HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/28/1977 (2)PLANNING COMMISSION
4W Town of Los Altos Hills
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING,
Wednesday, September 28, 1977
Reel 63, Side 2, Tr. 2, 396 to End; Side 1, Tr. 2, 001 to 994.
Chairman Stewart called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:50 P.M.
in the Council Chambers of Town Hall.
ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
COI+�hi55�Oner luvavc%il�Ae��S"fa7
Present: Commissioners Lachenbruch, VanTamelen, Dochnahl, Perkins, Carico and Stewart
Absent: None
Also Present: Town Engineer Alexander Russell, Town Planner/Engineer John Markl,
Secretary Ethel Hopkins
CONSENT CALENDAR:
MOTION APPROVED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner
Dochnahl that the Consent Calendar be approved as presented, namely the Minutes of
September 14 and the information for the Commission that the City Council had extended
the time limit on the Lands of Crist, File #TM 2062-77 to October 26, 1977.
All Commissioners voted for theapproval of the motion with the exception of Commission-
er Perkins who abstained because of absense from the meeting of September 14.
PRESENTATION BY STAN WOLFE, SANTA CLARA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT RE DEDICATIONS AND
Mr. Wolfe discussed with the Commission the Santa Clara Valley Water District "Pro-
posed Policy and Guidelines for Dedication and Reservation of Lands Needed for Flood
and Erosion Control Purposes", demonstrating by means of drawings the kinds of pro-
visions the District wanted to make along creek banks for the purposes of flood and
erosion control. It was his request that the Planning Commission recommend that the
City Council adopt these guidelines.
Commissioners discussed with Mr. Wolfe whether an easement granted would be held by
the Water District or the Town, how the landowner could use the land in the easement
area, the purchase by the Water District of the reservation area along a creek bank,
and what cities had adopted the proposed guidelines. Chairman Stewart thanked
Mr. Wolfe for his presentation. No action was taken on the proposed guidelines.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. LANDS OF PERRETT APN #336-27-001, Pre -Zoning Hearing on 9.09 Acres at Prospect
an tone roo venues o e re- oned R -A, Recommendations of Approval for
`, Pre -Zoning and Negative Declaration Requested.
Town Engineer Russell reviewed information on the subject request, noting that the
present action on zoning was a necessary step prior to the annexation of the property
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - September 28, 1977
Page two
OW PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
1. LANDS OF PERRETT,_APN #336-27-001: (continued)
by the Town. He noted further that the annexation had yet to be processed by LAFCO.
The public hearing was opened and closed with no one speaking.. Thereafter, the
following motions were passed:
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and
seconded by Commissioner Carico that the Lands of Perrett, Pre-7oninq of 9.09 acres to R -A,
APN #336-27-001, be recommended to the City Council for approval.
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and
seconded by Commissioner Carico that a Negative Declaration be filed for the Lands
of Perrett.
4. LANDS OF HORTON File #TM 2066-77, Altamont Road, Sandis & Associates, Request
for ecommen a ion o pprova OT Tentative Map and Negative Declaration
The above item was taken out of the order it appeared on the agenda because the
item required only a motion for continuance. MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY
PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Carico and seconded by Commissioner Perkins
that the Lands of Horton, File #TM 2066-77 be continued to the meeting of October 12.
2. LANDS OF COSTELLO File #TM 2067-77, Altamont and Moody Road, John W. Riley,
�, Eng neer, Request or econmen a ions of Approval of Tentative Map and Negative
Declaration.
Mr. Markl noted that the Lands of Costello map before the Commissioers for considera-
tion was a revised map. Changes made on the map were discussed in his staff report
of September 23.
Commissioners expressed the following views: Chairman Stewart stated that he felt
that the subdivision was too intense, and that had an overall plan been available
at the time the Lands of Dickinson was before the Commission, Lands of Dickinson
would have been allowed three lots and the present subdivision four lots. It
was his opinion that the consideration of each of the subdivisions in separate
actions, in light of the adjoining Lands of Bledsoe soon to be considered,
showed very poor planning. Commissioner Perkins felt that this was a subdivision
"by the skin of its teeth if there ever was one". Commissioner Kuranoff felt that
the subdivision was too intense, that there were too many panhandle accesses, and
that the interpretation of the slope density requirements were too close, and that
the design sacrificed quality to expediencewhere the character of the land was
concerned. Commissioner Dochnahl felt that this was a "sculptured subdivision"
which was his term for a'thiseling subdivision." Commissioner Carico felt that
the subdivision did meet the ordinances; and Commissioner Kuranoff,while
expressing the feeling that the subdivision was "contrived", felt that it was the
ordinances that were not explicit enough that permitted such a subdivision design.
