HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/17/1972PLANNING COMMISSION
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
MINUTES OF A REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING
July 17, 1972
REEL PC -9: SIDE I, TRACK 1 - 00 -END
Chairman Thomas P. McReynolds called the Regular Adjourned Meeting of the Planning
Commission of the Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 7:55 P. M. In the Council
Chambers of the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California. The
following members answered roll call: Commissioners Magruder, Mueller, Spencer,
Weisbart, and Chairman McReynolds. Absent: Commissioners Lachenbruch and Perkins.
CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE: Mayor Leslie A. Helgesson
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: June 26, 1972.
Commissioner Spencer moved, seconded by Welsbart and carried by majority vote
(Commissioners Magruder and McReynolds abstaining because of absence at 6/26 meeting)
that the Minutes of June 26, 1972 be approved as submitted.
COMMUNICATIONS: None.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
I. Commissioner Mueller reported on the recent meeting of the Housing Sub -committee
of the County Planning Policy Committee at which he and Councilwoman Miller
attended and expressed the views of the Commission regarding the allocation of
public housing among the several Cities In the County.
It was the consensus of the Commission that the Planning Commission prepare a
follow-up report for Council approval, urging them to forward it to the PPC,
as this Is where the Housing Report will next be heard.
Town Planner, George G. Mader, was asked to prepare such a draft for the next
Commission meeting on July 31st,
ADJOURN TO STUDY SESSION: PC -9: S I, T I - 30 - 319.
I. SCHEDULE OF WORK PROGRAM.
George G. Mader presented a tentative work schedule for the 1972-73 Fiscal Year,
outlining the steps which would be taken on the Town's General Plan and Its
Elements.
2. POPULATION REPORT ON MID -PENINSULA.
Mr. Mader presented a report entitled "THE MIDPENINSULA POPULATION - 1950-70,
A Background Report" dated May 1972. This will be background material supporting
certain elements of the General Plan.
3. CLEARING OF LAND VS TILLING.
City Manager brought up the question regarding clearing of land vs tilling.
,W The Town's Municipal Code prohibits the clearing of land In excess of 5,000 square
feet without the preparation of a site plan and the payment of fees. The Code
STUDY SESSION Cont'd.:
3. also provides that land may be "tilled" for agricultural or fire prevention
purposes. This tilling Is not to exceed a depth of 12". Mrs. John 0. Steers,
11641 Buena Vista Drive, has asked for a clarification of our Code, stating she
wishes to clear a portion of her 14.215 acre parcel to eliminate the fire hazard
caused by poison oak and greasewood.
After studying these portions of the Code (Sections 9-3.301, 9-3.412, and
9-3.224), the Planning Commission concurred, If the Fire Marshal agreed that
the brush in question needs to be removed for fire protection purposes and If
adequate supervision Is provided, that Mrs. Steers could remove this brush
without the preparation of a Site Plan or payment of fees. Staff will contact
the Fire Department to see If this Is a workable solution.
RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION:
1. REQUEST FOR VARIANCE (V-366-72) TO ENCROACH 30' INTO REQUIRED 30' SETBACK FOR
TENNIS COURT AT 25698 ELENA ROAD APPLICANT: HOWARD W. STOKES.(SI, TI -320-321)
The applicant has requested that this Item be continued to the August 14th meeting
as he Is unable to contact a neighbor regarding the acquisition of the needed
easement along the Vinedo Lane side of his property.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Magruder moved, seconded by Spencer and
carried unanimously, that the matter of the variance for Mr. Howard W. Stokes
(V-366-72) be continued to the August 14th meeting.
2. REQUEST FOR VARIANCE IN SIDE AND REAR YARD SETBACKS (V-371-72) FOR TENNIS COURT
AT 26756 PALO HILLS DRIVE. APPLICANT: LEE J. KUBBY (cont'd. from 6/26 meeting).
