HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/27/1971Ile-
PLANNING
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PLANNING COMMISSION
TOWN OF Los ALTOS HILLS
r MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
` September 27, 1971
R 10 Side 1 Track 1 OO -End
Side 2 Track 1 00-55
Chairmen McReynolds called the Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission of the
Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 7:45 P.M. at the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road,
Las Altos Hills, California. The following members answered roll call: Commission -
ere Lachenbruch, Mueller, Magruder, Perkins, Spencer, Weisbart, and Chairman Mc-
Reynolds. Absent: None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. City Manager advised that the League of California Cities meeting in process
in San Francisco would discuss "planning areas" on September 28. Topics include
bike path plans and mobile home parks.
2. Mid -Peninsula Citizens for Fair Housing extended an invitation to attend a wine
tasting reception on October 17 at the Stanford Linear Accelerator,
DIVISIONS CF LAND: Tentative Maps:
1. MUTTER EDWARD A. (382-71) 2 lots 2.7 gr. acres, Is Paloma Road. Engr. M.W.
Wolff.
Staff reviewed that this 2.7 gross acre property has an existing dwelling located on
the rear of the lot and that the applicant wished to subdivide to create a new
building site fronting on Is Paloma Road. This property as well as the neighboring
Hoover property is served by a private drive which straddles their common lot line
and is comprised of each aides 6' easements. Staff recommended that a rolled curb
and gutter be installed along the LaPaloma frontage and that the pavement be ex-
tended to the gutter; that the applicant grant a 20' easement along parcel #1
so that the existing drive would remain a private road, but be constructed to Town
standards along that portion. Staff explained that a private road must be located
in a 40' right of way, but suggested the remaining 20' easement could be obtained
from the adjacent property owner if and when they subdivide. Staff also recommended
that the existing 16" drain under the drive be replaced with a 36" pipe.
A communication from an attorney representing the neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. William
Hoover indicated they had no intention of subdivision and requested denial of the
Mutter application, since construction of the private roadway without their consent
(which they did not intend to grant) violated a decree recorded October 4, 1954.
Staff stated that this decree referred to a since expired deed restriction upon
these parcels created by the Iyandale Knolls Subdivision. To avoid any dissention
with the neighbor, the applicant proposed that access to lot #1 be directly off of
Is Paloma and that the present road be left as is to serve the existing residences.
Commission discussion concurred with Staff's recommendation since minimal access to
Is Paloma would be provided. Commissioner Mueller expressed reservations as to the
adequacy of drainage provision due to the proximity of the creek crossing lot #1
as it related to the potential building site. The majority of the Commission felt
Lany overflow would run toward LaPaloma, rather than toward the homesite.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Spencer moved, seconded by Perkins and
carried by majority vote that the Tentative Map of E. A. Nutter (382-71) for 2 lots
be recommended to the Council for approval in accordance with the check list dated
September 27, 1971. (Commissioner Mueller voted no.)
NEW BUSINESS:
1. _PUBLIC HEARING ON REZCNIIdG C%':.gTAIN PURL l_:_9 CXNED_ LAND_ FROM. RA (RESIDENTIAL
AGRIOULTURE TO Q9R ZOPEN_ SPACE RE�l t7 ;'.,
4 Staff stated this Public Heari.,g was called to consider rezoning several parcels of
publicly owned land from RA to OSR, and a map illustrating the subject parcels was
presented. Floor participation was heard from Tors. Diana Miller, 13076 Vista del
Valle Ct. and Mrs. Millie Saviano, 12620 Corte Madera Lane. Discussion noted .
several of these parcels although referred to as open space were never officially
designated as such, i. e. the Little League area, Park Corridor, and Byrne Preserve
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Spencer moved, seconded by Weisbart
nod carried unanimously that the ten parcels recommended by staff as appropriate
for immediate zoning to Open Space Reserve be recommended to the Council for
approval.
Staff was requested to investigate "blight zoning" as it may apply to parcels alon.
IS 280 as a possible means of acquiring additional properties for rezoning to open
space.
