor Lighting Policy and Guidelines. Associate Planner Loh presented the update on the Revised Outdoor Lighting Policy and Guidelines. Vice-Chair Waschura asked staff questions. Chair Indaco offered comments regarding some of the items in the EDPC's proposal. Commission discussion ensued. Interim Planning Director Padovan offered comments regarding LED strip lighting. Commissioner Patel offered suggestions to modify some of the lighting verbiage. Commissioners Couperus and Patel questioned the issue of compliance with a new lighting policy. Staff will revise proposal NO MOTION. 6. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS There was an announcement by the History Committee to visit the Moffet Museum. Contact Carol Gottlieb for more information. 6.1 Past Meeting • September 16, 2021 – Commissioner Smith Commissioner Smith provided highlights of the past City Council meeting. 6.2 Upcoming Meeting Assignments • October 21, 2021 – Commissioner Patel • November 18, 2021 – Commissioner Couperus • December 16, 2021 – Vice-Chair Waschura Chair Indaco confirmed upcoming meeting assignments. Approved November 4, 2021 5 Planning Commission Regular Meeting October 7, 2021 Minutes 7. REPORTS FROM PAST SITE DEVELOPMENT / FAST TRACK MEETINGS 7.1 September 7, 2021 • 12500 Minorca Court – File #SD21-0032 – Lands of St. Arora Site Development Permit for a new 4,551 square-foot, one-story residence with a 2,157 square-foot basement, and a detached 1,198 square-foot accessory dwelling unit. APPROVED 7.2 September 14, 2021 • 12170 Dawn Lane – File #SD21-0044 – Lands of Koganti Site Development Permit for landscape screening for an approved new residence. Continued from August 17, 2021 Site Development Committee meeting. APPROVED 7.3 September 21, 2021 • 12360 Priscilla Lane – File #SD21-0074 – Lands of Chawla Site Development Permit for landscape screening for an approved new residence; modifications to approved driveway and hardscape. APPROVED 7.4 September 28, 2021 • 14330 Debell Road – File #ZP21-0071 – Lands of Lexterra LLC Site Development Permit to allow placement of a temporary trailer for habitation during construction of an approved new residence for a period of six months. APPROVED • 27860 Black Mountain Road – File #SD21-0034 – Lands of Broken Oak Trust Site Development Permit for landscape screening for an approved new residence and accessory structures. Continued from August 31, Site Development Committee meeting. APPROVED 7.5 October 5, 2021 • 13691 Old Altos Road – File #SD21-0064 – Lands of Neal Site Development Permit for a 381 square-foot, second-story addition to an existing single-family residence. Planning Director Padovan provided a summary on past Site Development / Fast Track hearings and noted that 13691 Old Altos Road was CONTINUED to the October 19, 2021 Site Development Committee meeting. 8. PLANNING DIRECTOR REPORT. Interim Planning Director Padovan shared general ideas on how the Town will address Senate Bill 9. Commissioner Patel asked staff questions regarding splitting lots. Chair Indaco suggested the Commissioners listen to the previous City Council meeting to gain clarification on this topic from comments made by the Town’s attorney. Commissioner Patel asked for an update on the hiring plans for the Planning Department. Approved November 4, 2021 6 Planning Commission Regular Meeting October 7, 2021 Minutes 9. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 9:59 PM by Chair Indaco. Respectfully submitted, Keren Brunner Planning Technician