HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/03/2002 Minutes of a Regular Meeting
January 3, 2002
Town of Los Altos Hills
City Council Regular,Meeting
Thursday, January 3, 2002, 6:00 P.M.
Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Casey called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 6:05 p.m. in
the Council Chambers at Town Hall.
Present: Mayor Casey and Councilmembers Cheng, Fenwick, Finn and
O'Malley(Councilmember Finn arrived at 7:05 p.m.)
Absent: None
Staff: City Manager Maureen Cassingham, City Attorney Sandy Sloan,
City Engineer/Public Works Director Mintze Cheng, Planning
Director Carl Cahill and City Clerk Pat Dowd
Press: Liz Cloutman,Los Altos Town Crier
2. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS
2.1 Presentation by Lt. Ernie Smedlund on burglaries and vandalism
Lt. Ernie Smedlund, Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office, presented a special report to
Council on the issue of recent burglaries in the Town. He noted that there had been an
80% increase in overall residential burglaries in the West Valley area in comparison to
the same time period last year. He noted that there were similarities in that the
suspects entered the house often through open doors and often when there were people
in the house. Most of the crimes occurred between 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. and 5:00
a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Generally jewelry, cash, purses were taken from the master
bedrooms. The last burlary occurred in Los Altos Hills on 11/20/01 and one had not
occurred since then. Lt. Smedlund reported that they had increased surveillance details
and nighttime patrols, educated the public through the media and coordinated efforts
with other law enforcement agencies.
Detective Powers, lead investigator for these crimes, commented that they were
following up on leads but there was actually very little evidence. In the case of the
January 3, 2002
Regular City Council Meeting
1
stolen jewelry it was often broken down and fenced very quickly. He did note that one
of their suspects had died recently in a car crash and since that time there had been no
more burglaries in Los Altos Hills. While they considered this a hopeful result the
investigation was still ongoing.
3. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
The Planning Director reported on the following applications at the 12/13/01 Planning
Commission Meeting: 1) PROPOSED OPTIONS FOR MODIFYING TOWN HEIGHT
AND SETBACK ORDINANCES TO PROMOTE ARCHITECTURAL DIVERSITY
! AND ADJUSTABLE SETBACKS FOR LARGER OR TALLER HOMES --continued;
2) CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/AT&T, 2350 Old Page
Mill Road; A request for a Conditional Use Permit renewal for an existing, previously
approved wireless communications facility — recommended approval; 3)LANDS OF
PURISSIMA HILLS WATER DISTRICT/NEXTEL, 28535 Matadero Creek Lane; A
request for a Conditional Use Permit for the installation of telecommunication equipment
on an existing water tank site; and Negative Declaration — recommended denial; 4)
FOOTHILL COLLEGE/NEXTEL, 12345 El Monte Road; A request for a Conditional
Use Permit for the installation of telecommunication equipment on an existing building—
recommended approval; 5) LANDS OF WURTZ, 12950 Robleda Road ; A request for a
recommendation of approval for a two lot subdivision of 12.26 acres, and proposed
Mitigated Negative Declaration — recommended approval; 6) LANDS OF
HARPOOTLIAN & PRICE, 26435 Anacapa Drive: A request for a Site Development
Permit for a 476 square foot garage and a lap pool; and a variance to locate the garage
and pool within front and side yard setbacks — recommended approval of garage and
variance; 7) LANDS OF PERRELL, 26411 Eshner Court and 26300 Silent Hills Lane: A
request for a lot line adjustment and a summary vacation of a pathway easement and a
sanitary sewer easement—recommended approval of lot line adjustment; and 8) LANDS
OF METRO PCS, 27400 Purissima Road; A request for a Site Development Permit and
Conditional Use Permit for the co-location of two (2) panel antennas on an existing 70
foot pole, and 10 equipment cabinets within an existing telecommunication facility -
continued at the request of the applicant to a future meeting.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Items Removed: 4.1 — 1/15/01 minutes (Fenwick), 4.4 (O'Malley), 4.5 (Casey), 4.10
(Fenwick) and 4.11 (O'Malley) -
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by O'Malley, seconded by Fenwick
and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the balance of the Consent
Calendar, specifically:
4.1 Approved Minutes: December 6, 2001 (Special Meeting)
January 3, 2002
Regular City Council Meeting
2
