HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/26/1971%V
PL:S11ING COMMISSION
WIN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
October 26, 1971
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Vice Chairman 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:
Commissioners Magruder, Mueller, Spencer, and Vice -Chairmen Weisbart. Absent:
Commissioners Perkins, and Chairman McReynolds. Commissioner Lachenbruch arrived
at 8:05 P.M.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of September 27, 1971. Commissioner Spencer moved
seconded by Mueller that the minutes of September 27, 1971 be approved as written.
This motion was passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of October 12, 1971. Commissioner Spencer moved,
seconded by Magruder, and carried by majority vote that the minutes of October
12, 1971 be approved as written. (Commissioner Mueller was absent, thus abstained).
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Commissioner Spencer stated that as the Planning Commission representative at the
Council's last meeting, he had been asked to poll the Commission as to whether
any of the Commissioners would be willing to serve on the Foothills Committee, --
a sub committee of the Policy Planning Committee. The Commission concurred to
defer discussion to the next meeting to allow participation by Chairman McReynolds.
1. FINALIZE wcRx ON CHAPTER 6_2` OF 7 GOVERNMET]T_ CODE
Staff stated the the City Council, at their meeting October 189 directed the City
Attorney to prepare a sample "instrument" which could be used for contracts for
open space easements under Chapter 6.5, but deferred action on directing Staff to
publicize Chapter 6.5 until their November 11 1971 meeting.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Spencer moved, seconded by Mueller
and carried unanimously that further discussion of Chapter 6.5 be tabled pending
receipt of a sample instrument and further guidance from the Council.
2. PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO TOWN ZONING ORDINANCE
ALLOWABLE }IEIGHT OF ANTF7VNAS�,__
4 Staff reported that the Antenna Committee had not yet finalized their presentation
and requested that this public hearing be deferred to the November 8, 1971 meeting.
Commission concurred.
3.
S+a£f reviewed that this 1.47+ acre lot has a limited building site due to the floor
of a smell canyon with ,steep slopes on either side and the existing roads and trees.
As a result, the building site within required setbacks was limited to .4 acre or
27% of the parcel. The major portion of the buildable area had been committed
to the house and a tennis tour#,resulting in a very limited location on which to
construct a swimming pool.
Commission discussion with participation from the applicant, noted that the pool
location selected was the most logical to clear the shade of existing trees and
their falling leaves. The neighbors'privacy would not be invaded as a result of a
variance, since the building site across Rhus Ridge Road from the location of
the pool was some distance. The neighbor behind the house was situated above the
steep slope and would be looking down upon the Elvin property. Concern was ex-
pressed by the Commission that extensive progress had been already made on the
tennis court prior to this request for variance. It was explained that there had
been a misunderstanding and that the applicant did not know a tennis court was
considered a structure and therefore differed from any other over 6' fence setback.
MOTIF, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Lachenbruch moved, seconded by Spencer
and carried unanimously that the variance request of Kenneth P. Elvin (V358-71)
be recommended to the Council for approval to allow a reduction in front setback
from 40' to 25' for a tennis court in accordance with the six criteria of Section
13:60 of Ordinance No. 78 as amended.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Mueller moved, seconded by Magruder and
carried by majority vote (Weisbart opposing) that the variance request of Kenneth
P. Elvin (V-358-71) be recommended to the Council for approval to allow a reduction
in front setback from 40' to 13' for a swimming pool in accordance with the six
criteria of Section 13:60 of Ordinance No. 78, as amended.
4. R3JUMT FCR ABANDONMENT CF CERTAIN PATHWAY _EASEMENTS IN ROSEFULL ESTATES
UNIT #1�CCONTINUID FROM L45T MEETIN(3�.
Staff reviewed the discussion held at the last Commission meeting which resulted
in the scheduling of a "path walk" with all interested parties invited. Following
the "walk" the Pathway Committee recommended the entire easement around the back
of lots 10 through 17, Rosehill Estates Unit #1, as well as the easement between
lots 13 and 14 be abandoned. A letter from the Los Altos Hills Horsemen's
Association opposed any abandonment.
Commission discussion ensued with floor participation from Mrs. Millie Saviano,
Pathway Committee Chairman, Mr. A. M. Laws, 11210 Hooper Lane, Mr. R. F. Madgic,
(lot #13), Mrs. M. Shibuya, (lot #15); Mr. W. Lee, (lot 110), Mr.& Mrs. C. P.
