HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/24/1977PLANNING COMMISSION
Town of Los Altos Hills
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, August 24, 1977
Reel 62, Side 2, Tr. 2, 852 to End, Side 1, Tr. 1, 001 to End; Side 2., Tr. 1,
001 to 014.
Chairman Stewart called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 8:25 P.M.
in the Council Chambers of Town Hall.
ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Present: Commissioners Perkins, Lachenbruch, Van Tamelen, Dochnahl, Kuranoff, Stewart
Absent: Commissioner Carico
Also Present: City Manager Robert Crowe, Town Engineer Alexander Russell, Secretary
Ethel Hopkins
CONSENT CALENDAR:
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins and
seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl that the Consent Calendar be approved as submitted,
4 namely, the Minutes of August 10, 1977 and information on the continuance of Tentative
Maps.
City Manager Robert Crowe addressed the Commission on the matter of Lands of Gerard
Homes, Inc., File #TM 2061-77, located on Moody Road. He passed out maps of the
new plan for the subdivision, and reviewed with them changes made by the City Council
as a result of recently acquired geological information.
Commissioner Perkins asked for -new slope density calculations and information on lot
size, but Mr. Crowe informed the Commission that the City Council had approved the
new map, and that new maps were for their information. They were not requested to
take any action. Slope density calculations would be submitted to the Council. A
short discussion followed among Commissioners, and the meeting moved on to the public
hearings.
1. LANDSOF ENGLISH MEADOWS File #CU 8024-77, (formerly Rancho De Los Caballos),
orse oar rng an ng Stables, Request for Recommendation of Approval of
Conditional Use Permit.
Mr. Markl reviewed pertinent information on the subject request and demonstrated by
means of a transparency existing and proposed features and improvements on the
property. Background information was also contained in the Staff report of August 17,
1977.
Commissioner Perkins observed that at least two items in the use permit were con-
tingent on the development of the adjoining Saddle Mountain Estates subdivision.
Mr. Russell, however, responded that sewer and water service for the ranch could
4W
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - August 24, 1977
Page two
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
1. LANDS OF ENGLISH MEADOWS, File #CU 8024-77: (continued)
be obtained from Page Mill Road. The request was independent of whether or not
Saddle Mountain Estates was approved.
Several Commissioners asked for clarification on the number of horses to be allowed
versus the number of stalls on the ranch, and shortly thereafter Chairman Stewart
opened the hearing to the public.
Jitze Cou erous 13680 Pae Mill Road, President of the Horsemen's Association and
neig or to t e rant property, spo a for the approval of the use permit.
Ernest Galeotti,_ Applicant, discussed the use of English Meadows as a place of
ins rut ion or oo i o lege, landscaping plans, negotiations with a neighbor
Mr. Bagaria on the matter of a 15 foot grant to him for the purpose of screening
his property from the horse ranch, and the location of a pathway between the new
riding ring and Mr. Bagaria's property.
Betsy Fiksdal, Pathway Committee Chairman, discussed pathway proposals. She spoke
ora pat 'a ong a %out en0 OT the property.
Mr. Russell, however, stated that Mr. Bagaria was not aware that a path was being pro-
posed five or ten feet from his house.
The public hearing was closed, and the following motions passed:
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins and
seconded by Commissioner Van Tamelen that Condition 2 should be amended to read:
All driveways, parking areas, and horse -riding areas shall be maintained in a
sufficient manner to control dust to a level compatible with adjoining uses.
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins
and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch that Condition 4 should be amended by
the addition of 'and at a level of activity per academic quarter as indicated by
Appendix 8.' to the end of the second sentence.
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins and
seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch that the word "competent" be deleted from
Condition 7.
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and
seconded by Commissioner Van Tamelen that Condition 10 be amended by deleting
"through 10:00 P.M. inclusive" and substituting 'through an hour and a half after
sunset'. The rest of the Condition remained as written.