4.2 Rejected Claim: Denise Dyckman
4.3 Approved request for lot line adjustment, Lands of Wahl (12051
Stonebrook Drive) and Lands of Jia(12101 Stonebrook Drive)
4.6 Awarded Certificate of Appreciation: Ethel Blank, Exhibit Curator
4.7 Concurred with Fast Track Application approved by the Planning Director:
Lands of Morgan, 12728 La Cresta Drive: site development permit for a
new residence
4.8 Approved Public Facilities Fee Program Annual Report
4.9 Awarded contract for 2001-02 Weed Control Program, Phase II—Reso
#1-02
Items Removed:
4.1 Approval of Minutes: November 15, 2001 (Regular Meeting)
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Fenwick, seconded by O'Malley
and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the minutes of the
November 15, 2001 Regular City Council Meeting with the following correction: page
8, first paragraph should be changed to read: "Casey stated that concerning the location
of conservation easements over creeks, she wanted the Planning Director. . . . "
4.4 Approval of request for lot line adjustment, Lands of Perrell, 26411 Eshner
Court and 26300 Silent Hills Lane
Tony Spore, 27340 Julietta Lane, stated his opinion that all issues related to this
application should be discussed at once: the lot line adjustment, the pathway easement
and the sanitary sewer easement. He noted that the Planning Commission had
approved the lot line adjustment but had not wanted to make a recommendation on the
pathway easement. He stated his surprise that only the lot line adjustment was on this
agenda.
Mr. Perrell, applicant, noted that the Planning Commission had approved the lot line
adjustment without conditions. He was asking that the lot line adjustment be approved
at this meeting and the other issues discussed at a later meeting.
Staff, in response to Council's inquiry, noted that only the lot line adjustment was on
this agenda because Mr. Perrell's application for pathway and sewer easement was not
completed in time for this agenda.
January 3, 2002
Regular City Council Meeting
3
Council discussed the lot line adjustment request before them and noted there was
legally no reason not to approve this request and discuss the other requests later.
Fenwick however believed the issues were all related and should be discussed at one
time.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by O'Malley, seconded by Cheng
and passed by the following roll call vote to approve the request for a lot line
adjustment, Lands of Perrell, 26411 Eshner Court and 26300 Silent Hills Lane
AYES: Mayor Casey and Councilmembers Cheng and O'Malley
NOES: Mayor Pro Tem Fenwick
ABSENT: Councilmember Finn
ABSTAIN: None
4.5 Approval of request for Site Development Permit for a 476 square foot
garage and and a variance to allow the garage within the front and side yard
setbacks, Lands of Harpootlian and Price, 26435 Anacapa Drive
Casey requested that this item be reviewed by the City Council.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To set a public hearing for February 7, 2002 on the
request for Site Development Permit for a 476 square foot garage and and a variance to
• allow the garage within the front and side yard setbacks, Lands of Harpootlian and
Price, 26435 Anacapa Drive
4.10 Approval of Warrants: $1,343,662.79 (10/11/00— 12/16/00)
Council asked why some of the landscaping refunds were for such large amounts.
Staff responded that in some cases applicants want to move into their homes prior to
having the landscaping completed. In such cases they are required to pay a substantial
landscaping deposit.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by O'Malley, seconded by Cheng
and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the warrants in the amount
of$1,343,662.79.
4.11 Approval of contract with Book Publishing Company to put Town Code
online-Reso #
O'Malley inquired about how the code would be linked to the Town's webpage. He
stated he was pleased to see this project come to completion. It was user friendly and a
good addition to the webpage.
January 3, 2002
Regular City Council Meeting
4
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by O'Malley, seconded by Cheng
and passed unanimously by all members present to adopt Resolution #2-02 approving
and authorizing execution of an agreement between the Town of Los Altos Hills and
Book Publishing Company.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5.1 Update on Mayor's Goals
a) Break ground for a new Town Hall funded by resident donations.
The architect had submitted schematic drawings for the new Town Hall and later
this month renderings will be completed. This project was on target for a June
groundbreaking.
b) Complete the building and planning fee study and revise fees in accordance
with State law.
