HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/09/2013Approved June 6, 2013
Planning Commission Special Meeting Minutes
May 9, 2013
Minutes of a Special Meeting
Town of Los Altos Hills
PLANNING COMMISSION
Thursday, May 9, 2013 7:00 P.M.
Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road
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1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Present: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Mandle,
Chair Partridge, Commissioner Tankha
Staff: Debbie Pedro, Planning Director; Richard Chiu, Public Works Director; Brian
Froelich, Associate Planner; Nicole Horvitz, Assistant Planner; Jaime McAvoy,
Planning Secretary
2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
3.1 LANDS OF TIOP INC; 26991 Taaffe Road, File #110-12-ZP-SD-GD; a request
for a site development permit for a new 4,990 square foot two story residence
(maximum height 27') with a 2,926 square foot basement. In addition, the
applicant is requesting removal of nine (9) heritage oak trees within the building
site. CEQA review: exempt per 15303 (a) (Staff-Nicole Horvitz).
Assistant Planner Nicole Horvitz presented the Staff Report.
The Commission asked questions of staff.
Chair Partridge opened the PUBLIC HEARING.
Architect Malika Junai spoke on behalf of the project.
Commission asked questions of the architect.
Environmental Design and Protection Committee (EDP) Chair Pat Ley spoke,
stated the house is not suitable for the site.
Ms. Junai responded to the concerns of the EDP.
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Planning Commission Special Meeting Minutes
May 9, 2013
Chair Partridge closed the PUBLIC HEARING.
Commission discussion ensued.
MOTION MADE AND CARRIED: Moved by Commissioner Abraham,
seconded by Commissioner Couperus and passed unanimously to approve a
request for a site development permit for a new 4,990 square foot two story
residence with a 2,926 square foot basement, and removal of nine (9) heritage oak
trees within the building site. In addition, the landscape screening plan must be
brought back before the Planning Commission.
MOTION CARRIED.
3.2 LANDS OF FREMONT HILLS COUNTRY CLUB; 12889 Viscaino Place: File
#45-13-ZP-SD-CUP; A request for a Site Development Permit and Conditional
Use Permit Amendment for a 830 square foot addition to the existing fitness
center on the lower floor of the clubhouse building. CEQA Review: Categorical
Exemption per Section 15301 (e). (Staff-Brian Froelich).
Associate Planner Brian Froelich presented the Staff Report.
The Commission asked questions of staff.
Chair Partridge opened PUBLIC HEARING.
Club Representative Scott Dominie spoke on behalf of the project.
Chair Partridge, seeing no one wishing to speak, closed the PUBLIC HEARING.
Commission discussion ensued.
Commissioner Abraham stated concern over code violations he had observed at
the Country Club, and requested the application should be denied because of them.
Chair Partridge recommended that staff investigate and resolve code compliance
issues with the lighting as a separate issue from the project approval. Debbie
Pedro agreed to pursue this.
MOTION MADE: Commissioner Abraham moved to continue the application
until the next meeting, and during the interim period that the applicant cleans up
code violations and that staff conducts a true traffic and parking study and reports
back at the next Commission meeting for further consideration. The motion lacked
a second and was lost.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Couperus moved to forward
a recommendation to the City Council to approve a request for a Site Development
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May 9, 2013
Permit and Conditional Use Permit Amendment for a 830 square foot addition to
the existing fitness center on the lower floor of the clubhouse building. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Tankha.
AYES: Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Mandle, Chair Partridge,
Commissioner Tankha
NOES: Commissioner Abraham
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION CARRIED.
3.3 LANDS OF MAUPILE REVOCABLE TRUST, 26970 Orchard Hill Lane; File
#36-13-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 5,691 sq. ft.
two-story new residence (maximum height: 27 feet). The proposal includes a
4,264 sq. ft. combination basement/bunker and a relocated driveway access.
CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (staff-Brian
Froelich).
Associate Planner Brian Froelich presented the Staff Report.
The Commission asked questions of staff.
Chair Partridge opened the PUBLIC HEARING.
Architect Ken Linsteadt spoke on behalf of the project.
The Commission asked questions of the architect.
Alexander Atkins, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of the project, but is
concerned how the construction will affect traffic on the street as it is narrow.
Chair Partridge closed the PUBLIC HEARING.
Commission discussion ensued.
MOTION MADE: Commissioner Abraham moved to approve a request for a Site
Development Permit for a 5,691 sq. ft. two-story new residence (maximum a, a
4,264 sq. ft. combination basement/bunker and a relocated driveway access, with
the added condition that they change the exterior paint to conform to the Town
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standard of a reflectivity value of less than 50. The motion lacked a second and
was lost.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Couperus moved to approve
a request for a Site Development Permit for a 5,691 sq. ft. two-story new residence,
a 4,264 sq. ft. combination basement/bunker, and a relocated driveway access, with
the added condition that the Landscape Screening plan come before the Planning
Commission. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Tankha.
AYES: Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Mandle, Chair Partridge,
Commissioner Tankha
NOES: Commissioner Abraham
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION CARRIED.
4.
