HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/24/1972PLANNING COMMISSION
lir TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
April 24, 1972
REEL PC -7: SIDE 2, TRACK I -- FOOTAGE 840 - END
REEL PC -7: SIDE 1, TRACK 2 -- FOOTAGE 000 - 285
Chal rman 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 following members answered roll call: Commissioners
Magruder, Mueller, Perkins, Spencer, Weisbart and Chairman McReynolds. Commissioner
Lachenbruch arrived at 7:55 P. M. Absent: None.
CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE: Councilman Grabowski (absent)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 10, 1972.
Commissioner Spencer moved, seconded by Perkins and carried by majority vote
(Mueller and McReynolds abstained as they were absent from this meeting) that the
Minutes of April 10, 1972 be approved as submitted.
COMMUNICATIONS:
1. Mary G. Steers, 11641 Buena Vista Drive, Los Altos Hills, requesting a review
of the Town's Site Development Ordinance, No. 166, which requires the prepara-
%' tion of a plan and the payment of fees prior to clearing land. Mrs. Steers
wishes to clear portions of her land of poison oak and greasewood.
The Planning Commission directed Staff to review the Ordinance and submit a
recommendation for change.
2. Excerpt from Santa Clara County Planning Commission Minutes regarding the
adoption of conservation and development plan for the Santa Cruz Mountain Area.
3. Letter from John I. Quimby, 12785 La Cresta
a hearing before the Planning Commission on
decision regarding the building of a house
Cresta Drive (Bugge residence). Staff was
Information to the Commissioners and agenda
meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: None.
ORDER OF BUSINESS:
Drive, Los Altos Hills, requesting
the Site Development Committee's
on the adjacent lot at 12797 La
directed to present all pertinent
this Item for the next regular
I. CHANGE IN LOT LINE BETWEEN G. HINTON, 11571 BUENA VISTA DRIVE AND R. E. MC CANN,
11570 BUENA VISTA DRIVE, AND GRANT VARIANCES AS NEEDED. (PC -7: Side 2, Track 1,
Footage - 900)
Staff presented the following Information as background for discussion of this
111111101 request: the travelled way on this portion of Buena Vista Drive Iles outside of
the dedicated easement. It swings Into the Hinton property and away from the
McCann property for a distance of approximately 4001. Both property owners wish to
change a common lot line between their properties, dedicate a road easement which
will encompass the present travelled way, and have the Town grant variances allowing
the existing structures to remain. It was noted that the right-of-way width of
Buena Vista Drive is 251. There exists over the present travelled way a 10' wide
path easement which was granted by Mrs. Hinton In 197( (File #378-71).
Commissioner Lachenbruch stated that since he was a close neighbor and had an
Interest In this action, that he would remove himself from the discussion and
abstain from all comments and action.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner We(sbart moved, seconded by Perkins
and carried by majority vote (Lachenbruch abstained) that the Tentative Check List
be read.
After the reading of the Check List, Mr. A. M. Laws, 11210 Hooper Lane, commented
on the width of the right-of-way of Buena Vista Drive, stating that in his opinion
this portion should be widened to a 40' width for possible future development.
General discussion ensued by members of the Planning Commission. The Tentative
Check List was revised, adding an Item (#2) under "Additional Conditions", as
follows: "Applicant is to acquire sufficient right-of-way for roadway purposes,
as shown on Parcel Map dated November 1971 and amended March 17, 1972, from Mr.
T. I. Andrews, 11471 Page Mill Road, whose lot is adjacent to the Hinton property
on the west.
Also added to the Check List was: "Conditional Exception #l. The right-of-way
width on Buena Vista Drive Is 25'."
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Perkins moved, seconded by Magruder,
(� and carried by majority vote (Lachenbruch abstained) that the request of Hinton/
McCann for lot line change and moving of the right-of-way easement be approved,
In accordance with the conditions of the approved Check List.
Staff explained the need of granting a variance to allow the existing structures on
the Hinton property to remain In their present location. The cottage will set back
only 23' from the newly located right-of-way line; the barn will set back II';
and the deck will set back 3', it was noted that this variance would only allow
the above mentioned structures to remain and that If any additlons or remodeling
Is to be done on these structures, a new variance application will have to be made.
POTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Perkins moved, seconded by Welsbart and
carried by majority vote (Lachenbruch abstained) that the Planning Commission, in
accordance with the six criteria of the Town's Municipal Code Section 9-5.905 (b),
recommend the granting of this variance allowing all existing structures to remain
on the Hinton property, but not allowing modification to them without an additional
application for variance.
2. TENTATIVE MAP FOR DENN IS J. ARCH BALD (381-71) MAGDALENA ROAD AND HILLV I EW
DRIVE 3 LOTS 4.27 ACRES ENGR. J W RILEY. (PC -7: Side 2 Track I - 1205).
