HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/30/1977 (2)U9
PLANNING COMMISSION
Town of Los Altos Hills
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
MINUTES -OF.A REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, November 30, 1977
Reel 65, Side 2, Tr. 1, 332 to End; Side 1, Tr. 2, 001 to 548
Chairman Stewart called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order in the
Council Chambers of Town Hall at 7:45 P.M..
ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Present: Commissioners Stewart, Carico, VanTamelen, Dochnahl. Commissioner Perkins
arrived at 7:50 P.M..
Absent: Commissioners Lachenbruch and Kuranoff
Also Present: City Manager Robert Crowe, Town Engineer Alexander Russell, Town
Planner/Engineer John Markl, Secretary Ethel Hopkins
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The Minutes of October 24, November 9, and November 12 were deferred to "New
Business" on the agenda when it was hoped that Commissioner Perkins would be
in attendance.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. LANDS PF
CRIST File #TM 2062-77, Page Mill and Lupine Road, Paul Nowack and
c.
ssociates, n, ngrneers, Request for Recommendation of Approval on
Negative Declaration and Request for Recommendation of Approval of Tentative
Map. (Continued from the meeting of November 9, 1977)
Chairman Stewart informed the Commission that the Lands of Crist public hearing
would be postponed. The developer had asked for the postponement until a study
session on the development could be arranged.
2. LANDS OF HUTCHINS. File #TM 2053-77, Altamont Road, Edward Baca, Engineer,
Request for Recommendation of Approval on Negative Declaration and Request
for Recommendation of Approval of Tentative Map.
Mr. Markt reviewed pertinent information on the subject application. He drew
particular attention to the "Evaluation" items on his November 20, 1977 staff
report, noting that these items. contained background information relative to
decisions as to the time that a non -conforming barn structure should be removed
(Condition 12), on whether a chain-link fence on Altamont shall be removed (Con-
dition 16), and whether the separate driveway entrance for Parcel 2 from Altamont
Road shall be allowed (Condition 14).
Discussion among Commissioners began with concern expressed in the following areas:
1. Chairman Stewart questioned when the non -conforming barn structure
should be removed, and it was Mr. Markl's feeling that this structure
should be removed as soon as possible or when the grading is done for
the residence on Parcel 2.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - November 30, 1977
[ Page two
` PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
2. LANDS OF HUTCHINS, File #TM 2053-77: (continued)
2. Commissioner Dochnahl suggested that the removal of the fence along
Altamont Road be delayed until that road is widened since this was
the only portion of the fence to be removed. Mr. Markl, however,
noted that the fence was privately owned but on public property.
It was suggested by Mr. Crowe, Town Manager, that an encroachment
in the public right-of-way be allowed and an agreement negotiated
between the applicant and the Town on the removal of the fence.
Commissioner Stewart noted that Condition 16 should be removed and
a separate condition written concerning the fence.
3. Commissioner VanTamelen stated that the proposed driveway involved
the removal of many trees that were not shown on the Tentative Map.
The public hearing was opened by Chairman Stewart and closed by him when no one
spoke from the floor.
Discussion continued among Commissioners with concern expressed that a new
proposal for a meandering driveway that would minimize impact on trees and
wildlife trails in the area be considered and presented to the Commission,
that access to Parcel 2 by easement rather than by a separate driveway be
considered, whether a conservation easement should be taken to protect the
trail area on Parcel 2 and to minimize environmental impact, and whether contour
lines were correct on the map in the fence area. It was desired that the engineer
for the project also cor.Lc the Tentative Map by including on the map all trees
that were 20 inches in ' ' ,('tfifi"t-the right -of way situation be cleared up
from the Hutchins property to Page Mill Road and in the opposite direction, to
Black Mountain Road. Commissioners also asked that a representative of the
Hutchins or their engineer be present to discuss the map with the Commission.
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins
and seconded by Commissioner Dochnaht that the Tentative Map for the Lands of
Hutchins, File #TM 2053-77, be continued to the next meeting of the Planning
Commission so that the above information can be presented to the Commission.
The motion was passed by the unanimous approval of all Commissioners present.
