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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/14/1967PLANNING C0114ISSION TOdN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING August 14, 1967 C;:airman W. F. Hinckley called the meeting to order at 7:!7 P. M. at the Town Hall, 25379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California. The following members were present: Commissioners Bowler, Dawson, Hibner, Sherlock, C';-irman Hinckley, Absent: Commissioners Lachenbruch (arr. 7:54 P, tai.), Perkins. The Council was represented by Councilmen Aiken and Benson. Minutes of the Regular .,ieeting of July 24, 1967 were corrected as APPROVAL follows: Chairman Minckley read Commissioner Perkins' request to OF include his following remarks regarding the McKittrick matter, P, 2: MINUTES "If it does in fact benefit the neighbors, then Mr. MCKittrick is correct and the ordinance needs some revision to clarify it".; 2) Other Business, P, 2, omit 9th para. and substitute Commissioner Sharlock's comments as follows: "Com..:issioner Sherlock was of the opinion that study sessions should be limited to the Commissioners and if the public is to have a chance to give their opinion, it should be announced as a Public Hearing." l fiction by Bowler, Second by Sherlock that the Minutes of July 24, MOTION ar 1967 be approved as corrected, was passed unanimously. Communication dated August 10, 1967 from City of Palo Alto, enclos- COhH9UPl- ing a copy of the tentative map entitled "Rancho Arastradero", which CATIONS has been filed by Sunset International Petroleum Corporation, ane (1) will be considered by the Palo Alto Planning Commission on Wednesday, August 30, 1967 at 7:30 P. M. 110o comr.:unicat ions from Comnissionor Gordon S. Bowler 1) Modification (2) of Setback Requirements dated July 26, 1967, deferred to New Business, Sten 3, and 2) Regulation of Recreation Areas dated August 1C., 1967, (3) read by Chairnan Minckicy. Conmissionez Lachonbrucii arrived at 7:54. P. M. Cemais=inner Bowler stated the aced for a policy statement for the DISCUSSION use and unkeen of public property would justify an additional meeting OF MAIN - of tna Pa. -_<s and Recreation Committee and suggested the Commission TENA14CF pose spccifi.c serious questions to them to prevent the Town from OF PUBLIC drifting into an expensive public recreation program. While PROPERTY Commissioner Bowler's uemo dealt with the Purissina Site, he sug- gested a policy statement covering all acquisitions of public land by the Town. Councilman Benson stated the Little League Association has agreed to give such a written statement that there will be no expense to the Town and Councilman Aiken stated a recommendation of a policy state- ment would be appreciated by the Council. Mrs. R. L. Jones, 7.0791 Magdalena Road, commented on her concern that CONT'D a federal grant would obligate the Town to open the property for DISCUSSION people from other jurisdictions. PUBLIC Following discussion, Commissioner Hubner suggested the Parks and PROPERTY Recreation Committee submit a recommendation to the Planning Commis- sion and in completing their report, consult with Fire Chief Bassett. Chairman Minckley directed the Parks and Recreation Committee to submit ACTION a recommendation on a general policy statement regarding land which the Town will acquire for public open space. The Secretary was instructed to contact the Parks and Recreation Committee to ascertain a common meeting date. Commissioner Dawson presented a design sketch for a non -vehicular PATHWAY bridge in connection with Vie School Path Safety Committee's recommenda-COM. tions and approval by the Council on e/7/67. The design was submitted REPORT - by Mr. Goodwin B. Steinberg, Architect, without fee to the Town, and COM. Commissioner Dawson suggested this be the standard pattern and DAWSON included in the Subdivision Standards. DESIGN Motion by Commissioner Dawson, Second by Commissioner Bowler, that NON-VEH. the design sketch be forwarded to the Council with the recommendation BRIDGE it be adopted as the standar;: r^.n-vehicular (pedestrian and equestrian) bridge, to be incleded in the Town Standard Specifications MOTION and that the design be referred to the City Encineer for specific engineering for different spans; and that the Comnission recommends a note of appreciation to Mr, Steinberg for his design, was passed unanimously. taw Chairman Minckley read Articles I and 2 of the Portola Valley Grading NEW BUS. Ordinance (adopted April 22, 1957), and the Planning Conmission REVIEW OF reviewed each item. PORTOLA Mrs. D. Miller, 13076 Vista co'_ Valle Court, read a statement (but not VALLEY submitted for the record) rrgar'ina need for r^vision of the Town's GRADING ORD. grading ordinance and violat irna tirrou-,hoer the Towne Mr. R. Towle, 26493 Weston Crive, also commented on violations throughout the Town, sucg.ctinn th.�t ;.f O,_dinance No, 49 (Grading) were used as a Check List f o-enry subd.ivisicn riap, it would give all the control needed for slope d�nsit-v- Mrs. R. L. Jones cormaentad on ter concern for the recourse of a buyer in good faith who is told that !,o can't grade the way he wants, In preliminary discuss_on of the snbjeot ordinance, Planning Commission was of the opinion the F-stola Valley Grading Ordinance, while excellent, was extremely long and t':,t only pertinent parts be used to strengthen the Town's Ord. #49, and to this end tae City Engineer was requested to submit a report of those requirements which wrul.d fit into the Tovm's ordinances. Councilman Aiken state'- he will r:+o•xaet the matter of Ord, #49 and grading violations be an item cf tip: Cc:mci.l A.,,enda and if these violations are occurring as stated by Mr, _ar+'-e, :.ae 3c",an roust call for more strict enforcement by Inspection and `u .).n lasering Departments, Chairman Minckley dir.cte` the Staff to ac-n.da the c=tinued review of ACTION of the Portola Valley Grading Ordinance fog: the August 28th resting and requested the Planning Conn'_:'='.on to be prepared to ,sake a firm recom- mendation to the Ccun-.41 at that t_:::e. Chairman Hinckley read letter from Commissioner Bowler dated July 26, DISCWSIO:'{ 1967 on Modification of Setback requirements, proposing consideration OF ORD.