The applicant has submitted a new map showing a two lot subdivision instead of a
three lot subdivision for which he originally applied. This map will be agended
for the May 8 meeting.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Perkins moved, seconded by Spencer and
carried unanimously, that this Item be continued to the May 8 meeting.
-2-
3. CONSIDER THE REMOVAL OF ALL "FUTURE STREET WIDENING" STRIPS ALONG FREMONT ROAD.
t (PC -7: Side 2. Track I - 1218)
Town Engineer Jerry Crabtree reported on all existing "Future Street Widening"
strips along Fremont Road. These were created over ten years ago at the time when
the location of the expressway and freeway were under discussion and there was some
thought that Fremont Road might have to be widened to accommodate traffic.
General discussion by the Commissioners touched on the question of the need of
official plan lines for Fremont Road, the legal status of "Future Street Widening"
strips and the final design for a fully developed Fremont Road. It was mentioned
that this road is one of our major travelled ways and should be designed to
accommodate, in addition to automobiles, bicycles, equestrians and pedestrians.
Town Planner George G. Mader Indicated that Fremont Road would be mentioned in the
Road Circulation and Path Plans, which will be part of the Town's General Plan.
The physical design of Fremont Road, however, will not be a part of the General
Plan.
Mrs. M. Saviano, Chairman of the Town's Pathway Committee, urged the Planning
Commissioners to keep In mind the need for pedestrian, equestrian and bicycle paths
along Fremont Road. It was suggested that Town Engineer Jerry Crabtree start
working on proposed designs for ultimate development of Fremont Road.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Spencer moved, seconded by Muel ter, .
since the reason for the "Future Stree Widening" strips along Fremont Road no
longer exlsis and that they are not continuous, that the City Council take whatever
action Is necossary to remove them, was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Commissioners Mueller, Perkins, Spencer, Weisbart. NOES: Commissioners
Lachenbruch, Magruder and Chairman McReynolds. ABSENT: None.
4. RECEIVE ANNUAL REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION - 1971. (PC -7: Side I, Track 2 -
The Annual Report of the Planning Commission's activities from February 8, 1971 to
January I, 1972 was presented. It was suggested that the word "Master" be deleted
and the word "statement" be added to Item 13 on the first page, so that this Item
will read: "Approved the Bike Route and Policy Statement."
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Perkins moved, seconded by Magruder and
carried unanimously, that the 1971 Annual Report of the Planning Commission be
accepted.
5. OTHER BUSINESS BY PLANNING COMMISSIONERS. (PC -7: Side 1, Track 2 - Footage 96)
(a) The letter from Mary G. Steers requesting a change In the Town's Site
Development Ordinance, particularly the section referring to clearing
of land, was considered. Mrs. Steers is recommending that the Town allow
the clearing of poison oak and greaswood without a plot plan and without the
payment of fees. Section 9-3.301 of the Town's Municipal Code was reviewed
and especially Paragraph A, 5, which states that "A Site Development Perm;'
Is required for the removal of vegetation from an area exceeding 5,000 so,/ -,t
many vacant parcel of land or on any parcel of land in excess of ten acres."
Ifr► The Steers property falls under the last criteria.
Staff was directed to study this section of the Code and submit a
recommendation for Planning Comm lssion consideration.
-3-
Other Business by Planning Comm lssioners cont'd.: (PC -7: S I, T 2 - 172)
(b) Staff presented for informal discussion a proposed two lot subdivision
of Joseph Szabo (340-68). This application was first considered by
the Planning Commission In 1968 prior to the adoption of the slope
density ordinance. At that time, Mr. Szabo was asked to try to obtain
additional land from adjacent property owners so that his parcel would
comply with the to be adopted slope density ordinance. Mr. Szabo has
not been able to acquire this additional land and is again asking for
consideration of his two lot subdivision. If the applicant wishes to
request reconsideration, he must also file a variance to the provisions
of the slope density ordinance.
ADJOURN TO STUDY SESSION: 9:35 P. M. (PC -7: S I. T 2 - 285)
1. Revisions to Zoning Ordinance.
The Zoning Ordinance, and specifically the section dealing with slope density,
was studied and discussed. The Planning Commission concurred that a Special Study
Session should be held at 7:45 P. M., TUESDAY, MAY 9, 1972, at the Town Hall, for
discussion of amendments to the Zoning Ordinance (No. 78).
It was the unanimous consensus of the Commissioners that the City Council
should adopt an emergency Interim ordinance amending the slope density requirements.
This action should be taken by the City Council at their May Ist Council meeting
to give the Planning Commission sufficient time to hold public hearings on this
Item and other amendments to the Town's Zoning Ordinance.
RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION:
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 P. M. to:
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, May 8, 1972, at 7:45 P. M., at the Town Hall.
M4F/mam
4/24/72
Respectfully submitted,
URL M. FRITSCHLE
City Manager
Town of Los Altos Hills
-4-