Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/08/1971A PLANNING COMMISSION TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING February 8, 1971 Chairman Priscilla R. Weisbart called the Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission of the Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 7:50 P. M. at the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California. The following members answered roll call: Present: Commissioners Lachenbruch, Magruder, McReynolds, Perkins, Spencer and Chairman Weisbart. Absent: None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 25, 1971. Commissioner Perkins moved, seconded by Spencer and carried unanimously that the minutes of January 25, 1971 be approved as written. OLD tLSIi :::S 1. Discussion of Williamson Act. This item was continued from the last meeting to allow answers to be obtained to 4 numerous questions posed. Staff presented responses to these questions and along with the City Attorney who was requested to be present additional pointe were clarified as to the purpose and effects of the Act. Commission discussion ensued with floor participation from Mr. E. A. Breyman, 13456 Wildcreat Drive, Cmdr. J. W. Dochnahl, 27980 Central Drive, Mr. H. N. Reiser, 27660 Central Drive, Mrs. M. G. Boissevain, 27181 Sherlock Road, Mrs. Lois Hogle, 2000 Page Mill Road and Mrs. Diane Miller, 13076 Vista del Valle Court. Discussion indicated continued reservations as to the resultant shifting of the tax burden due to the tax relief provided those few who would be eligible to apply under t'.,e Williamson Act. The commission was split as to whether they should recommend that the entire Town or Just the MMCP area be established as an agricultural preserve. Motion by Commissioner Spencer that the Council study to determine whether there are benefits under the Williamson Act either for part or all of the Town died for lack of a second. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Lachenbruch moved, seconded by McReynolds and carried unanimously that it be recommended to the council that they initiate a study of the application of the Williamson Act within the Towr, to serve as one means of preserving open space and that this study would entail compilation of data by staff to allow a systematic analysis of the financial implications. VALANCES: L 1. Powell, Wm. T. (V-349-71) Request for reduction in aide setback from 30, to 10, for residence addition at 25386 Is Loma Drive (Lot #4, Tract #2002). Y Staff reviewed this variance application to permit a bedroom addition to an existing ♦. house that would come within 10' of the side property line. It was noted that the lot was indeed steep but that construction could be accomplished within the required setbacks where the slope was not significantly different from the elope on which the house is constructed. Mr. Mader noted that neighboring residences would not be adversely effected however, due to their distance from the proposed addition. Staff recommended that terrain problems did not prevent the applicant from building within normal setback requirements, but that continuation of the eaveline from the existing house to the addition might justify a minor variance. Commission discussion ensued with floor participation from the applicant. It was noted that the column supporta under the house were not logically located to allow this bedroom addition under the existing houses nor did the floor plan allow an addition to the opposite side of the house. The applicant modified his initial variance application by reducing his request to allow a 15' side setback instead of the 10' originally asked. Commission consensus was that a variance of this magnitude did not meet the criteria for granting a variance. NOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Magruder moved, seconded by Perkins and carried unanimously that the variance request for Mr. W. T. Powell to allow a reduction in side setback from 30' to 15' for a resident addition be denied without prejudice, since it did not meet the criteria of Section 13:60 of Ordinance 78, as amended. DIVISIONS OF LAND: Tentative Maps ( 1. Steers, J. D. 373-70) 7 lots, 13.52 acres, located between Central Drive and Buena Vista Drive. Engineer Sandia 6 Associates. L J Staff reviewed this proposed 7 lot subdivision, which consisted of three lots served from Buena Vista Drive and four lots from Central Drive. It was noted that the 30.8% average slope of this subdivision allowed a maximum of seven building sites. Major Staff recommendations were that: 1. Central Drive should have a minimum right of way width of 40'; be improved to a 16' paved roadbed from Page Mill Road to the met easterly driveway serving the subdivision; and have a road maintenance agreement provided for Central Drive and an emergency outlet running toward Moody Court entered into by each parcel of this subdivision being served by Central Drive. 2. Buena Vista Drive should have a right of way width of 40' through this sub- division but allowed to remain 25' from the westerly edge of this subdivision to Page Mill Road; be improved to a 12' wide graveled surface (with turnouts, as necessary) from Page Mill Road to the moat easterly driveway in this subdivision. 3. The private driveway running along the west side of the subdivision is for the benefit of lot #2 only. 4. Both intersections with Page Mill Road (Central Drive and Buena Vista Drive) shall be studied by a traffic engineer to determine needed improvements and costs of the study and subsequent improvements that may be required will be borne by the subdivider. 5. This subdivision shall be reduced to no more that five building sites. If seven are allowed driveway grades to each lot should be limited as follows: -2- Lots 1, 2, 3 and 6 - Maximum 15% slope Lots 4, 5 and 7 - Maximum 18% elope Mr. Mader suggested elimination of 2 lots by combining lots 5 and 6 and deleting lot A3 which was very steep. The applicant objected to these requirements stating they contradicted the often - expressed desire to retain a rural atmosphere. She noted that neither she nor her neighbors desired to have these roads widened as it encouraged trespassers and present widths following the natural elope allow them to mold into the natural terrain. Mrs. Steers stated that if only 5 lots would be allowed that she would eliminate lots 3 and 7 and retain these parcels as part of lot 2 on which their residence is located. Commission discussion ensued with floor participation from Mr. Stacy French, 11927 Rhus Ridge Road and Mrs. Hans Moeller, 11990 Page Mill Road. The Commission stated geological information would be desirable and since the accuracy of the contour's lines were in question, the proper number of lots was difficult to deter- mine. Other areae of question pertained to the amount of cut and fill that would be required; control of drainage; would difficult accesses generate variances; would not an oil screen on Buena Vista be preferred to gravel to minimize dust problems; could Buena Vista Drive be widened in a reasonable manner if the additional right of way was obtained. WTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Perkins moved, seconded by McReynolds and c=rried by majority vote (Lachenbruch abstaining) that consideration of the fAr Tentative Map of J. D. Steers (373-70) be continued to the next meeting to allow the applicant to submit a more accurate map and a geological report; indicate cute and fills for access and turnarounds and more definition of building sites. STUDY SESSION: Due to the late hour, the commission concurred to hold a special adjourned meeting on February 18 to finalize their review of the revised Subdivision Ordinance No. 69. ADJOU^'sia`PT: There being no further business, Chairman Weisbart adjourned the meeting at 11:30P.M. to: SPECIAL MEETING ON Thursdnv, Februan, 13, 1971, at 7:45 P. M. at Tmm Hall, NEXI REGULAR :LL -STING: N.unday, Februar7 Z2, 1971, at 7:45 P. M, at Town Fall. TJK/jp -3- Respectfully submitted, Til J. XCUZER City Clerk Town of Los Altos Hills