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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/03/1999 Minutes of a Regular Meeting February 3, 1999 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Regular Meeting Wednesday, February 3, 1999, 6:00 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Mayor Pro Tem Dauber called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 6:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Mayor Pro Tem Dauber and Councilmembers Casey, Finn and Siegel Absent: Mayor Johnson Staff City Manager/City Engineer Jeff Peterson, City Attorney Sandy Sloan,Associate Planner Suzanne Davis,Public Works Manager Jim Rasp and City Clerk Pat Dowd Press: Carol Tiegs, Los Altos Town Crier • 2. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS 3. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT 4. CONSENT CALENDAR Item Removed: 4.1 (Minutes -Regular Meeting) (Casey) Siegel and Finn stated that they lived within 2,500 feet of the Denny property on La Loma Drive but they did not believe the project would have any financial impact on the value of their properties. Therefore,they would be voting on the Denny application. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Casey, seconded by Siegel and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar, specifically: 4.1 Approved Minutes: January 14, 1999 (Special Meeting) 4.2 Approved Warrants: $127,139.21 (1/1/99 - 1/28/99) 4.3 Decided Not to Review the following Planning Commission Action at its meeting on Wednesday, January 13, 1999: 4.3a Lands of Yeh, 24055 Jabil Lane: request for a site development permit for the addition of a 2,638 square foot basement to an approved new residence February 3, 1999 Regular City Council Meeting 1 • 4.4 Adopted Ordinance#399 amending the Emergency Services Code 4.5 Approved lot line adjustment,Lands of Denny and Ventura, 25400 and 25398 La Loma Drive 4.6 Approved lot line adjustment, Lands of Doerfler and Pao, 27636 and 27600 Briones Court Item Removed: 4.1 Approval of Minutes: January 20, 1999 (Regular Meeting) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Casey, seconded by Finn and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the minutes of the January 20, 1999 meeting with the following corrections: page 1, correct roll call vote to reflect that Casey and Finn voted no;page 2,Item 2.2. add the roll call vote to the motion concerning the appointment of Barbara Lamparter as Library Commissioner to reflect the written vote of the Councilmembers taken at the meeting which was Councilmembers Casey, Finn and Siegel voting for Barbara Lamparter and Mayor Johnson and Mayor Pro Tem Dauber voting for Barbara Vetterlein; page 5, fifth paragraph change the word'ridge'to 'ride'; and in the sixth paragraph correct the last sentence to read: ". . . . .Bill May supported detailed scientific study of the issue of sound walls before a decision was made."; and on page 6, correct the second sentence of Fred Osterlund's comments to state: 'He also did not support turnarounds and backups for driveways in setbacks.' • 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 5.1 Discussion of status of ownership of Colina Drive The City Manager referred to his staff report which included background information on Colina Drive and the recommendation that Council determine if Colina should be accepted as a public street without requiring the residents on the street to perform pavement repairs or that Council direct staff to develop criteria for private streets with special circumstances that would allow them to be accepted as a public street. The residents on Colina had submitted a petition to the Town requesting that Colina be named a public street. According to their records they had always assumed that it was public. The City Manager noted that Colina was a cul de sac off Hilltop Drive and had been built according to Town standards. It had adequate width, drainage facilities and a 50 foot right of way width. The condition of the street, however,was poor and its full reconstruction would cost approximately $45,000. Since Colina was a cul de sac less expensive repair methods could be used. In addition, there was some confusion with the recording of the subdivision map. It appeared that the map was adopted by the Council at that time but there was no statement that the Council accepted the offers of dedication. Sharon Pezzolo, 12215 Colina, commented that this issue first came to their attention when the Town published a list of public/private streets in a newsletter about three years ago. They were shocked to see Colina listed as private when they had always understood that it was public. Don Pezzolo, 12215 Colina, reported that the original developer of the subdivision had been accepted understood that Colina had b ted as aublic street. public • February 3, 1999 Regular City Council Meeting 2 Council addressed the confusion surrounding the subdivision map and the cost of repairs to bring • Colina up to Town standards. Casey suggested that since there was currently a project being done on Colina, the Town might want to move Colina up on the priority list and tie into the repairs to part of Colina that the current project owner would undertaking. Siegel referred to Summitwood and noted that after its acceptance as a public street the repair work was done very quickly. The City Manager responded that Summitwood was a through street in Town which made it a priority. