HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/13/1977PLANNING COMMISSION
Town of Los Altos Hills
` 26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, July 13, 1977
Reel 61, Side 1, Tr. 1, 001 to End; Side 2, Tr. 1, 001 to 214
The Oath of Office was administered by City Manager Robert Crowe to all Planning Com-
mission Members present at 7:38 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall. Election
of Planning Commission Officers followed immediately therafter. PSL
RMOTION SECONDED ANO CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Lam, seconded by
IWIOR Eoner 5ociRanaFiito elect Commissioner Stewart as Chairman of the Planning Com-
mission. Motion carried unanimously.I
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: So moved by Commissioner Lam, seconded by Com-
missioner Dochnahl U7 carried by the following roll call vote to elect Commissioner
Perkins as Vice -Chairman of the Planning Commission.
AYE: Commissioners Carico, Dochnahl, Kuranoff and Lachenbruch
NO: Commissioner Perkins
ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
E Present: Commissioners Carico, Dochnahl, Kuranoff, Lachenbruch and Perkins
4r Absent: Commissioners Stewart and van Tamelen
Staff: City Manager Robert Crowe, City Engineer Alexander Russell, Engineer/Planner
John Markl, Secretary Susan Buttler
The City Manager introduced Mayor Keith Brown, who then gave a short welcoming speech
to the new Planning Commission Members.
C. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Commissioner Perkins requested that the City Manager give a brief explanation of
the Consent Calendar procedure.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Carico, seconded by Com-
missioner
an-
m ss oner Dochnahl and passed unanimously to remove the Minutes of June 13, 21 and
29, 1977, and Item 3 from the Consent Calendar.
Discussion followed on these items, with Commissioner Carico requesting that her
vote against the second motion, Lands of Saddle Mountain Estates, page four, Min-
utes of June 21, 1977, be put on record.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Thereafter, it was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl,
seconded y Commiss oner Kuranoff and passed unanimously to approve the Consent
Calendar as amended, specifically:
1. Approval of Minutes: Minutes of June 13, 1977 (Adjourned Meeting)
Minutes of June 21, 1977 (Adjourned Meeting)
Minutes of June 22, 1977 (Regular Meeting)
Minutes of June 29, 1977 (Adjourned Meeting)
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - July 13, 1977
Page Two
` CONSENT CALENDAR: (Continued)
4r 2. Acceptance for Filing of Tentative Map Applications:
(a) Lands of Horton, File TM #2066-77, Altamont Road, Sandis and
Associates, Engineer.
(b) Lands of Costello, File TM #2067-77, Altamont and Moody Road,
John Riley, Engineer.
3. Resolution #77-3 setting Public Hearing to consider an Amendment to the
General Plan and General Plan Diagram (APN #175-34-7 & 8).
D. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Lands of Traficanti, File TM #2055-77, Voorhees Drive, Edwin Smith, Engineer,
Request for Recommendation of Approval of Tentative Map.
The City Manager introduced the City Clerk's Memo concerning the City Council
action of July 6, 1977, on five lots or more on a private road. At the request
of Commissioner Perkins, John Markl supplied background information on this item,
i.e., previous subdivision along Voorhees Drive, the issue of a fire hydrant loca-
tion and, finally, Commissioner Kuranoff's question regarding the pathway along
the south side of Voorhees Drive versus the path in -lieu fee requirement. There-
after, the hearing was opened to the public.
Paul Nowack, En ineer, expressed concern that his client, Mr. Cassara, had assumed
t e cost o insta ing a water main up Voorhees Drive and was now giving subsequent
subdividers a free ride.
Mr. Traficanti, a licant, took exception to the term 'free ride'by stating that he
a een invo ve in previous expenditures along Voorhees Drive and that this issue
had been resolved and deleted at the last Planning Commission hearing on his Request.
Discussion ensued on the deletion of this Condition and procedure for reconsideration.
