HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/08/1967PLANNIiVG COMISSION
T(NN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
4W IMIUTES OF A REGULAR P-uwTING
Aay E, 1967
The Regular 2aeeting of the Planning Commission of the Town of Los Altos Hills
was called to order Monday, May J, 1967 at 3:00 P, M. by Chairman f). F.
Minckley at the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California.
ROLL CALL: PRESI-1r1T: Commissioners Hibner, Lachenbruch, Sherlock,
Chairman Ainc'rley
ABSENT: Commissioners Bowler, Prentice
Chairman Hinckley informed the Commission that Commissioner Prentice's absence
.as due to illness.
COUNCIL REPRES&ITATIVE: Councilman Mary C. Davey
APPROVAL OF NINUTES: ADril 2,1, 1367.
Corrections: P, 1, Announcements, Item 11 3rd sent.,
correct 'zoning' to "district meetings"; P. 31 Old
Business, O. Bettendorff, 6th para., 2nd line of second
Recommendation, correct typographical error 'o£' to
"to".
ACTION:
That the Minutes of April 24, 1967 be
approved as corrected.
MOTION: Sherlock; SECOND: Hibner
VOT3: Passed unanimously.
COH,UiI ICAT IONS:
1. Planning Commission copy of communication addressed to To-,vn Council dated
April 23, 1967 from Los Altos Hills Association requesting that all sub-
divisions on steep slopes not be approved until the slope ordinance can
be thoroughly studied and implemented.
City I•fanager reported that this letter was received and discussed by the
City Council at its &lay 1st meeting. Resolution No. 395 was unanimously
passed conveying Council approval in principle of slope density regulations
and urging the Commission to study and review all aspects of regulations;
as to the suggested moratorium, the City Attorney was instructed to
draft an ordinance for consideration at the lay 15th meeting.
CW"ITT:,E REPORTS:
1. A. Ginzton Vice -Chairman Pathways Committee - Report on Santa Clara
County Parks & Recreation Subcommittee on Trails and Paths.
aith the concurrence of the Commission, Chairman Hinckley deferred
AW hirs. Ginaton's Committee report to hear the Clement Use Permit out of
order, due to the extensive public interest.
COmNITTEu REPORTS Cont'd.:
2. Alid-Peninsula Foothills Planning Committee - Commissioner Lachenbruch.
Commissioner Lachenbruch reported on the above Committee meeting, at
which a guest speaker spoke on grading problems on steep slopes. In the
discussion which followed, Commissioner Lachanbruch learned that Portola
Valley is studying the feasibility of a geological hazards map as this
Commission is,and plans to cooperate to mutual advantage. Slope density
was also discussed and San Mateo County has requested guidelines for
slope density formulas,and this item will be on the Agenda for the next
did -Peninsula meeting.. Prior to that meeting, hovrever, the processional
planning staff of each of the jurisdictions will meet to work out some of
the technical understandings.. Commissioner Lac'aenbruch stated. he would
attend this meeting..
Commissioner Lachenbruch further reported that inasmuch as the Kid -
Peninsula Foothills Planning Committee expires in June, all Councils have
been asked to take actionto extend the life of the Committee for a
further period of six months. and provide for the continued participation
by the Planning Commissions on this Committee.
Chairman Hinckley announczd„ that in view of Commissioner Lachenbruch's
knowledge and consistent attendance since former Commissioner Benson's
election to the Council, that Commissioner Lachenbruch be hereby appointed
the official representative to. the Mid -Peninsula Foothills Planning
Committee.
4, 1Z3COMH3NDATION:
That the City Council take the necessary action to
extend the life of the Mid -Peninsula Foothills Planning
Committez for a further period of six (6) months and
That the City Council endorse the Planning Commission's
continued participationin this Committee.
MOTION: Hibner; SECOND:: Sherlock, VOTE. Passed unanimously..
3. County Planning Policy Committee - Chairman Hinckley.
Chairman."inckley reportedthat from a list of eleven projects three
priority policy projects have been selected: 1) review and prepare a
recommended position on the County Transportation Planning Study Goals,.
the basis for a Countywide General Plan;. 2) review and prepare a
recommended position on the AEAG Regional Plan; and 3) develop policies
on the inventory and sharing of basic planning information and on the
financing of information collection..