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Finn, seconded by Casey and passed unanimously by all members present to accept Colina Drive as a public street without requiring the residents on the street to perform pavement repairs and to direct staff to prepare a resolution of acceptance of Colina for the next Council agenda. 5.2 Discussion and Prioritization of Goals and Objectives This item was continued to the February 18, 1999 City Council Meeting. 6. NEW BUSINESS 7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES,AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES 7.1 Proposed Utility and Information Systems Committee Finn referred to the mission statement and list of projects he had prepared for the new utility and information systems committee. He apologized that this information had not been available in • time to be included in the Council packet for the meeting. Siegel recommended that the high priority for this committee should be the issue of cable tv in the Town. Dauber referred to the list of projects and believed more information was needed. She referred to the resolution which outlined the goals and objectives for the Town's Standing Committees and recommended that this format be followed for this new committee. In addition, Dauber noted that a decision needed to be made on the number of committee members for this committee. Since this matter had not been on the agenda for this meeting and since more information was needed it was agreed to continue this discussion to the next Council Meeting. 8. STAFF REPORTS 8.1 City Manager 8.1.1. Display case in Council Chambers The City Manager noted that he had sent Council a memo concerning the request he had received from the Exhibit Curator for lighting work to be done in the display case and also for the purchase of Plexiglas display cubicles for certain artwork. The cost would not exceed $3,000. If Council concurred with this request a mid-year budget adjustment would be made to reflect the cost of this project. Council agreed with the City Manager's request. 8.1.2 City Managers' Conference The City Manager reminded Council that he would be in Monterey Thursday and Friday of this week to attend the Annual City Managers' Conference. While he was gone, Carol Ferrell would be Acting City Manager. February 3, 1999 Regular City Council Meeting 3 • 8.2 City Attorney The City Attorney reported that the Fair Political Practices Commission had scheduled March 4' in Sacramento to hold the hearing on the reporting requirements for small jurisdictions. If any Councilmembers wished to attend they were welcome to come with her to the hearing. 8.3 City Clerk 8.3.1 Report on Council Correspondence It was agreed that when the new Utility Committee was in place they could discuss the letter received from Mr. Kurkure concerning high speed internet access in the Town. 9. COUNCIL-INITIATED ITEMS 9.1 Resignation of Planning Commissioner Aurelio (Mayor Johnson) Council reported that they had received a resignation letter from Richard Aurelio. Due to business commitments,he was resigning effective immediately. Council discussed when to schedule the interviews for this appointment and agreed that since the Commission was now at four members it would be best to make this appointment fairly quickly. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To schedule interviews for the Planning Commission for the February 18, 1999 City Council Meeting with the deadline for receipt of applications to be Tuesday, February 16 at 5:00 p.m. • 9.2 Peninsula Division(Mayor Pro Tem Dauber) Dauber reported on the discussion at the meeting of Assemblymember Ted Lempert's report on the 1999 legislative agenda. This included the proposal to fund at 100%the use of COPS money for extra officers while only funding at 50%the use of this money for equipment. Other topics discussed were the use of unspent redevelopment money for low cost housing,booking fees and Motor Vehicle License fee reimbursements to the cities. Dauber had handouts on these issues for Council's information. 10. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Betsy Bertram, 11854 Page Mill Road, stated her support for the Planning Commission noting that they had a responsibility to help control development sprawl in the community. She recommended early review of projects and referred to the LaPaloma area as an example of where this would help an applicant. Mrs. Bertram also recommended that problems in the Town be identified. At the present time she thought things had gotten out of hand and everyone was not working together. She also stated that Town Committees should be recommending bodies to the Council but at this time she thought some of the committees were acting as decision makers. Sharyn Brown, 27673 Lupine,raised the issue of litter in the Town. She asked what the delay was in placing a garbage can at Purissima and Arastradero. She also suggested putting appropriate signs at the entrances to the Town stating there was a$1,000 fee for littering. The City Attorney advised that signs were needed to enforce this State Law and the signs must be the official Caltrans signs. Ms. Brown asked that this matter be agendized for Council discussion. February 3, 1999 Regular City Council Meeting 4 11. PUBLIC HEARINGS 11.1 Request for approval of a two-lot subdivision of 4.48 acres and proposed mitigated negative declaration,Lands of Denny, 25400 La Loma Drive Siegel and Finn stated that they lived within 2,500 feet of the Denny property on La Loma Drive but they did not believe the project would have any financial impact on the value of their properties. Therefore, they would be voting on the Denny application. Siegel referred to the structures on this property and asked when they would be