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Home My WebLink About06/22/197016 PLANNING COMMISSION TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING June 22, 1970 Chairman Priscilla Weisbart called the Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission of the Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 7:48 P. M. at the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California. The following members answered roll call: Present: Commissioners Corbett, McReynolds, Perkins, Spencer and Chairman Weisbart. Commissioners Hibner and Lachenbruch were absent. COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE: Councilman Stanley W. Grabowski APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 8, 1970. Commissioner Perkins moved, seconded by Spencer and carried unanimously, that the Minutes of June 8, 1970 be approved, with correction on top of Page 3, to change the Motion regarding the Munoz variance request to indicate it would be rescheduled for further consideration within three months, instead of six as noted. 1. Regular Palo Alto Planning Commission meeting will be held June 24, 1970. 2. Letter from M. J. Ciampi, architect for Daughters of Charity, requested C a special meeting of the Commission for consideration of their Tentative Map. Commission agreed to agenda on the regular July 13th meeting. ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. Commissioner Perkins reported that the Livingston & Blaney Report #3 is now available and urged all Commissioners to read it. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1. Commissioner Spencer stated the Pathway Committee discussion centered around methods to deter encroachments on public paths and the use of in -lieu funds. 2. Mr. Mader reported the maps for the general plan revision were 97% com- plete. SUBDIVISIONS OF LAND: Tentative Maps: LAND OF JACK SNELL (371-70) 2 lots, Snell Lane. Engr. J. W. Riley. City Manager stated the applicant had requested permission to split -off a one acre portion of the 5.99 acre parcel to form a separate building site. It was noted that the configuration of the lot line created, which separates parcel A and B, was somewhat unusual but the applicant intends to acquire neighboring lots and it would best serve his purposes for future subdivisions. Staff recommended approval, subject to the following conditions of the Tentative Check List dated June 22, 1970: (1) Landscaping: not required; 4, (2) Roads: not required; (3) Drainage: as required by City Engineer; (4) Paths: not required; (5) Traffic Signs: not required; (6) Utilities: existing residence on Parcel A is being served at this time. No change is required. The residence is on a septic tank; (7) Dedications: A 10' FUR Snell Subdivisions cont'd.: ` on Parcel B, adjacent to the easterly line of Parcel A; (8) Parks and Open ` Space: in -lieu payment per Ord. #117; approval of all agencies. The follow- ing Additional Conditions were proposed: A. Permit a dimension in excess of 350' for Parcel A; B. Existing garage on Parcel A be allowed to remain, even though it protrudes 10' into the required side setback. The subject was opened to the Floor, but since no comments were presented, Commission discussion ensued relative to applicability of the drainage fee. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner McReynolds moved, seconded by Corbett, that the Snell Subdivision (371-70) not be excluded from the storm drainage fees required by Ordinance No. 141, was carried by majority voice vote, Commissioners Spencer, McReynolds, weisbart voting Aye; Commissioner Corbett voting No; and Commissioner Perkins abstaining. Commissioner Perkins noted Section 7:30 of Ordinance No. 69 specified the following two requirements must exist to recommend a conditional exception: (1) Special circumstances, wherein strict application of the Ordinance would deprive the applicant reasonable use of the land, and (2) by granting the condition no other landowner is subjected to undue burden, hardship, or deprived of use of his land. The irregular boundary line between Parcel A and B was desired to retain the existing pump house, rather than utilize an easement, as well as provide access to the sanitary sewer. Mr. Snell stated the septic tank drainfield was located on Parcel A, between Q the house and the garage. ` MOTION, SBCCNDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Spencer moved, seconded by McReynolds and carried by majority voice vote, Commissioner Perkins abstaining, that the Tentative Map for Lands of Snell (371-70), subject to the Check List dated June 22, 1970, be recommended for approval. SUBDIVISION OF LAND: Tentative Map Variances and Pre -grading. PARKSIDE UNITS #2 and #3 (351-68) - Engr. Sandis & Associates. A. Tentative Map Review of the proposed Tentative Map had been continued from the May 25th meeting. Mr. G. G. Mader, Town Planner, graphically illustrated the plot layout of the original approved Tentative Map of 44 lots and the proposed revised map of 39 lots. A color -coded overlay illustrated the difficult topography. Staff advised that the applicant could legally proceed with the original approved Tentative Map, should the proposed be disapproved. In response to the question whether conditions of the approved Tentative Map had been met, Mr. Mader advised that drainage and the road access of lower lots were conditions to be met prior to approval of a Final Map. Mr, A. Russell, City Engineer, reviewed the slope density calculations and advised they did not include the park land. B. Variances and Pre -grading The applicant, Mr. A. Lambert, illustrated blow-ups of the lots for which pre -grading and variances were being requested. He explained to maximize marketability of the lots, a semblance of a building pad on -2- PARKSIDE ESTATES UNITS #2 and #3 cont'd. this rugged 'topography was necessitated. Pre -grading of at least the road and a turnaround would be the minimum acceptable and the variances requested would not necessarily be used but were to allow optional choices to prospective buyers for house plans. Reservations expressed by the Commission included: 1. No pxe-grading was desired. 2. Many of the proposed variances were extreme beyond acceptable standards and could be precedent -setting, resulting in a rash of variance requests on future subdivisions. 3. Grading of a house pad was not essential in lieu of homes customized to the sloping topography. 4. The dedication of park land would not be considered, if it were a guise for granting unreasonable exceptions. The Commission suggested Staff meet with the applicant and eliminate those variances not actually required and provided the following guidelines. 1. Reasonable pre -grading of driveways and garage pads would be acceptable. 2. Respecting setback logic, perhaps variances down to 40' spacing between homes would be considered, but not 10' as proposed. 3. Filling on Parkside #1 lots would be acceptable, if compacted and seeded. 4. Interpretation of on-tract/off-tract drainage requirements would be provisions to carry water to the nearest drain swell. 4W MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner McReynolds moved, seconded by Spencer and carried unanimously, to request the Council's immediate action against the Purissima Hills County Water District to take corrective action that would stop the repeated water spillage which was eroding the hillside above Moody Court and compounding the problem of runoff from Parkside #2 and #3, if and when developed. The Commission also expressed the desire that the Council provide guidelines in respect to park land goals and its importance as far as "trade-offs". OTHER BUSINESS BY PLANNING COMMISSIONERS: 1. Mr. Gerald Ferrari, representing Daughters of Charity, requested their Tentative Map be considered. The Commission denied this request, stating that they had neither agended this subject nor did they have their data with them to allow consideration at this time. The applicant was advised that unless a special meeting could be set up, it would be on the July 13th Planning Commission Agenda. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Chairman Weisbart adjourned the meeting at 11:30 P. M. TO: NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, July 13, 1970. Re�ectfully submitted, TEEDD J. . EK City Clerk TJK/y:am Town of Los Altos Hills 6/22/70 -3-