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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/12/1972PLANNING COMMISSION 1 TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING %W June 12, 1972 REEL PC -8: SIDE 2, TRACK I - FOOTAGE 205 - END REEL PC -8: SIDE I. TRACK 2 - FOOTAGE 00 - 660 Chairman 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 rclf call: Commissioners Lachenbruch, Magruder, Mueller, Perkins, Spencer, Welsbart, and Chat man McReynolds. Absent: None. CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE: Councilman Diana S. Miller APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 22, 1972. Commissioner Spencer moved, seconded by Perkins and carried unanimously, that the Minutes of May 22, 1972 be approved as submitted. COMMUNICATIONS: I. Staff reported that the Council had authorized a letter to be sent to Charles S. McCandless, Chairman of the Town's Open Space Committee, thanking him for the work his Committee has done to date and asking him and his Committee to continue to put together a priority list of open space to be acquired by the Town. This priority will then be used In the preparation of the Town's Open Space Element of the General Plan. 2. The Bike Route System In the County of Santa Clara, Progress Report No. 3, was distributed to the Commissioners with a request that It be reviewed at the June 26th meeting, with recommendations to the City Council for their considera- tion at their July 10th meeting. 3. A certified copy of Sunnyvalets Amended General Plan was noted and given to Town Planner, George G. Mader, ANNOUNCEMENTS: None. COMMITTEE REPORTS: None. ADJOURN TO STUDY SESSION: Reel PC -B: Side 2, Track I - 220-670. 1. REVIEW "WORKING PAPER" JOINT CITIES -COUNTY HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAM, MAY 1, 1972 - The working paper prepared for the Joint Cities -County Housing Element dated May 1, 1972, Draft 5, was reviewed by Mr. George G. Mader, Town Planner. Discussion ensued, with questions and answers regarding the proposed plan. It was agreed that Mr. Mader would prepare a statement of policy expressing the philosophy of Los Altos Hills re- garding low cost housing and circulate this paper prior to the next Planning Commission meeting, so that this Item can again be studied at the June 26th meeting. 2. PROGRESS REPORT ON GENERAL PLAN. Progress report was given by Mr. Mader on the Elements of the General Plan. RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION: i VOW THE REQUEST FOR THE ABANDONMENT OF THE PORTION OF ALMADEN COURT THAT EXTENDS BEYOND THE BULB TURN -AROUND Reel PC -8: Side 2 Tract I - 670-799 Staff presented a report on the request of the residents of Almaden Court to abandon the portion of Almaden Court that extends westerly from the bulb turnaround. At the time the Monte Lucero Unit #2 Subdivision was approved, the planned use for this extension was for a future connection to Natoma Road when the Lee property was sub- divided. The Fire Department has Indicated that If this portion of Almaden Court Is abandoned that an easement for emergency vehicles be retained so that an emergency connection can be made to Natoma Road at the time the Lee property Is developed. Mrs. M. Saviano, Chairman of the Town's Pathway Committee, urged that a path easement also be provided and superimpose the emergency access. It was noted that Almaden Court is a cul-de-sac approximately 1800 feet long and that there are 21 lots served by It. It was further noted that this type of development, that is, creating a road that Is not a through road but providing for non -vehicular travel, Is In conformance with the Town's philosophy on circulation. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Perkins moved, seconded by Weisbart and carried unanimously, that the Commission recommend to the City Council the abandon- ment of the extension of Almaden Court beyond the bulb turnaround for roadway purposes, but retaining a 20' wide easement for emergency vehicles and path purposes. 2. TENTATIVE MAP FOR JOSEPH SZABO (340-68) 2 LOTS, ALTA LANE SOUTH (continued from May 22) Reel PC -8; Side 2 Tract I - 800-805. The applicant requested a two week continuance on this matter to allow time to satisfy the Santa Clara County Health Department on percolation tests for Lot #2. +► MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED; Commissioner Mueller moved, seconded by Magruder and carried unanimously, that the Tentative Map for Joseph Szabo (340-68) be continued to the June 26th Regular Meeting. 