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Home My WebLink About09/05/20131 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 5, 2013 Minutes of a Regular Meeting Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION Thursday, September 05, 2013, 7:00 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Present: Chair Abraham, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha Staff: Debbie Pedro, Community Development Director; Richard Chiu, Public Works Director; Nicole Horvitz, Assistant Planner; Jaime McAvoy, Planning Secretary 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR There were no presentations from the floor 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ex Parte Communications: Commissioner Couperus reported that he had spoken with Mr. Lean and Mr. Merrick, neighbors on Taaffe Road. Commissioner Mandle reported that she had visited both properties but did not speak with the property owners. Commissioner Partridge reported that he had spoken with the applicants. Commissioner Tankha reported that she visited both properties but has not spoken with anyone. Chair Abraham reported that he had visited both properties, and had spoken with Ms. Taelemans. 3.1 LANDS OF TAELEMANS, 25550 Moody Road; File #96-13-VAR; A request to modify an existing conservation easement agreement, to allow a 124 square foot storage shed to be located within the conservation easement, and a variance for the shed to encroach within the front property line setback. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (e) (staff-Nicole Horvitz). Assistant Planner Nicole Horvitz presented the staff report, and noted a correction to the proposed modified conservation easement agreement. Commissioner Couperus noted the importance of setting a height limitation for this request. Chair Abraham opened the PUBLIC HEARING. 2 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 5, 2013 Applicant Chris Taelemans asked the Commission to let her keep her shed, as her lot is constrained. Chair Abraham closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commission discussion ensued. Commissioner Couperus reiterated his request for a height limitation for this request, suggesting the height shall not exceed 14 feet. Commissioner Mandle agreed with the staff recommendation to approve the variance due to the constraints of the lot. Commissioner Partridge is concerned that this violation was not complaint driven but pursued by the Town, and requests a look at reducing the fees placed on the applicant. Commissioner Tankha agreed with Commissioner Mandle and is inclined to approve the variance. Chair Abraham agreed with the rest of the Commission. In addition, he believes the current easement exceeds the required minimum. MOTION MADE AND CARRIED: Moved by Commissioner Tankha, seconded by Commissioner Couperus and passed unanimously to forward a recommendation to the City Council to approve a request to modify an existing conservation easement agreement, to allow a 124 square foot storage shed to be located within the conservation easement, and a variance for the shed to encroach within the front property line setback, with the added amendment that the structure shall not exceed 14' in height. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Moved by Commissioner Partridge to forward a recommendation to the City Council to consider reducing the fee that is assessed for a variance request given the exceptional circumstances of this property. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Tankha. Commission discussion ensued. Commissioner Couperus discussed that due to certain circumstances the property owner, out of no fault of their own, is faced with a hardship that is beyond their control. Commissioner Mandle stated that a variance involves hardship and exceptional circumstances to begin with, and each applicant can argue that it is a special situation. She is not inclined for the Town to take a loss on processing this application. 3 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 5, 2013 The Applicant spoke again, requesting any assistance in fees the Town could provide. Community Development Director Debbie Pedro clarified what the fees and deposits for these projects are used for. Commissioner Partridge amended his motion as follows: MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Partridge moved to forward a recommendation to the City Council to consider reducing the fee that is assessed for this variance request given the exceptional circumstances of this property, and that that staff provides the Council with the fees and deposits associated with this project. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Tankha. Commissioner Partridge clarified that he supported the fee reduction because the code enforcement case was staff initiated, not complaint driven. Commission discussion continued. AYES: Commissioner Tankha, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Partridge, Chair Abraham NOES: Commissioner Mandle ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED. 4. OLD BUSINESS - none 5. NEW BUSINESS 5.1 Review of Taaffe Road Metal Beam Guardrail Project (Staff- Richard Chiu). Public Works Director Richard Chiu presented the staff report. Commission asked questions of staff. Chair Abraham opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Andrew Merrick, Los Altos Hills, lives in the house below the proposed guard rail. His family has been petitioning to get a safety barrier in this location since 1973. 4 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 5, 2013 Kjell Karlsson, Traffic and Safety Committee, generally dislikes guardrails in the Town but feels this one is necessary in this location. Chair Abraham closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commissioner Tankha is worried about exposing the Town to liability. Commissioner Partridge originally had a mixed impression on this, but is starting to think this is a valid place to put a guardrail. Commissioner Couperus states the barrier will reduce the severity of a crash at this site, and supports this action. Commissioner Mandle has qualms about erecting barriers around Town, but sees the need for a guardrail in this location. Chair Abraham supports the consultant's recommendation to not build the barrier, and suggested installing speed bumps to possibly reduce driving speed. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Couperus moved to forward a recommendation to the City Council to proceed with building the guardrail. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Partridge. AYES: Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Partridge NOES: Commissioner Tankha, Chair Abraham ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Mandle moved to forward a recommendation to the City Council to consider whatever traffic calming measures the Traffic and Safety Committee comes forward with to also implement at this site. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Couperus. Commissioner Partridge stated he is strongly opposed to moving forward with this motion as it is not on the agenda, and the Town is already moving forward with building the guardrail. Chair Abraham was in agreement with Commissioner Partridge. 5 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 5, 2013 AYES: Commissioner Tankha, Commissioner Couperus, Commissioner Mandle NOES: Commissioner Partridge, Chair Abraham ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED. 6. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 6.1 Planning Commission Representative for August 15 - Commissioner Mandle Commissioner Mandle reported on this City Council Meeting, and requested to add to the next agenda a discussion on what the role of the Planning Commission/ Planning Commissioners should be at a City Council Meeting. 6.2 Planning Commission Representative for September 19 - Commissioner Partridge 6.3 Planning Commission Representative for October 17 - Chair Abraham 6.4 Planning Commission Representative for November 19 - Commissioner Couperus 7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 7.1 Approval of July 25, 2013 minutes. Commissioners Couperus and Partridge noted corrections to the minutes. MOTION MADE AND CARRIED: Moved by Commissioner Couperus, seconded by Commissioner Partridge and passed unanimously to approve the July 25, 2013 minutes as corrected. 8. REPORTS FROM FAST TRACK MEETINGS - AUGUST 6, AUGUST 20, AUGUST 27, SEPTEMBER 3 2013 8.1 LANDS OF PRECISION CAPITAL, LLC; 25755 CARADO COURT; File # 131- 13-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 5,667 square foot two-story new residence (Maximum height 27') with a 2, 017 square foot basement, and a 640 square foot swimming pool. In addition, the applicant is requesting the removal of one (1) 16" and one (1) 12" heritage oak trees. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303(a) (Staff-Cynthia Richardson). 8.2 LANDS OF 12401 HILLTOP DRIVE LLC; 12401 HILLTOP DRIVE; File #80- 6 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 5, 2013 13-ZP-SD-GD; A request or a Site Development Permit for a new 8,632 square foot two story residence (Maximum height 27') with a 5,709 square foot basement, 737 square foot detached garage, 992 square food secondary dwelling unit, 516 square foot pool house, 1,602 square foot swimming pool and spa, a 3,000 square foot sports court, and a new fence along the perimeter. The applicant is also requesting to remove four (4) heritage oak trees. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) & (e) (Staff-Nicole Horvitz). 8.3 LANDS OF VANDERBEEK; 26400 PURISSIMA ROAD; File #197-13-ZP-SD- GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a new 6,054 square foot single story residence (Maximum height 23'), a 1, 304 square foot detached garage and carport, a 2, 772 square foot detached accessory building with a 906 square foot basement, and a 675 square foot swimming pool. The applicant is also requesting to remove six (6) heritage oak trees. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303(a) & (e) (Staff-Nicole Horvitz). 8.4 LANDS OF RECURVE VENTURES; 12030 ELSIE WAY; File# 98-13-ZP-SD- GD; A request for a Site Development Permit to construct a new 6,415 square foot two story residence with an attached two (2) car garage (Maximum height: 27'), a 1,790 square foot basement with a Secondary Dwelling Unit, a 1,000 square foot swimming pool, and removal of one (1) 17" heritage oak tree. CEQA Review: Categorical exemption per Section 15303 (a) & (e) (Staff-Brian Froelich). 8.5 LANDS OF RAMGOPAL FAMILY TRUST; 14085 SEVEN ACRES LANE; File #90-13-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a major addition/ new residence and secondary dwelling unit. The proposal includes a 118 square foot first story addition, a 1,171 second story addition, and interior remodel. (Maximum height: 26'). CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (Staff-Brian Froelich). 8.6 LANDS OF FU AND JING; 26310 ESPERANZA DRIVE; File # 209-13-ZP-SD- GD; A request for a Site Development Permit to construct a new 5,092 square foot two story residence (Maximum building height: 27') with a 2,246 square foot basement, two attached two (2) car garages, and a Secondary Dwelling Unit in the basement. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (Staff- Brian Froelich). 9. REPORTS FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS - AUGUST 20, AUGUST 27, SEPTEMBER 3, 2013 9.1 LANDS OF BREGMAN; 25825 JOSEFA LANE; File # 99-13-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a new 493 square foot single story addition (Maximum height 13'6') a 168 square foot pool house, a 546 square foot swimming pool, and a new property line fence. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) & (e) (Staff- Nicole Horvitz). 7 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes September 5, 2013 9.2 LANDS OF CHIN; 25354 LA RENA LANE; File #282-13-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for landscape screening of a new residence that was approved at the Fast Track meeting on June 21, 2011. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304 (b) (Staff- Brian Froelich). 9.3 LANDS OF ANDRADE; 14230 WILD PLUM LANE; File #189-13-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a landscape screening plan for a new residence approved at the Fast Track meeting on August 14, 2012. The applicant is also requesting approval of a 700 square foot gazebo and property line fence. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304 (b) & 15303 (a) (Staff- Nicole Horvitz). 9.4 LANDS OF LINK; 23695 RAVENSBURY AVENUE; File #215-13-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a new 1,330 square foot swimming pool. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (e) (Staff- Nicole Horvitz). 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:02 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Jaime L. McAvoy Community Development Specialist