Commissioner Stewart stated he could not understand how the fault zone could shift
from twenty feet on the Lands of Costello to forty feet on the Lands of Bledsoe,
and thereafter opened the hearing to the public.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - September 28, 1977
Page three
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
2. LANDS OF COSTELLO, File #TM 2067-77: (continued)
Beverly Brockway,_ Developer, noted that both the Bledsoe and Costello properties
Ra een trenched, and that the fault area made a change at the property line.
She noted that the Town could get by with a ten foot setback from the fault area,
and that she had discussed the fault area with the Town Geologist, Mr. Cotton.
Mrs. Brockway discussed the exchange of land between the Lands of Costello and
Bledsoe, the changes in the present map, commended the Staff in its planning
efforts with the subdivision, drew attention to the considerably shortened pan-
handle access areas on the new map, and spoke generally for the approval of the
Lands of Costello subdivision map.
At 9:20 a recess was called; the meeting resumed at 9:32. Discussion continued on
what should be done with the proposed subdivision map when it did meet the ordinance
requirements. The Commissioners decided to review the conditions with the result
that the following changes were made:
Condition 3: The first sentence of Condition 3 should be amended to read: 'The
fault zone and structural setbacks shall be designated by dimension
on the Final Map.'
Condition 8: Condition 8 was amended by adding after "building permits" in the
last sentence 'for Lots 1, 2, and 3.'
Condition 10: Amend the condition by making the first several words read 'The
existing structures...' rather than "The existing structure...".
Condition 13(b): Amend the condition by changing the date of the Tentative Map from
August 18, 1977 to September 22, 1977.
Condition 14(b): Add after "practicable" at the end of the sentence a semicolon and
the following: ' the path on Moody Road shall follow the existing
path along the top of the bank and be cleared of brush where re-
quired.'
Additional Condition: It was moved by Commissioner Carico and seconded by Commission-
er Lachenbruch that the following condition be added to the list
of conditions: If the amount of land to be purchased from
Mr. Bledsoe and the amount of land to be transferred from the
Costellos to the Bledsoes as shown on the Tentative Map is in-
sufficient to generate five parcels in accordance with the slope
density requirement, then the Final Map shall be denied.
MOTION SECONDED AND FAILED: It was moved by Commissioner Carico and seconded by
Commissioner Perkins that the Lands of Costello, Fite #lT1 2067-77 be recommended
for approval with conditions as amended:
AYES: Commissioners Carico, Lachenbruch and Perkins
NOES: Commissioners Stewart, VanTamelen, Dochnahl and Kuranoff
ABSTAIN: None
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - September 28, 1977
6W Page four
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
2. LANDS OF COSTELLO, File ATM 2067-77: (continued)
MOTION SECONDED AND FAILED: It was moved by Commissioner Kuranoff and seconded by
Commissioner Stewart that the Lands of Costello, File ATM 2067-77 be recommended
for denial.
AYES: Commissioners Stewart, VanTamelen, and Kuranoff
NOES: Commissioners Carico, Lachenbruch, Perkins, Dochnahl
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by
Commissioner Dochnahl that the Lands of Costello, File ATM 2067-77 be recommended
for denial without prejudice.
AYES: Commissioners Stewart, VanTamelen, Dochnahl, and Kuranoff
NOES: Commissioners Carico, Lachenbruch and Perkins
ABSTAIN: None
3. LANDS OF FEISTEL, File ATM 2063-77, Elena and Robleda Road, Paul Nowack & Associates,
Engineers, eques or ecommen ation of Approval of Tentative Map and Negative
Declaration.
Chairman Stewart alerted the Commission to the fact that the variance for Lands of
L Feistel had been referred by the Variance and Permit Commission to the Planning
Commission for action.
Mr. Markl discussed Lands of Feistel, calling particular attention to the issue
of access to the subdivision as discussed in Item 2 of the staff report of September 19.