2. CONSIDER. CHA= 6.55 OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE (OPEN _SPACE _-EASEMENTS).
Staff stated that Chapter 6..5 was another method (along with the Williamson Act)
whereby the Town could acquire temporary open space. The City Manager noted that
since the law was so specific, the City Attorney had suggested if the Commission
desired to recommend this method of acquiring open space, he could readily prepare
the applications.
Commissioner Perkins reeLewcd the various sections of Chapter 6.5 and suggested
possible improvements that could be made to tetter tailor L. io the Town's needs
and desires and to simplify informing and assisting the applicant. He proposed an
outline be prepared to aid the applicant; that words be added to the General Plan
to indicate that the acceptance of this instrum„nt is in acuerdance with the Plan;
and also that appropriate words for the abandonment procedure be added to the
General Plan.
It was noted that Chapter 6.5 was more general in its requirements and allowed more
latitude in interpretation than under the Williamson Act. However, the term
under 6.5 is for a minimum of 20 years and intention of renewal must be provided
at the end of the 10th year or the applicant enters into the "runout" period
similar to that under the Williamson Act, whereby at the end of each year, notice
as to renewal inten-cions must be indicated to continue Pull tax relief allowable
under the acts. In summation, Commissioner Per_dns stated that in terms of the
total picture the Tax saving is the same whether under Chapter 6.5 or the William-
son Act. The difference appears in the terms of the contract, most specifically
in the canre].lation terms.
Discussion of a draft resolution proposed by Commissioner Perkins which would
establish policy regarding cancellation of Williamson Act contracts and abandonment
of Chanter 6.5 contracts evolved around a clause which declared "within limitations
of the Acts, termination of agreements and waiver of te_xmination fees will he
Lgranted in a reasonable and non -punitive basis." The majority of the Commission
Apr felt the phrase "non -punitive" implied over -leniency, since the intent of the acts
were to encourage retention of open space in return for tax relief, and therefore
participants should not expect tax relief as well as ease in contractual cancellatic
at the expense of other taxpayers. The Commission concurred to further study and
continue discussion at the next meeting.
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3. REVIEW PROPOSED MASTER BICYCLE ROUTE
Staff reviewed that the Council had referred the Pathway Committee's recommended
Bike Plan to the Commission for review and comments.
Mrs. Millie Saviano, Chairmen of the Pathway Committee presented the plan to the
Commission which entailed considerations used in preparation of bike routes and
spelled out recommended priorities to facilitate a Master Bike Route. She noted
accomplishment of the First Priority --'the Fremont Twister Path -- had been
completed. The Second Priority would be posting and improving the most heavily
traversed areas, creating a Bioycle Loop.._ servicing the schools, (Gunn Senior,
Terman Jr., Bullis and FrsmZiM2IW Elementary) as well as the Town Rall,
Fremont Rills Country Club and Little League area. A Third Priority would be
improvements to extensions off the Loop system to Purissi.ma School and Foothill
College. The Fourth Priority would be to incorporate the Arterial and Collector
Roads, e.g, connect Magdalena to El Monte via Dawnridge Road, easements and open
space. She emphasized culmination of the plan in a timely manner necessitated
additional funding as well as significant public works participation with con-
centration upon major road and path improvements and maintenance in these areae.
Appreciation for the thoroughness of the Committee recommendation was extended
and the Commission endorsed the proposal presented.
MOTICK, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Perkins moved, seconded by Mueller
that the Pathway Commission's proposed path Plan be recommended to the Council
as a basic plan and that the report be adopted as a policy statement.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. CONSIDER NAMES FOR TWO CREEKS IN TOWN:
Due to the late hour, discussion of this item was deferred to the next meeting.
Chairman McReynolds adjourned the meeting at 11:45 P.M. to next regular meeting:
Tuesday, October 12, 1971, at 7:45 P.M. at Town Hall.
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10/14/'71
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Respectfully
�UtClerk
submitted,
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Town of Los Altos Hills