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Home My WebLink About10/03/2013 1 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes October 3, 2013 Minutes of a Regular Meeting Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION Thursday, October 3, 2013, 7:00 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Present: Absent: Commissioner Tankha, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Partridge, Chair Abraham Commissioner Couperus Staff: Debbie Pedro, Community Development Director; Richard Chiu, Public Works Director; Brian Froelich, Associate Planner; Jaime McAvoy, Planning Secretary 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Samuel Broydo, Los Altos Hills, came to mention the upcoming discussion element based on AB1358, and notify the Commission that he had sent materials for them to review before they make their decision. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ex Parte Communications: Commissioner Mandle reported that she spoke with the property owners, visited the site, and had spoken with multiple neighbors. Commissioner Partridge reported that he had spoken with the property owners and neighbors. Commissioner Tankha reported that she had spoken with the property owners and neighbors. Chair Abraham reported that he had spoken to the property owners, neighbors, and the architect. 3.1 LANDS OF CHEN, 2210 PAGE MILL ROAD; File # 100-13-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 6,099 square foot two-story new residence and 1,411 square foot basement (Maximum height: 26'). The application is also requesting a reduced right-of-way width of 40' along Gerth Lane where 50' is required. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (Staff- Brian Froelich). Chair Abraham requested to split the discussion into two parts: one for the right- of- way and one for the residence itself. The Commission agreed. 2 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes October 3, 2013 Associate Planner Brian Froelich presented the staff report. Commission asked questions of staff. Public Works Director Richard Chiu explained the purposes of right-of-way dedications, and the criteria for dedication size. Chair Abraham opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Applicant Cici Chen spoke on behalf of her project. Dan Tackas, Hatchmont/McDonald, traffic engineer, spoke on behalf of the reduced right-of-way dedication. Designer Scott Stotler spoke on behalf of the project. Applicant John Chen spoke on behalf of his project. Mark Bader, Los Altos Hills, also building a home on Gerth lane, stated his opposition to the waiver of the right-of-way dedication. Margot Pratt, Los Altos Hills, stated her opposition to the waiver of the right-of- way dedication. Gary Kremen, Los Altos Hills, stated his opposition to the waiver of the right-of- way dedication. Chair Abraham closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Chair Abraham re-opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Paul Waserman, representing the Snyder family, Los Altos Hills, spoke in support of the project. Mr. Chen responded to the comments made by his neighbors, and gave his closing statement. Commission discussion ensued. Mr. Stotler spoke again, but to the design of the house in reference to the front setback, now that the Commission has agreed to uphold the standard right-of-way dedication. John Nagle, Los Altos Hills, Gerth Lane Home Owner's Association President. Speaking on his own behalf, not the Association’s. Opposed to changing the front section of the property to Old Page Mill Road. 3 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes October 3, 2013 Mr. Kremen spoke again, requesting mediation with the Chens to keep the neighbors involved in the Site Development process. Vaughn Pratt, Los Altos Hills, is concerned about the visual impact of the house, and while he is not opposed to the size, he is worried it will not stick to the rural atmosphere of the neighborhood. Ms. Chen spoke again. Chair Abraham closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commission discussion resumed. Chair Abraham called for a recess. Commission reconvened at 10:00 PM. Applicants requested to continue the public hearing, and request a direction on where the commission stands on the 30 foot setback, so they can decide where to go from there. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Partridge moved to continue, to a date uncertain, a request for consideration of a 30 foot side setback along Gerth Lane, and up to an 18 inch encroachment of the eaves into the setback, and include the added condition that the applicant bring the Landscape Screening Plan to the Planning Commission, based on a 20 foot right-of-way dedication. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Tankha. AYES: Commissioner Tankha, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Partridge, Chair Abraham NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Couperus ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED. 4. OLD BUSINESS - none 4 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes October 3, 2013 5. NEW BUSINESS 5.1 LOS ALTOS HILLS 2013 LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN. The draft hazard mitigation plan identifies natural hazards that pose a threat to the Town, evaluates the Town's vulnerability to these hazards, and proposes actions to reduce the long term risk. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15308 (Staff-Debbie Pedro). Corrine Bartshire, Project Consultant, presented this report. Chair Abraham opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Ernest Solomon, Los Altos Hills, does not think that all aspects of the Mitigation Plan are relevant to the Town. Duncan McMillan, Emergency Communications Committee Chair, discussed items that should be included in the Mitigation Plan. Commission made comments and asked clarifying questions of the consultant. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Mandle moved to forward a recommendation to the City Council to approve the 2013 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Tankha. AYES: Commissioner Tankha, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Partridge, Chair Abraham NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Couperu ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED. 6. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 6.1 Planning Commission Representative for September 19 - Commissioner Partridge Commissioner Partridge reported on this meeting. 6.2 Planning Commission Representative for October 17 - Chair Abraham 6.3 Planning Commission Representative for November 05 - Commissioner Couperus 6.4 Planning Commission Representative for December 12 - Commissioner Tankha 5 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes October 3, 2013 7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 7.1 Approval of September 5, 2013 minutes. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Partridge moved to approve the September 5, 2013 minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mandle. AYES: Commissioner Tankha, Commissioner Mandle NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Couperus ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED. 8. REPORTS FROM FAST TRACK MEETINGS - OCTOBER 1, 2013 8.1 LANDS OF CHAO, 26438 ASCENSION DRIVE; File # 184-13-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 4,771 square foot new residence with 2, 329 square foot basement (Maximum height: 26'6"). A 527 square foot swimming pool and removal of two (2) heritage oak trees. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) & (e) (Staff- Cynthia Richardson). 9. REPORTS FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS - SEPTEMBER 10, SEPTEMBER 17, 2013 9.1 LANDS OF WASCHURA, 12658 LA CRESTA COURT: File # 167-13-ZP-SD- GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 657 square foot detached second unit with a 906 square foot detached garage and conversion of an existing garage into habitable floor area (Maximum height 24'8"). CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15301 (e) (Staff- Cynthia Richardson). 9.2 LANDS OF YARLAGADDA, 12368 MELODY LANE; File# 249-13-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a landscape screening plan for a new residence approved at the Fast Track hearing on July 20, 2010. The applicant is also requesting approval of a 1,534 square foot pavilion (solar structure) over a previously approved swimming pool. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304 (b) & 15303 (a) & (e) (Staff- Nicole Horvitz). 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 11:21 P.M. 6 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes October 3, 2013 Respectfully submitted, Jaime L. McAvoy Planning Secretary