removed. Siegel also inquired about the pathway connection to the Quarry Hills Subdivision and asked if there was a connection or if there was an intervening property. The Associate Planner responded that the removal of the buildings was related to the lot line adjustment as well as the requirements of the final map. She also noted that the owners of the intervening property, the Venturas, had agreed to dedicate an easement. Bob Stutz, Pathways Committee,referred to the pathway under discussion and noted that while there had not been an easement it had been used as a pathway for years. Mr. Denny, applicant, stated that he intended to remove all the structures except for the main house within three to four months. Dauber asked if a condition could be included which would require the applicant to recycle his • demolition materials. Casey thought this was an unfair request as it was a condition not imposed on other applicants. She agreed it would be alright to recommend such a condition but not to require it. Siegel suggested this could be a learning tool for future projects and in this particular case there could be a cooperative arrangement between the Town and the applicant. Mr. Denny, applicant, commented that they had already obtained quotes for the demolition work. They had not specifically discussed recycling the materials but he had assumed they would take care of the removal of the debris as a regular part of the project and he also believed they recycled as a normal course of business. Paul Norton, Campi Properties, stated that he would be glad to have staff contact him about cost information on the recycling of demolition materials. Betsy Bertram, 11854 Page Mill Road, suggested they get bids for the recycling of each type of construction materials. Mr. Denny, applicant,referred to condition number 29 which stated in part: 'Because of site constraints including setback requirements, conservation easement, an old landslide, steep slopes and significant oak trees, development of Parcel B may be restricted and the maximum floor and development areas may not be achievable." He was quite concerned about this wording. He planned to sell this lot and questioned whether a potential purchaser would be comfortable with such vague wording. Casey did not support this wording and saw nothing in the staff report to suggest that it was necessary. She referred to the last election noting that residents wanted less subjectivity and clearer Town rules and requirements. Dauber stated that this condition was a warning to potential owners that a lot because of added constraints may Y not be allowed the maximum February 3, 1999 Regular City Council Meeting 5 i amount of development area. Finn suggested that staff was contributing to the subjectivity problems surrounding certain applications. Dauber suggested that the condition could be made less subjective by assigning specific numbers to the MDA and MFA but sensed that the applicant would probably prefer the flexibility in the current statement. In response to Finn's comments, the City Manager and City Attorney responded that staff had not recommended this condition in their report. It had been included by the Planning Commission. Paul Norton, Campi Properties, asked why this ambiguous statement was needed when there were rules and regulations in place. Warren Whaley, applicant's engineer, stated that he had done several projects in the Town and did not recall this stipulation being put on any of them. This project had 3 1/2 acres which he thought was more than enough room to use the maximum development area. He did not support this restriction unless it was imposed on everyone. Mr. Denny, applicant, reiterated that he did not think more red flags were necessary as there were already 29 conditions imposed on the project. MOTION SECONDED AND WITHDRAWN: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Casey and withdrawn to approve the negative declaration and tentative parcel map for Lands of Denny, 25400 La Loma Drive. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To correct the typographical error in condition#21: Fremont Road should be La Loma Drive. • Since it appeared there would be a split vote on the Council regarding this application, Mr. Denny was given the option to request a continuance to the next meeting at which a full Council would be present. Mr. Denny requested such a continuance. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To continue the request for a negative declaration and tentative parcel map for Lands of Denny to the February 18`' Council Meeting at which time there would be a full Council present. 11.2 Request for a Site Development Permit for a 5,311 square foot new residence (maximum height 27 feet), including an attached three-car garage, Lands of Srinivasan, 27835 Lupine Road At the request of the applicant,this public hearing was continued to the February 18, 1999 City Council Meeting. 12. CLOSED SESSION: PENDING LITIGATION: PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.90--one case Council adjourned to a Closed Session regarding pending litigation at 8:15 p.m. and reconvened at 9:00 p.m. Council returned to open session to report, if necessary, any action taken. • February 3, 1999 Regular City Council Meeting 6 13. ADJOURNMENT There being no further new or old business to discuss,the City Council Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Dowd City Clerk The minutes of the February 3, 1999 Regular City Council Meeting were approved at the February 18, 1999 Regular City Council Meeting. • • February 3, 1999 Regular City Council Meeting 7