3. LANDS OF DANSON File #TM 2073-77, Paul Nowack and Associates, Engineers,
equest or ecommen a ion OT Approval of Negative Declaration and Request
for Recommendation of Approval of Tentative Map.
Chairman Stewart stated that because the Tentative Map was not complete in the
matter of slope density requirements, it could not considered. He asked the
Commission how they wanted to proceed on the map. However, it was the consensus
of the Planning Commissioners that they would proceed with the discussion on the
Tentative Map and make evaluations on the map in any case.
Mr. Markl made introductory remarks, reviewing information contained in his staff
report of November 21. He called attention to the subdivision's proximity to
v Interstate 280, access to the subdivision off Magdalena, the problem of a dam
in the adjacent area to the property and the fact that this dam would be removed.
He noted that the 46 lot subdivision would be developed in units. Other problems
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - November 30, 1977
v Page three
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
3. LANDS OF DAWSON, File #TM 2073-77: (continued)
cited were the discharge of water from Hale Creek, noise problems with lots
facing the freeway, the area designated for the conservation easement, the over-
all development of the area, the right-of-way allowances for the development
of adjoining properties, the problem of slope density particularly as applied to
Lots 8 and 40 and the need for a conditional exception on slope density. He added
that unresolved problems with the subdivision had led him to include agency reconmen-
dations, but to omit writing conditions until the map was in conformance with
map requirements.
Discussion among Commissioners began with Commissioner Perkins asking clarification
on Item 5 of the Evaluation on the Staff report, and requesting discussion on the
Dawson Drive 60 -foot right-of-way. Mr. Russell noted that the engineer was trying
to show Dawson Drive as a through road, if not now, then someday in the future
when adjoining lands were subdivided.
Commissioner VanTamelen registered her tendirtg-
freia#3-Monteto-the--Dawson- }e�meRanv-e4,ppec. i4d concern on trafficfG..�
from RaveMnsbury to Magdalenai" mp`�dim'Lht �ko' a dg more effectively with traffic,, �
flow were cited by both Mr. Crowe and Mr. Russell. They were: that much of Magdalena 41J
was not in Los Altos Hills but in County jurisdication, and that the location of J4
a road into the Dawson subdivision off the 280 off -ramp was not only a poor location
for a roadway but was almost impossible to come by since since the Dawson property
was not connected to the off -ramp area. Thereafter,the hearing was opened to the
public.
Alan A rt, 141 First Street, Los Altos, discussed his objections to "Recommendations"
page ve o t e a report. He SPOKe particularly against the way slope density
calculations were computed by the staff as opposed to the way he understood they
should be computed, stating that one of the by-products of Mr. Markl's computations
were that the subdivision had less lots. As Mr. Lambert's engineers had computed
it, taking the entire area of the subdivision, they could obtain 46 lots. Mr. Markl's
figures yielded 44 lots. He stated that a good map had been presented to the
Town, and he felt they were being penalized for the good planning and effort they
had put into it.
Bill Belvi, 11750 Maa dal�ena, asked clarification on what was involved in the issue
of s opT e�nsiiy�'or�e subdivision, expressed concern on the issue of circula-
tion, requested stop signs be installed at the intersection of Magdalena and
Eastbrook (on this he was told that this was County jurisdiction), and finally,
requested that a telephone be installed when the subdivision's utilities are
installed for the purpose of providing emergency telephone service on the 280 off -
ramp.
Walter Gre onvich Chairman Noise Abatement Committee, discussed the noise problem
on a su v s on. a comnen a e a rans s u y on noise and noted that this
L` study showed that berms will be required on lots facing the freeway. lie also
noted that these lots may have berms or heavy folliage. He made the suggestions
that Magdalena be widened near the subdivision, and expressed surprise that an
environmental impact report had not been done.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - November 30, 1977
Page four
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
3. LANDS OF DAWSON, File #TM 2073-77: (continued)
Betsy Fiksdat Chairwoman Pathwa Committee, discussed slope density and
reco—tea a an environmen a mpac report be prepared for the subdivision.
Paul Nowack En ineer, Paul Nowack 8 Associates discussed judgements made on
s ope ens y ca cu a ons ano aSKea the CominiTsion for direction so that they
could prepare a map that would be satisfactory to the Commission.
