HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/10/1974 (2)TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETI16
April 10, 1974
cc: Reel 24 - Side 1, Tr. 1 - 133 -End
Side 2, Tr. 1 - 000-174
Chairman Mueller called the regular meeting of the Planning Commission to
order at 7:45 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road:
ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioners Carico, Perkins, Phillips, Spencer, Young,
Chairman Mueller.
Absent: Commissioner Lachenbruch, Magruder.
Staff: City Manager Bruce Lawson, City Engineer Alex Russell, Planning
Consultant Tom Vlasic, Deputy City Clerk Norma Hislop.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 27, 1974
Commissioner Spencer stated that on Page 1, under MINUTES, first para.
!,� should read, "Commissioner Spencer stated on Page 1 of the March 13th
1I Minutes, under MINUTES, first paragraph, it was he, not Commissioner
Perkins who stated that it was Commissioner Perkins who was appointed to
the Open Space Committee.
Commissioner Spencer also stated that under CURRENT BUSINESS on page 3,
that in view of the fact that every Commissioner spoke on the Geological
Study, that this fact should be noted in the Minutes.
Commissioner Carico said the Minutes of March 27th omitted her request
that the Minutes should state the position of those persons speaking
from the floor.
Commissioner Perkins noted that on page 1, last paragraph, the date of
the Minutes should be March 13, 1974.
Commissioner Spencer questioned if the wording was correct in the last
statement under "Five Year Capital Improvement Program." City Manager
responded that it was correct.
Commissioner Phillips stated that on page 3, bottom paragraph, that it
was he, not Commissioner Magruder, who had raised this question.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Commissioner Carico moved, seconded by Commissioner
Spencer and unanimously carried that the Minutes of March 27, 1974, be accepted
as corrected. Commissioner Perkins abstained since he was not present at that
4b meeting.
u
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - April 10, 1974
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
Chairman Mueller stated that Mr. George Mader, Planning Consultant,
was out of Town for this meeting, and since it was he who was prepared
to discuss the Town Committee Organization Report, this item would be
continued to the meeting of April 24, 1974. Commission instructed Staff
to include an organizational chart in the packet for that meeting.
A report from the Town Historian, Mrs. Florence Fava, will also be
discussed at the next meeting.
CURRENT BUSINESS:
1. Dawn Ric
Tom Vlasic, Planning Consultant, stated that on February 22, 1974, the
Planning Commission had approved recommendation that this subdivision
be accepted subject to conditions imposed by Staff. The approved
Subdivision was then forwarded to City Council for the* appro 1.
After discussion by Council, the subdlvi� den#ed w#Ef�eutPrejwd#ee
and sent back to the Planning Commission. Council expressed concern
that the net area of property that could be developed on the proposed
four lot subdivision could not accommodate a house, swimming pool, barn
and two horses, should they be desired by the property owner.
Mr. Vlasic stated that the applicant was requesting a policy statement
which the Staff could not do, and asked the Commission to hear Mr.
Rexworthy, who would make a presentation for the applicant.
Speaking from the Floor:
Mr. Rexworthy explained that Mr. Hetzell was out of town presently, and
he was speaking in his stead. He stated that the developer had indicated
on a schematic how the proposed four lots could accommodate all structures.
Discussion then ensued between Staff, Commission, and Mr. Rexworthy
relative to the drainage problems, the subdivision requirements of the
Municipal Code, and slope density requirements.
Mr. Rexworthy addressed the problems of the drainage channel requirements,
and felt that if the subdivision were to be reduced from four lots, the
cost of the drainage channel would be completely out of line.
Further discussion ensued; subsequently, Commissioner Perkins moved that
the Planning Commission deny this tentative map without prejudice, and
that the Commission would consider a three lot subdivision as opposed to
four. Commissioner Spencer seconded the motion and it was carried by the
following roll call vote:
-2-
AW
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - April 10, 1974
DAWN RIDGE SUBDIVISION (continued):
AYE: Commissioners Carica, Perkins, Spencer, Mueller
NO: Commissioners Phillips, Young
ABSENT: Commissioners Lachenbruch, Magruder.
Commissioner Phillips requested that his comments appear in the Minutes
for the record; however, the Secretary was unable to decipher the tape
because the Commissioners do not speak into the microphone.
Commissioner Young stated that he wished to endorse Commissioner Phillip's
statement.
Discussion followed regarding possible re -writing of the Subdivision
Ordinance, and Commission consensus was that they should have some input
as to the language to be used in such a revision, and that the Commission
should work with Staff in this regard.
The City Manager commented that if the Commissioners felt that any section
of the Subdivision Ordinance needed more work, that Staff should have their
thoughts so they could come up with particular ideas. Discussion ensued
which pertained to wording.
PUBLIC HEARING:
1. LANDS OF STEDMAN Bahl Homes Developer, File #393-72 G. Nolte,
En neer, ont nue
Planning Consultant Tom Vlasic commented on the Field Trip taken by
himself, Commissioners Young, Carico, Spencer, Perkins, and Mr. Bahl.
