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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/27/1972PLANNING C OMM ISSION %W TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING March 27, 1972 REEL PC -7: SIDE 1, TRACK I -- FOOTAGE 565 -END REEL PC -7: SIDE 2, TRACK I -- FOOTAGE 00-350 Chat man McReynolds 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 follow Ing members answered roll call: Commissioners Lachenbruch, Magruder, Mueller, Perkins, Spencer, Welsbart, and Chairman McReynolds. Absent: None. CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE: Councilman Corbett (absent) APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of February 14, 1972. Commissioner Spencer moved, seconded by Perkins and carried by majority vote (Magruder abstained as he was absent from this meeting) that the Minutes of February 14, 1972 be approved as submitted. Minutes of ebruary 28, 1972. �aw Commissioner Spencer asked that a correction be made In the last paragraph of the first page. The last sentence of this paragraph should read: "He also reported that the Subcommittee studying Model Rental Agreements had submitted their report to the Planning Policy Ccn�mlttee, who made no spectf Ic recommendation but transmitted It to the Cities for their consideration." (Committee Reports) Commissioner Perkins moved, seconded by Magruder and carried by unanimous vote that the Minutes of February 28, 1972 be approved as corrected, Minutes of March 13, 1972. Commissioner Perkins asked that there be a correction made on Page 2 In the last paragraph preceding Item 2, changing the word tmakel to "pay for". (Glulle/Grossman) ComIssloner Magruder moved, seconded by Mueller and carried by unanimous vote that the Minutes of March 13, 1972 be approved as corrected. COMMUNICATIONS: None. ANNOUNCEMENTS: City Manager announced the Study Session before the Palo Alto Planning Commission on Tuesday, March 28 at 7:30 P. M. with the subject for discussion: Palo Alto�s Open Space Element. COMMITTEE REPORTS: �W 1. Adobe Creek Channel Committee. Commissioner Magruder reported on the meeting of the Adobe Creek Channel Committee held on March 16, 1972 at Town Hall. He reported that the Staff from the Santa Clara County Flood Control and Water District made an excellent slide presentation, showing %W Committee Reports cont'd.: the channel area as It now exists and several sketches as to alternative solutions. Members of the Citizens Committee also suggested alternative solutions using other methods of erosion control, such as, rip -rap or surplus submarine netting. The County Staff agreed to study al I of these suggestions and present the pros and cons at the Committee's next meeting, which should be around the and of April. 2. Plannino Policy Committee. Commissioner Spencer reported on the last PPC meeting at which the County Fire Marshal Indicated that area west of IS 280 Is considered a fire hazard. He said the PPC also discussed the possibility that federal funding for local projects might be channeled through a subcommittee of the PPC. There will be additional study on this subject, with follow-up reports. 3. LAFC0 decision on sphere of Influence boundary. Commissioner Lachenbruch asked for a report on the action taken by the Local Agency Formation Commission at the March 15th meeting regarding the sphere of Influence boundary line between Los Altos Hills and Cupertino. The City Manager reported that LAFCO had established the sphere of Influence bounder,, line along the northerly property line of the Catholic Church property and the Kaiser property. During the discussion at the LAFC0 meeting, It was brought out that the City of Cupertino, and the members of the Commission, concur with the desires of Los Altos Hills that the ridge I Ine and north slope of the Kaiser property and the steep area of the Catholic Church property should always be kept In open space. These comments were to be entered Into the Minutes of the LAFC0 meeting for future reference. 06F Mr. Lachenbruch asked what controls are on Permanente regarding the extent of their mining operation, how much of the ridge line can they remove, and who has final control on their operation. Mr. A. M. Laws, 11210 Hooper Lane, spoke regarding the San Antonio HI I Is Homeowners' Association and the action they propose to take regarding the mining operation. He asked that the Planning Commission support this program In an attempt to maintain the ridge line as It now exists. Further discussion ensued among the Commissioners. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Perkins moved, seconded by Welsbart and carried by unanimous vote, that the Planning Commission recommend that the City Council take appropriate steps to preserve Kaiser Ridge through pressure exerted on the Board of Supervisors, the County Planning Commission, the Bay Area Pollution Control Board, and any other association or agency. ADJOURN TO STUDY SESSION: 8:26 P. M. - (PC -7: SIDE 1, TRACK I - 776) 1. REVIEW OF RECOMMENDED CHANGES IN THE TOWNfS STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR SUBDIVISIONS. Jerry Crabtree, Town Engineer, presented sketches of acceptable turnarounds at the end of culs-de-sec. These are designed to provide easy turnaround, not only for passenger vehicles, but for fire trucks. The Planning Commission generally con- curred with the proposed designs and asked the Town Engineer to proceed with the final draftIng work so that the designs could be presented at a later meeting and adopted. llliw -2- RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION: 9:10 P.M. (PC -7: SIDE 1, TRACK I - 784) 1. REQUEST FOR BUILDING SITE APPROVAL OF LOT #3, TRACT #2947 (BSA -76-72) LOCATED %W AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF FREMONT AND SNELL LANE. APPLICANT: JOHN B. MOXON. City Manager presented background Information on this request, stating that this lot, located on the northeast corner at the Intersection of Fremont Road and Snell Lane, was created as Lot #3 of Tract #2947 In 1961. At the time of this subdivision the Town required the subdivider to place a 201 wide strip along the Fremont Road frontage designated for "Future Street Widening". At that time It was thought that Fremont Road might become the major traffic route to the Stanford Industrial Center and a 1001 right of way might be needed. Since that time, however, Foothill Expressway has been constructed taking most of the traffic from Fremont Road. In 1967 a variance was granted to the applicant allowing him to construct a residence with a front yard setback of 401 measured from the existing right of way of Fremont Road. The Planning Comisslon at that time discussed the desirability of removing this 201 wide "Future Street Widening" strip, but no official action was taken. Since this lot Is now over ten years old, It needs building site approval before a building permit can be Issued. Staff recommended that, In addition to the normal requirements of the Check List, a 101 wide path easement be dedicated along the Fremont Road frontage. Commissioners Welsbart and Mueller, of the Map Committee for this meeting, agreed with the need for this 10t path easement. Commissioner Perkins questioned Its need, stating that the properties on both sides of this lot are fully developed without having dedicated any path easement and he questioned the value of obtaining this 101 path easement on this lot. Mrs. Savlano, Chairman of the Town's Pathway Committee, mentioned that Fremont Road Is designated as a Bike Route and should have bike lanes on both sides of the traveled way and these should be wider than 41 since Fremont Road is a major road. She also stated that, In addition to bike lanes along Fremont Road, an equestrian trail should be pro- v1ded and It should be separated from the edge of the pavement as much as possible. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Perkins moved, seconded by Welsbart and carried unanimously that the Tentative Check List be read. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Perkins moved, seconded by Spencer, that the requirement for a 101 path easement dedication be deleted from Item 4 of the Check List, Inasmuch as there Is a 601 right of way for road purposes and that there are no connecting pathway easements on either side of this lot. Under discussion of the Motion, Commissioner Lachenbruch and Commissioner Welsbart stated that they felt the Town should acquire this 101 path easement even though there are no easements on the adjacent lots, that they felt It Is better to obtain easements where possible than to have none at all. Chal man McReynolds stated that even though equestrian trails are necessary that they should not Interfere with private development and the 601 road right of way Is adequate to provide the needed pathways. The question was called and the MOTION PASSED on a four to three vote, with Commissioners Lachenbruch, Mueller and Weisbart voting "NO". MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Cow Issloner Magruder moved, seconded by Perkins and carried by majority vote that building site approval be granted In accordance 04W with the conditions of the approved Check List. Commissioner Perkins stated that the Town should make some detemination on the -3- MOXON BSA cont'd.: "Future Street Widening" strips which occur In several locations along Fremont Road. He said that If the Town has no plans to create an official "Plan Line" along Fremont Road that these "strips" should be removed. Commissioner Perkins moved, seconded by Spencer that the Town delete along Fremont Road all "Future Street Widening" strips when they exist beyond the 301 dedication from centerline and where no dedication of this strip has been offered. Under discussion, Commissioner Lachenbruch requested that a legal Interpretation be obtained as to the status of these "Future Street Widening" lines. Mrs. Saviano spoke on the question stating she felt the Town should study very carefully the possible need to retain