It was generally felt that all the residents should share in the cost of fire pro-
tection. Commissioner Lachenbruch questioned the number of lots served by this cul-
de-sac and a final total of ten was ascertained. The pathway issue was resolved by
the City Engineer stating tnat an easement woule nave to De granted through the
Voorhees property. The areas felt to be of utmost concern were the size of the
water main and location in regard to fire protection services. It was generally
hoped,104 following motion a < w
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl, seconded by
Commissioner urano an passed unanimously to re-insert as Condition 5: The
applicant shall extend the six (6) inch water main southerly in Voorhees Drive to
a point being the common boundary line of Lots 1 and 2 extended westerly.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Carico, seconded by
Commissioner Lachenbruch and passed unanimously to recommend approval of the Lands
of Traficanti, File TM #2055-77, with conditions as amended by the Planning Com-
mission.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Also moved by Commissioner Carico, seconded by
Commissioner Dochnahl and passed unanimously that a negative declaration be filed
for the Lands of Traficanti, File 774 #2055-77.
7
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - July 13, 1977
Page Three
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (Continued)
2. Lands of Dickinson, File TM #2056-77, 25720 Altamont Road, John Riley,
Engineer, Request for Recommendation of Approval of Tentative Map.
Mr. Markl stated that this Tentative Map was returning after corrections had
been made on Lots 3 and 4. He also addressed the amended conditions and an-
swered questions regarding pathway recommendations, slope density calculations
and geological problems. Commissioner Lachenbruch also questioned the gross
and net acreage of the lots as shown on the Tentative Map. It was shown that
the public road right-of-way figures were part of the subdivision, but not
part of the lot net acreage. Thereafter, the hearing was opened to the public.
Bob Stutz 25301 Elena Road, pointed out the original pathway recommendation,
stat ng that he hoped this would be left as it was a planned and connecting
pathway.
John Rile Eng�ineer for the applicant, did not think this path easement was
on the tact �59ianApointea out that an existing path was to the east between
Altamont and Moody Road, asking that this be considered.
Pathway easements and type of construction were then discussed. The City
Manager located the Tract 5597 map and the questions resolved.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by
Commissioner Kuranoff to add as a condition to the Lands of Dickinson, File
TM #2056-77: The applicant shall construct a type 2-A path within road right-
of-way of Lots 1 & 2 to the southerly boundary of Lot 3, within the dedicated
easement of Lot 3. This would thereby remove the path -in -lieu fee from the
list of conditions. Motion passed unanimously.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was then moved by Commissioner Carico, secon-
ded y Commissioner Perkinsand passed unanimously to delete Condition 8, per-
taining to the selection of a street name.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Commissioner Dochnahl, seconded by
Commissioner Lachenbruch and passed unanimously to recommend approval of the
Lands of Dickinson, File TM #2056-77, with conditions as amended by the Plan-
ning Commission.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Final motion was made by Commissioner Carico and
seconded y Commissioner Ferkins that a negative declaration be filed for the
Lands of Dickinson, File TM #2056-77. Motion passed unanimously.
3. Lands of Land Resources, File TM #2054-77, Arastradero Road, Paul E. Nowack,
Engineer, Request for Recommendation of Approval of Tentative Map.
As this was a Request continued from the meeting of June 22, 1977, Mr. Markl
reiterated the seismic conditions and setbacks, the re -alignment of Tracy Court
(causing lot line changes) and the twenty foot easement along the creek bed
that had been allocated by the Santa Clara Valley Water District. It was then
determined that the proposed changes were the best possible with this proposed
subdivision.
Commissioner Kuranoff raised the issue of the fate of the eucalyptus grove with-
in the subject property. The consensus being that the Town had no jurisdiction
over private ownership, only when the trees were in the public right-of-way.
Pathway separation from Arastradero Road and future variances were discussed
and, subsequently, the following motions were made.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - July 13, 1977
Page Four
1%W PUBLIC HEARINGS: (Continued)
3. Lands of Land Resources (Continued)
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Carico, seconded by
Comm ssioner Doc nahl and carried unanimously to add as a condition to the Lands
of Land Resources: Reduce Lot 4 acreage by 0.15.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by
Commissioner Carico to al -so add as a condition: It is recommended that the
creek and easements associated therewith on Lots 1, 2, and 3 not be used as
grounds for variances in the future. Motion gassed u6y;1N.C(w,�e.eray�',^`2 i
It was put forth by Cdfnmis�L'r'Lacfien5ruch" and agree® by consensus tb amend
the last sentence of Condition 13-a to read: This path shall be narrowed as
required to avoid existing trees and shall be separated from Arastradero Road
a minimum of five feet (5') e.
