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Home My WebLink About03/05/2020Approved June 4, 2020 1 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes March 5, 2020 Town of Los Altos Hills Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 05, 2020 Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California Chair Couperus called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Present: Chair Couperus, Vice-Chair Patel, Commissioner Indaco, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Smith Absent: None Staff: Planning Director Zachary Dahl, City Attorney Steve Mattas, Assistant Planner Jeremy Loh, Planning Technician Keren Brunner 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR There were no presentations from the floor. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.1 Approval of February 6, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Vice-Chair Patel moved to approve the February 6, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Smith. AYES: Chair Couperus, Vice-Chair Patel, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Smith NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Commissioner Indaco MOTION CARRIED 4-0-1 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS Approved June 4, 2020 2 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes March 5, 2020 Ex Parte Communications: Chair Couperus said he had a meeting on the ADU's with Commissioner Indaco and Planning Director Dahl; Commissioner Indaco disclosed meeting with Chair Couperus and the Planning Director, as well as Carol Gottlieb; Commissioner Mandle said that she met with Commissioner Smith and the Planning Director; Vice-Chair Patel met with the Planning Director; Commissioner Smith also met with Commissioner Mandle and the Planning Director. 4.1 Zoning Code Amendment - File #MCA20-0001 Introduction of Amendments to Title 10 of the Town of Los Altos Hills Municipal Code (Zoning and Site Development) to adopt updated regulations for the placement and development of Accessory Dwelling Units Planning Director Dahl presented the staff report outlining the proposed updated regulations for the placement and development of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU's). The Commission asked clarifying questions of staff. Chair Couperus opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Public Comment Kjell Karlsson, Los Altos Hills, expressed concerns about reduced setbacks. An individual asked about ADU setbacks. City Attorney Mattas provided clarification on when the ordinance may take effect. Chair Couperus closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Comissioner Discussion Chair Couperus presented a concept of changing the calculation of maximum floor area (MFA) to regulate the area that one can use to build an ADU. Vice-Chair Patel expressed support for the proposal of changing the MFA calculation, which could incentivize homeowners to build an ADU. Commissioner Smith expressed support for the MFA calculation concept, but had concerns about timing, noting it would take longer to process the MFA code amendment. Commissioner Indaco expresed support for moving forward with ordinance, noting that the proposed MFA amendment would penalize homeowners who choose not to build an ADU. Approved June 4, 2020 3 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes March 5, 2020 Commissioner Mandle expressed support for the MFA calculation proposal. She expressed strong support of an ADU ordinance, but noted that the MFA amendment should still move forward. City Attorney Mattas said that the concept of changing the MFA calcluation could be considered by the Commission, but would require a separate public hearing and public notification. He suggested separating out the recommendations to the City Council. Further Commission discussion and direction ensued regarding the proposed ordinance. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Mandle moved to forward a recommendation to the City Council to adopt the draft ordinance, including all of the language contained within Exhibit A, including the following amendments to that language: the height limit of 16 feet shall be “16 feet and one story,” and the incentive for the height limit of 19 feet shall be “19 feet and one story”; no basement is allowed under an ADU when located within 30 feet of a property line; and using the term “general public easements” shall be included on the list of easements where an ADU shall avoid being placed. The motion was seconded by Vice-Chair Patel. AYES: Chair Couperus, Vice-Chair Patel, Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Indaco NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED 5-0 MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Chair Couperus moved to direct staff to forward a recommendation to the City Council to consider supporting the concept that the MFA be amended to include a reserve allocation to accommodate a future ADU. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mandle. AYES: Chair Couperus, Vice-Chair Patel, Commissioner Mandle, Commissioner Smith NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Commissioner Indaco MOTION CARRIED 4-0-1. Approved June 4, 2020 4 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes March 5, 2020 4.2 26550 Anacapa Drive - File #SD19-0079 - Lands of 26550 Anacapa LLC A request for a Site Development Permit for landscape screening for an approved new residence, driveway gate, and fencing. Assistant Planner Loh presented the staff report for landscape screening for an approved new residence. The Commission asked clarifying questions of staff. Chair Couperus opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Public Comment Joseph Huetti, landscape architect, said they went through a preliminary landscape screening and this current review is to complete the screening. He then responded to questions from the Commission. Danis Dayanov, neighbor, commented that he did not have an issue with adding one more tree and had questions about the fencing. Carol Gottlieb, Environmental Design and Protection Committee, said the lighting may be an issue and perhaps the Commission could consider reducing the lighting on the back of the house. Also, irrigation and planting should be out of the area of the oak trees. Chair Couperus closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Comissioner Discussion Commissioner Mandle expressed support for the landscape screening plan, noting that the house is very visible from Alexander Court and suggested changing the jacaranda tree to an evergreen type tree. Vice-Chair Patel expressed support for the landscape screening plan, suggesting use of more low-intensity lights for external lighting. Commissioner Indaco expressed general support for the landscape screening plan, noting that the dead plum tree should be replaced with an oak tree. Chair Couperus expressed general support for the landscape lighting, noting concerns about lighting and said the low-lighting is not going to be a problem. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Indaco moved to approve the Site Development Permit for landscape screening for an approved new residence, driveway gate, and fencing on the five foot easement line subject to conditions of approval in Attachment 1 and with the following modifications: place an oak tree at the northeast corner of the pool area to replace the dead tree; no grading in the area identified as a future vegetable area; and replace the jacaranda Approved June 4, 2020 5 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes March 5, 2020 tree with a large evergreen tree. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Mandle. AYES: Commissioner Indaco, Commissioner Smith, Chair Couperus, Commissioner Mandle, Vice-Chair Patel NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION CARRIED 5-0 5. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 5.1 Past Meeting * February 13, 2020 (Special Joint City Council/Planning Commission Meeting) – All * February 20, 2020 – Commissioner Smith Commissioner Smith provided an update of the February 20, 2020 City Council meeting. 5.2 Upcoming Meeting Assignments * March 19, 2020 – Commissioner Patel * April 16, 2020 – Commissioner Mandle * May 21, 2020 – Chair Couperus * June 18, 2020 – Commissioner Indaco 6. REPORT ON PAST SITE DEVELOPMENT/FAST TRACK MEETINGS 6.1 February 11, 2020 * 24752 Olive Tree Lane – File #SD19-0052 – Lands of Duong 6.2 February 18, 2020 * 25600 Burke Lane – File #SD19-0062 – Lands of McDermott 6.3 February 25, 2020 * 23691 Camino Hermoso – File #SD18-0063 – Lands of Luu Planning Director Dahl reported on the outcomes from the Fast Track and Site Development meetings. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Approved June 4, 2020 6 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes March 5, 2020 Respectfully submitted, Keren Brunner Planning Technician The minutes of the March 5, 2020 regular Planning Commission meeting were approved as presented at the June 4, 2020 regular Planning Commission meeting.