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and
seconded by Commissioner Van Tamelen that an additional condition be added to the
list of conditions: Only trailors and trucks used by the applicant or owners may
be operated on the premises. These trailors and trucks shall be reasonably screened
�✓ from view. Parking of all other trucks, horse traitors, etc., shall be limited to
a seventy-two (72) hour period.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - August 24, 1977
Page three
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
1. LANDS OF ENGLISH MEADOWS, File #CU 8024-77: (continued)
POTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and
seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl that an additional condition be added: The life
of this Conditional Use Permit shall run with the ownership of English Meadows by
the applicant, Mr. Galeotti, or until amended or cancelled.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins and seconded
by Commissioner Dochnahl that an additional condition be added to the list of
conditions: After the new ring is installed, appropriate landscaping, to be approved
by the Town, shall be planted along the southerly boundary line adjacent to the ring
to the end of Mr. Bagaria's property line.
Voting for approval of the motion were Commissioners Perkins, Stewart, Van Tamelen,
Dochnahl, and Kuranoff. Commissioner Lachenbruch voted against the motion.
MOTION SECONDED AND APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins,
seconded by Commissioner Van Tamelen, and approved unanimously bV roll call vote, that
the Commission recommend approval of the Lands of English Meadows Conditional Use
Permit, File #CU 8024-77, with conditions as amended.
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins
and seconded by Commissioner Van Tamelen that a categorical exemption be filed for
the Lands of English Meadows, File #8024-77.
At 10:00 P.M. a recess was called; the meeting was resumed at 10:12 P.M.. Upon con-
sideration of the items on the agenda still to be considered, it was moved by Commission-
er Perkins and seconded by Commissioner Stewart to continue the meeting through
the Lands of Saddle Mountain Estates, and to agendathe matter of Lands of Costello
for an adjourned meeting to take place on August 31 at 7:45 P.M.. Also to be con-
sidered on the agenda was the old business of the Scenic Highways Element.
2. LANDS OF SADDLE MOUNTAIN ESTATES File #TM 2060-77, Arastradero Road, J. Clegg,
Engineer, Request or econmen a ion o pprova on Resubmitted Tentative Map.
Mr. Markt reviewed information on the resubmitted Tentative Map for Lands of Saddle
Mountain Estates. He reviewed changes that had been made in the map, noting pathway
requests, slope density calculations, and that the total number of lots was 27 lots -
two less than the original submission. Additional information was contained in his
staff report dated August 19.
City Manager Crowe discussed City Council concerns on Lots 22, 23, and 24, stating that
it was the Council's wish that these lots be enlarged, and that building sites be
situated to make ingress and egress easier, and stated that the reduction in the number
of lots in the area had expanded it considerably.
The hearing was opened to the public.
t Jitze Couperous, 13680 Pag_e� Mill �Road, expressed a concern on the number of horses in
.r tom, a suBIvvls on!In iscuss�list in the staff report worked out with Council
on what lots could and could not have horses on them. He acknowledged problems of
steep terrain and erosion that existed on certain lots, but spoke for approval of
the subdivision, commending the friendly and cooperative attitude of the subdividers
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - August 24, 1977
t Page four
fir' PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
2. LANDS OF SADDLE MOUNTAIN ESTATES, File 02060-77: (continued)
toward horse interests.
Jack ChownMoon Lane Resident, stated his concerns and asked that the number of
orses a owe on o s and 27 in particular be restricted,. he asked that the
design of the retention basin be considered carefully in order to eliminate problems
with erosion and silt buildup. He asked what provision the Town would take for
mosquito control from standing water in the retention basin.
Mrs. Fiksdal, Pathway Committee commended the subdivision on its unique approach to
pa ways, no ing at paths for equestrians were along the perimeter of the subdivision
while paths along the lots of the subdivision were for pedestrians.
Mrs. Handle Moon Lane Resident asked if the Town would be responsible for maintaining
ecac asn.
