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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/02/2020Approved September 3, 2020 1 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 2, 2020 Town of Los Altos Hills Planning Commission Regular Meeting July 2, 2020 Minutes Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California 1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Via teleconference according to the Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20, Chair Patel called the Planning Commission meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Present: Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Patel, Commissioner Indaco, Chair Couperus, Commissioner Waschura Staff: Planning Director Dahl, Principal Planner Padovan, Assistant Planner Loh, Assistant Planner Yost, Management Analyst Einfalt, Planning Technician Brunner 2. SWEARING IN CEREMONY AND REORGANIZATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION 2.1 Jitze Couperus 2.2 Birgitta Indaco 2.3 Jim Waschura City Clerk Padovan administered the Oath of Office to Planning Commissioners Jitze Couperus, Birgitta Indaco and Jim Waschura. 2.4 Appointment of Chair Commissioner Couperus nominated Rajiv Patel as Chair for the Planning Commission. There were no objections or alternate nominations and Commissioner Patel accepted the position of Chair. 2.5 Appointment of Vice-Chair Commissioner Smith nominated Birgitta Indaco for the position of Vice Chair to the Planning Commission. There were no objections or alternate nominations and Commissioner Indaco accepted the position of Vice Chair. 3. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Persons wishing to address the Commission on any subject not on the agenda are invited to do so now. Please note, however, that the Commission is not able to undertake extended discussion or take action tonight on non - agendized items. Such items will be referred to staff or placed on the agenda for a fut ure meeting. No presentations from the floor. Approved September 3, 2020 2 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 2, 2020 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4.1 Approval of June 4, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Couperus moved to approve the June 4, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Indaco. AYES: Chair Patel, Vice-Chair Indaco, Chair Couperus, Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Waschura NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION: Carried 5-0 5. PUBLIC HEARINGS Public hearings are specially noticed items for discussion. Anyone wishing to speak regarding a public hearing should fill out a speaker card prior to the completion of the staff report and give it to staff. The order of business for public hearings is as follows: 1. Staff Presentation 2. Applicant Presentation - 15 Minutes 3. Commission Questions/Clarifications 4. Public Comments - 3 Minutes per person 5. Applicant Response - 5 Minutes 6. Commission Comments/Questions/Action If you challenge the proposed action(s) in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described below, or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing. Any interested party may appeal a determination of the Planning Commission to the City Council by filing a written notice of appeal with the City Clerk within twenty-two (22) days of the decision. A nonrefundable filing fee and a deposit for services shall accompany each notice of appeal, except that any member of the Council may file such an appeal without payment of a fee. Planning Commission Ex Parte Commissioner Couperus had communications with Michelle Yu (Items 5.1 and 5.2). Vice-Chair Indaco had communications the owner of the property for Item 5.2, the applicant on Item 5.3, and members of the Environmental Design & Protection Committee. Commissioner Waschura had communications with the architect for the project on Item 5.1; the applicant and architect on Item 5.2, and the owner of the property for Item 5.3. Chair Patel and Commissioner Smith did not have any ex parte communications. 5.1 3210 E. Sunset Drive - File #SD18-0008 - Lands of Pang Site Development Permit for a new 5,263 square foot, two-story residence with a 3,362 square-foot basement that includes a four-car garage, and a pool. This project was continued from the June 6, 2020 Planning Commission Meeting. CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15305(a) Project Planner: Steve Padovan Chair Patel opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Principal Planner Padovan presented the staff report. Architect and Applicant Fred Herring presented the project, noting the changes that were made in response to the Planning Commission’s earlier direction. Approved September 3, 2020 3 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 2, 2020 Public Comment Alisa Bredo, Chair of the Pathways Committee, spoke in support of the Committee’s recommendation to require pathway easements that aligned with the Town’s Master Path Plan. Carol Gottlieb, a member of the Environmental Design & Protection Committee (EDPC), expressed concerns about the proposed exterior lighting and construction traffic on East Sunset Drive. A resident of East Sunset Drive expressed concern about potential glare impacts from the new residence’s roof and window glass in the morning. Neighbor Sean Suchter expressed support for the new residence. Neighbor Dominic Gallello expressed concerns about road safety during construction and requested a size limit for construction vehicles. Neighbor Michelle Yu expressed concerns about road safety, requesting the installation of a guardrail and other safety measures on East Sunset Drive and a timeline for when the issues would be addressed. Architect and Applicant Fred Herring provided responses to the questions posed by the Commission and public. Chair Patel closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commission Discussion Commissioner Couperus expressed general support for the project but noted concerns about road safety during construction and construction worker parking and recommended that a condition be added to require communication with the neighborhood when large construction vehicles were scheduled to use East Sunset Drive. Vice-Chair Indaco expressed general support for the project but noted similar concerns related to construction activities and traffic safety on East Sunset Drive. Commissioner Smith expressed general support for the project. Commissioner Waschura expressed general support for the project but noted that the alignment of the off-road pathway up the hill should be studied further before the pathway easement location is finalized and recommended that this property work with the adjacent property at 13254 East Sunset on the pathway alignment. Chair Patel expressed general support for the project but noted similar concerns related to construction activities and traffic safety on East Sunset Drive, and that the Commission had raised this safety concern before. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Waschura motioned to APPROVE the application, subject to the conditions of approval in Attachment 1, and with additional conditions to require that shielded downlights be used on the upper floor; that notice be given to neighbors when construction trucks greater than 5 tons were schedule to use East Sunset Drive; that a construction parking management plan be provided with the building permit submittal; guard rails be added to the second floor Approved September 3, 2020 4 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 2, 2020 landing; and that Planning staff work with the owners of 13254 and 13210 to establish a 20-foot pathway easement alignment along their shared property line. If no solution is agreed upon, then each property will record a 10-foot pathway easement along the property line. The motion was seconded by Vice-Chair Indaco. AYES: Chair Patel, Vice-Chair Indaco, Chair Couperus, Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Waschura NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION: Carried 5-0 5.2 3254 East Sunset Drive - File #CDP20-0001 and VAR20-0003 - Lands of Suchter Conditional Development Permit for a new 3,985 square-foot, two-story residence with an 1,873 square-foot basement, including a 767 square-foot accessory dwelling unit in the basement on a 0.96 acre lot, a Variance for a front yard setback of 32 feet where 40 feet is required, and an exception to the Town's Grading Policy. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Sections 15303(a) and 15305(b) Project Planner: Krista Yost Chair Patel opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Assistant Planner Yost presented the staff report. Property Owner Sean Suchter introduced the project. Architect Malika Junaid presented the project, providing an overview of the architectural design. Public Comments Carol Gottlieb, member of the EDPC, noted that the retaining wall will need landscape screening and that the size of the light wells should be reduced to meet Town standards. Architect Malika Junaid provided a response to comments about the light well size. Chair Patel closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commissioner Discussion Commissioner Couperus commented on the lighting plan and wall sconces vs. recessed light. He also commented on the current design vs the original house in terms of the newer one working with the landscape and the Town ordinances a bit better. Commissioner Waschura expressed general support for the project, noting the size of the lightwell was ok, that the grading exception was justified and that working with the neighbor to agree on a pathway alignment was a good solution. Vice-Chair Indaco expressed general support for the project but noted concerns about the size of the lightwell and the amount of exterior lighting. Commissioner Smith expressed general support for the project. Approved September 3, 2020 5 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 2, 2020 Chair Patel expressed general support for the project, noting that the size of the lightwell was not a significant issue, that construction traffic and parking would need to be managed, and that the project would reduce the front yard setback encroachment. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Waschura motioned APPROVE the Conditional Development Permit for a new residence, setback Variance, and exception to the Town's Grading Policy, subject to the findings in Attachment 1 and the conditions of approval in Attachment 2, with additional conditions to require that notice be given to neighbors when construction trucks greater than 5 tons were schedule to use East Sunset Drive; that a construction parking management plan be provided with the building permit submittal; and that Planning staff work with the owners of 13254 and 13210 to establish a 20-foot pathway easement alignment along their shared property line. If no solution is agreed upon, then each property will record a 10-foot pathway easement along the property line. The motion was seconded by Vice-Chair Indaco. AYES: Chair Patel, Vice-Chair Indaco, Chair Couperus, Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Waschura NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION: Carried 5-0 5.3 26270 Purissima Road - File #ZP20-0027 and #VAR20-0004 - Lands of Beliveau Zoning Permit to construct a new 12-foot tall sound wall to the south of the residence, and a Variance to allow portions of the wall, which exceed the Town's maximum wall height of 6 feet, within the required rear yard setback. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303(e) Project Planner: Krista Yost Chair Patel opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Assistant Planner Yost presented the staff report. Property Owner Joe Beliveau presented the project and variance request, noting the serious noise exposure that his property experienced due to its proximity to Highway 280 and offered different sound wall materials, redwood fencing instead of the PVC materials, to address aesthetic concerns. He also offered to install a three-foot soil berm as a way to further reduce the fence height. Architect Rick Dumas presented design alternatives to address the sound exposure issue Sound Engineer Ryan Shofield presented the findings from the property’s acoustical report, noting that the height of the wall or fence was critical to mitigating sound exposure from traffic noise. Public Comment Vijay Chawla, a member of the EDPC, noted that the plans appeared to show a fence that was up to 14 feet in height and that the Town’s General Plan prohibits sound walls on private property. Approved September 3, 2020 6 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 2, 2020 Carol Gottlieb, a member of the EDPC, noted that she was on the General Plan committee that drafted the policies to prohibit sound walls and that approval of this project would set a bad precedent. Property Owner Joe Beliveau provided a rebuttal to the public comments. Chair Patel closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commission Discussion Vice-Chair Indaco shared a presentation on the sound wall policy contained in the Town’s General Plan. Commissioner Waschura expressed concern about the sound wall proposal but was potentially supportive of the changes proposed by the property owner. Chair Patel noted that the Commission needed to see updated plans based on the property owner’s revised proposal before they could take action. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Couperus motioned to CONTINUE this item to the August 6, 2020 meeting with direction to update the plans based on the Commission’s comments and feedback. The motion was seconded by Vice- Chair Indaco. AYES: Chair Patel, Vice Chair Indaco, Chair Couperus, Commissioner Smith NOES: Commissioner Waschura ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION: Carried 4-1 5.4 27400 Purissima Rd - File# SD20-0041 & VAR20-0005 - Town of Los Altos Hills Site Development Permit for a new 1,250 square-foot tractor port; and a Variance to allow the tractor port structure to be located in the existing parking area, which encroaches into the 30-foot rear setback, adjacent to Interstate 280, up to 18 feet. CEQA review: Categorically Exempt per Section 15303(e) Project Planner: Zachary Dahl Chair Patel opened the PUBLIC HEARING. Planning Director Dahl presented the staff report. Public Comment Carol Gottlieb, a member of the EDPC, noted the proximity of the structure to the pathway behind the Corp Yard and that the pathway is used by both pedestrians and horseback riders. Resident Jerry Cepel, provided comments on the previous agenda item, noting that redwood trees and wood fences with gaps do not effectively mitigate noise. Chair Patel closed the PUBLIC HEARING. Commission Discussion Approved September 3, 2020 7 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 2, 2020 Vice-Chair Indaco noted a potential safety concern for horseback riders along the pathway and suggested padding the column that is closest to the fence. The other commissioners expressed general support for the project. MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Commissioner Waschura moved to APPROVE the Site Development Permit for the new tractor port and the rear yard setback Variance subject to the findings as listed in Attachment 1 and with a condition that the column closest to the pathway be padded to reduce risk for horseback riders. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Couperus. AYES: Chair Patel, Vice Chair Indaco, Chair Couperus, Commissioner Smith, Commissioner Waschura NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None MOTION: Carried 5-0 6. REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 6.1 Past Meeting • June 18, 2020 - Commissioner Indaco Vice-Chair Indaco reported on the June City Council meeting. 6.2 Upcoming Meeting Assignments • July 16, 2020 - Commissioner Smith • August 20, 2020 - Chair Patel • September 17, 2020 - Commissioner Waschura 7. REPORT ON PAST FAST TRACK/SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS 7.1 June 9, 2020 • 11778 Maria Lane - File #SD19-0039 – Lands of Hyder Site Development Permit for a 3,964 square-foot one-story addition to an existing 5,645 square-foot one-story residence. 7.2 June 16, 2020 • 12175 Edgecliff Place - File #: SD20-0029 - Lands of Brougher Site Development Permit for landscape screening for an approved addition with a side setback variance. 7.3 June 22, 2020 • 27240 Natoma Road - File #: SD19-0086 - Lands of Niv Site Development Permit for landscape screening for a new residence including a request for a fence and gate height exception to allow for a six -foot open style fence where a five-foot fence is permitted. 7.4 June 30, 2020 • 26400 Eshner Court – File #ZP20-0025 – Lands of DJNH LLC Zoning Permit to install new fencing along a west facing interior side property line. The request includes replacement of an existing 4.5-foot tall chain-link fence with a Approved September 3, 2020 8 Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes July 2, 2020 6-foot tall solid redwood fence and replacement of an existing 3-foot tall open rail fence with a 6-foot tall open rail fence. Planning Director Dahl reported on the Fast Track and Site Development meetings. 8. PLANNING DIRECTOR REPORT No report. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 11:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Keren Brunner Planning Technician The minutes of the July 2, 2020 Regular Planning Commission meeting were approved as presented at the September 3, 2020 Regular Planning Commission meeting.