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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/28/1973PLANNING COMMISSION TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS 40 MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING Preceded by a Study Session February 28, 1973 Study Session Reel PC 13; Side I; Track 1 336-547 The Study Session of the Planning Commission of the Town of Los Altos Hills met at 8:00 PM, with Vice Chairman James Mueller presiding. City Council Representative: Mr. Grabowski A. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Mueller, Lachenbruch, Perkins, Spencer and Weisbart Absent: McReynolds, Magruder B. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION 4W I. Review of Urban Development Open Space Plan for County of Santa Clara (continued from February 14, 1973). a. Following discussion, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the Urban Development/Open Space Plan for Santa Clara County as outlined by Town Planner George G. Mader In his Report of February 13, 1973, with the following addition made to Item 2, page 3 of the Report: "There should be more of an effort to Integrate the Housing and Urban Development Policy Into the total UD/OS document. Under "Findings" of the Housing and Urban Development Policy some language should be included regarding varied housing needs and how these can be met while at the same time Implementing the UD/OS objectives. These two aspects must be consistent with each other. Of most urgency Is meeting the housing needs of those with low Incomes. But also of major significance is meeting the housing needs of those who want to live In a rural setting permanently safe- guarded from urbanization. People are drawn to new outlying low density subdlvisions to obtain rural living. However, experience shows that when urbanization extends outward to, and surrounds these "rural" residential areas, the desired quality of these - 114W areas Is eroded. As the original "rural" subdivisions are Impacted by spreading urbanization, new low-density subdivisions spring up farther out with the result being continued sprawl, if "rural" type living Is recognized as an Important part of the Bay Region, then such areas need to be protected to ensure their continued existence and prevent unnecessary sprawl. Although the UD/OS Plan addresses the sprawl problem rather comprehensively in other sections it falls short of dealing with It In regard to housing need. Therefore, more direct attempt should be made to address this need and Its relatlon to urban sprawl through Findings and Policies in the "Housing and Urban Development Policy" section of the UD/OS Plan. In addition, this section should provide a clear understanding of how Its Findings and Policies are Integrated Into the total UD/OS document.' (The previous last sentence of Item 2 --page 3 --"The meaning of this policy In relation to the other policies should be more clearly explained" --should be deleted.) 2. The Planning Commission further agreed that summaries of Study Session discussions should be recorded at the present and future Study Sessions. Planning Commission Reel PC 13; Side I; Track 1 547 to PC 13; Side 2; Track 1 426 Vice Chairman James Mueller called the regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 8:45 PM in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 26379 Remont Road, Los Altos Hills, Calif. City Council Representative: Councilman Grabowski A. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Mueller, Lachenbruch, Perkins, Spencer, Welsbart Absent: McReynolds, Magruder Planning Corm fission Minutes February 28, 1973 Page 2 116- B. CONSENT CALENDAR: I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 14, 1973 Commissioner Spencer requested that Paragraph 3 of Section F, ADDITIONAL BUSINESS, on page 2 be changed to read: "Commissioner Spencer reported on the recent Planning Policy Council discussion of February 8, 1973, regarding a resolution requesting that the President rescind the moratorium on federally -subsidized housing." Commissloner Lachenbruch requested the addition of his comment regarding application for Building Site Approval (BSA -93-72) by Mr. and Mrs. John Steers (see Minutes of Planning Commission Meeting, February 14, 1973, Section C, BUILDING SITE APPROVAL), In which he asked whether the Planning Commission might wish to reconsider Its action denying the Steers application without prejudice, and Instead continue It to the next meeting. MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Weisbart moved, seconded by Spencer, and carried by majority vote with Commissioners Mueller and Perkins abstaining due to absence from the last meeting, to adopt the CONSENT CALENDAR of February 14, 1973, with corrections. C. CONTINUING BUSINESS: REVISED TENTATIVE MAP OF EDGERTON COOLEY (396-72), 10 lots, 20.54 gross acres, located on Edgerton Road, Engr. J. W. Riley (Continued from meeting of February 14, 1973). A Staff Report was presented by Town Planner George Mader following a Staff Meeting with the applicant on February 22, 1973. The Staff Report recommended that the Tentative Map, Including all notations Incorporated Into It, and conditions Imposed on it by this report, be approved, along with the recommendations of the Pathway Committee. Chairman Stutz of the Pathway Committee reported that the Committee's general recommendation is that all path easements In the subdivision be all-purpose easements. In all other respects the Pathway Committee report Is consistent with the Staff Meeting recommendations. Town Geologist Arvid Johnson reviewed the geological report by Robert L. Rose, dated February 20, 1973. He described the Report as very thorough, but did not approve the Report as presented, Informing the Planning Commission that the property In question contains a fault or break in the rock, per the geological report. Planning Commission Minutes February 28, 1973 Page 3 Dr. Johnson recommended that the Coo Division not be approved until the Planning Commission consider a policy decision, In which rules might be established for building in the vicinity of such faults--such rules to be determined after a study has been prepared by a Committee of professional engineering geologists, seismologists, and planner. Dr. Rose presented his geological report. Speaking from the floor, Mr. Philip Grinstead Inquired whether Edgerton Road will remain the same width. Engr. Riley responded that only resurfacing Is planned, and that no widening Is contemplated. With reference to the Report of Dr. Johnson, Commissioner Lachen- bruch Indicated that it might be unfair to