3. TENTATIVE MAP FOR PAUL I. MYERS, JR. (387-72), 5 LOTS, JULIETTA LANE. Engr. Paul Nowak (continued from May 22) Reel PC -8: Side 2. Tract I - 806 -EPA. Staff reported on the application of a 5 -lot subdivision and reviewed the geology report submitted by the applicant and Its review by Dr. Jon C. Cummings, Town Geologist. Lot #5 was discussed In detail regarding the availability of land for a building site and driveway access. it was felt that Lot #5 should not use the emergency fire access from Juliette Lane for driveway purposes, but that access should be from Chaparral Way. General comments were made regarding the desirability of Lots #I, 2, and 3 and whether adequate buildings could be placed on these lots without the necessity of variances for setbacks. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Welsbart moved, seconded by Mueller and carried by majority vote, (McReynolds abstained),that the Check List be prepared. The Tentative Check List was read and the following Items added: 3. DRAINAGE: After the first sentence add "The Town Engineer shall take special care in the design of an energy disslpator for the storm water running onto the Lands of Poole"(cm It second sentence on Tentative Check List). i -2- Myers Tentative Mao cont'd.: 4. PATHS: %F, (a) A 10' path easement over the fire road running through Lots k4 and B5. (b) A 10' path easement on that portion of Chaparral Way that Is adjacent to this subdivision. ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS: Change "C" to read: C. The soil and geological report submitted by the applicant, specifically Pages 4 through 8, shall be compiled with and the letter report from Dr. Jon C. Cummings, Town Geologist, shall be made a part of this file. Add "D" to read: D. Lot N5 shall be served from Chaparral Way and shall not be a building site until Improvements are made to Chaparral Way or terms for the Improvements agreed to between the owner and the Town. Add "E" to read: E. A fire road as shown on the Tentative Map shall be constructed by the applicant across Lots /4 and 5, connecting Juliette Lane to Chaparral Way. This fire road shall be chained to prevent use other than by emergency equipment. CONDITIONAL EXCEPTIONS: Item 1, change the word "extends" to 'exceeds'. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Magruder moved, seconded by Mueller ,� and carried by majority vote (McReynolds abstained), that the Tentative Map for Paul I. Myers, Jr. (387-72) 5 lots, Julletta Lane, be approved subject to the conditions of the Check List. 4. REQUEST FOR VARIANCE IN SIDE AND REAR YARD SETBACK (V-371-72) FOR TENNIS COURT AT 26756 PALO HILLS DRIVE. APPLICANT: LEE J. KUBBY. (SI T2 - 00-230) Staff reported on the application explaining that the variances requested cover a tennis court and fencing. The tennis court Is proposed to encroach Into the rear and side yard setbacks, reducing the rear yard setback from 30' to 8' and reducing the side yard setback from 30' to 151. There Is to be a 10' fence around the perimeter of the court. Staff reported that it was hard to find that all six re- qulrements for the granting of a variance could be met, even though the proposed location for the tennis court appeared to be the best use of the land and was very desirable from the viewpoint of the property owner. Participation from the audience Included Mr. Chuck Kinney, Landscape Architect representing the applicant; and Dr. B. Mall, 26875 Ortega Drive, who objects to the reduction In the rear yard setback. It was the general consensus of the Commissioners that the lot Is being over -used by adding a tennis court, swimming pool and cabana and that encroaching 22' In to the rear setback Is too much of a variance. MOTION was made by Cama lssioner Perkins, seconded by Lachenbruch, to deny the variance request of Lee J. Kubby (V-371-72) without prejudice. .Mr. Kinney asked If, Instead of taking this action, the Commission would simply continue this matter for two weeks to allow time for a restudy of the property and location of the tennis court. Commission concurred and above Motion was withdrawn. r Mr. Mader asked If the Comm isslon were Interested in placing on the Agenda discussion of recommendations made In his memo dated 6/6/72 on this variance application, dealing with the Variance Review Board and the "handling of setbacks for swimming pools and tennis courts". Commission agreed that this Item should be on the agenda for the June 26th meeting. -� 5, REQUEST FOR BUILDING SITE APPROVAL (BSA -79-72) FOR ONE LOT ON DIANNE DRIVE. APPLICANT: RICHARD T EARLE - Engr. Dexter D Ahlgren. (S1.T2-230-310) %W Staff reported on the application stating that the lot was created In 1957 and, being ten years old, must be granted building site approval before a building permit can be Issued. It was noted that several dralnfields have recently failed In the area and extra care should be taken In the percolation tests to Insure an adequate disposal field. The access to the proposed building site Is very steep, but there appears to be no other way to reach the building site other than that proposed. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Cantu issioner Spencer, seconded by Mueller and carried unanimously, that the Check List be prepared. The Tentative Check List was read and the following Items added: ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS: Change "A" to read: A. A soils report shall be submitted prior to Issuing a building permit. It shall deal specifically with the stability of the proposed building site and the septic tank and dralnfleld. "B" remains unchanged. Add "C" to read: C. Adequate accessibility to the building site must be demonstrated by the applicant before a building permit Is Issued. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Comnlssloner Mueller moved, seconded by Magruder and carried unanimously, that the request of Richard T. Earle (BSA -79-72) for building site approval of one lot, Dianne Drive, be granted subject to the conditions rI of the Check List. 6. REQUEST FOR BUILDING SITE APPROVAL (BSA -81-72) FOR 3 LOTS ON LA LOMA DRIVE. APPLICANT: COLIN PETERS - Engr. Geo S. Nolte d Associates. (SI.T2-310-380) Staff reported on the application to declare three lots as legal building sites. These lots were created In 1957 and therefore need building site approval before building permits can be Issued. It was noted that there have been several failing septic tanks and dralnllnes In this area and extra care should be taken at the time percolation tests are made. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Perkins moved, seconded by Spencer and carried unanimously, that the Check List be prepared. The Tentative Check List was read and no changes proposed. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Spencer moved, seconded by Mueller and carried unanimously that building site approval be granted to Colin Peters (BSA -8I-72) for three lots, subject to the conditions of the Check List. 7. REQUEST FOR VARIANCE IN REAR YARD SETBACK (V-373-72) FOR SWIMMING POOL AT 24292 ELISE COURT. APPLICANT: JON BAUMGARTNER. (SI T2 - 380-660) Staff reported on the application for a variance on a swimming pool In the rear yard setback, reducing the required setback from 30' to 151. Two letters In opposition and one In support were noted as having been received at Town Hall prior to the meeting. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Belove, 24280 Elise Court, spoke against granting this variance as they felt there have been too many variances granted in this neigh - 4W borhood in the past. They also Indicated the two large oak trees, which would con- flict with the proposed pool location, should not be removed. Mrs. Hugh Webster, 11261 Magdalena Road, and Mr. and Mrs. Jon Baumgartner spoke In support of the -4- Baumgartner Variance cont'd.: epplicatlon. It was noted that the swimming pool could be placed In the front yard and comply with the required setbacks, but in this location it would be closer to the two neighbors who are objecting to the variance. Therefore, It was the general feeling of the Commissioners that the proposed location Is the best locatlon,even though a variance In the rear yard setback Is required. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Weisbart moved, seconded by Perkins and carried unanimously, to recommend approval of the variance request of Jon Baumgartner (V-373-72) for reduction of rear yard setback from 30' to 15' In accordance with the six criteria of the Town's Municipal Code, Section 9-5.905(b). B. OTHER BUSINESS BY PLANNING C"ISSIONERS. It was noted that the request from Mr. John I. Quimby for review of grading on a neighbor's lot will be on the agenda for the June 26th Planning Commission meeting. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:35 A. M. TO: NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, June 26, 1972, at 7:45 P. M., Town Hall. Respectfully submitted, %RL M. FRITSCHLE City Manager 14W MMF/mam Town of Los Altos Hills 6/12/72 -5- i