The draft report from the consultant will be available the end of January. Staff will
review and then it will go to Council.
c) Implement a Resident Customer Satisfaction Survey Program.
Responses to survey will be included in Council packets.
d) Complete an analysis of all Town codes, policies and ordinances for
consistency,relevance and conformance with the General Plan.
The Municipal Code and Policy Review Committee would be presenting their report
on fences and driveways at the January 17th Council Meeting.
e) Have broadband internet access available to all residents
PacBell is scheduled to complete Project Pronto, their Town-wide DSL project, by
the end of the first quarter 2002.
f) Adopt and implement a town pathway policy which includes a specific
five- year program for the new construction of along side the road paths
and a plan which improves the maintenance and materials of current town
pathways.
The City Engineer reported that she was still receiving input on this project and
planned to give Council a report at their January 17th meeting. In addition staff
was working on the on and off road path report. Mayor Casey noted that she was
looking forward to completing this goal by the first quarter of this year.
January 3, 2002
Regular City Council Meeting
5
ig) Complete the review of setbacks and height limits and revise town
ordinances accordingly.
The Planning Commission is continuing their review of these ordinances.
h) Continue to explore alternatives to underground all utilities in Los Altos
Hills.
Councilmember O'Malley had met with bond counsel and there seemed to be two
options: hire an attorney to proceed working with other agencies such as PG&E or
schedule public hearings to see if there is support for this project at a cost of about
$18,000 per household. The City Attorney also noted that bond counsel could be
invited to attend a Council Meeting to report on options and the City Manager
would be contacting other City Managers to see if they wanted to join in on this
project. Council directed the City Manager and City Attorney to prepare the
language for a postcard to go to all Town residents outlining the options for
payment for this project and requesting input on level of interest in participating.
i) Adopt a plan for the highest and best use of town property for all town
residents. (Los Altos Hills owns 27 parcels totaling 168.04 acres of unused
and/or underutilized property.)
A report on Town-owned properties will be given at the January 17th meeting. Council
also directed staff to enter into negotiations with Caltrans regarding selling the O'Keefe
property. It was noted that this had a deed restriction on it to be used for public use only
but if the money resulting from the sale could be designated for such a use as Town paths
would Caltrans consider allowing the Town to sell it.
j) Approve a five-year capital spending budget to assure the infrastructure of
the Town is sound.
Completed
An additional goal was added:
k) Joint Meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission.
A Joint Meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission was conducted on
Thursday, December 6th at 6:00 p.m. This meeting was a Study Session to review
planning issues.
5.2 Adoption of Resolution on Town Standing Committees including the
Emergency Communications Committees and the Information and Safety
Committee-Reso #
January 3, 2002
Regular City Council Meeting
6
i
Ginger Summit, Co-Chairman of the Pathways Committee, believed that Council
should continue their annual meetings with the committees to discuss issues of mutual
interest. She also commented that the televising of the Council Meetings on the Hills
2000 webpage was very well received and she did not want to see this removed as a
goal of the new Information and Safety Committee. Concerning the Pathways
Committee she believed the Bicycle Advisory Committee representative-should be a
member of the Pathways Committee and suggested that equestrians be represented on
the Pathways Committee.
Regarding communications on path issues with other agencies, Mrs. Summit noted that
recent meetings with the Pathways Committee and Stanford University and the Santa
Clara Valley Water District on path issues had been at the concurrence of staff. She
believed exchange of information with such agencies on issues was important and
should be retained as a goal of the committee.
Casey commented that she thought Council should be handling the discussion of such
issues and not committees.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Fenwick, seconded by O'Malley
and passed unanimously to direct the City Attorney to prepare a resolution on Standing
Committee with the following amendments: page one, amend the list of committees to
reflect the two new ones and the ones that have now been completed.; delete Section
40 (meetings with committee chairmen); delete Section 4(d) (Each Standing
Committee shall adopt any rules which it determines to be necessary for the election of
its officers and order of business transacted); delete Section 5(e)(ii)I; in Section 5(f)(i)
delete the sentence "At least three members shall be persons who bicycle regularly.";
Section 5(f)(ii)a delete "and to serve as a Bicycle Advisory Committee'; Section
5(f)(ii)e should read as follows: to communicate to residents the concepts and
locations of paths and trails within the Town as approved by the City Council; and
Section 5(f)(ii)g should read "to communicate Town policies and procedures regarding
pathways if advised to do so by the City Council.