COUNCIL RWERRAL:
1... Council Referral of Study for_Slope Density Requirementso
City tanager read Resolution NO, 39S,, a resolution of the City Council
of the Town of Los Altos Hills recommending consideration and study of
slope/density zoning regulations,. Councilman Davey commented that the
resolution was unanimously passed by the Council and this thinking
formalizes the informal studies by the Planning Commission in study
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COUNCIL RwFERRAL: S16pe Density cont'd.:
(460 session; t..,at the Council wanted, trrough this resolution, to show
interest and concern for what tue Commission is already doing, with
the hope the matter will be an agendaed item.
CI— irman Minckley stated it was their ultimate intent to have the item
agendaed for public hearings aad to be in a position to submit a written
report to the Council with specific recommendations; however, it was
his thought to appoint a committee in order to prepare a formal report
as the basis for the Commission's public hearing. Commissioner Hibner
felt it would be necessary to make an in depth study and that to agenda
this item for the next meeting would only be a most cursory outline
on which to base discussion for a recommendation to the Council.
There was no further discussion at this time, since the matter :ras an
iter., of the agenda under Study Session.
USE P:017IT:
1. R. D. Clewent (UP -2D0-67) - Request for Use Permit to give riding
instruction at private boarding stable at 212,1.0 Altamont .'•oad.
City lianager read Staff report, letter of objection from 1;r. & xs. W. D.
Bar'.chau, 26861 Altamont Road, and applicant's statement on Use Permit
application.
i ,,ir. L. A. Watkins, 27200 Altamont Road, submitted a petition of 32
signatures opposing the panting of the riding instructionep rmit.
THE FOLLOW IiVG CITI7-INg SPDXC IN FAVOR OF TH3 USE P3RP4IT:
!,it. Bob Stauffer Sherlock Road - Cpoke as a former owner of a Los Altos
Hills boardine stable and statad approval would be very beneficial to the
cormunity and advocated to not only permit but require riding instruction
in every stable in order to instruct people to keep their animals under
control and ride in an orderly manner. He stated agriculture is an
important business and recommended the use permit be granted.
LSrs C. Toth 26644 Purissima Road - Stated she was a member of Pathway
Committee in the hopes of Having better trails for horses and now beginning
to see safe paths and would welcome a clean, first-class operation as
11ir. Clement s; agreed with Mr. Stauffer that instruction is needed,
especially in this area; cited the interest and achievement of the
children participating in ti.o horse shows at Freriont Hills Country Club.
Mr. D. Jansson, 27440 Sherlock Road - dent on record as being in favor
of the application.
Mr. ' gen Mehner, 26620 Purissina Road - Commented that he favors young
adults b^ing involved with horses ratiler than sports cars and rotor bikes
and was of the opinion Mr. Clement's riding stable would be an enterprise
4W in the interests of the community.
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US3 PERY:iT: Cler..ent cont'd.:
%, (List e:i residents favoring use permit cont'd.:)
Mrs Joan Mioellex 11990 Page Mill Road - Commented that Ser husband gives
riding instruction and is more a hobby and a service to the cavounity.
Favored granting the permit.
Mrs E L Ginzton, 28014 Natoma Rod - Spoke of one of the reasons for
Town incorporating - to malce decisions at local level to take into con-
sideration the desires of the community; of watching her children and the
neighborhood children who rode and worked at the old Engman Stables and
received Bron these people a love of outdoors, the discipline of caring
for animals, and a comradeship that even a parent couldn't give, and
asked the Planning Commission to consider this as to whether or not the
proposed use is a good community service.
Theapplicant, i,ir. R. D. Claerent, stated P.e intends to build his own
home on is property an t at the entire area will be extensively
landscaped and will provide open space land rather than a subdivision
generating far more traffic and noise. i4r. Clement further stated the
barn will accommodate 23 horses, including 5 of his own show horses,
and there will be less than a do2en cars coning in and out (no horse
trailers), no loudspeakers and no horse shows; the ring will have a sand
bottom and a sprinkler system. Lir. Clement stated that instruction will
be given mainly to those peopl, who board their horses, and that outside
students who rid: in will be limited.
THE FOLLO[JING CITI'�ENS SPOKE 114 OPPOSITION TO THB US3 PSRMIT:
Mr., FranIc A Gere Jr 12200 Menalto Drive - Asked for an interpretation
of the following points of Ordinance Mo. 78 (Zoning Ordinance): Sec. 1,
1:20; Sec. II, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 21, 24, 26; Sec, III, 3:10; Sec. VI,
6:10, 6:60; Sec. "I, 10:10, 10:30; Sec. XII, 12:20; Sec. W I in its
entirety. Mr. Berg stated he does not disagree with horses or horse
trails, but that the issue is whether it is a business or not.