#93. to effect the following changes 1) paved areas such as driveways and SETBACK patios shall be excluded from the definition of "Structures", 2) for RERUIRCt ENTS structures other than dwellings, garages, carports and stables, the setback: requirement shall be fifteen feet from the property line, and 3) the location of underground structures shall be measured from the inside surfaces (e.g. the waterline of a swimming pool). In discussing the modifications, Commissioner Sherlock pointed out that a cabana or pool house would be excluded from the presently required setback and could be obnoxious, and that a height limit be imposed if the proposed 15' setback applied. Commissioner Hibner strongly opposed the 15' setback on the basis o: the deterioration of the Town's ordinances, poor planning, noise factor, and lack of privacy. Commissioner Lachenbruch agreed with Commissioner Hibner and further noted that the danger of a 15' setback is that people tend to still re- quest a variance from any limit set. Commissioner Bowler stated he did not suggest a break with tradition but that in view of the abundance of precedent today in favor of individu_ls being granted a variance for a pool, that his approach was a review of all the variances granted to determine the distinct pattern for which the Commission recommended approval, as was done: in the natter of variances for underground utilities. Commissioner Bowler further stated that great consideration is given by the Commission as to bow the structures impinge on neighbors, but within reason there must be concern for the owner of the lot. M -,es. Jones, Ronsiek and Miller and Mr. Towle commented on the 15' setback. Chairman Minckley pointed out the need to establish a) point of ncosure- ment from the pool and b) whether a driveway is a structure. Motion by Commissioner Hibner, Second by Commissioner Dawson, that in the MOTION natter of setbacks on swimming pools that the Planning Commission consider the inside surface (the waterline) of the pool as the point of measurement from the property line, was passed unanimously. Discussion of driveways was deferred to 8/28/67 meeting. Each Commissioner submitted his suggested list of objectives for We DISCUSSIOr coming year: OF P/C s In Commissioner Perkins' absence, Chairman Hinckley read his proposed OBJ5CTIVW objectives: 1) Slope density - utilization and economics of the site. 2) Horses - agricultural uses; clarifying use of paths. 3) A professional planner. Commissioner Hibnur proposed (not necessarily in order of importance): 1) Slope density. 2) Grading ordinance 3) Review of the General Plan 4) A study session and public hearing on the very fine report of MAPS Com. 5) Study of zones in Los Altos Hills for the planning and integration L of neighborhood zones. -3- Commissioner Sherlock proposed (in order of importance): P/C 1) Land use (a) consider the land developed and undeveloped; gci OBJSCTIUBS clearer picture which is to be developed; b) consider property which is tax exempt at this time - whether we can consider more; c) parks and open space for recreation 2) Circulation element - clear explanation of public and private roads, taking into consideration the budget and being prepared to maininin sane. 3) Sewers and drainage 4) Paths 5) Landscaping Commissioner Lachenbruch proposed: 1) Primary consideration of general problems which concern the .v hol- community, i.e., grading, drainage, etc, but would suggest 2) The Commission focus and break the Town into neighborhoods, analyzing these neighborhoods in projected density and the services required for this density. 3) A review of the General Plan from this fundamental view of &_ns.ity and services. , Chairman 11inckley said he will bring a suggested neighborhood layout to the august 28th meeting. Commissioner Bowler proposed (in order of importance): 1) Policy for Parks and Recreation for open space 2) Interior roads 3) Coordination of streets and sewers (� d) Use permits and non -conforming uses. Commissioner Dawson concurred with the foregoing objzctives and -sdded that he would like to see the path problem incorporated into the parks and recreation program, as a path can be considered a linear park. Chairman Hinckley proposed that open space, drainage and neighborhood zones be priority considerations. Chairmman Minckley requested the Comn.ission to review the suggested ACTION objectives and be prepared to rewrite a priority list at the next meeting. Commissioner Sherlock noted the Town Budget presented to the Commission and suggested the Planning Commission review these objectives within the budget of reality. Commissioner Hibner reported that he discussed this :Natter with DISCUSSION -ac- City Nanager, who suggested that discussion await for the slope ON ASTABLISH- density study by William Spangle &Associates, since Hr. Ander ING A SSCOND indicated this ,natter will be taken into consideration. :fWi Camuissioners agreed to await this report. There being no further business, the 'senting was adjourned at 10:40 P. id. NEXT REGULAR b=ING: IAonday, August 2d, 1167, at 7:45 P, K* nt the Town Hall. C14P COMAITTEE :OR AUG, 28TH MGaTING: Commissioners Dawson and Sherlock P/C MMSEWLITM TO CC MEaTING OF AUG, 21ST: Connissioner Sherlock 8/14/67 -maw -4- Respectfully submitted, DON T, HIBNa R, S+cr<,tery Planning Commission Town of Los `ltes Hil. is