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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/05/2016Approved June 2, 2016 1 May 5, 2016 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Minutes of a Regular Meeting Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION Thursday, May 05, 2016, 7:00 P.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 Ex Parte Disclosures: There were no ex parte disclosures. 3.1 LANDS OF KALBALI; 13531 Burke Road, File #232-14-ZP-SD-CDP-VAR; A Conditional Development Permit and Site Development Permit for a new 2,986 square foot, two-story single-family dwelling with a 1,615 square foot basement on a .347 net acre lot and a Variance to allow two required uncovered parking spaces in the rear yard setback (Maximum height of structure is under 27’). CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303(a) (Staff- S. Padovan). Chair Couperus opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Consultant Planner Steve Padovan presented the staff report. Commission asked questions of staff. Applicant Gina Jackman spoke on behalf of her project. Commission asked questions of the applicant. Architect Dan Rhoads, Young and Borlik, also spoke on behalf of the application. Approved June 2, 2016 2 May 5, 2016 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Commission asked questions of the architect and received his responses Doug Rimer, Los Altos Hills, appreciated the construction efforts put out by the applicant, but discussed the need landscape screening, and requested the Commission postpone its decision until a ruling on the Floor Area Ration (FAR) is adopted. Ray Strimitis, Los Altos Hills, agreed with comments made by Mr. Rimer, and stated that he was not opposed to the proposed setback variance. Chair Couperus closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commission discussion ensued. Commissioner Abraham complimented the applicant and architect for designing a house that will blend with the neighborhood and was nicely broken up so as to not have a box-like appearance. He said the variance requested for parking was located in the most efficient and logical place on the property. The adjoining property is using the same method so he did not see it as any special consideration as the neighbors are doing the same thing. He would like to see the removal of the existing fencing and would like the Commission to consider the landscape screening plan. Commissioner Mandle agreed that this project was in a much better starting place than the last, but that the request for a setback variance was an issue. She said that she understood that many of the neighbors have parking in the setbacks, but without the fence between the two properties the paving felt like a parking lot, and she would like to see the parking area brought into the building envelope to some degree. She agreed that the landscape screening should come back before the Planning Commission. Commissioner Tankha thanked the applicant for taking into account all the feedback from the previous house as it had made this process much easier. She said it was architecturally more appealing and she was willing to support the setback variance for parking. Commissioner Partridge said that he agreed with many of the statements of his fellow Commissioners. He congratulated the applicant on how well the preceding project was progressing. He said that setbacks have always been important to him, but a parking space was more easily screened than a house, and there seemed to be a lot of precedent in the area for putting parking in the setback. He offered his support of the project. Chair Couperus that the setback variance was not for a two story house but for two parking spaces and this made a big difference. If the Commission was too strict with the setback lines they could end up with an ugly box for a house, so this was a trade off. He offered his support but requested one change to the findings of Approved June 2, 2016 3 May 5, 2016 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes approval in Attachment 2. In paragraph one, instead of saying "because the lot was too small" would read "the proposed dwelling is located on a substandard lot of .347 net acres which substantially less than the standard 1 acre minimum in Town, however it is located in an area where a substantial portion of the neighboring properties, specifically Deerfield Drive, are of similar size and have been granted variances of a similar nature and size in the past." MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Tankha moved to approve the Conditional Development Permit, Site Development Permit and Variance subject to the findings in Attachment 1 and the findings in Attachment 2 as amended, modifying Condition 9 to say that the non conforming fence be removed, and the recommended conditions of approval in Attachment 3, with the added condition that the landscape screening be brought back before the Commission. 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. 3.2 LANDS OF BIBL; 14407 Kingsley Way, File #428-15-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a new 6,180 square foot, one-story single family residence with a 6,180 square foot basement and two bunkers totaling 1,488 square feet (Maximum height 19’) and a request for a grading policy exception for 13 feet of cut for the garage. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303(a) (Staff- G. Fernandez). Assistant Planner Genevieve Fernandez presented the staff report. Commission asked questions of staff. Architect Stan Field, Field Architecture, spoke on behalf of the application. Commission asked questions of the architect. Chair Couperus opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Ms. Newhagen, Los Altos Hills, expressed concern about parking and the height of the proposed retaining wall that would face Kingsley Avenue. Approved June 2, 2016 4 May 5, 2016 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Paul Newhagen, Los Altos Hills, requested the grasses be modified to something that is evergreen that would not be regularly cut. He too expressed concern about the wall facing Kingsley Avenue and how it would affect the ambience of the area. Pat Ley, Los Altos Hills, spoke to the choice of grass and its care, and agreed with the designer that it would grow well and would help break up the wall and house. Steve Chalms, Los Altos Hills, said he appreciated the applicants' openness with the neighbors, but expressed concern about a drainage swale between the two properties. He requested screening for sound and visibility as the new bedrooms face his property. Jess Field, Field Architecture, spoke to the comments and concerns of the neighbors. Andreas Bibl, applicant, spoke to the concerns about the heating and air conditioning systems, as well as to the concerns about parking for guests. Chair Couperus closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commission discussion ensued. Commissioner Partridge offered his support of the project, but did have concerns about guest parking and the landscape screening. He requested that the screening plan come back before the Commission. Commissioner Tankha supported the grading exception for the underground parking, as it allowed for a better use of the land. Commissioner Mandle supported the suggestion of bringing back the landscape screening plan to the Commission. She expressed concern about the drainage swale on the property and wanted to make sure it was protected, but offered her support of the project. Commissioner Abraham agreed that the swale needed to be protected, and offered his support of the project. Chair Couperus also expressed concern about guest parking, but that it was not enough for him to reject the project. He then offered his support. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Mandle moved to make the required findings, and to approve the project, with the modified condition that the landscape screening plan come to the Planning Commission for review, that the equipment for the water well be located outside the setback, and that the drainage swale be protected by fencing during construction. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Partridge. Approved June 2, 2016 5 May 5, 2016 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes AYES: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Couperus NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3.3 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 division with public utilities. (Staff- S. Padovan). Consultant Planner Steve Padovan presented the staff report. Architect Steven Stept, Feldman Architecture, spoke on behalf of the changes made to the application, and answered questions posed by the Commission. Peter Carlino, Lea and Braze, project engineer, also spoke to changes made to the application and answered questions posed by the Commission. Seeing no one else wishing to speak Chair Couperus closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commission discussion ensued. Commissioner Partridge said that he was appreciative of the applicant responding to the suggestions made by the Commission at previous meetings. He suggested that lot 2 come back to the Planning Commission during Site Development, as he was concerned they were creating a difficult lot for future development. Commissioner Tankha agreed with Commissioner Partridge about how the applicant had responded to their suggestions, and would be open to seeing the properties during Site Development. Commissioner Mandle said that she could support moving the contour line for the Open Space easement, but the subdivision stage was not the time to be stretching the rules. She said she was resistant to giving too many exceptions at this point, but acknowledged that the applicant had made a good effort to follow their suggestions. She agreed the lots should come back to the Commission during the Site Development phase. Approved June 2, 2016 6 May 5, 2016 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Commissioner Abraham said that this last submittal resulted in two buildable lots and that he was willing to support the change in the contour lines. Chair Couperus said that he was in agreement with his fellow Commissioners, but was concerned about how applicants have been pushing against building envelopes and whether or not changing the contour for the Open Space easement was creating a situation for more pushback. Said he would be willing to approve changing the contour line as long as the lots come back before the Commission during the Site Development phase. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Abraham moved to forward a recommendation to the City Council to approve the requested tentative parcel map based on the findings in Attachment 1 and the conditions of approval in Attachment 2, with the additional requirement that both parcels return to the Planning Commission with their Site Development plans. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mandle. AYES: Commissioner Abraham, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Partridge, Commissioner Tankha, Chair Couperus NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED 5-0. Chair Couperus called for a recess at 9:48 P.M. The meeting resumed at 9:53 P.M. 4. OLD BUSINESS 4.1 Conditional Development Permit Regulations (Staff-S. Avila). Commissioner Mandle presented slides and asked the Commissioners to consider any questions or suggestions they may have for the process. 5. NEW BUSINESS - none 6. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS Approved June 2, 2016 7 May 5, 2016 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 6.1 Planning Commission Representative for April 6 – Commissioner Tankha Commissioner Tankha presented a report on this meeting. 6.2 Planning Commission Representative for May 19 – Commissioner Mandle 6.3 Planning Commission Representative for June 16 – Commissioner Abraham 6.4 Planning Commission Representative for July 21– Commissioner Partridge 7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 7.1 Approval of April 7, 2016 minutes. Commissioner Partridge noted a correction to the minutes. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Abraham moved to approve the April 7, 2016 minutes as corrected. 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. 8. REPORTS FROM FAST TRACK MEETINGS – APRIL 12, APRIL 26, 2016 8.1 LANDS OF KELEM TRUST; 26323 Esperanza Drive, File #16-15-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 1,468 square foot two story addition (Maximum height 21’) and interior remodel. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (Staff- N. Horvitz). 8.2 LANDS OF GOYAL; 12386 Priscilla Lane, File #27-16-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a new 6,242 square foot two story residence with a 3,733 square foot basement and attached secondary dwelling unit (Maximum height 27’) and swimming pool. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) and (e) (Staff- G. Fernandez). Approved June 2, 2016 8 May 5, 2016 Regular Planning Commission Meeting Minutes 8.3 LANDS OF 12389 STONEBROOK, LLC; 12398 Stonebrook Drive, File #445- 15-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a new 8,095 square foot two story residence with a swimming pool (Maximum height 27 feet). CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) and (e) (Staff- S. Avila). 9. REPORTS FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS - APRIL 26, 2016 9.1 LANDS OF GUPTA; 26520 St. Francis Road, File #34-16-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a landscape screening plan and fencing for a new 6,029 square foot, two-story residence with a basement and swimming pool which was approved at the May 12, 2015 Fast Track hearing. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304 (b) (Staff- S. Padovan). 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 11:05 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, Jaime L. McAvoy Jaime L. McAvoy M.A. Planning Secretary The minutes for the May 5, 2016 Regular Planning Commission meeting were approved, with corrections, on June 2, 2016.