Steinmetz, (lot #12); Mr. S. G. Whittelsey, President Los Altos Hills Horsemen's
Assn.; Mr. & Mrs. H. Foster, 26870 Taaffe Road; Mrs. E. L. Ginzton, 28014 Natoma
Road; Mrs. C. F. Gieseler, 26885 Taaffe Road; Mrs, Linda Tellington Jones, 25720
Altamont Road, and Mr. L. Dawson, 13835 Page Mill Road. Those favoring the
abandonment noted the adequacy of the existing path loop along DeZahara/Taaffe
and Altamont Roads precluded the need for the path proposed to be abandoned
as well as the cost of pathway improvement required along lots 10 through 12
due to erosion. Those opposing abandonment noted the danger to riders along
the roadways. The Commission concurred that partial abandonment could resolve
the controversy with the thought in mind that should the neighboring open space
ever be developed, additional easements might be obtained to fulfill the originally
projected path plan in the area. -2-
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Lachenbruch moved, seconded by Spencer
and carried by majority vote ( Magruder voting No) that in the interest of retain-
ing an integrated path plan, in the area of Rosehill Estates Unit I, that the
easement be maintained along the southerly side of lot 10 and 11 and along the
easterly boundaries of lots 12 and 13, but that the easement along the southerly
side of lot #12, easterly boundaries of lots 14 through 17 and between lots
13 and 14 be recommended to the council for abandonment.
5. CONSIDER _RE HEST FOR OUR PARTICIPATION _IN. 1f� "MID _PET iN5 TLq_ PIJSRJIN6 STUDY".
Staff noted that this item was continued from the last meeting to provide addition-
al material for the Commissioners' review. It was noted that Palo Alto had not yet
advised of the estimated cost to the Town for participation in the study. Town
Planner George Mader stated that the major advantage of participation would be to
provide a data base for consideration as it relates to plans for Stanford Land use.
The data pertinent to creation of additional employment would relate to housing
needsy traffic demands, and the resultant pressures upon Los Altos Hills could
be better determined. Commission discussion concurred it would be desirable for
the Town to participate in such a study. It was noted that the Study originally
proposed to be completed under a Federal grant would otherwise be postponed due to
a delay in availability of Federal funds. The initial request had been denied
and another request is now pending.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Lachenbruch moved, .econded by Spencer
and carried unanimously that the Council express interest in participation in the
two County "Mid -Peninsula Planning Study."
6. ADOPT STATEMENT RE:_ THE WILLIAMSON ACT AND THE TOWWS. GENERAL PLAN;
A memorandum from the Town Planner was distributed and the Commission continued
this item to the next meeting to allow study.
7. STUDY .THE POSSIBILITY OF CREATING A "GEOLOGICAL HAZARD MAP" FOR THE TOWN.
Mr. Nader reviewed various approaches to a geological mapping program for the Town
referencing data based upon Portola Valley experience. He noted that if Los Altos
Hills should undertake a program similar to Portola Valley ,the cost at the same
acreage rate for our 5400 acres would be approximately $18,500. Mr. Mader suggest-
ed the Town might consider the following actions:
A. Discussion with the State Division of Mines and Ge>logy regarding the
possibility of extending mapping for Santa Clara County (which now comes
north as far as Moody Road) to other portions of the Town at the same
scale or at a larger scale.
B. Discussion with a geologist chosen by the Torm regarding the .mapping needs
of the community. The discussion should focus on defining those areas
where geologic information is most needed at this time. With the aid of
the geologist prepare a program for the systematic collection of geologic
data and preparation of a geologic hazards map for the Town.
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No Commission action resulted but staff was requested to further investigate
LO feasibility.
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8. i.::PCRT ON "BLIGHT ZONING".
Staff presented for the Commission's Information a letter from Councilman Pat Russell
of the City of Los Angeles, regarding "Blight Zoning" and noted this tool did not
appear to be applicable to the Town. It was also noted that areas declared blight
zones must go through redevelopment agencies.
9. PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED MASTER HIKE ROUTE._.
Staff presented a proposed master bike route map prepared by " °athway Committee
Chairman Saviano. Mrs. M. Saviano provided a detailed explanation of the route
which was an extension of the previously submitted "Report on Bicycle Path Plane"
and recommended that it be viewed for consideration as the Master Bike Route of
Los Altos Hills.
Commission concurred that Staff further study and when ready, schedule a public
hearing.
10. REVIEW PATH AREA ALONG THE FRONTAGE OF THE LOS ALTOS HILLS YOUTH RECREATION_.
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CENTER.
-;Staff stated the City Council had approved the construction of the snack shack for
the Little League at the Los Altos Hills Youth Recreation Center and noted discussion
on the on-site parking, the pathway along Purissima Road, and the drainage problems
had been referred back to the Planning Commission for study.
Due to the late hour, the Commission deferred discussion to the next meeting to
allow additional study of the map.
ADJOURNMENT: Vice Chairman Weisbart adjourned the meeting at 12:05 A.M. to
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, November 8, 1971 at 7:45 at Town Hall.
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Respectfully submitted,
TED J. UZEK' C�`iy Clerk
Town of Los Altos Hills