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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/22/1971PLANNING COMMISSION TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING November 22, 1971 Reel PC 5 Side 2 Track 1 350 - End Side 1 Track 2 00 - 425 Vice Chairman Weisbart called the Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission of the Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 7:47 P.M. at the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California. The following members answered roll call: Commissioners Magruder, Mueller, Perkins, Spencer, Weisbart, Absent; Chairman McReynolds. Commissioner Lachenbruch arrived at 8:10 P.M. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of October 26, 1971. Comm ssioner Spencer moved, seconded by Mueller and carried by majority vote (Perkins absent, thus abstained) that the minutes of October 26, 1971 be approved with the following addition to the motion at the top of page 3. (Re: Rosehills Estates Unit #1 - Path Easement Abandonment). "The adjacent undeveloped property is beat suited topographically to supply the remainder of the trail system in this area and the Town should attempt to acquire it at the appropriate time.,, COMMUNICATIONS: None. ANNOUNCBMBNTS: None. COMMITTEE REPORTS: None. I. PUBLIC HEARING 0" proposed amendment to Town's Zoning Ordinance No. 78 re: Antenna Heights. Continued from meeting of Nov 8 1971 Mr. Winn Wegener reviewed the Antenna Committeets presentation made at the last meeting and summarized their proposed requirements for antenna heights as follows: 1. If under 201 - no requirement for Town action. 2. If 201 to 601 - building permit required. 3. Over 60, - allowable if, a. Site Survey provides technical showing of need, and it is con- firmed by the Town Engineer. b. Building Permit is required. c. Council must approve. In regard to the erection of towers, the Committee recommended that a tower not be over 21 square above 301; that all towers observe setback requirements; and that no more than two towers in excess of 201 height be allowed per acre. Lengthy Commission discussion ensued with floor comments expressed by Messrs. S. Wood, 12648 LaCresta Court; A.M. Laws; L. A. Dawson; F. L. Harper (Commit- tee member); Mr. and Mrs. B. T. Georgia, Mr, and Mrs. N. McIlwraith; and Mrs. D. Miller. Objections voiced during the Public Hearing noted that aesthetic considerations were not incorporated into the antenna ordinance proposed, even though the Committee was established to review antennas as a result of a L citizen's complaint. The Commission concurred that due to the disparity in the Committee's proposal and the wishes of neighboring residents not so en- thused by pursuit of this hobby, that the committees proposal warranted more stringent requirements to fulfill the Town's best interest. 4 MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Lachenbruch moved, seconded by Spencer and carried unanimously that the proposed amendment to Ordinance No.. 78 re: Antenna towers be referred back to the Antenna Committee to: 1. Specifically establish a reasonable distinction between radio amateur transmission/reception antennas and TV/FM reception antennas. 2. Set a reasonable maximum height limitation and array within the framework of the Ordinance proposed and require Use Permits for exceptions, but criteria of immediate neighbors agreement should not be the sole reason for granting such a Use Permit. 3. Consider compliance with existing setbacks. 2. VARIANCE REQUEST OF Richard Trimble (v-359-71) for reduction of side setback from 30' to 15' for swimmin ooI at 26792 Robleda Court. Mr. Mader reported that the applicant had selected the proposed pool site in order to avoid the extensive root system of the existing poplar trees. He stated that the immediate neighbor, Mr. Newman, who although had voiced no objection, had not yet built his home and that the logical site would be high on the Newman lot next to the Trimbles. Thus even though Mr. Newman had no objections, Mr. Mader noted a subsequent buyer might feel this situation as an encroachment upon his privacy which would be further aggravated if they chose to construct a pool and also seek a variance into the sideyard setback. He recommended a redesign of the pool location, shifting it closer to the house to minimize the variance required. Following discussion, Motion by Commissioner Spencer to approve as requested died for lack of a second, since the majority of the Commission concurred that the lesser variance created by shifting the pool site would be more desirable. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Magruder moved, seconded by Weisbart and carried unanimously that the variance request for R. Trimble (V359-71) be recommended to the Council for approval to allow a maximum 22' setback from the westerly lot line to the re -oriented pool edge at its north- erly end in accordance with the six criteria of Section 13:60 of Ordinance No. 78, as amended. 