He said that the Commission was grappling with philosophical questions,
and at this time he suggested that Staff and Commission go through the
recommended list of conditions which had been proposed so they could
get an idea of where things stood, and what problems were yet to be
resolved. Following is the numerical list of conditions and their
status as of this meeting:
1. Public vs. private road - still to be clarified in terms of
Commission approval.
2. Standards for right-of-way has not been resolved.
3. Right-of-way open because of private vs. public road status of
Country Nay.
4. Still outstanding.
S. Emergency access easement - Commission had found the alternative
providing for connection from the cul-de-sac along the general
alignment of what would be the proposed driveway through Lot 8 and
along the southern boundary of Lot 7 would be more logical road for
emergency connection. Additional information has been generated
and will be available for next meeting.
-3-
r
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - April 10, 1974
LANDS OF STEDMAN (continued)
6. Conservation easement - has essentially not been dealth with.
7. Still open because of status of emergency connection.
8. Pathway - recommended as public pathway, but still open.
9. Conservation easement - still open.
10. 20' pathway easement - the applicant is questioning this and
matter is not resolved.
11. Applicant is not opposed to improving prior to sale, so not open
for question.
Commissioner Young requested that the word "lots" in this
recommendation be changed to "lot."
12. Fire hydrants - agreed to by applicant.
13. Stand-by fees for hydrants - no question.
14. Bridge across creek. After discussion, City Engineer recommended that
the bridge should be designed to highway standards for bridge load.
15. 12' clearance, etc. - no question.
16. No question.
17. Commission questioned reason for this recommendation by Fire Dept.
Staff was requested to get further information from the Fire Dept.
since this requirement was not made on other subdivisions.
18. Sewers - no question.
19. Nater - no question.
20. Taken care of. This item can be deleted from recommendations.
21. Net area - Commission consensus was to change wording to "and the
source of the excess water shall be ascertained and the problem
corrected as it should affect the road."
22. No question.
23. Fault trace. Revised report of Nov. 1, 1973.
24. In -lieu fees - no question.
25. No question.
26. Final improvement plans. Chairman Mueller said that in light of
Deer Park Acres, this should be looked at.
After review of the list of recommendations, Chairman Mueller asked if
there was anything on this land of historical significance that should be
taken into consideration. The Planning Consultant responded in the
negative.
Speaking from the Floor, Mr. Bahl, Developer, asked what the Town's policy
was regarding underground power lines along Page Hill Road. The City
Engineer responded that the Town required undergrounding of utilities
in -tract only.
Tom Vlasic commented that the problem that should be resolved at this
point was the public or private road status of Country flay, since so many
of the recommendations hinged on this decision.
Discussion ensued regarding problems of private roads between Staff and
AMV Commission, with Commissioner Young commenting that a private road status
-4-
`rI
4W
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - April 10, 1974
LANDS OF STEDMAN (continued
would eliminate any possible connection with school property. Following
further discussion, Commiscinner PhilliPc movod that Country way be
declared a public road. Commissioner Young seconded the motion.
Further discussion revolved around pathway status on a private road,
with the developer stating that he felt essentially that if the road
was declared a private road, then the paths should be private also.
staff commented that easements could be obtained for public paths, even
though the road might be declared private.
After general discussion the question was called, and failed by the
following roll call vote:
AYE: Commissioner Phillips, Young.
NO: Commissioner Carico, Perkins, Spencer, Chairman Mueller.
ABSENT: Commissioners Lachenbruch, Magruder
The Commission turned next to a study of emergency access roads and which
lots lent themselves to access and which did not. After brief discussion
the City Engineer commented that if an access easement was not obtained
at this time, the Town could not get it in the future.
Discussion followed on future development of school property, and in terms
of whether the Commission wanted or did not want access to the school
property in the future.
Commissioner Spencer suggested the emergency connection between the
subdivision and the stho6l'district,property be between lots 1 and 2.
Commission consensus was to agree with Commissioner Spencer.
The Conservation easement and pathway easements could not be discussed
this evening, so the Commission went to Condition 3 on the right-of-way.
Following discussion regarding pavement, width and construction between
Commission, Staff, and developer, Commissioner Perkins suggested that
Staff should recommend width to the Commission. Staff was directed to
come back with recommendations based on the decision made this evening
to have Country Way a private road.
After further discussion on an access along the creek boundary, Commissioner
Perkins suggested that the Commission find out what the long-range plans
of the fire district is in terms of the fire road.
Staff was directed to write letter for the Chairman's signature requesting
that a Fire District representative attend the next Commission meeting to
clear up questions on their requirements for this subdivision.
-5-
4W
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - April 10, 1974.
LANDS OF STEDMAN (continued):
Commissioner Phillips requested that his comments read into the
record regarding the cul-de-sac decision. His comments were as
follows:
Commissioner Phillips stated that he was opposed to the philosophy
of closed towns with gates on roads, and thought the Commission was
subject to criticism for developing that kind of society. He said
he thought we have to live in the larger world and not just the Los
Altos Hills world.
Commissioner Young wished to go on record as endorsing this statement.
Following the above actions, this public hearing was continued to
April 24, 1974.
ADJOURNMENT:
The Commission adjourned at 11:35 to their next regular meeting date of
April 24, 1974 at 7:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Norma J. Hislop
0