Donna Ko el Resident of San Carlos stated she boarded her horse at English Meadows
an spo a or aT 11111dLIUH UT two horses per building site.
The public hearing was closed, and the discussion returned to the Commission. Com-
missioner Kuranoff requested information on what noise mitigation measures were to
be taken to protect lots facing IS 280. He cited lots 1, 2, and 3 as lots that might
also need berms, and asked how houses could properly be situated near the berms.
John Clegg, Engineer for the Applicant, discussed the proposals on how and when berms
wouBe cons ruc a an w at mater al would be used. He suggested that berms should
be constructed at the time improvements for the subdivision were installed.
Mr. Perkins asked about the park and recreation area. Mr. Cie q responded that the
issue had been resolved as shown in the General Plan. The recreation area would-be
considered as open space, and stated that conditions deal with this subject.
Chairman Stewart began a review of the conditions, and the following motions were
passed:
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and
seconded by Commissioner Perkins that the following be added to Condition 13: Cond.13(d)
Pathways are to be installed as per Exhibit B on paths. Paths within the roadways
rights -of -ways shall be separated wherever possible from the travel way.
Ramona Chown, at the time of condition discussion, expressed concern on horses and
t e ca c asin with standing water in it.
Ernest Galeotti,Applicant for English Meadows, stated that a matter of principle
was ai staN E t esu Zvi e� to give in to Moon Lane on everything?
Commissioner Lachenbruch asked that the subdivision documents reflect the reasons
for prohibiting horses on those lots listed, noting that it was important for the
record to show the rationale for this. He asked that horses, if kept on Lots 25,
26, and 27, should be in enclosures above the 425 foot contour lines. This will
provide a buffer between the Chown property and the retention basin.
V
V
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - August 24, 1977
Page five
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
2. LANDS OF SADDLE MOUNTAIN ESTATES, File #TM 2060-77: (continued)
John Clega noted that on Lot 25 the horse stable will be above the trail and not
muff it it (the trail) is in the area of the drainage line.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins and seconded by
Commissioner Van Tamelen that Lots 25, 26 and 27 shall be added to the list of lots
prohibited from having horses.
AYES: Commissioners Perkins, Lachenbruch, Van Tamelen and Kuranoff
NOES: Commissioners Stewart and Dochnahl
ABSTAIN: None
Commissioner Perkins stated thereafter that an explanation should be noted on the
restrictions on horses within this subdivision, that the decision was based on
the following factors: 1)Lot area; 2) Slope of lot and subsequent erosion problems;
3) Drainage problems; and 4) An effort to group lots either allowing or prohibiting
horses.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins and
seconded by Commissioner Van Tamelen that the following be added as a Condition:
Lots 5,6,7 and 24, because of size, shape, and potential erosion problems, shall
be restricted on the number of hoofed animals that may be kept on them to that
allowable for the minimum one acre lot (Section 6-1.204 of the Municipal Code).
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED:
seconded by Commissioner Perkins that the
shall be allowed as shown on Appendix 5 a
on Appendix 5 as amended.
It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and
following be added as a Condition: Horses
amended, and shall be prohibited as shown
MOTIONS SECOWD AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and
seconded by Commissioner Perkins that the following be added as a condition: The
storm drainage easements on Lots 5, 7, 16 and 25 shall be fifteen (15) feet. A storm
drainage easement shall be provided on Lots 25 and 27, as shown on the Tentative Map
dated August 18, 1977 to accommodate the retention basin.
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY ROLL CALL VOTE: It was moved by Commission-
er Perkins and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch to recommend approval with conditions
as amended of the Lands of Saddle Mountain Estates, File #TM 2060-77.
ADJOURNMENT:
The matter of the Lands of Saddle Mountain Estates completed, the meeting of the
Planning Commission was adjourned at 12:50 A.M., to August 31, at 7:45 P.M..
Respectfully submitted,
Ethel Hopkins
Secretary