3. USE PERMIT for CLARENCE C. HENDERSON (Up360-71)for a secondary dwelling on 2.8 acres net at 27020 Purissima Road_comer of Ninorca Ct. Staff reviewed that this subdividable parcel currently contains an existing residence and a cottage used as a secondary dwelling. The applicant proposed to construct a new residence and then convert the existing one to a secondary dwelling. The use of the existing cottage presently a secondary dwelling, would be discontinued after completion of the new dwelling and its kitchen facilities would then be removed. Commission discussion amended the Staff's recommended check list by adding the requirement for a 5' path dedication along the entire frontage of Purissima Road and that it be cleared of overhanging limbs, bladed and graveled, path signs posted and "PED - XING" marked on Purissima Road at Minorca Court. Under "Additional Conditions" a northerly shift of the driveway was recommended to reduce the grade and improve sight distance. MOTION, SECCNDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Spencer moved, seconded by Magruder and carried unanimously that the Use Permit for C. C. Henderson (UP 360-71) be recommended to the Council for approval in accordance with the amended check list dated November 22, 1971. -2- f4A. 4. Adopt Statement re: The Williamson Act and the Town's General Plan, continued from meeting of Nov. 8 1971. Staff reviewed a memo prepared by the Town Planner wherein it was noted that although the Town's General Plan does not directly address temporary open space, the Preliminary Report on a General Plan for the Town (1st Rev., dated 4/1/59) does make several references consistent with Resolution No. 629 which declared the entire Town as an agricultural preserve to facilitate acceptance Of Williamson Act contracts. These references were: I. Los Altos Hil'.s is a rural residential town, and the principal pur- pose of the General Plan of Los Altos Hills is to preserve, enhance and define the rural residential character of the Los Altos Hills area. (Appendix A, p. 46) 2. The rapid and accelerating trend toward urbanization of the Counties of San Mateo and Santa Clara poses serious problems for those who desire to maintain for themselves and their families a way of living characterized by rural surroundings ... (p. 4). 3. It appears, therefore, perfectly sound from an economic point of view, provided the demand for rural -residence homes such as are presently typical of development in Los Altos Hills continues, to assume for the purposes of projecting the Land Use Plan that the minimum lot size of 1 acre can be maintained. (p. 8) Staff also stated even though the City Attorney had indicated the Town had fulfilled the legal requirements of the Williamson Act, that since some members of the Commission were apprehensive in this regard, that astatement referring specifically to the To'm's General Policy on Open Space and the Williamson Act should remove all doubt. DATION, SECONDED AND. CARRIED: Commissioner Perkins moved, seconded by Spencer and carried by majority vote that when the Commission recommended to the Council to declare the Town as an agricultural preserve, they were cognizant of the general content of the above three references from the Preliminary Report on a General Plan for the Town and therefore in making the recommendation were consistent with the Town's General Plan. 5. COUNCIL REFERRAL to Planning Commission for study and recommendation on Assembly Bills AB 1301s AB 1302 AB 1303 and AB 1304 re subdivisions Commission concurred that a legal interpretation was required and requested that the Council direct the City Attorney to summarize the impact of the above referenced bills. -3- 6. COUNCIL REFERRAL to Planning Commission for review and recommendation on request of Mr, Dan Dana to abandon a portion of the Equestrian Trail Easement running along the easterly side of the Rhus Ridge 9e macho Staff reviewed that when the Final Map for the Rhus Ridge subdivision was filed a e by it 5,L wide equestrian trail easement was dedicated along its east aide by Bassett :.ane Associates instead of the requested 10, Subsequently certain lot line changes easement. were approved and the individual lot owners abutting the trail easement now desire to use a portion of the easement and therefore, Mr. Dana requested that a the original 50' width be abandoned. Staff noted that the remaining on would still be 20- wide at its widest point. A communication from the Los Altos Hills Horsemen's Association endorsed the request for abandonment noting the remaining easement was more than adequate for trail purposes. Commission discussion ensued with floor participation from Pathway Committee Chairman Saviano. Mrs. Saviano noted that the Committee had not had an Opportunity as yet to review the request and so therefore she could not give a recommendation for the Committee. The Commission concurred to continue this item to the December 13th meeting in order to receive the Pathway Committee's recommendation. f ADJOURNMENT. �r There being no further at 11:30 P.M. to ce business Vi -Chairman Weisbart adjourned the meeting NEXT RBMTLAR b=TIm: Monday December 13, 1971 at 7045 P.M. at Town Hall, Respectfully submitted, TED j.OQ..LiLEK City Clerk TJI(/dq Town of Los Altos Hills 11/22/71 -4- N a N