6. NEW BUSINESS
6.1 Approval of Joint Funding Agreements for Radio Interoperability and
Public Safety Data Communications Network Project -- Reso#
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Finn, seconded by Cheng and
passed unanimously to adopt Resolution #3-02 approving Joint Funding Agreements
for Radio Interoperability and Public Safety Data Communications Network Project
6.2 Report on Town Emergency Planning and Response
The City Manager referred to her report which included the recommendation that the
Council convene a meeting of the Los Altos Hills Disaster Council and appoint the
January 3, 2002
Regular City Council Meeting
7
. City Engineer/Director of Public Works and Chairs and Vice Chairs of the Emergency
Communications and Information and Safety Committees to the Disaster Council. The
Disaster Council was referred to in the Town's Code.
Council discussed this issue and agreed that with the newly formed Emergency
Communciations Committee and Information and Safety Committee plus the Town's
emergency plan this additional committee was not needed.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To direct the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance
amending Title 4, Chapter 1 of the Municipal Code on Emergency Services deleting
the references to the Disaster Council and adding references to the Town's Emergency
Plan which is in place.
6.3 Award of contract for urgent replacement of a Sanitary Sewer Line across
Matadero Creek—Resolutions#
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Finn, seconded by O'Malley and
passed unanimously to adopt Resolutions#4-02 awarding a contract to J.W. Ebert
Corporation for the sanitary sewer main replacement at Matadero Creek and
Resolution #5-02 authorizing Mark Thomas & Co. to provide engineering consulting
services for the sanitary sewer main crossing Matadero Creek Replacement Project
7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES, AND
COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES
7.1 Site Development Committee Report
Jim Abraham, Chairman,thanked the members of the committee for their hard work and
dedication to this project. He also thanked Art Lachenbruch and Dot Schreiner for their
contributions. He submitted the following summary comments from their committee.
The site development ordinance committee was formed by the City Council at the May
17, 2001 council meeting.
The members of the committee are Jim Abraham, Carl Cottrell, Bob Fenwick, Charlene
Geers, and John Harpootlian. The committee has met eight times since formation,
nominally for two hours each meeting. The committee's original mission was to look at
all ordinance and policy effecting site development, as time passed the mission was
redefined and the main goal was to revisit the LUF concepts, development area, and floor
area limitations.
Concern has been expressed by many concerning drainage and erosion issues and the
effect development has on these important topics. The committee has devoted a great deal
•
January 3, 2002
Regular City Council Meeting
8
of time and effort attempting to develop meaningful data on drainage and erosion. The
committee met with the Santa Clara Water District three times, devoting a large portion
of these meetings to their presentations. The committee was continually frustrated by the
inability of the SCWD to provide credible data much less any information dealing with
the effect that an increase in development would have on the hydrology of the town and
surrounding communities. The previous work done by the LUF committee and contained
in their report dated April 19, 2001 is the best data that we have available at this time.
The data for that report was developed using studies by professional engineers. Much has
been made of the drainage issue,the majority of the committee is of the opinion that the
problem has been overstated and the incremental increases of runoff from modest
increased development in the town would be negligible. The committee was unable to
develop any additional information beyond that contained in the LUF Committee report
dated April 19, 2001.
The committee met several times with a local architect and builders. The frustrations that
the builders and architect expressed are for the most part addressed in the committee
recommendations that follow.
The town survey was carefully considered and weighted heavily on the committee's
recommendations.
• Recommendations.
Retain the current height and setback requirements, but allow additional height with
additional setback distance and architectural constraints on the area of flat surface so as to
limit the bulky appearance. The increase in height should allow for more pleasing
rooflines for two story homes with high ceilings. The Planning Commission is addressing
this issue.
Require additional setback as the volume and/or footprint of a structure increases. The
Planning Commission is addressing this issue.
Provide for sufficient crawlspace under homes without basements, Portola Valley
ordinance recommended for consideration. The Planning Commission needs to addressed
this issue.
