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Home My WebLink About08/10/1970PLANNING COMMISSION TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS t , MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING August 10, 1970 Vice Chairman Willimn A. Perkins called the Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission of the Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 7:58 P. M. at the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California. The following members answered roll call: Present: Commissioners Corbett, Hibner, Lachenbruch, Vice Chairman Perkins. Absent: Commissioners McReynolds, Spencer and Chairman Weisbart. Commissioner Spencer arrived at 8:05 P. M. COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE: Councilman Stanley W. Grabowski APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 21, 1970 Commissioner Hibner moved, seconded by Corbett and carried by majority vote (Commissioner Lachenbruch abstained since he was absent from the July 21 meeting), that the Minutes of July 21, 1970 be approved,with the following corrections: Page 3, under "C. Tentative Map": a. Add to the end of the second sentence, first paragraph the words "without improvements by the subdivider". b. Delete the second paragraph in entirety and replace with the following: "The subdivider is required to conduct storm water from the subdivision through the park area to the flood plain along Moody Court in such a way as to prevent erosion. He is relieved from the additional obligation to provide money for or to construct any improvements in the flood plain along Moody Court. This will be a responsibility of the Town of Los Altos Hills." COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Palo Alto Planning Commission meets at 7:30 P.M., August 12, 1970. ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. Staff advised that new locks had been installed in Town Hall. USE PERMIT: Roman Catholic Orphanage (UP 346-70) - Request for amendment to permitted use under UP 264-66 (Mt. Helen). Staff reviewed that the recent subdivision of the Mt. Helen property into two parcels for the purpose of adding a convent created the need for revising this Use Permit for the Roman Catholic Orphanage. The change was to reduce the amount of land (45.30 acres) previously used for this orphanage to 13.99 acres. In addition, the original use permit approved September 7, 1967, had a condition that it be reviewed every three years to determine compliance with the terms thereof. Commission concurred that this review would be appropriate at this time. Commission discussion ensued as to whether an amendment to the original or a new Use Permit be recommended. Commission concurred that the desired method would be to amend the original. 14 G USE PERMIT: Roman Catholic Orphanage (UP 346-70) cont'd: The public hearing was opened at 8:25 P.M. Mr. G. Ferrari, Counsel for the Applicant. be desired, but voiced no objection to the was closed at 8:30 P.M. with floor participation by He suggested less frequent review might amendment as presented and the hearing NOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Corbett moved, seconded by Lachenbruch and carried unanimously that the following amended Use Permit 264-66 for the Roman Catholic Orphanage be recommended to the Council for approval: that Condition 2 be modified to read that the premises "may" (instead of "shall") be reviewed at least once every three (3) years. In addition to this change, the following conditions were recommended to be added after Condition 4 of the original Use Permit. Under Condition 04, add: A. An exception is made to Item $4 to allow subdivision of the property with the permitted use to continue on the land identified as Parcel "A" of "The Tentative Map of the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum of San Francisco" dated December 15, 1969, as revised February 13, 1970, subject to the condition that the Final Map, yet to be recorded, is found by the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills to be in basic conformance to the above referenced Tentative Map. B. In recommending approval of the amended Use Permit UP -264-66, the Commission finds the allocation of space between developed areas (buildings, paved areas, etc.) and open spaces to be in harmony with the surrounding residential area, and conditions this permit on the retention of essentially the amount of open space shown on the Tentative Map identified in Parcel "A" above. C. Approval of applicable Fire, Health, and Water Service agencies required. NEW BUSINESS• Report on Keeping Pathways Clear of Growth and the Control of Tree Cuttings. A. Keeping Pathways Clear of Growth Staff stated that in response to a request from the Council, the Planning Commission had been asked to study and make recommendations for control of growth and man made obstacles encroaching on Town pathways. Chairman Weisbart had requested Commissioner Corbett to assume this project and report to the Commission. Commissioner Corbett presented to the Commission a proposed ordinance to establish restrictions governing vegetation and man made obstructions on path right-of-ways for their review and comments. It was noted that there are three types of pathways in the Town: 1) Those on a dedicated right of way, 2) Those not dedicated but made paths through common usage, and 3) Those paths on private land. The proposed ordinance dealt only with $1 above. Commission discussion concurred that this matter be given additional time and be reagended for the next meeting, so that they nd mighther study comment,teasrwelleas obtainca legalthat readingefromethe Citythe Pathway Attorney. Floor participation included Mrs. D. Miller, 13076 Vista del Valle and Mr. A. M. Laws, 11210 Hooper Lane. B. Control of Tree Cuttings Commissioner Corbett noted many neighboring communities had ordinances controlling the cutting of large trees but that the Town of Los Altos Hills' ordinances are quite limited. ordinance No. 78 only relates nt traffic visibility ipruning t and while Ordinance No. 166requiresapermit eto removection of vegetation, it has not criteria as to what may or may not be removed. OLD BUSINESS: Control of Tree Cutting Cont'd.: Commission discussion noted that to oversee development of private property would be imposing upon an individual's rights. Also, it was felt the average property owner appreciates the beauty and value of his trees, but in normal development of his land he sometimes may have no choice but to remove trees. The control of tree cutting on private land could deny him the fair use of his land. Floor participation izg(np; tree cutting be controlled was voiced by Mrs. D. Miller and Mise Mary Pat Gaspich, 25473 Elena Road. Commission concurred to recommend tree controls be limited to subdivisions and site developments and that such a requirement could adequately be covered within the scope of the Town's current ordinances; and further it recommends to the City Council of the Town of Loa Altos Hills, that the functions of the Tree Committee specifically include the review of all Tentative Maps per Section 4:20G of Ordinance No. 69 to determine their completeness as to tree identification (that is, location of all trees with trunks exceeding 6" in diameter); and that the Tree Committee determine if proposed roadways would destroy existing t::ees by damaging their root systema; and that the Committee continue to suggest plantings with respect to landscaping. C. Review General Plan Mr. Mader reviewed the status of the General Plan and summarized the "Holding Capacity Report" which is a part thereof. This report was the first of six reports scheduled for completion during this fiscal year and measures the population potential at full development under current policy with respect to population density. It was noted that the ultimate holding capacity is almost twice the current population. D, Review Ordinance No. 69 (Subdivision Ordinance) This ordinance specifies an annual review to determine its adequacy. Commission concurred to submit any desired changes to Staff for compilation and presentation of proposed changes at a future meeting. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR: Mr. G. Ferrari requested the Commission give serious consideration to the inequities of current in lieu legislation and drainage fees. ADJOURNMENTT: There being no further business, Vice Chairman Perkins adjourned the meeting at 11:30 P.M. to: NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, August 24, 1970, at 7:45 P.M. at Town Hall. Respectnfully submitted, ✓E // TED ^WKLUZEK City Clerk Town of Los Altos Hills TJK:jm-8/10/70 -3-