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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/11/1978Amended Minutes PLANNING COMMISSION kw Town of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, January 11, 1978 Reel 66, Side I, Tr. 1, 001 to End, Side II, Tr. 1, 001 to 901 Chairman Stewart called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:45 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Stewart, Carico, Lachenbruch, Perkins, Dochnahl, Kuranoff Absent: Commissioner vanTamelen Also Present: City Manager Robert Crowe, City Engineer Alexander Russell, City Planner/Engineer John Markl, Secretary Ethel Hopkins Press: Richard Hanner, Palo Alto Times CONSENT CALENDAR: The Minutes of December 14 were requested to be removed from the Consent Calendar. ` MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl that the remaining items on the Consent Calendar be approved, namely the following: Acceptance for filing of Tentative Maps for (a) Lands of Lambert, File #TM 2074-77, Page Mill Road, Dexter Ahlgren, Engineer; and (b) Lands of Casterson, File #TM 2075-77, Elena Road (near Dawn Lane), Brian, Kangas, Foulk & Associates, Engineers. Commissioner Lachenbruch requested that the following corrections be made in the Minutes of December 14: Page three, under Condition 16, the last line of the first paragraph should read "...since he hoped that Altamont Road would never need to be wider than it is at present." He added the statement 'He felt, however, that the full 60 feet of right-of-way was needed to avoid congestion and that the fence will ultimately have to be removed, not to provide a wider roadway, but to provide for an appropriate pathway along this important route.' MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch and seconded by Commissioner Perkins that the Minutes of December 14 be approved as amended. AYES: Commissioners Stewart, Carico, Lachenbruch and Perkins NOES: None ABSTAIN: Commissioners Dochnahl and Kuranoff PUBLIC HEARINGS: I. LANDS OF DAWSON. File #TM 2073-77 Paul Nowack & Associates, Engineer, Request for Recommendation of Approval of Negative Declaration and Request for Recommenda- tion of Approval of Tentative Map (continued from December 14, 1977), PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - January 11, 1978 Page two `' PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF DAWSON, File #TM 2073-77: (continued) Town Planner/Engineer John Markl discussed pertinent information on the above request as contained in his staff report of December 8 and supplemented by his letter of December 21, 1977. Items discussed by Mr. Mark] were faults on the Dawson property, traffic hazards, the Hale Creek Dam removal, the drainage through the Hale Creek stream bed, the problems of noise and suggested solutions, and path- way requests. He added that a portion of a soils investigation had been received and reviewed by the Town, and that the City Engineer had agreed that the soils report sufficiently illustrated the buildability of the building sites in the subdivision. Discussion among Commissioners began with Commissioner Lachenbruch requesting that the issue of whether Lot 38 (formerly Lot 40) should be included in slope density calculations be re -opened for discussion. Itwaspointed out by staff that a ra- ther sizeable conservation easement had been granted on Lot 38, and since it was the feeling of the Planning Commission to retain Lot 38 as one unit, the lot had been permitted to remain in its entirety in slope density calculations. Commission- er Lachenbruch, however, stated that his objection and reason he would vote against a request for a conditional exception to slope density requirements was that allowing one large subdivision lot without reducing the total number of lots resulted in over- crowding elsewhere in the subdivison.Thereafter, the hearing was opened to the public. Alan Lambert 141 First Street Los Altos Develo er, reviewed the history of the su lv s on, note the ways an num er o t mes the subdivision map had been re- vised to comply with Town requests, pointed out that $43,000 had been spent re- moving an illegally built damllmrthe property and that extensive studies on noise and traffic had been completed, that soils studies had been completed, andthereaf- ter, requested that the Commission approve the tentative map before them. toward L. Pack Edward L. Pack Associates 2940 Scott Boulevard Santa Clara discussed a comps ng o t e no se figures ort a awson property, appropriate mitigation measures, and noted that in order to use trees to mitigate noise, the planting must be of a substantial nature. Walter are orvicn Lnallma0 Noise Abatement Committee, stated his concurrence WTT Re-PackRe—Pack report, ut cited the Caltrans report recommending trees as a noise mitigating measure. He spoke for several noise mitigating measures, including berms and structural designs which controlled window openings, but noted that trees were also effective as a psychological measure to screen freeway areas from sight. He added that this screening was effective in that what was not seen was not given so much thought. He recommended several rows of trees to mitigate noise on lots. Bill Behn 11750 Magdalena, Los Altos HillsCount ,spoke against twelve feet fig berms being p ace opposite s property on t e Magdalena side of the property. He stated that these berms would obstruct the views of people who resided in the area. Artemis Gins ton 28014 Natoma Road spoke against berms for noise abatement, stating tall l was more mportan o rets n the views which "refresh our souls". Louis H. Larsen Civil En sneer and Traffic En ineer Consultant 2787 Moo ark Avenue an Jose, scusse t o resu s o s tra c s u y, state t o t o previous traffic PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - January 11, 1978 Page three PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF DAWSON, File NTM 2073-77: (continued) report had adequately addressed the traffic impact of the Dawson development, and discussed the requests of Commissioner vanTamelen and William Behn for a) ade- quate provision for all forms of traffic on Magdalena and b) the provision for ashone tetcaccidat ents of aenaashe most optimum place for this