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Minutes of a Regular Meeting DRAFT
Town of Los Altos Hills
PLANNING COMMISSION
Thursday,March 25, 2004, 7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road
cc: Cassettes ( 1 )#5-04
1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Planning Commission regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers at Town Hall.
Present: Commissioners Vitu, Cottrell &Kerns
Absent: Chairman Clow & Commissioner Mordo
Staff: Carl Cahill, Planning Director; Debbie Pedro, Associate Planner; Lani Smith,
Planning Secretary
2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR-none
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
3.1 LANDS OF PACKARD FOUNDATION, 26580 Taaffe Road (31-04-CUP); A
request for a Conditional Use Permit modification to allow small meetings of up
to 45 persons (from 30 persons). (staff-Debbie Pedro)
Staff introduced this item by noting a correction to "Number of Events Allowed per Year"
columns, stating the number should be "6" not "2". Staff stated that the City Council approved a
Conditional Use Permit on December 2, 1999 to allow the Packard Foundation to utilize the
residence and detached office structure for meetings of non-profit organizations subject to certain
limitations. The Use Permit established a number of conditions including restrictions on the
number and size of meetings permitted each year. Currently, small meetings of up to 30 persons
can be held at the property without limits. On February 13, 2004, the applicant submitted a letter
to the Town requesting to increase the maximum number of persons allowed at small meetings
from 30 persons to 45 persons. According to the applicant, by allowing up to 45 guests for small
meetings, the Foundation will be able to accommodate two events simultaneously and fully
utilize the large conference room to its capacity of 45 guests. Since the Foundation began its
operation at the Taaffe Road property in 2001, the Town has received no complaints from
neighbors or residents regarding the activities on the site. The request to modify the number of
guests allowed for small meeting will not substantially intensify the use of the site. Staff is
recommending approval of the applicant's request to modify condition of approval #10, to allow
up to 45 people for small meetings. In addition, staff is recommending the deletion of condition
numbers 11, 12, 13 and 15 because these conditions have been completed by the applicant and
are no longer applicable.
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March 25, 2004
Page 2
OPENED PUBLIC HEARING
George Vera, 300 Second Street, Los Altos, David and Lucile Packard Foundation
representative, was available for questions. He stated that the property is used for charitable
purposes so that the only individuals who will be using it are on staff, board members plus
grantees. He further discussed the number of meetings per year as noted in the staff report.
David Beyer, 26030 Elena Road, neighbor, voiced no objections to the modification of the Use
Permit.
CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING
The Commissioners were all in agreement with the modification to the Use Permit.
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Cottrell and seconded by
Commissioner Vitu to forward a recommendation of approval to the City Council for the
requested Conditional Use Permit modification to allow small meetings of up to 45 persons,
Lands of Packard Foundation, 26580 Taaffe Road, with the deletion of conditions 11, 12, 13 and
15 because these conditions have been completed by the applicant and are no longer applicable.
AYES: Commissioners Kerns, Vitu &Cottrell
NOES: None
ABSENT: Chairman Clow &Commissioner Mordo
This item will be scheduled for a City Council public hearing agenda.
3.2 LANDS OF SPECTOR & ANE\4ER, 26625 St. Francis Drive (193-03-ZP-SD-
VAR); A request for a Site Development Permit for a 1,192 square foot pool and
spa and a variance to allow deck encroachment into setbacks. (staff-Debbie
Pedro)
Staff introduced this item stating the applicants are requesting a variance to rebuild an existing
pool deck encroaching into the side yard setback by up to 12 feet with a new pool deck that will
be in approximately the same location. Findings for the variance have been prepared by the
applicants and are included in the staff report. According to the applicants, it is impractical to
move the pool deck to an alternate location because the outdoor entertainment area will not be
located within a reasonable distance from the bathroom and the outdoor barbeque that is located
on the east side of the house. In addition, the existing sewer line which is located on the north
and west side of the pool, does pose some constraints to the placement of the new pool and
decking. The adjacent neighbor closest to where the deck encroachment occurs has submitted a
letter to the Town indicating no issues with the proposal. Relocating the deck to another area of
the yard will not serve to reduce any adverse visual or privacy impacts.
OPENED PUBLIC HEARING
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Page 3
David Spector and Karen Ammer, 26625 St. Francis Drive, applicants, were available for
questions.
CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING
Discussion ensued with a consensus of approval.
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Vitu and seconded by
Commissioner Cottrell to approve the requested Site Development Permit and Variance, subject
to the recommended conditions and findings of approval in Attachments 1 and 2, Lands of
Spector and Ammer, 26625 St. Francis Drive.
AYES: Commissioners Kerns, Cottrell &Vitu
NOES: None
ABSENT: Chairman Clow &Commissioner Mordo
3.3 LANDS OF KERNS, 11888 Francemont Drive (225-03-ZP-SD); A request for a
Site Development Permit for landscape screening (north side only) and a lighting
plan (continued from the February 12th Planning Commission meeting). (staff-
Carl Cahill)
Continued to the April 8, 2004 Planning Commission meeting due to the lack of a quorum.
4. OLD BUSINESS
4.1 Report from subcommittees-none
5. NEW BUSINESS-none
6. REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
6.1 Planning Commission Representative for March 18th -Commissioner Kerns,
reported on the following: acceptance of pathway easement: Lands of Kerns and Lands of
Wang; and consideration of Mora Heights sewer requests, Lawrence Hall.
6.2 Planning Commission Representative for April 1"-Commissioner Vitu
6.3 Planning Commission Representative for April 15th—Commissioner Clow
6.4 Planning Commission Representative for May 6th—Commissioner Cottrell
7. APPROVAL OF NIINUTES
7.1 Approval of March 11, 2004 minutes-will be available April 8, 2004
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March 25, 2004
Page 4
8. REPORT FROM FAST TRACK MEETING-MARCH 16, 2004
8.1 LANDS OF MA, 28238 Christophers Lane (238-03-ZP-SD-GD); A request for a
Site Development Permit for a 1,615 square foot addition (maximum height
24'5"). Approved with conditions.
9. REPORT FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETING-MARCH 23, 2004
9.1 LANDS OF TAVANA, 14125 Seven Acres Lane (206-03-ZP-SD); A request for
a Site Development Permit for a 1,106 square foot addition (maximum height 19
feet) (continued from March 9, 2004). Approved with conditions.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 7:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lani Smith
Planning Secretary