delay a decision on the present subdivision on the basis of the fault only, and that the Planning Commission should proceed with a decision, at the same ti me recommending that a fault study be undertaken to establish future policy. Commissioner Welsbart requested that Town Attorney Faisant be asked whether there Is any way that property containing faults be flagged so that potential buyers are made aware of faults prior to purchase. Vice Chairman Mueller suggested that the strategy for establish- Ing a fault study committee be carried over to the next Study Session of the Planning Commission. Engineer Riley indicated that the applicant Is In agreement with the Staff Report, but questions the unlimited or all-purpose use of paths, preferring that Interior paths on the subdivision be kept for pedestrian use, with equestrian use restricted to the perimeter of the subdivision. In the absence of a current check list, Commissioner Welsbart suggested that the December check list be modified and read by the Town Planner for the Planning Commission's present consideration. Commissioner Weisbart further recommended that the policy of maintaining updated checklists for Planning Commission consideration be carried over to the next Study Session. Town Planner Mader read the modified checklist. Planning Commission Minutes February 28, 1973 Page 4 4W L MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Lachenbruch moved, fir' seconded by W.elsbart and carried unanimously that the request for approval of the Revised Map of Edgerton Cooley be granted, subject to the conditions of the approved check list. D. NEW BUSINESS: REQUEST FROM DAVID BELLUCCI (Adobe Creek Lodge) FOR AMENDMENT TO ZONING ORDINANCE TO ALLOW PROFIT MAKING RECPEATIONAL ENTERPRISES. City Manager Bruce Lawson, representing the Staff, Informed the Planning Commission that Mr. Belluccl presented himself before the Commission as a citizen asking for a change in the present Zoning Ordinance. As no legal procedure exists for Individual citizens to pursue such a request, the Staff suggested that a Variance application be the means by which Mr. Belluccl may make the request before the Planning Commission, it being understood that Mr. Belluccl Is not actually making a request for Variance. Speaking from the floor, Mr. Belluccl stated that the present Town Ordinance, permitting the existence of Adobe Creek Lodge as a non -conforming recreational enterprise within the Town, will not permit the continuation of this non -conforming use after 1976. He further stated that he was not applying for a Variance, 4Wbut a change In the Zoning Ordinance to allow continuation of the non -conforming use and avoiding the alternative of subdividing his property. Commissioners Lachenbruch and Perkins sta ed opposition to a change In the Zoning Ordinance, but agreed with other Planning Commission members that the Belluci request be considered as a separate matter, in a future study session, pending presentation to the Planning Commission of appropriate material, maps and engineering studies of the subdivision by Mr. Belluccl. Speaking from the floor, Marjorie Sutton, representing the Sierra Club, supported the present existence of Adobe Creek as long as guarantees are made that present open space areas are preserved, and suggesting a professional study of the Matadero and Adobe Creek basins. Speaking from the floor, Mike Sullivan, Assistant to Mr. Belluccl, requested a clarification regarding the materials Mr. Belluccl might be requested to present to the Planning Commission prior to a study session on his request. Planning Commission Minutes February 28, 1973 40- Page 5 Following discussion of whether Mr. Belluccl would wish to use his deposit fee In payment for services of Town Engineer In making appropriate studies of his subdivision, and further to the question of Mr. Sullivan, Town Planner George Mader Indicated that a consult - Ing engineer hired by Mr. Belluccl would be able to prepare appropriate studies of the property by reference to the Town Codes and preliminary meeting with the Town Staff. Speaking from the floor, Mrs. Mildred Gallo stated that Mr. Belluccl had previously Implied other alternative uses for his subdivision, which being unacceptable under current Town Ordinance, would promote acceptance of his request for a change In the Zoning Ordinance to allow profit-making recreational business. Vice Chairman James Mueller stated that only the two alternatives of (a) subdivision of land, and (b) change in the Zoning Ordinance were before the Planning Commission. E. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS: I. MOVED, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Donald Spencer moved, seconded by Commissioner Weisbart, and carried by unanimous vote, that the recommendation of the Planning Commisslon in Study Session, concerning the Urban Development Open Space Plan for County of Santa Clara be forwarded to the City Council. 4W 2. MOVED, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Priscilla Weisbart moved, seconded by Comm lssloner Spencer, and carried by unani- mous vote, to recommend to the Council that some portion of Town funds be applied to a study of geological and earthquake hazards in the Town. Following the motion, Commissioner Lachenbruch requested that such a study be directed toward: (a) detailed mapping of well-defined faults through the Town, whether or not they are active, (b) delineation of those portions of the Town subject to slope Instability, (c) identification of areas of expansive soil. 3. Commissioner Spencer reported on the recent Planning Policy Council discussion of Urban Development in which a resolution was sent to the towns, indicating that the towns as well as individual citizens might write to State officials suggesting that a possible use of surplus tax funds might be In open space. 4. Commissioner Lachenbruch suggested that a need existed for Planning Commission Meeting February 28, 1973 Page 6 #AV careful surveillance of Tentative Maps before their presentation to the Planning Commission Inasmuch as the Cooley Subdivision Revised Map was found to contain a great variation in slope density over the Tentative Map submitted. 5. City Manager Bruce Lawson reported that with the hiring of a new City Engineer, no new map will be formally accepted without a previous visit by the City Engineer to the property In question, thus avoiding the possibility of the Planning Canmission's studying an Inaccurate map. F. ADJOURNMENT -12:00 AM 4W N Respectully submitted, Karen R. Halvorsen Deputy City Clerk Planning Commission Meeting February 28, 1973 Page 7