HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/18/2003 (2) Meeting Minutes
September 18, 2003
Town of Los Altos Hills
Joint City Council and Planning Commission Special Meeting
Thursday, September 18, 2003 5:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road
1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Cheng called the Special Meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission
to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall.
Present: Mayor Cheng, Mayor Pro Tem O'Malley, Councilmembers Fenwick, Kerr
and Warshawsky, Planning Commissioner Chair Clow, and Planning
Commissioners Cottrell, Kerns, Mordo and Vitu
Absent: None
Staff. City Manager Maureen Cassingham, City Attorney Steve Mattas, Planning
Director Carl Cahill, City Engineer/Director of Public Works Mintze
Cheng and City Clerk Karen Jost
Press: Kaye Ross, San Jose Mercury News and Tim Seyfert, Los Altos Town
Crier
• 2. JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
The City Council and Planning Commission had a suggested list of items for discussion
that had been prepared by the Planning Director. A summary of the items and comments
include:
• Development Area Policy — low priority at this time for study by the Planning
Commission. Council will consider a proposed zoning amendment at tonight's
City Council Meeting that would exempt synthetic turf material from
development area calculations when used in athletic fields at community
recreational facilities and schools but not private residences. It was noted that
historically, there has been a concern that exemption of certain surfaces from
development area calculations, would encourage additional development on the
lot.
• Conservation Easements — presently being investigated by the Open Space
Committee. It was decided to have this process completed by the Committee and
the report forwarded to the Planning Commission for their review.
• Pathway Policy — the Pathway Committee in conjunction with the subgroup that
has been researching pathway easements will work to finalize the Pathway Map
and then forward it to Council for review, comment and final approval. Consensus
that rnuch of the documentation has been completed but public'input is an
important consideration in finalizing the map.
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September 18,2003
• Lot Unit Factor (LUF) — it was noted that the Lot Unit Factor has already been
increased for constrained lots. Consensus to return to this item for further
discussion after the Master Storm Drain Study is completed.
• Bullis School Site — it was agreed that the Town has a limited say in decisions
made by the Los Altos School District regarding the site. The Town is currently
investigating recreational opportunities for the Town on the upper fields.
• Fence Ordinance — following discussion of this item, it was determined that
review of this item by the Planning Commission should be given high priority.
Issues to be considered at the time of study include: consideration of the impact of
fences on conservation easements; the loss of wildlife habitat; and the effect of
solid fencing on view corridors.
• Investigation of Policy to Facilitate Water Conservation — consensus that water
conservation is an important issue at this time and a signature of responsible
government. The Planning Commission was directed to work with the Purissima
Hills Water District to identify possible solutions to increased water consumption
in the Town.
• Subdivision Ordinance — consensus that the Town's Subdivision Ordinance
should be reviewed for clarification of language and update revisions. Cahill
noted that the Town's subdivision process is consistent with the State's
• Subdivision Map Act.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To prioritize the directives for the Planning Commission
study in the following order: (1) Investigation of policy to facilitate water conservation;
(2)Fence Ordinance; and (3) Subdivision Ordinance.
3. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Jan Fenwick, Purissima Hills Water District Board Member, commented that the Water
District is presently studying different options and innovative solutions to reduce water
usage by residents for landscaping purposes.
4. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, the Joint City Council and Planning
Commission Special Meeting was adjourned at 5:55 pm.
Respectfully submitte ,
Karen Jo City erk
The minutes of the Joint City Council and Planning Commission Special Meeting were
approved at the Regular City Council Meeting of October 2, 2003.
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September 18,2003