intersection. Dennis Hollwedel,12360 Priscilla Lane asked whether a through road would be pro- vided on this development and was told by Commissioner Stewart that it was the con- sensus of the Commission that there should not be a through road. Mr. Hollwidel spoke for thepathway through the easement area on the property, and asked whether an Environmental Impact Report had been completed on the property. He was told by Mr. Markl that after completion of the EIR assessments, it was felt that one was not needed. Bets Fiksdal Chairwoman Pathwa Committee, discussed pathway recommendations on It 0awsun property as recommended in at way Committee Minutes of November 28 and January 9, 1978. Concern was expressed by Commissioner Perkins that a path used by pedestrians and horse traffic would also be used by motorcycles. Further discussion ensued on where paths should be located and what traffic they should accommodate. so At 10:10 P.M. a short recess was called. The meeting was resumed at 10:20, and the following motion was passed on the second item on the agenda. 2. LANDS OF CRIST, File HTM 2062-77, Page Mill and Lupine Road, Paul Nowack and Associates, Engineer, Request for Recommendation of Approval of Neqative Declaration and Request for Recommendation of Approval of Tentative Map (continued from December 14, 1977) It was the consensus of the Commission that Lands of Crist would be continued to the meeting of January 25 because it was unrealistic that this could be heard that evening. The developer was in concurrence with this, but requested that Lands of Crist would be the first item of business on the agenda on the twenty-fifth. Discussion returned to the Lands of Dawson. John Damivandi 25578 Willow Pond Lane and 220 te Stre reques a tat t e annrng omm ssion approve Staa an ets oLos Altos Developer, F awSOK. John Dawson 11627 Ma dal Avenue spoke against a pathway bordering his property, recommen e a committee 6? three work with the subdivider on the matter of preventing motorcycle intrusion, and requested that the Commission recommend approval of the Lands of Dawson. The public hearing was closed, and the discussion returned to the Commission with twe Commissioner Carico making the statement that while she acknowledged that noise was a real problem, she felt that the matter of noise was best handled by the property owners or purchaser and their subdivider. She added that if she were purchasing pro- perty, it would be her feeling that she would handle the noise problem herself. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - January 11, 1978 Page four PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF DAWSON, File NTM 2073-77: (continued) Various Commissioners expressed agreement with Commissioner Carico's feeling about noise mitigation requirements and concern over the Planning Commission role in recommending these measures. Commissioner Kuranoff noted that minimum -sized lots should be eliminated if berms and walls would crowd development on them. Commissioner Perkins observed that some mechanism was needed for flagging lots with noise problems. Alan Lambert, Develo er, stated that the Commission could require that the public recor issue y the ReaI Estate Commission make mention of the noise problems. He added that this record should be required to be reviewed by potential purchasers. Walter Greorwich Noise Abatement Committee expressed frustration at working on noise mit gatron reconmen ations which were not adhered to by the Planning Commission. Chairman Stewart began a review of the suggested conditions, with the result that the following motions were passed: Added Condition: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins, seconded by Commissioner Stewart, and passed by unanimous roll call vote that a condition be added: 4W Access to lots having frontage on the conservation easement shall be allowed, and either a bridge or culvert shall be allowed on the following lots: Lots 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41. These improvements within the conservation easement shall be subject to review at the time of site development. Condition 5: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins, seconded by Commissioner Doch- nahl and passed by unanimous roll call vote to amend Condition 5.by add- ing this sentence to the end of Condition 5(b): Creek improvements shall not destroy the natural and aesthetic characteristics of the channel. Natural material shall be used wherever possible; if con- crete is necessary it shall be colored. Condition 6: It was the consensus of the Commission that Condition 6 be amended as follows: Condition 6(b) shall readl'14ell shed on proposed Lot 2 shall be removed and the well protected by a smaller cover. Condition 6(d): Concrete foundation on Lot 13. Condition 8: It was the consensus of the Commission that Condition 8 should be amended with the addition of Condition 8(a): A sewer lateral shall be installed terminating at the property line of the present Watson residence. Condition 11: It was the consensus of the Commission that Condition 11 be reworded to read: If the existing well is to be abandoned on the proposed Lot 2, it must be ... (the rest of the Conditon remains as written). Condition 14: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins and the consensus of the Commis- sion that Condition 14 be amended to read as follows: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - January 11, 1978 Page five +*A" PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF DAWSON, File BTM 2073-77: (continued) Condition 14: Unimproved emergency access easements shall be provided as shown on the revised Tentative Map dated December 8, 1977: (a) Between Lots 29 and 30; Lots 17 and 18; NBetween On the westerly edge of Lot 24; and (d) Adjacent to the south-easterly property lines- of Lots 32 and 37 as shown on Sheet 3 of the Tentative Map dated December 8, 1977. (e) The road within the twenty foot emergency access frontinq Lots 32 and 37, as referenced in (d) above, shall be constructed, between the gates as shown on Sheet 3, of an all-weather material of not less than six inches of base rock. Condition 16: No change was requested in the requirements of Condition 16, but Commissioner Lachenbruch expressed a desire to avoid rolled curbs and gutters for the streets of the sub- division where possible. Paul Nowack requested that the engineer be permitted to work out t e moh�fe_asible way of designing streets, incorporating the expressed preferences in the designs, and this was acceptable to the Commissioners. Condition 17: It was the consensus of the Commission that Condition 17 be amended in the last phrase of the second line which should read: "...no hoofed animals pastured or structures.."