Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/13/1971PLANNING COMMISSION ilw TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 13, 1971 REEL PC -5: SITZ 425 -END; S2T2 00-365 Chairman McReynolds called the Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission of the Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 7:55 P.M. at the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California. The following members answered roll call: Commissioners Magruder, Mueller, Weisbart, and Chairman McReynolds. Absent: Commissioners Lachenbruch and Spencer. Commissioner Parkins arrived at 8:25 P.M. CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE: Councilman Davey APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the minutes of November 8, 1971 and November 22, 1971 was continued, since they were not yet completed. COMMUNICATIONS: None ANNOUNCEMENTS: I. The Pathway Committee recommended that the existing safety hazards on Page Mill Road, caused by the narrow bridges, be minimized by extending the culverts to allow widening of the bridges. This would allow a wider road, In addition to a pedestrian land. 2. Staff reported on the Council referral to the Planning Commission re: Adobe Creek Channel. The Commission had been asked to study the Flood Control's Proposal with the Town Planner, Town Engineer, and the Flood Control repre- sentatives and report back to the Council in three months. 3. Mrs. Lofs Hogle, 2000 Page Mill Road, requested a waiver of the subdivision requirements (Ordinance No. 180) to facilitate transfer of 5.362 acres to the Sierra Club, which she dedicated for Open Space In perpetuity. 4. Copies of the proposed Bike Route map were distributed to the Commission. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Representatives of the Purissima Hills County Water District, Messrs. William D. McCann, Manager, and Marvin G. Nachtsheim, Engineer, reviewed plans for the water tank, proposed to be located on the Mt. Helen property. Maps were presented to illustrate the existing water line distribution allowed by their existing tanks and pump system. They noted the District presently has a 3.3 million gallon capa- city, which provides less than a three-day supply, based upon their 1.4 million gallon average daily usage. Their goal to provide a seven-day supply, which they consider essential (since their present contract with Hetch-Hetchy to supply water Is subject to a 48-hour shut-off) would be accommodated by the addition of the 5 million gallon tank, proposed on the Mt. Helen property. Sensing the Commission's concern over the magnitude of the proposed storage tank, Mr. Nachtsheim noted that the potential environmental Impact of this project had been considered extensively by the Board of Directors of the Purissima Hills Water District and that the Board concluded that there would be no adverse en- vironmental effects. Additionally, studies had been made regarding this location, as well as the more costly multiple smaller tank sites, to attain a 5 million gallon capacity. In response to a query regarding the fault on Mt. Helen, Mr. Nachtsheim assured that proper engineering measures would be taken to assure site stability before proceeding. Mr. McCann emphasized the cost of pumping water is substantially lesser at night; therefore, a seven-day storage capability was correlated to the cost to users. They agreed that the grounds would be landscaped and a sprinkler system Installed to assure proper screening. I. TENTATIVE MAP FOR ARCHIBALD, DENNIS J. (381-71) MAGDALENA ROAD AND HILLVIEW DRIVE: 3 Lots. 4.27 Acres Engr J W Rt lav Continued from II/8 Meeting Commission concurred with applicant's request to continue this Item to the December 27th meeting. 2. USE PERMIT FOR CLARENCE C HENDERSON (UP -360-7 1) for a Secondary Dwel l Ing on 2.8 Acres Net at 27020 Purissima Road Referral from City Council. Staff reviewed the Commisslon's recommendation for approval of this Use Permit with a statement on the Check List, under Path Requirements, that the appli- kw would be required to provide a pathway easement along Purissima Road, and possibly construct or make an in -lieu fee for said path, per the Path- way Committee's recommendation. r _9 L It was noted that since the Pathway Committee's recommendation was not sub- mitted In time for the Commission to review at the last meeting, the Com- mission had concurred to approve the Check List with path requirements left to the disc ration of the Pathway Committee. When this Use Permit came before the Council for approval, Mr. Henderson expressed his objection to the sub- sequently defined Pathway Committee's requirements, and the matter was then referred back to the Commission for reconsideration. Discussion ensued with floor comments by Mr. C. Henderson, regarding the trail location. The Commission amended the Check List, dated November 22, 1971, by Incorporating the Pathway Committee's recommendations. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Welsbart moved, seconded by Commissioner Perkins and carried unanimously that the Use Permit for C. Henderson (UP -360-71) be recommended to the Council for approval in accor- dance with the amended Check List, dated December 13, 1971. - 2 - k 3. This Item was continued to allow the Pathway Committee an opportunity to study the request and make a recommendation. Staff stated that the Pathway Com- mittee concurred with the request from Mr. Dan Dana to abandon portions of the above-mentioned easement, since there would still exist a minimum width of 20' in which to locate a working trail. It was noted that the Los Altos Hills Horsemen's Association also recommended approval of this request. Commission discussion ensued with floor comments expressed by Mr. Dana. The Commission concurred that the remaining easement would be adequate. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Perkins moved, seconded by Commissioner Magruder and carried unanimously that the request for abandon- ment of a portion of a trail easement along the easterly side of the Rhus Ridge subdivision be recommended to the Council for approval. 4. BUILDING SITE APPROVAL FOR BASSETT LANE ASSOCIATES (BSA -71-71)• I Lot 2._2.14 Acres. Corner of Peck and Rhus Ridge Road Enor. George S Nolte. Staff reviewed that this lot Is a portion of Tract No. 2309, approved by the City Council on April 20, 1959. It was noted that this lot, fronting on Rhus Ridge Road, has access across the adjacent lot to the east (Lands of Singer). Commission discussion concurred with the proposed Check List. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Welsbart moved, seconded by Commissioner Mueller and carried unanimously that the request for Building Site Approval of Bassett Lane Associates (BSA -71-71) be recommended for appro- val by the Council, in accordance with the Check List, dated December 13, 1971. 5. VARIANCE REQUEST OF RUSSELL S. HUBBARD (V-361-71) FDR REDUCTION IN SIDE SET- BACK FROM 30' TO 2.61 FOR POOL CN LOT 6. TRACT 4169 BASSETT LANE Town Planner George Mader noted that the house site, selected by the Hubbards, Is on the east side of the lot and the lot drops off rather steeply on Its westerly side. The pool site selected is In one of the sunnier spots that is relatively level and yet not in the front yard. It was noted that the appli- cant, upon Staff's request, had modified their original application for a reduction from 30' to I5' by repositioning the pool within 6' of the house, so that the variance was reduced to 41. Staff recommended that because of the exceptional topographic conditions, approval of the variance would be reason- able. Commission discussion ensued with floor participation from Messrs. D. Dana and R. S. Hubbard. The Commission concurred with the Staff recommendation. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Perkins moved, seconded by Commissloner Welsbart and carried unanimously that the variance request of Russell S. Hubbard (V-361-71) for reduction of side setback from 30' to 26' for construction of a swimming pool be recommended to the Council for approval, In accordance with the six criteria of Section 13:60 of Ordinance 78, as amended. - 3 - 6. This item was continued to the December 27th meeting, since the applicant was not In attendance. OTHER BUSINESS BY PLANNING COMMISSIONERS: Town Planner George Mader reminded the Commission of his memo, dated 9/1/71, which Projected work to be completed on the General Plan Revision for FY 71-72. He noted that there has been no progress to date, since he had been instructed to hold these scheduled activities in abeyance, pending direction from the General Plan Review Committee. In addition, it was noted that the data for the Open Space Element, which was being obtained through citizen Input, should be provided as soon as possible in order that he might Initiate necessary "work-arounds" in the preparation of the General Plan Revision draft. Lengthy Commission deliberation ensued to consider methods or changes that should be made to lighten the Commission's heavy schedule of routine applications that consistently pravent them from devoting adequate time for the long-range study and planning, essential to the Town's ultimate desired development. Mr. Mader outlined Portola Valley's procedures, which appeared to leave much of the routine work to Staff for accomplishment. Floor comments were heard from Mrs. Diana Miller, who outlined a proposal she had submitted to the Council for consideration. Under her proposal, a Review Board would process most of the applications; thus, the Planning Commission would be free for overall planning. Staff was requested to have the City Attorney review his statement of October II, 1967, regarding the Commission's responsibilities to ascertain whether an up- dating Is in order. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, Chairman McReynolds adjourned the meeting at 11:15 P.M. to NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, December 27, 1971, at 7:45 P.M. at Town Hall. TJK:Im 12/13/71 - 4 - Respectfully susubmitted, TED J.WLUZEK U City Clerk Town of Los Altos Hills