CSI TI - 321 - 540)
Alternate designs for the placement of the tennis court had been presented to the
Planning Commissioners at the last meeting, at which time they voted to carry their
action over to this meeting to allow them more time to study the proposals. City
Manager reviewed the original plan and staff report, bringing the Commissioners up
to date.
Those speaking In favor of Alternate B, which provides the required 30' rear yard
setback but still asks for a 15' variance on the west side, were: Or. Michael E.
Northcutt, 12720 Dianne Drive, and Chuck Kinney, architect for the applicant.
Dr. Beryl Mall, 26875 Ortega Drive, spoke in opposition to the granting of any
variance.
MOTION AND SECOND: Commissioner Weisbart moved, seconded by Mueller, to recommend
approval of a 15' variance In the side yard as shown in Plan "B", subject to a
Landscaping Plan being submitted to the Site Development Committee for review.
THIS MOTION WAS DEFEATED ON A 3 TO 2 VOTE.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Magruder moved, seconded by Spencer,
that the application of Lee J. Kubby (V-371-72) be denied without prejudice, was
carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Commissioners McReynolds, Magruder and
Spencer. Noes: Commissloners Mueller and Welsbart. Absent: Commissioners
Lachenbruch and Perkins.
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34 REQUEST FOR VARIANCE IN REAR YARD SETBACK (V-373-72) FROM 30' TO 13' AND IN
SIDE YARD FROM 30' TO 17' FOR TENNIS COURT AND TO PERMIT 10' HIGH FENCE WITHIN
SETBACKS AT 10520 SUNDOWN CANYON WAY. APPLICANT: RALPH PELLIGRA. (continued
from June 26th meeting) (SI TI - 541-700)
This Item was continued from the June 26th meeting to allow the applicant additional
time to make certain corrections on his plans. Staff reviewed the application,
rating that the revised plans now call for for a variance Just for the tennis court
and fence (the cabana will be built within the required setback lines), reducing the
easterly side yard setback from 30' to 17' and the southerly side yard from 30' to
131, and permit a fence In excess of 6' high within 25' of the property line.
Discussion ensued around the need of a retaining wall around one end of the court
to retain the hillside and not encroach upon the existing drainfieid. Concern was
expressed regarding the stability of the soll if 4' cuts are made on this lot.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Mueller, seconded by Spencer, to
recommend approval of the variance request of Ralph Pelligra (V-373-72) for reduction
of easterly side yard setback from 30' to 17' and the southerly side yard from 30'
to 13' and permit a fence 10' high within setbacks at 10520 Sundown Canyon Way,
In accordance with the six criteria of the Town's Municipal Code, Section 9-5.905(b),
and subject to a solis and geological report being submitted and approved by the
Town Engineer and Site Development Committee, was carried by the following voice
vote: Ayes: Commissioners Mueller, Spencer, McReynolds. Noes: Commissioners
Magruder and Weisbart. Absent: Commissioners Lachenbruch and Perkins.
4. REQUEST OF JOHN I. QUIMBY FOR REVIEW OF DECISION OF THE SITE DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE RE: DRIVEWAY GRADING AT NEW RESIDENCE AT 12797 LA CRESTA DRIVE.
( SI TI - 701-800.
This Item has been continued several times and deals with the construction of a
house next door to Mr. Quimby. He is asking that the action of the Site Development
Committee be reviewed to see if this Committee acted in accordance with the
Municipal Code. Commissioner Weisbart suggested that this matter be referred to
the City Council since It deals mainly with an interpretation of the Code.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Welsbart moved, seconded by Mueller,
and carried by majority vote (Commissioner Spencer abstaining) to recommend that
the City Council hear this request.
5. REQUEST FOR VARIANCE (V-375-72) TO REDUCE SIDE AND REAR YARD SETBACKS FROM 30'
TO 10' FOR TENNIS COURT AND TO PERMIT 12' HIGH FENCE WITHIN SETBACKS AT 12720
DIANNE DRIVE APPLICANT: DR MICHAEL E. NORTHCUTT. (SI TI - 801 - 1040)
Staff presented a report noting that there Is sufficient room on this lot for the
tennis court to fit Inside the required setback Imes, but that due to the location
of the house and a dralnfield the court would encroach on the porch of the house.