Modify the grading policy/ordinance to allow for greater cut and fill if engineering and
architectural consideration dictate without requiring a variance. The Planning
Commission should address this issue.
Limit height of non-native landscaping and provide for effective enforcement. The
blocking of sunlight and views by the indiscriminant planting of redwood, eucalyptus,
s
January 3, 2002
Regular City Council Meeting
9
and pine trees must be stopped. Existing thoughtless plantings need to be removed. The
city of Rancho Palos Verdes has an ordinance that has been tested in court. The burden of
rectifying a problem should be shouldered by the person(s) creating the problem, not the
victim. The town must actively pursue resolution of view/sunlight encroachment
problems and when necessary enforce in a timely manner with all legal means available.
This issue for Environmental Design and/or Planning Commission.
Consider the use of a consulting architect to assist the town staff. This issue is for
Planning Commission and City Council.
Change the floor area definition so that basements are not included in the MFA. This has
been accomplished.
Redefine the Net lot area so as to not unduly penalize for easements. This has been
accomplished.
The committee recommends revised MFA and MDA limits. The support for the revised
numbers varies from enthusiastic to its better than nothing among the committee
members. The committee is in full agreement that each lot is unique and in many cases,
particularly with steeper lots, a greater or lesser amount of development is possible. More
development should be accommodated on the steeper lots when the architectural and
engineering considerations allow it, likewise sound engineering must always be required
and may reduce the amount of development to a value lower than that provided by the
formulas. This issue is for the Planning Commission.
Continue to update the town database and when it is current maintain it. This issue is for
City Council and staff.
John Harpootlian, member of the Site Development Committee,presented an overview of
the committee's report on maximum development area and maximum floor area. This
report included highlighted changes to current ordinances,tables showing changes, a
preliminary chart on land steepness in the Town and a pie chart of lot size.
Council thanked the committee for their hard work and report.
PASSED BY- CONSENSUS: To send the report from the Site Development
Committee to staff and Planning Commission for review and recommendation.
7.2 Request from the Pathways Committee that Council send a letter to
Caltrans regarding safety issues at the Page Mill Road interchange with
280
i
January 3, 2002
Regular City Council Meeting
10
i
• Council had received a request from the Pathways Committee that a letter be sent to
Caltrans regarding the safety issue of bicyclists at the Page Mill interchange with 280.
Presently bicyclists needed to cross two lanes of traffic in a single move and it was
dangerous.
Carolyn Frohlich, 28332 Christophers' Lane, commented on the dangerous situation
and stated that Caltrans wants the traffic to flow in this area and won't do anything that
will slow it down.
Mark Logue, 28437 Christophers Lane, agreed that it was a very dangerous situation.
Ginger Summit, Co-Chairman of the Pathways Committee, noted that this request from
their committee had been brought to their attention by Ken Olcott, member of the
Pathways Committee and Town representative to the Santa Clara County Bicycle
Advisory Committee.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To direct staff to prepare a letter for the Mayor's signature
requesting Caltrans to address the safety issues at Page Mill and 280, specifically the
safety of bicyclists and to include the specific suggestion of an overpass. Council
further agreed that the letter would include the request that a response to this suggestion
be made by a certain date.
7.3 Proposal by Stanford/County of Santa Clara/City of Palo Alto to locate
a regional trail segment adjacent to rear yards of single family residences
on Christopher Lane
Mark Logue, 28437 Christophers Lane, strongly stated his opposition to this proposed
path. He noted the residents' concerns about safety and privacy. He further stated this
concerns about the maintainence of the path and the drainage issues.
Council had also received a petition signed by the residents on Christophers Lane
stating their strong opposition to this path. This petition referred to their concerns
about safety and privacy.
Matt Owens, Stanford University Assisant Director of Intergovernmental Relations,
commented that he was just present at the meeting to listen to the comments made on
this issue.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To direct staff to prepare a letter for the Mayor's
signature stating the Town's strongest opposition to the location of a regional trail
segment adjacent to rear yards of single family residences on Christophers Lane. This
letter shall be sent to Caltrans, Stanford University and the City of Palo Alto and shall
reinforce the Town's concerns for the preservation of the privacy and safety of the
residents on Christophers Lane. Council further requested that the residents of
Christophers Lane be kept advised of what happens with this project. Council further
• directed that their petition be included with Council's letter.