*r= .m oof ten feet (10'), where possible.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: -It was thereby moved by Commissioner Carico,
seconded y omm ss oner Lachenbruch and passed unanimously to recommend ap-
proval of the Lands of Land Resources, File TM #2054-77, with conditions as
amended by the Planning Commission.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: A motion was made by Commissioner Carico and
seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch that a negative declaration be filed for
the Lands of Land Resources, File TM #2054-77. Motion passed unanimously.
4. Lands of Gerard Homes, Inc., File TM #2061-77, Moody Road, Paul Nowack,
Engineer, Request for Recommendation of Approval of Tentative Map.
Mr. Markl referenced extensively his staff report of July 8, 1977 which, in
turn, necessitated considerable discussion on slope density and the Open Space
Preserve area designated by the General Plan abutting this land area. Com-
missioner Perkins referenced Resolution 875 and the area involved, stating that
this question must be resolved before the hearing could continue. Thereafter,
followed considerable discussion on the intent of the General Plan and the
above Resolution versus zoning for Open Space, the intrusion of Lot 5 into
this designated space and the overall steepness of the land in question. Due
to the sensitive nature of this problem, it was determined to continue this
question and discuss the other aspects of this subdivision. Discussion ensued
on the flood hazard zone and the proximity of building structures to that zone.
The hearing was then opened to the public.
A. Lambert applicant, addressed the legal aspects of low density residential
bu�Tcing within designated Open Space. He then outlined the various revisions
that had been made, traffic studies, soils and geologic investigations and
flood hazard zone considerations. It was also requested that a condition be
inserted allowing the option of connecting to the adjacent sewer assessment
district by residents at a future date.
Commissioner Carico then questioned the fill on Lots 6, 10 and 11 and Commissioner
Lachenbruch questioned that, if it were approved, what controls would be placed
on the developing of Lot 5.
Mr. Lambert acknowledged that the current fill on Lots 6, 10 and 11 was unstable
and would be replaced to the satisfaction of a soils engineer. He felt that a
directive by the Commission and Council as to driveway radinR, drainage and
type of foundation be made prior totheSite DevelopmenT meeting.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - July 13, 1977
Page Five
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (Continued)
4. Lands of Gerard Homes, Inc. (Continued)
Mrs. Diana Miller Vista del Valle, stated that she felt there were no legal pro-
ems n a er ng to t e pen Space Preserve concept and its' designated area,
and that a good reference point on this issue were the City Council Minutes of
February, March and April of 1975.
Mrs. E. Fiksdal Pathwa Committee, objected to the path recommendation along
0o y oa and
n expresse Committee approval to meander the pathway awry=front
tlww+rea ..�,,�� .„al�o�ng�-,the_ckeek..had._ •k.e.e�� ,� a
Discussio�i continued regar in the pathwdy along the upper portion of the pro-
posed subdivision and type of path construction. With all these issues still
to be resolved and the lateness of the hour, it was the consensus to continue
this matter to the next meeting.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Carico, seconded by
Commissioner oc na an passed unanimously to continue the matter of the
Lands of Gerard Homes, Inc., File TM #2061-77.
5. Lands of Gigli, File TM #2056-77 - Continued as Requested on Agenda.
6. Lands of English Meadows, CUP #8024-77 - Continued as Requested on Agenda.
E. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Draft to Section 9-4.1105, Underground Utility Improvements.
No review or comments made at this time.
F. NEW BUSINESS:
The City Manager requested that the Commissioners consider August 13 and August
20 and choose the one most suitable for a joint meeting with the City Council.
There being no further new business, the meeting adjourned at 11:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Buttler