Staff recommended the application be denied or continued to allow the applicant time
to modify his plan. Staff felt that this court could be placed so that there would
be no encroachment along the east side of the property and possibly only 8-10'
encroachment along the south side of the property. The adjacent neighbors do not
oppose this variance appllcantlon.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commiss toner We i sbart moved, seconded by Magruder and
carried unanimously, to deny Dr. Michael E. Northcutt's application, without
liliiw prejudice.
The applicant Indicated that he would amend his plans and resubmit In time for the
next Planning Commission meeting on July 31st.
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6. REQUEST FOR VARIANCE (V-374-72) TO REDUCE FRONT YARD SETBACK FROM 40' to 32'
ADD SIDE YARD SETBACK FROM 30' to 27' FOR NEW RESIDENCE ON LOT #28, TRACT #3306
' (YALE COURT) APPLICANT: CHARLES L. OSBORN. (SI. TI - 1041-1141)
Staff presented a report on this application, stating that due to the odd stape of
the lot and the adverse terrain that a variance for the location of the house could
be Justified. The actual encroachment Into the side yards will be only for the
corner of the house and will not adversely affect the neighbors.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Mueller, seconded by Spencer and carried
unanimously to recommend the granting of the variance request of Charles L. Osborn
(V-374-72) for front yard setback from 40' to 32' and side yard setback from 30' to
27' for new residence on Lot #28, Tract #3306, In accordance with the six criteria
of the Town's Municipal Code, Section 9-5.905(b), and subject to the conditions
(a) the Site Development Committee shall pay close attention to any retaining walls
and landscaping necessary to blend the structure Into the area, and (b) it is
recommended that a soils report be obtained prior to the Issuance of a building
permit.
7. REQUEST FOR BUILDING SITE APPROVAL (BSA -83-72) FOR LOT #27, TRACT #2958, OLIVE
TREE HILL SUBDIVISION We corner of Olive Tree Lane and Olive Tree Court).
APPLICANT: L. MAYER. (SI TI - 1142 - 1203)
Staff presented report on this application, noting that this property was created In
1961 and therefore needing building site approval before a building permit can be
Issued. Percolation tests have been made on the lot and the Health Department has
Indicated a septic tank and drainfield will operate satisfactorily. The Fire
Department Is asking that brush within 30' of the building site be removed prior to
start of construction to reduce the fire hazard.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Mueller moved, seconded by Welsbart and
carried unanimously, that the Check List be prepared.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Spencer moved, seconded by Magruder and
carried unanimously, that Building Site Approval be granted for Lot #27, Tract
#2958, Olive Tree HIII Subdivision, subject to the conditions of the approved Check
List.
8. REQUEST FOR LOT LINE CHANGE (LLC -5-72) BETWEEN LOT #2, TRACT #4897, LANDS OF
ESHNER, AND PARCEL "A", PARKSIDE TRACT #4657 (DEER SPRINGS WAY AND BYRNE PARK
LANE) APPLICANT: MILTON R. HEINRICH. (Si. TI - 1204 -_1_270)
Staff presented report explaining the desire of the applicant to shift a lot line
between two adjacent properties owned by him In order provide a better building
site for his residence. The two lots will have 1.03 acres and 1.92 acres after
this change In lot line. Neither lot is further subdividabie.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Spencer moved, seconded by Welsbart and
carried unanimously, that the Check List be prepared.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Comm lssloner spencer moved, seconded by Magruder and
carried by majority vote, Corm lssioner Mueller voting NO, that the lot line change
requested by Milton R. Heinrich (LLC -5-72) be approved, subject to the conditions of
the approved Check List.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:03 P.M.
to:
f NEXT REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING: Monday, July 31, 1972, 7:45 P. M., Town Hall.
` espec fully s bmit ed,
RLI CHLE
City Manager
MMF/mam-7/17/72 Town of Los Altos Hills
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