Discussion began among Commissioners with questions being raised on the matters of
drainage on Lot 2, the location of the catch basin on Elena Road, and the use and
ownership of the jointly held 30 foot access easement from Elena Road which bordered
Lots 1 and 3. Thereafter, the hearing was opened to the public.
Terr Feistel, A licant, stated that the water creating drainage problems on the
an s o uwe came rom a catch basin on Elena Road at one corner of the subdivision,
not from the property line at Lot 2, and that water from the catch basin plus the
fact that the Duwe property was low lying created the drainage problem.
The public hearing was closed, and Commissioners began a review of the suggested
conditions for the subdivision. The following motions were passed:
Condition 3: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins and seconded by Commissioner
Stewart that Condition 3 be amended by striking out "occupancy
of any new residential structure." and adding instead 'construction
of any new residence;'and to add a second part to Condition 3 under
3(a):Appropriate public utility easements shall be obtained.
The motion was unanimously approved.
Condition 12: MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner
�r Carico and seconded by Commissioner Kuranoff that Condition 12 be
deleted.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - September 28, 1977
Page five
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
3. LANDS OF FEISTEL, File #TM 2063-77: (continued)
Condition 14: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins and seconded by Commissioner
VanTamelen that Condition 14 be amended to read: 'The Final Map
shall limit access to this subdivision to a single entry onto
Elena Road for Lots 1 and 2, and for Lot 3 as shown on the Tentative
Map.
Condition 15: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Perkins,
and unanimously carried that Condition 15 be amended to read as follows:
'A Variance for the reduction in sideyard setback for the existing
garage from 30 feet to 26.01 feet as per Los Altos Hills Municipal
Code Sections 9-5.504, 9-5.1101, 9-5.1103, and 9-5.1107,shall be
granted with the following conditions:
(a) The reduction in the thirty foot (30') sideyard setback for
the existing garage structure shall be limited to 3.99 feet.
This structure shall not be altered to further reduce its
setback from the existing southerly ingress -egress line.
(b) Destruction or damage of this structure exceeding fifty percent
(50%) of its appraised value shall be grounds for the retraction
of this variance by the Town.
4, (c) Use of the subject garage structure shall be limited to the
storage of motor vehicles, household implements, casual items,
and hobby or home maintenance activities.
(d) No outdoor lighting fixtures shall be permitted on the northerly
exterior of the subject garage structure excepting those required
for safety and subject to the approval of the City Engineer.'
MOTION SECONDED MID APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner
Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Perkins that Condition 15 should
be further amended with the addition of subsection G?�)�: Remgve, prior
to the recordation of the Final Map, the corrugate At`oo}; post, frames,
and foundations attached to the garage.
Condition 16: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch and seconded by Commissioner
Dochnahl and carried unanimously that Condition 16 be amended with
the following: Condition 16(b): The path shall be separated from the
roadway as far as is practical.
Additional Condition: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commission-
er Carico that an additional condition be added: 'A conservation
easement as shown on the Tentative Map shall be deeded to the
Town of Los Altos Hills with the provision that no structures
except lawful fences are to be built within this easement.
L Additional Condition: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins and seconded by Commission-
�W er Carico that the following additional condition be added:
Off tract drainage shall be directed into Adobe Creek before
reaching the Lands of Duwe.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - September 28, 1977
4W Page six
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
3. LANDS OF FEISTEL, File #TM 2063-77: (continued)
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins and
seconded by Commissioner VanTamelen that the Lands of Feistel, File #TM 2063-77,
be recommended for approval with conditions as amended.
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins and
seconded by Commissioner Carico that a negative declaration be recommended for the
Lands of Feistel, File #TM 2063-77.
NEW BUSINESS:
Commissioner Lachenbruch requested that Staff obtain copies of road standards used
by neighboring hillside communities in preparation for a study by the Town on their
road standards. Communities specifically mentioned were Woodside, Portola Valley,
Cupertino, Los Gatos, and Monte Sereno.
Commissioner Carico suggested that while road standards are being considered, that
the matter of drainage problems also be considered.
ADJOURNMENT:
t There being no further new or old business, Chairman Stewart adjourned the meeting
�r at 12:32 A.M..
Respectfully submitted,
Ethel Hopkins
Secretary
4