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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/10/2016 Approved April 7, 2016 1 Special Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 10, 2016 Minutes of a Special Meeting Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION Thursday, March 10, 2016, 7:00P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 ______________________________________________________________________________ 1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Present: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Couperus Staff: Suzanne Avila, Planning Director; Genevieve Fernandez, Assistant Planner; Steve Padovan, Consultant Planner; Jaime McAvoy, Planning Secretary 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR There were no presentations from the floor. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.1 LANDS OF POLYAKOV/SABSOVICH; 25541 Fremont Road, File #297-15-ZP- SD-VAR; A request for a Conditional Development Permit for additions totaling 265 square feet, a variance to exceed the floor area maximum and a variance to allow an addition within the front yard setback. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15301(e) – an addition to an existing single-family residence that is less than 2,500 square feet in floor area (Staff-G. Fernandez). Ex Parte Disclosures: There were no ex parte disclosures. Assistant Planner Genevieve Fernandez presented the staff report. Commissioner Abraham inquired again about the history of the house, as he was curious if all projects had been permitted. Ms. Fernandez said that the original house had a two car garage that had been converted to a one (1) car garage and an office without a permit by the previous owners. Commissioner Partridge said he did not recall directing the applicant to add a window seat to their plans. Ms. Fernandez said this was a new request, but the Commission could include a condition to eliminate the window seat. Approved April 7, 2016 2 Special Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 10, 2016 Chair Couperus asked if the applicant had anything to add. Applicant Ilya Sabsovich said that he had nothing to add. Chair Couperus opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Seeing no on wishing to speak, Chair Couperus closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commissioner Partridge said that he has not been able to support this project since the last meeting, and even though the applicant has been given clear instructions from the Planning Commission, they are still going against their recommendations. He said still could not support the application as presented. Commissioner Abraham said that he agreed with Commissioner Partridge. He did not support it last time for the same reasons and could not support it this time. He expressed his frustration with the applicant for ignoring the Commission’s direction on more than one occasion. Commissioner Partridge asked if the converted floor area had been counted towards the MFA of this project. Ms. Fernandez confirmed that it had been. He also inquired as to whether or not the parking was in conformance with Town code since they converted the garage. Director Avila confirmed there was adequate parking on site, but that it was in the setback, as is the case with most small lots in Town. Commissioner Tankha reiterated that the applicant had been given clear directions at the last meeting that no addition was to extend past the footprint of the house. She said that she supported the front addition but could not support the window seat on the rear side of the house. At this time Mr. Sabsovich asked to speak, stating they requested the window seat to give their master bedroom a larger feel. He added that he did not recall being given any direction at the December Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Mandle said that she still supported the front addition and enclosures as she did before, but would not support the window seat. As far as parking was concerned, she said staff supported the development process and that she was happy to support staff's judgment. Chair Couperus agreed with Commissioner Mandle and would not support the window seat. He added that he too, was willing to go along with the parking situation as staff did not raise it as an issue to be dealt with. Commissioner Abraham said that he was concerned about parking, and requested that they add an additional requirement that reads "all construction related vehicles and equipment shall be located on the site only. No parking or standing within 15 feet of the centerline of Fremont Road, including contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. The owner is responsible for enforcing this requirement. Failure to Approved April 7, 2016 3 Special Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 10, 2016 conform with this requirement may result in a stop work order." Commissioner Tankha said she did not believe that to be a practical request. Director Avila said that parking on-site was already a requirement in the construction process. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Mandle moved to make the conditional development permit findings in Attachment 1 , the variance findings in Attachment 2, to approve the project as proposed subject to the conditions in Attachment 3, to add the condition that the window seat be removed, and that the construction condition as proposed by Commissioner Abraham be added. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Tankha. AYES: Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Couperus NOES: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Partridge ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED 3-2. 3.2 LANDS OF YIU; 25700 BASSETT LANE (APN 336-43-013) File #370-14-IS- TM-ND. A request for a two lot subdivision of an existing 2.612 (gross) acre parcel. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15315, Minor Land Divisions. (Staff-S. Padovan). Ex Parte Disclosures: Commissioner Mandle, Partridge and Tankha said that they had spoken with applicant Simon Yiu and architect Steven Stept. Chair Couperus said that he had also spoken with Mr. Yiu and Mr. Stept, as well as an unnamed neighbor and City Councilmember Roger Spreen. Commissioner Abraham said he had nothing to disclose. Consultant Planner Steve Padovan presented the staff report. Commission asked questions of staff. Applicant Simon Yiu spoke on behalf of his proposal and the changes they had made based on neighbor and Commission feedback. Peter Carlino, Lea and Braze Engineering, spoke on behalf of the grading and drainage on the site, as well as the easement dedications. Commissioner Partridge asked Mr. Carlino if he agreed with the slope depiction, and he said that he did. Commissioner Partridge then asked him to explain some of what he saw as discontinuity on the plans, to which Mr. Carlino said there could Approved April 7, 2016 4 Special Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 10, 2016 be a steep change on the lot, but that he would have to look at his research to give a definitive answer. Eileen Gibbons, Pathway Committee, spoke on behalf of the recommendations made by the Committee. Charlene Archibeck, Los Altos Hills, said there were existing issues of water flowing on to her property and she was very concerned that there would be serious drainage issues if this development proceeded. Chair Couperus closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commissioner Mandle said that she was really appreciative of all the work the applicant had put into the project since the last meeting, and thanked staff for everything they had done as well. She said she was happy that the Open Space Committee had a chance to look at the project, and encouraged the applicant to speak with the committee again to see if there was room to accommodate a larger Open Space easement and a reasonable sized house. She felt this was going to be a difficult subdivision, and had not decided which way she was going to go at this point. Commissioner Abraham said that he agreed with a lot of what Commissioner Mandle had said, but that his real concern was creating a "monster lot" that was not useful for development. As the plans show now, he was sure the applicant could build a reasonable house on lot 2 without an enormous amount of difficult issues. He said he was in support of continuing the item, as well as having more conversations with the Open Space Committee. Chair Couperus reiterated that the conceptual house was not set in stone, and while a subdivision was possible, he asked if it made sense to do so. He said he was not sure what he wanted to do with this proposal. Commissioner Tankha said that the applicant had made a good effort to answer all questions posed to him. She felt the site was constrained and would be hard to build two big homes for sure, but that it would be possible to build two modest homes. She said that she would like to see this application come before the Commission again. Commissioner Partridge said that he agreed with many of thoughts of the other Commissioners. He also said that he appreciated that the applicant had been proactive with the drainage issues and tried hard to reduce the amount of trees proposed to be removed. He did not think they should take a 30 percent Open Space dedication when 10 percent was feasible, but this was per the General Plan and they are bound to respect the General Plan. He did think that returning the item to the Open Space Committee would be helpful. He also asked what a reasonable approach to defining a creek setback was, as the water could move with a storm or an increased drought. Approved April 7, 2016 5 Special Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 10, 2016 Chair Couperus added that he would like the plans of the houses come before the Commission, should the subdivision be approved. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Mandle moved to continue the project pending negotiation between the Open Space Committee and the applicant to define an Open Space/Conservation easement line, negotiation between the applicant and city engineer to define a lot division line, and a proposed building envelope that is large enough to accommodate a reasonable building footprint in the opinion of the applicant. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Abraham. AYES: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Couperus NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3.3 INTRODUCTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO SECTIONS 10-1.202, 10-1-504 10-1.505 AND 10.2.301 OF THE LOS ALTOS HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE ADDING REGULATIONS FOR AMATEUR RADIO AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION ANTENNAS; File #396-14-MISC; CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15061(B)(3) (Staff-S. Avila). Continued to April 7, 2016 Planning Commission meeting. 4. OLD BUSINESS 4.1 Floor Area Regulations for Substandard Lots (Staff-S. Avila) Director Avila gave the Commission an update on this ordinance. Commission discussion ensued. 5. NEW BUSINESS - none 6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 6.1 Approval of February 4, 2016 minutes. Commissioner Mandle noted a correction to the minutes. Approved April 7, 2016 6 Special Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 10, 2016 MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commission Abraham moved to approve the February 4, 2016 minutes as amended. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Tankha. AYES: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Couperus NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 7. REPORTS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 7.1 Planning Commission Representative for February 18 – Commissioner Partridge Commissioner Partridge presented a report on this meeting. Chair Couperus will now be covering the March 21 meeting and Commissioner Tankha will be covering the April 6 meeting. 7.2 Planning Commission Representative for March 21 – Commissioner Tankha 7.3 Planning Commission Representative for April 6 – Chair Couperus 7.4 Planning Commission Representative for May 19 – Commissioner Mandle 8. REPORTS FROM FAST TRACK MEETINGS – none 9. REPORTS FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS – FEBRUARY 16, MARCH 8, 2016 9.1 LANDS OF BOMDICA; 2100 Old Page Mill Road, File #364-15-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 520 square foot addition and substantial remodel of an existing residence including a new 822 square foot second story roof deck and other hardscape improvements throughout the property. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15301(e) – Addition to an existing structure not exceeding 2,500 square feet in area; (Staff-S. Padovan). Approved April 7, 2016 7 Special Planning Commission Meeting Minutes March 10, 2016 9.2 LANDS OF MARCH SIXTH LLC; 14271 Miranda Road, File #430-15-PM; A request for a Site Development Permit modification to the landscape screening plan, File #176-15-ZP-SD. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (Staff-G. Fernandez). 9.3 LANDS OF HYDER & FAROOQI; 11778 Magdalena Road, File #441-15-ZP- SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a landscape screening plan for a previously approved new residence. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304(b) (Staff-S. Avila). 10. ADJOURNMENT Respectfully Submitted, Jaime L. McAvoy Jaime L. McAvoy M.A. Planning Secretary The minutes for the March 10, 2016 Special Planning Commission meeting were approved on April 7, 2016.