(rest of the condition to remain as written). Condition 18: Commissioner Lachenbruch stated that he felt Condition 18 was in conflict with the intent on the ordinances on slope density, and that the congestion of the rest of the subdivision reflected this. He felt that the reduction of the subdivision from 43 to 42 lots was not unreasonable under these circumstances. It was moved by Commissioner Carico, seconded by Commissioner Lachen- bruch that the Commissioners vote whether to leave Condition 18 in the list of conditions. Voting for the retention of Condition 18 were Commissioners Perkins and Dochnahl. Voting against retaining Condition 18 were Commissioners Stewart, Carico, Lachenbruch and Kuranoff. Condition 18 was deleted. Condition 20: Discussion on whether to remove or restrict the keeping of horses concluded with the Commissioners voting to delete Condition 20, since it was the feeling that drainage and erosion problems could be dealt with on steep lots by property owners themselves. The recommendation to delete Condition 20 was approved by consensus. Condition 21: It was the consensus of the Commission that Condition 21 be deleted. `, Condition 22: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Doch- nahl that the proposed Condition 22 of the December 21 memo from the Town Planner be substituted for Condition 22 on the December 9 list of conditions. Voting for the motion were Commissioners Lachenbruch and PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - January 11, 1978 Page six PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF DAWSON File #TM 2073-77: (continued) Condition 22: (continued) and Dochnahl, against it were Commissioners Stewart, Carico, Perkins and Kuranoff. Condition 22: It was moved by Commissioner Kuranoff and seconded by Commissioner Perkins that a new Condition 22 replace the one proposed on the original list of conditions: Condition 22. The results and reco- mendations of the Edward L. PacTWETTssociates report dated Decem- ber 9 shall be incorporated into the real estate report and CC&Rs and therefore be provided to the purchasers of lots in this sub- division. AYES: Commissioners Stewart, Carico, Lachenbruch, Perkins, Kuranoff NOES: Commissioner Dochnahl ABSTAIN: None Condition 23: It was the consensus of the Commission that Condition 23 be amended by striking "...on proposed Lots 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 25, 34, 35, 38, 39, 41 and 42." and substituting '...on any proposed lot in the subdivision.' Condition 24: It was the consensus of the Commission that Condition 24(b) be amended to read: 24(b). Construct a Type 2A path five feet (5') wide on all proposed public streets within the public rights-of-way within the subdivision. It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and approved by consensus that Condition 24(c) read: Construct a dual pathway with one side of the pathway of asphaltic concrete for pedestrian use and the other a natural or Type 2A path for equestrian use within the public right- of-way along Magdalena Avenue. It was moved by Commissioner Carico, seconded by Commissioner Stewart, and passed by unanimous roll call vote that Condition 24(d) read: Provide pathway easements within the emergency easements. Condition 25: Condition 25 was to be revised according to the number of lots in the subdivision. Mr. Markl advised the Comnission,in response to Commissioner Stewart's question on this, that the Hale Creek Dam removal and creek improvements would be adequate to deal with downstream drainage according to the Santa Clara Valley Water District. MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Carico and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch that the Negative Declaration be amended by deleting the statement under Mitigating Measures, i.e., "Construction of noise attenuation berms on lots subject to high levels of peak freeway noise." The motion was passed unanimously. MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins, seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl and passed unanimously that a Negative Declara- tion be filed for the Lands of Dawson, File #TM 2073-77, as amended. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - January 17, 1968 #Ar Page seven PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF DAWSON, File #TM 2073-77: (continued) Commissioner Stewart requested that the matters of putting in a pay phone at the Magdalena off -ramp and putting in a stop sign be checked with Santa Clara County. Discussion was concluded with the agreement between the developer, Mr. Lambert, and the Commission that Mr. Lambert would show the Planning Commission the revised map to be sent to the City Council. This would be done at the January 25 meeting. MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch, seconded by Commissioner Perkins, and passed by unanimous roll call vote to recommend approval of the Tentative Map for the Lands of Dawson, File #TM 2073-77, with conditions as amended and subject to the deletion of one lot. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Model Community Noise Ordinance: It was the consensus of the Commission that the above measure be postponed because of the lateness of the hour to the next meeting of the Planning Commission. 2. Planning Commission Institute, February 1-3 1978: Chairman Stewart advised Commissioners that if anyone was interested in attending the February 1-3 Institute, he should talk with Mr. Markl and advise the Town of their wish to attend. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further new or old business, the meeting of the Planning Commission was adjourned by Chairman Stewart at 1:36 A.M.. Respectfully submitted, Ethel Hopkins Secretary Vol