Iii L A.'datkins, 27200 Altamont Road - Stated that many of the petition-
ers Oran horses, but that such an operation becomes big business and con-
cerned about the further extension of these facilities. dr.. 7atkins
stated there are already 7 stables in Town and asked the Planning
Commission to look into the reasoning of why Woodside and Palo Alto bar
stables in their areas.
Mr. P Cousins mont Roa
27390 Altad - Conmented that the people in favor
t in tee 1LIMedidte area and the use will not
of tris use permit are no
a`f--Oct than.
Mrs, L A :7atkins. 27200 Altaagut Road - Spoke in opposition and con-
cerned about the possible furthcr-axt�nsion of facilities without notice
to residents and that this area was residential.
Nirs Helena Gauchou, 27241 Altamont Road - Stated that their area is
iftr residential and that this application needs a deter
ion as to whether
it is a business or z service.
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22i3 Pd2iIT: Clement cont'd.:
(List of residents opposing uss permit cont'd.:)
,its. bL.xy G. Steers, Buena Vista Drive - Stated Theis is n riding stable
^.cross the street from net haws and cited objections .Cich arise t7 it one
dons not realize would exist (i.c., whinnying through the nig:,t, etc.).
Unmission ascertained fro" hr. -Atkins the following nae=_s of stables
within the Town which give riding instruction: Cook, Fremont Hills
Country Club, Adobe Crock Lodge, :john, hoeller, Flying E.
Since Mr. Cleuont indicated that the 13t acres would create open space,
Commission made clear that ,.ny change in the acreage mould nagatc t"a
use permit, if granted.
Since t,2 Staff report referred to the City Attorney's opinion teat the
boarding of horses is an agricultural use while teaching humans to ride
is not, Planning Commission concurred. Vote was no problem to the
boarding of aorses, but that the pertinent ::ratter is permission for the
instruction. Commissionar Nibner referred to and read Ordinance No. 78,
Section i,III, 13:60, Restrictions on actions, wherein three conditions
must exist before a permit shall be granted or a variance granted.
Commissioner Hibner contended that tie problem revolves around this
particular section of the Ordnance and not necessary to go Through all
of the Sections mentioned by Ix, Berg. As a result of this discussion,
Chairman 7Iinckley requested That all future use permits indicate the
applicable Section and Chapter of The applicable Ordinance as a basis
for the legality of the request.
Since the foregoing discussion £roil the Floor indicated a desire for
an interpretation, Chairman Minccley requested a written memorandum
from Qhe City attorney as to the legislative intent of Ordinance No. 7c.
in regard to this use and that the matter of Fir. Clenent's use permit
be deferred to tae Nay 22nd meeting.
COI-,ilTTSL 73POR2 (Deferred):
1, A, Ginzton, Vice-Chai_nnaa Pntcaays Cor_ittec - Report an Santa Clara
County Parks & :recreation Subcommittee on Trails and Paths.
The above report was deferred to the Study Session succeeding Adjournment
(public w._lconed) to informally discuss ?Is. Ginzton's written raport
dated flay e, 1967. ras. Ginzton indicated That her report would explain
the proposed Bikeway Plan as it affects Los P_Itos Hills and the prop^sal
in tarns of The routes in Palo Alto, Los Altos and Santa Clara County
lands; also, an oxpl:nation of to. 3iking and Riding proposals showing the
weakness of the routes to recreation areas from Los Altos sills and the
lack of hiking and riding trails available for Los Altos Hills residents.
Mrs. Gin -ton was asked to present the Santa Clara County Subcommittee
( Chairman's report and supplementary information for furter study by the
4W Planning Commission before the nst Planning Commission iacet'_ng.
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it
CI9
There being ao furtbar business, C'aairnan fdvc1Clay adjounn¢d the 11a2t4ng
at 5:30 P. M. TO:
ST-ilDy 535SI�IrI: 1) Co,,,,ittea Report - ✓yrs. Gin�ton
2) Clopc Density (Council Referral)
3) Planning �:o[a.-ission Procedures
N-IkT RCGOL.R ri33T I,dG: t4onday. ilay 22. 1967 at 7p45 P. F_. at t'ie To,,n H.a11,
Planning Co:aiaission Representative Con:aiss ionar GSherlo@c
to Council F:eeting of INay 15th: G. -
1-iap Conraitteo for Planning Co:.raission Co;anissionar A. H. Lachanbrucb
vieeting of May 22nd:
Couaissionar G. S'asrlod:
Respectfully submitted.
DOI'! T. HID,,::R, G2oratary
Planning Comxaission
5/x/67 -nam Torn of Los Altos Hills
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