these reservations, because Fremont Road might some day have a bus route and that there are many school children In the area. After further discussion by members of the Commission, It was agreed that this Item be agended for discussion at the April 24 meeting. Commissioner Perkins withdrew his Motion, with the approval of the seconder. Town Engineer Jerry Crabtree was asked to research an old report prepared by Charles S. McCandless & Co. and Mrs. Savlano was asked to be prepared on the need for pathways along Fremont Road. 2. REQUEST FOR RE -ALIGNMENT OF A COMMON LOT LINE BETWEEN LOT #2 and #3 OF City Manager reported that the two lots in question are part of the Rosehill Estates Unit #1, Tract #4215, and are now owned by the applicant, Mr. Richard B. Nelson, who contemplates the building of his house on this site and wishes to retain one lot as a future building site. The original subdivision showed each lot as having frontage on both Altemont Road and DeZahara Way. The proposed new 4br lot lines would orlent the lots in such a way that driveway access for Parcel A would be from DeZahara Way and access for Parcel B would be from Aftemont Road. Commlss;oner Mueller reported that this proposed change In lot line would make both lots better building sites. Mr. Nelson, the applicant, stated that In his opinion the sight distance from the end of the driveway on Altamont Road would be better than the sight distance at the Intersection of Taaffe and Altamont Road. He also stated that no trees will be removed from the lots due to the construction of his home. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Magruder moved, seconded by Spencer and carried unanimously that the Check List be read. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Comm Issioner Perkins moved, seconded by Welsbart and carried unanimously that lot line change (LLC -3-72) be approved according to the Check List, except that under Item 4 (PATHS) the word "none" will be replaced by "no additional". 3. TENTATIVE MAP FOR DENNIS J. ARCHIBALD (381-71) MAGDALENA ROAD AND HILLVIEW DRIVE, 3 LOTS, 4.27 ACRES. ENGR. J. W. RILEY. CONTINUED FROM FEBRUARY 28 MEETING. (REEL PC -7: SIDE 2, TRACT I - 13) Mr. Archibald has requested a continuance of this Item to the April 24 Planning C omm Isslon meeting. Staff reported that he Is considering changing his subdivision to a two lot subdivision If he can work out satisfactory arrangements with the 6Santa Clara County Flood Control and Water District. e MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Perkins moved, seconded by Spencer and carried unanimously that this Item be continued to the April 24th meeting, -4- 4. CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO TOWN'S "STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR SUBDIVISIONS". #41111W Since this Item was discussed during the Study Session and more work required before approval of any amendments, this matter was continued. 5. CONSIDERATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 1972-73. REEL PC -7: SIDE 2. TRACK I - 28) SI me time did not permit a full discussion of the coming Fiscal Year's Planning Comission Budget during the Study Session, the Commissioners agreed to discuss It at this time. Town Planner, George G. Mader, presented Information regarding the State require- ments for new Elements of the General Plan. These are: (1) Scenic Highway Element (2) Noise Element (3) Seismic Safety Element (4) Safety Element In addition to these new requirements, the Town should proceed on the preparation of a Trail and Path El ement and the Housing Element, Phase 11. Mr. Mader reported there would no doubt be some Items carried over from the 1971-72 Fiscal Year. He does not expect to complete the work scheduled for this Fiscal Year. Mr. Mader also reported that In order to keep the hours of the retainer at approximately fifteen (15) per month, that we should anticipate a 5% Increase In the current retainer ($350/mo .). He also estimated that If the Town wishes him to attend and keep current on the progress of the Mountain Study Committee of the PPC that we should provide a minimum of six hours per month for this work. The Town should also review Its Zoning Ordinance for conformity with the General Plan and develop an Open Space Zoning Ordinance by January 1973, and review our Subdivision Ordinance to Insure that we have compiled with new State laws adopted In 1971 and 1972. General discussion ensued and It was concluded that Mr. Mader should prepare for the next meeting, April 10, a detailed cost estimate on those Items that must be completed during the 1972-73 Fiscal Year. This matter Is to be agended for the April 10 Regular Meeting. ADJOURNMENT: (REEL PC -7: SIDE 2, TRACK I - 350) There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:20 P. M. TO: NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, April 10, 1972, at 7:45 P. M. at Town Hall. MMF/mam 3/27/72 Respectfully submitted, MURL M. FRITSCHLE City Manager Town of Los Altos Hills -5-