HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 10Los Altos Hills
Environmental Design and Protection Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date: August 10, 2021 at 5:45 p.m.
Location: by Zoom Video Conference
1.Call to Order and Roll Call
The meeting was called to order by Chair Vijay Chawla at 5:45 pm.
Committee Members Present: Vijay Chawla (chair), Peter Brown (vice-chair), Buvana Dayanandan
(secretary), Carol Gottlieb (joined 5:48 PM), Hajime Murakami(Joined 5:50 PM), Nancy Couperus (Y)
Associate Members: Kjell Karlsson (joined 5:53 PM)
Council Liaison: Mayor Kavita Tankha (joined 5:48PM)
Guests: Randy Salim and Amanda Oakson (left at 6:51 PM), Elizabeth Loinaz
2.Presentations from the Floor
a.Randy Salim and Amanda Oakson described the saga of a heritage oak tree, #273, on Elena
Rd. which was being cut down by the Town. After their objection, a meeting was held with
the mayor, town staff, and committee members to discuss the issue. The tree was
eventually removed due to poor condition and danger to cars and pedestrians. Points made
in the discussion:
The Town did not adequately notify the neighbors and residents of the tree's
immanent removal.
The Town has taken an inventory of heritage trees on public rights of way and Town
property; this report should be made public, together with any arborists' reports.
A more transparent, formal procedure should be developed by the Town in
classifying its heritage trees and determining their fate.
A balance should be considered between tree preservation and public safety.
b.Vijay Chawla noted that a project on Olive Tree Lane is being constructed without proper
permits and it is negatively affecting the neighbors. Staff is working to straighten out the
permit, and EDPC will be asked to write the report once it is permitted.
3.Future Committee Dates of Interest & Assignments
a.EDPC Committee: September 14, 2021 @ 5:45 p.m.
b.City Council: August 19, 2021 6:00 pm
c.Planning Commission: September 2, 2021 6:00 pm
d.Field Trips: Friday mornings, Carol to coordinate
e.Fast Track/Site Development Meetings: Tuesday mornings, 10:00 am
4.Old Business
a. Exterior Lighting Policy: Haj indicated that Town Staff has responsibility for it now. Planning
commission wanted some clarifications.
b.Clarification of Ordinances: Parked project. Vijay posted on the projects folder.
c.Both the above items to come off the agenda.
5.New Business
a.July 13, 2021 Minutes approval – NO feedback. Carol proposal to move to approve. Peter
seconded the motion.
Motion to approve: Vijay, Peter, Buvana Carol, Haj, Nancy.
b.Review Presentation to City Council – Reviewed by the committee.
Motion to approve – Carol moved to approve, Buvana seconded. Motion approved
(YaY) - Vijay , Peter, Carol, Buvana, Nancy, Haj.
6.Review of Field Trip Reports
a.July 30, 2021
27772 Lupine Rd. – Landscape Screening- Plantings have been done= Horse property
(1/2 = Barn) , deodara cedars could be removed as nuisance trees for fire reasons;
very close to the high voltage line. Recommendation to plant a second row behind
the cedars. Some of the trees are planted too close. Screening recommendation.
Mature live oak ( ~8-10’ from the fence) – good canopy.
b.August 6, 2021
26950 Moody Ct. – Major Addition 1st Floor, New Basement & Garage - ridgeline
road. Single road to get to the residence. Excavating this hill and add a garage- push
the front of the home. Main concerns – Hill side and slope, property maintenance,
Palm tree is a fire hazard. Open space, pathways needs to be put on the list. Path is
in the road. Haj to send a note to staff about sending to open space and pathway.
7.Review of Site Development and Fast Tracks
a.July 20, 2021 - Cancelled
b.July 27, 2021
24151 Dawnridge Drive – Site Development Permit for a new 5,730 square-foot,
single-story residence with attached garage, an attached 800 square-foot
accessory dwelling unit, and new pool. APPROVED
a.August 3, 2021 - Cancelled
b.August 10, 2020
12255 Menalto Drive – Site Development Permit for landscape screening,
fencing and driveway gates for an approved new residence. APPROVED – Kjell
as a neighbor- deciduous and evergreen trees. Screening to cover the lighting -
no hedges on the retaining wall.
2.Planning Commission Meeting Report – August 5, 2021
a.14381 Miranda Way – Reconsider SD permit for a new 4729 SF 2-story residence with
1827 SF basement, a new 270 SF pool house, and a detached 800 SF ADU. APPROVED.
b.27772 Lupine Rd – SD permit landscape screening for a previously approved single
family residence. APPROVED.
c.28001 Elena Rd – Zoning permit for a new 6’ tall property line fencing and gates.
CONTINUED. Agricultural zoning for property tax reasons. Fence ordinance to provide
guidance for wildlife corridors
d.27388 Sherlock Ct – SD permit for a new 4958 SF 2 story residence on a vacant parcel
along with a request for a grading exception for parking a firetruck turnaround and
private road improvements to create a more conforming emergency access roadway
with a minimum width of 18 feet. CONTINUED.
3.City Council Meeting Report – July 22, 2021 – Nothing to report.
4.Adjournment – Adjourned at 7:29 PM- Everyone except Randy Salim and Amanda stayed till the
end. 6 EDPC + Kjell + Elizabeth