OLD BUSINESS - Discussion of Amendments to Setback Ordinance (Section 10-1.505
of the LAHMC) (Continued to the next Planning Commission meeting).
5. NEW BUSINESS
5.1 Consideration of Amendment to Development Area Policy Regarding Artificial
Turf (staff- Debbie Pedro).
Planning Director Debbie Pedro presented the Staff Report.
The Commission asked questions of staff.
Chair Partridge opened the PUBLIC HEARING.
Chair of the Environmental Design and Protection Committee (EDP) Pat Ley
stated that in the past the artificial turf had been known to be dangerous, toxic, and
have an unpleasant odor.
Chair Partridge closed the PUBLIC HEARING.
Commission discussion ensued.
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Planning Commission Special Meeting Minutes
May 9, 2013
MOTION MADE AND CARRIED: Moved by Commissioner Couperus, seconded
by Commissioner Abraham and passed unanimously to forward a recommendation
to the City Council that the policy not be revised.
5.2 Review of Lighted In-Pavement Warning System and Electronic Driver Feedback
Sign for the Arastradero Trial Improvement Project (staff- Richard Chiu).
Chair Partridge recused himself on this item, as he is an employee of Stanford.
Commissioner Abraham presided.
Public Works Director Richard Chiu presented the Staff Report.
The Commission asked questions of staff.
Commissioner Abraham opened the PUBLIC HEARING.
Traffic Consultant Robert Eckles presented the background of the proposal,
provided the Commission with information on in-pavement warning systems for
crosswalks.
President of Los Altos Hills Horseman's Association (LAHHA) Michael
Wagner spoke in support of safe crossing, but is opposed to the current design.
Carol Gottlieb, Los Altos Hills, wants to make sure that whatever is decided is
safest for the horses.
Jolon Wagner, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of safe crossing but is concerned
with the proposed design.
Dov Karmegian, Los Altos Hills, concerned how this system will affect traffic on
the road.
Eric Taborek, Los Altos Hills, does not see a need for a crossing at this
intersection.
Traffic and Safety Committee Chair Kjell Karlson, The Committee does not
have a position on this subject, but would be comfortable recommending nothing.
Commissioner Abraham closed the PUBLIC HEARING.
Commission discussion ensued.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Couperus moved to forward
a recommendation to the Council to do nothing at this time for the crossing, but to
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proceed with the electronic feedback sign. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Tankha.
AYES: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner
Tankha
NOES: Commissioner Mandle
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Chair Partridge
MOTION CARRIED.
Chair Partridge returned to the dais.
6. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
6.1 Planning Commission Representative for April 18 - Chair Partridge
6.2 Planning Commission Representative for May 20 - Commissioner Abraham
6.3 Planning Commission Representative for June 20 - Commissioner Tankha
6.4 Planning Commission Representative for July 22 - Commissioner Couperus
7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
7.1
Approval of April 4, 2013 minutes.
MOTION MADE AND CARRIED: Moved by Commissioner Abraham, seconded
by Commissioner Mandle and passed unanimously to approve the April 4, 2013
minutes.
8. REPORTS FROM FAST TRACK MEETINGS - APRIL 30, MAY 7, 2013
8.1
LANDS OF DORCHAK; 11565 Old Ranch Road: File #5-13-ZP-SD; A request
for a Site Development Permit for a new 427 square foot addition (Maximum
height 22'6"), a major interior remodel, and relocated driveway entrance. CEQA
review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (staff- Nicole Horvitz).
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Planning Commission Special Meeting Minutes
May 9, 2013
8.2
LANDS OF DAVID Y.W. CHAN TRUST; 12060 Elsie Way: File # 112-12-ZP-
SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit to Construct a new 6,023 square
foot two story residence with an attached three (3) car garage, and 2,056 square
foot basement. (Maximum building height: 29') CEQA Review: Categorical
Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (staff- Brian Froelich).
8.3 LANDS OF MARTINA AND WEBER; 12600 Miraloma Way: File #12-13-ZP-
SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 5,754 square foot one-
story new residence (Maximum height 20'6") with a 450 square foot detached
secondary dwelling unit and a 800 square foot swimming pol. CEQA review:
Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (staff- Cynthia Richardson).
9. REPORTS FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS - APRIL 9, APRIL 23, 2013
9.1
LANDS OF CONGREGATION BETH AM; 26970 Arastradero Road: File # 43-
13-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit to modify the parking lot
lighting plan by adding four (4) new lighting fixtures mounted to one (1) existing
pole and addition of two (2) new 15 foot tall along the primary access driveway.
The proposed lighting fixtures and poles are the same model as the existing
parking lot lights. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15301
(staff-Brian Froelich).
9.2
LANDS OF ARNHEIM; 14241 Miranda Road: File # 182-12-ZP-SD; A request
for a Site Development Permit for a new 1,617 square foot swimming pool.
CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (e) (staff- Brian
Froelich).
10. ADJOURNMENT- The meeting adjourned at 10:07 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Jaime L. McAvoy
Planning Secretary
The minutes for the May 9, 2013 Special Planning Commission meeting were approved as
amended on June 6, 2013.