January 3, 2002
Regular City Council Meeting
11
• 8. STAFF REPORTS
8.1 City Manager
8.2 City Attorney
8.3 City Clerk
8.3.1 Report on Council Correspondence
8.3.2 Fund for Afghan Children
The City Clerk reported that $30 had been received from residents for the Fund for
Afghan Children. Council thanked the residents for their contributions and directed
that these funds be sent on to the White House.
8.3.3 Responses to request for email information
The City Clerk reported that 920 responses had been received from those wishing to be
notified in case of an emergency.
8.3.4 Key Policy for Town Buildings
The City Clerk reiterated the recently approved key policy for Town buildings.
Basically this policy stated that Councilmembers and staff had A keys which opened
all buildings and the Ham Radio Operators had a C key which opened only the
Heritage House so they could get to the emergency equipment. Planning
Commissioners, Chairmen of the Committees and anyone else wanting to access the
Council Chambers needed to check out a B key the day before or day of their meeting
and return it the next day.
Council discussed this policy and agreed that it needed to be modified regarding the
Commissioners and Committee Chairmen.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: Council agreed that Planning Commissioners and
Chairmen of Standing Committees and Subcommittees should be given B keys. They
would be responsible to return these keys when their terms were completed as
Commissioners or Chairmen. Anyone else wishing to use the Chambers would still
need to check out a B key the day of or the day before their meeting but could return it
the next `business' day.
9. COUNCIL-INITIATED ITEMS
9.1 Pathways Committee(Mayor Casey)
•
January 3, 2002
Regular City Council Meeting
12
• Casey noted that in March there would be an opening on the Pathway Committee.
Noting the interest in this committee, she asked that this position be advertised twice
in the Town Crier. The appointment would be made in March.
10. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Carol Gottlieb, 24290 Summerhill, raised the issue of the keys to Chambers and stated
Planning Commissioners needed access to get their packets.
Jan Fenwick, 28011 Elena, reiterated her question about the wording on the agenda
under `Presentations from the Floor'. She believed anyone should be able to speak
under presentations on any item on or off the agenda as per the wording on the agenda.
It was noted the City Attorney would be clarifying this language.
George Knight, 15421 Vista Serena, addressed the Council concerning large amounts
of dirt being dumped by his neighbor near his property line and causing damage to his
property. Mr. Knight stated that this issue had been going on for some time with no
resolution and he asked Council to see that it was corrected.
Staff responded that Mr. Sayar had been sent two letters advising him to correct the
situation. It was staffs understanding that some dirt had been removed. They would
follow up and if not resolved the next step was for the City Attorney to send Mr. Sayar
a letter. The City Attorney noted that the step after that would be for Council to
• discuss the issue in a closed session to determine further action to resolve the issue.
Amir Rosenbaum, 10560 Blandor Way, commented that he believed something was
wrong with the dirt being delivered by the truck load to Mr. Sayar's property. Mr.
Rosenbaum suggested that there may be something environmentally wrong with the
dirt which was why it was delivered from Mr. Sayar's construction project to his
home.
Council asked for a status report on this issue at the next Council Meeting.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
11.1 Lands of California Department of Transportation/AT&T, 2350 Old Page
Mill Road: request for a conditional use permit renewal for an existing,
previously approved wireless telecommunications facility
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Cheng, seconded by Fenwick and
passed unanimously by all members present to approve the request for a conditional
use permit renewal for an existing, previously approved wireless telecommunications
facility, Lands of California Department of Transportation/AT&T, 2350 Old Page Mill
Road
•
January 3, 2002
Regular City Council Meeting
13
i
• 11.2 Lands of Wurtz, 12950 Robleda Road: request for approval of a two-lot
subdivision of 12.26 acres and a proposed mitigated negative declaration
This public hearing has been continued at the request of the applicant.
