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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/27/1972PLANNING COMMISSION TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING November 27, 1972 REEL PC 11 Side 1 Track 1 819 - End Side 2 Track 1 00 - 539 Vice Chairman Mueller called the Regular Meeting of the Planning Commission of the Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 7:50 P.M. in the City Council Chambers of the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California. The following members answered roll call: Present: Commissioner Lachenbruch, Magruder, Spencer, Weisbart Vice Chairman Mueller. Absent: Commissioner Perking, Chairman McReynolds. CITY COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE: Councilman Miller APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 13, 1972 Commissioner Spencer moved, seconded by Lachenbruch and carried by majority vote (Commissioner Magruder and Weisbart abstained as absent) that the minutes of November 13, 1972 be approved as written. None. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1. Commissioner Spencer reported on his attendance at the recent Hillside Committee Meeting. 2. Vice Chairmen Mueller commented on the Report RE: Joint Cities -County Housing Element which was submitted to the City Council November 20, 1972. Commissioner Lachenbruch felt there wasn't an effective enough exchange of ideas and felt there should have been more individuals amplifying their opinions. General discussion ensued at which time the Town Planner suggested an informal meeting be held between County staff and a few members of the Commission in order for the Town to have a chance to communicate with the County on the Town's viewpoints. Vice Chairman Mueller volunteered to contact the Staff from Santa Clara County to set up this informal meeting; the Commission concurred. ADJOURN TO STUDY SESSION: 8:15 P.M. CONTINUE STUDY ON SETBACKS FOR TENNIS COURTS, SWIMMING POOLS, ETC. Staff reported on the different activities handled in regard to setbacks. The Town Planner was asked the definition of structures, and discussion ensued regarding this definition. Commissioner Lachenbruch stated he felt pools and tennis courts posed L, problems but that they should not be included in the category with corrals. ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. Staff reminded the Planning Commission members that starting with the first meeting in December the meeting nights would change to Wednesdays. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1. Commissioner Spencer reported on his attendance at the recent Hillside Committee Meeting. 2. Vice Chairmen Mueller commented on the Report RE: Joint Cities -County Housing Element which was submitted to the City Council November 20, 1972. Commissioner Lachenbruch felt there wasn't an effective enough exchange of ideas and felt there should have been more individuals amplifying their opinions. General discussion ensued at which time the Town Planner suggested an informal meeting be held between County staff and a few members of the Commission in order for the Town to have a chance to communicate with the County on the Town's viewpoints. Vice Chairman Mueller volunteered to contact the Staff from Santa Clara County to set up this informal meeting; the Commission concurred. ADJOURN TO STUDY SESSION: 8:15 P.M. CONTINUE STUDY ON SETBACKS FOR TENNIS COURTS, SWIMMING POOLS, ETC. Staff reported on the different activities handled in regard to setbacks. The Town Planner was asked the definition of structures, and discussion ensued regarding this definition. Commissioner Lachenbruch stated he felt pools and tennis courts posed L, problems but that they should not be included in the category with corrals. `, STUDY SESSION (Cont.) Vice Chairman Mueller felt that tennis courts should be defined as a structure ,just like swimming pools and keep the setback requirements as they are. Commissioner Spencer agreed. The Town Planner suggested having a policy statement available which would state the Commission's attitudes towards swimming pools, tennis courts, and setbacks. Commission concurred and asked the Town Planner to draft this policy statement. RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION: 9:00 P.M. SCHEDULED ITEM NO. 1: VARIANCE REQUEST OF DR. ROBERT W. DE GRASSE (V-379-72) FOR 20' REDUCTION OF REAR SETBACK LINE (from 30' to 10') FOR POOL AT 26755 ROBLEDA COURT Staff reviewed this variance request and showed slides of the site. A letter from Ira B. Ralston, 26761 Robleda Ct., was read which sought assurance that they would not encounter problems as a result of this variance. The Town Planner reviewed his memorandum which dealt with this variance and stated his recommendations. General discussion ensued as to location of the pool, actual setback required and landscaping. Speaking from the floor, Dr. DeGrasse spoke on his own behalf. General discussion ensued between the Commission and Dr. DeGrasse. Mrs. DeGrasse also spoke pointing out the esthetic values of their request. Discussion also evolved around landscaping. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Spencer moved, seconded by Weisbart and carried by majority vote (Commissioner Lachenbruch opposed) to grant a variance to Dr. Robert W. DeGrasse (V-379-72) for 10' reduction of rear setback line from 30' to 20', for pool at 26755 Robleda Court, and to provide landscaping as recommended by the Town Planner, and the Environmental Impact was determined to be trivial. SCHEDULED ITEM N0. 2: PUBLIC HEARING ON AMENDMENTS TO LOS AUTOS HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE, TITLE 9, CHASTER 5, (Zoning Ordinance) CONTINUED FROM NOVEMBER 13TH MEETING The Town Planner reviewed the questions that were raised at the last Commission meeting and which the Town Planner was directed to obtain answers from the City Attorney. Commissioner Spencer had two questions as to wording. Commission concurred to have the City Attorney review the section "Variances" for clarification. Commissioner Iachenbruch stated he was confused over the wording of "nonconforming use". General discussion ensued. There was no floor participation. Vice Chairman Mueller closed the Public Hearing at 10:17 P.M. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Spencer moved, seconded by Weisbart and carried unanimously to submit this revised ordinance to the City Council for approval and that the City Attorney make any minor revisions which he may deem pertinent. -2- OTHER BUSINESS BY PLANNING COMMISSIONERS: Staff reported on a meeting held this date and asked for the Commission's guidance and interpretation as to whether or not the Town would consider an apparently "subdividable" lot, that is, one which can be divided by virtue of the slope density regulations, as an "unsubdividable" lot if the developer placed restrictions upon it which would prevent subdivision; and, further, whether such a lot could permit "density transfer" to the remainder of the subdivision. The Town Planner outlined the subdivision's concept and the reason behind Staff's asking for Commission interpretation. Mr. Don Bahl, ,applicant and developer, was then introduced. He gave a summary of the background and concept of this subdivision. Commissioner Iachenbruch felt Mr. Bahl had hit upon many things that the Town was trying to achieve in regard to rural concepts. In his presentation, Mr. L 41 stated that all lots would be on a lease -hold agreement with Bahl Homes as the Hwner. Lengthy discussion ensued evolving around the lease -hold type of development with Commissioner Lachenbruch asking if this lease -hold arrangement was necessary. Mr. Bahl stated it was not necessary but preferable. Vice Chairman Mueller pointed out that it did make the price of a home more attractive. Commissioner Spencer felt the discussion was skirting the issue involved and that was --does this conform with slope density requirements and stated the subdivision does not conform with these elope density requirements. Commissioner Lachenbruch stated his feelings toward lots with common ownerships, fire phazards, crime possibilities involving unpollced areas and the different problems 460 which could arise and felt this subdivision was in opposition to the intent of the Town's ordinance. Commissioner Weisbart concurred with Commissioner Lachenbruch and reiterated that the subdivision did not conform with the slope density requirements of the Town. ADJOURNMENT: The Meeting was adjourned at 11:10 P.M. to: NEXT REGULAR MEETING: WEDNESDAY, December 13, 1972, 7:45 P.M. at Town Hall. jd 460 Respectfully submitted, Judith L. Duncan Recorder Town of Los Altos Rills -3-