John Dawson, Ma dalena Road Owner of Lands of Dawson stated that his intention
as a su v er s o ave aqua r y su vis on, spo a for keeping Lot 8 as large
as proposed and noted that the property is a historical monument. He spoke for
the approval of the subdivision.
The public hearing was closed, and discussion returned to the Commissioners.
Discussion continued on how Lots 8 and 40 should be regarded in calculating slope
density for the subdivision. Mr. Crowe summed up the issues to be determined
as 1) a determination of policy regarding slope density, and 2) some evaluation
of additional rights-of-way desired by the Commissioners. At 10:35 a recess
was called.
At 10:55 the meeting was re -convened, and the following motions passed:
(tA t
`r MOTION SECONDED AND 8U L
It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and
seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl that the subdivider shall submit a new Tentative
Map with slope density calculations that exclude Lot 8 but
do include Lot 40 (nom-pevi3ed=3ei--38J. Lot 40 is to be included in slope density
calculations since so much of the area is a conservation easement. This precludes
the lot from bei" subdivided in the future. G4 r l.- )- r- :.
/%
Mr. Russell stated that he wanted to make `sure that the minutes reflect that a
road right-of-way between Lots 31 and 32 had been considered. He questioned if
1) the Commission wished the road deductions included and deducted from the
acreage of the subdivision, and 2) if the Commission wanted the road right-of-way
to the end of the Dawson property. Commissioner Carico stated that it was her
desire to go on record as being against a through road on the Dawson property.
She wished also to see the ordinances in order to be aware of the options available
to the Commissioners.
Paul Nawack, En�ineer,proposed that rather than putting in a through street,
t eeyy woulZ pul inn a frontage road which could connect to the Perrett property.
After considerable discussion on the merits of a through road or a road connecting
to the Perrett property, the following motion was passed:
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded
by Commissioner Perkins that the Planning Commission did not want a through road
from the end of the Dawson Drive cul-de-sac to the Perrett property.
AYES: Commissioners Stewart, Carico, Perkins and Dochnahl
`r NOES: Commissioner VanTamelen
ABSTAIN: None
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - November 30, 1977
4 Page five
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
3. LANDS OF DAWSON, File #TM 2073-77: (continued)
MOTION PASSED BY CONSENSUS: It was the consensus that the subdivider's engineer
and consultants shall come in with a revised noise analysis of the subdivision.
(Mr. Lambert asked clarification of the motion passed, noting that the wish of
t eiT— oC mmisssTbn was that the developer satisfy the staff as to the discrepancies
of the noise readings.)
Discussion began among Mr. Lambert and Commissioners on whether Dawson Drive
should be planned for a s xt� y root width and the determination was that Dawson
Drive was a "Collector" road and should be considered as such by the developer.
Mr. Lambert also wanted to know if emergency access roads were deductible, and
ommmC ssioner Carico observed that it had not been the Town policy to deduct.
emergency access roads. All the r_wrHgA4,.... agreed an this. CGL:
.I:a to
.... m, r�11i17/
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins
and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl that the road designations and accompanying
road rights-of-way will be as suggested, that is, cul-de-sacs will begin at the
last intersection.
MOTION PASSED BY CONSENSUS: It was the consensus that the Lands of Dawson,
Q�
File #TM 2073-77, be continued to the meeting of December 14.
40 OLD BUSINESS:
Commissioner Stewart asked when the memorandum on the revisions to Ordinance 232
would go to the City Council. The secretary responded that they would be sent
by the second meeting of the City Council in December.
NEW BUSINESS:
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins
and seconded by Commissioner Stewart that the Minutes of October 24 be approved.
MOTION PASSED BY CONSENSUS: It was the consensus that the Minutes of November 9
be held over to the meeting of December 14.
MOTION PASSED BY CONSENSUS: It was the consensus that the Minutes of November 12
first be corrected with the addition of Paul Nowack and Rick Hirsch as being
present at the meeting, and then that the Minutes of November 12 be held over
to the December 14 meeting for approval.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further new or old business, the meeting of the Planning Commission
was adjourned at 11:50 P.M..
Respectfully submitted,
Ethel Hopkins
Secretary