11.3 Lands of Foothill College/Nextel, 12345 El Monte Road: request for a
conditional use permit and a Site Development Permit for the installation of
telecommunication equipment on an existing building
Mayor Pro Tem Fenwick stepped down from consideration of this item.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Cheng, seconded by O'Malley
and passed by all members present to approve the request for a conditional use permit
and a Site Development Permit for the installation of telecommunication equipment on
an existing building, Lands of Foothill College/Nextel, 12345 El Monte Road
11.4 Request by the Ravensbury Action Committee for the City Council to
approve a resolution initiating the annexation of Ravensbury Avenue —
Reso#_
Mayor Casey stepped down from consideration of this item.
• O'Malley commented on the sewer issue and noted there were no guarantees regarding
sewer connections. Although trades could be made and it was possible the neighbors
would work it out there were no `guarantees'. He also raised the issue of Ravensbury
and the issue of the cost of bringing it up to Town standards.
Casey, 23600 Ravensbury, referred to some historical perspective on this issue. She
noted that these homes were in the Town's sphere of influence and if the Town
annexed them it would have greater control over them. This was an older area and one
that would see tear downs and remodels. Concerning the private/public road issue,
Casey noted that the value of annexing this area to Los Altos Hills was significant.
The property taxes that would come into the Town would offset the cost of bringing
Ravensbury up to standards.
Jim Abraham, 12831 Viscaino Road, commented that the driving force behind this
group requesting annexation was sewer connection. He asked if by using up these
sewer connections wasn't the Town doing a disservice to the other residents in Town.
Richard Blancard, 12074 Mora Drive, stated his concerns about this annexation. He
did not think it met LAFCO requirements as the lots were not contiguous. He asked
the City Attorney to determine that the lots were contiguous before this project went
forward.\
January 3, 2002
Regular City Council Meeting
14
Richard Johnson, 11154 Arroyo Oaks, stated that sewers were not the only issue. They
were not well represented by the Board of Supervisors where they were and wanted to
be part of the Town. He further noted that they did not feel represented by the San
Antonio Hills Association.
Allan Epstein, representing the Ravensbury Action Committee, stated the lots were
contiguous and these issues raised by the San Antonio Hills Association were denied
in October by LAFCO. Concerning the road issue, Mr. Epstein noted that this was not
an unfunded liability. The revenues the Town would receive by annexing this area
would far exceed the expenses of bringing Ravensbury up to standards. He also
commented that half of Ravensbury was in the Town so a portion of the traffic was
done by Town residents. Regarding sewers, Mr. Epstein stated that the needed sewers
were available. They already had twenty, a study was being done and the sewer
connections were there. He did not think this was a long term problem for the Town.
Mr. Seaman, 11519 Arroyo Oaks, stated that he was a former member of the San
Antonio Hills Association and this was a separate issue from that Association.
Cheng, Finn and O'Malley agreed that staff and the applicants could figure out the
sewer connections but that the road should be brought up to Town standards and this
should be a condition of annexation. Finn commented that this was a requirement for
Town residents wanting to change a private to a public road and he did not see why
this situation should be any different. Fenwick did not agree that they should have to
pay or at the most they should have to pay half. Half of Ravensbury was already in the
Town.
MOTION FAILED DUE TO LACK OF A SECOND: Fenwick moved that the
Ravensbury Action Committee not have to pay the $90,200 to bring the roads up to
standards.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Finn, seconded by O'Malley and
passed by the following roll call vote to adopt Resolution #6-02 setting a date for
consideration of reorganization of area designated "Ravensbury Annexation Property"
located on the southeast boundary of Los Altos Hills between Magdalena Avenue and
Ravensbury Avenue; approximately 57 acres with the following condition: that prior to
the annexation taking place the owners of the property either do or cause to be done
one of the following: 1) bring Ravensbury Avenue, Old Ranch Road and Old Ranch
Lane up to Town standards, as set out in the initial study prepared for the proposed
annexation and as approved by the City Engineer or 2) pay the $90,200 for the cost of
the Town bringing these roads up to its standards.
AYES: Councilmembers Cheng, Finn and O'Malley
NOES: Mayor Pro Tem Fenwick
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Mayor Casey
January 3, 2002
Regular City Council Meeting
15
12. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council Meeting was
adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Res ectfully submitted,
Patricia Dowd
City Clerk
_ The minutes of the January 3, 2002 Regular City Council Meeting were approved at
the January 17, 2002 Regular City Council Meeting.
•
i
s
January 3, 2002
Regular City Council Meeting
16