Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/08/19780 VARIANCE AND PERMIT COMMISSION ` Town of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, February 8, 1978 Reel 66, Side 2, Tr.2, 183 to 441 Chairman Dochnahl called the meeting of the Variance and Permit Commission to order at 6:37 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Dochnahl, VanTamelen and Perkins Also Present: Town Planner/Engineer John Markl, Secretary Ethel Hopkins APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of November 30, 1977 Since former Variance and Permit Commission member Stewart had indicated in writing his approval of the November 30 Minutes, it was proposed by Commissioner Dochnahl and the consensus of the Commissioners present that the Minutes be approved as written. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. LANDSOF EVANS, File #VAR. 7048-77, 26475 Anacapa Drive, Paul Nowack & Associates, nc., ng neer, equest or Variance in Setback to Construct a Garage and Carport Town Planner/Engineer Markl discussed pertinent information on the above request as contained in his staff report dated January 30, 1978, noting that the applicant wished to obtain a variance from the setback requirements in order to construct a garage. He recommended visual screening to obscure the area from street view. Commissioners asked questions on whether the applicant had considered extending his house on the southwesterly side so that the garage could be accommodated within the setback area, whether an adequate turn around space would be provided, and whether the applicant could do without a garage. The hearing was opened to the public. Howard EvansA licant,stated that his reasons for requesting a variance were set ou in s orig na app ication. He discussed the several alternative plans sub- mitted, noting that Alternative A was not acceptable because the setback limit was at the edge of the house and the back yard dropped off very quickly, while Alternative B was not desirable because it would gut into the side of the house. It was noted that the site could accommodate off-street parking, and that the garage should be limited to one story since the house was a one-story house. The six reasons for granting a variance were reviewed, and the following motions passed. MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner VanTamelen, [ seconded by Commissioner Perkins and unanimously approved that a condition be added to the effect that: The garage addition shall be limited to a single story. MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins, VARIANCE AND PERMIT COMMISSION MINUTES - February 8, 1978 Page two PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF EVANS, File #VAR. 7048-77: (continued) seconded by Commissioner VanTamelen, and passed unanimously to recommend approval of the variance for Lands of Evans, File #VAR. 7048-77, with conditions as amended. 2. LANDS OF C.C.YIN File #VAR. 7049-78 26625 Snell Lane, C.C.Yin, Engineer, eques or ar ance n etloack to Construct a Swimming Pool Mr. Markl discussed Mr. Yin's request as explored in his staff report of January 29. Items covered in the discussion were reasons for not locating the pool in an area where a lot of mature landscaping would have to be removed, and the fact that a large natural swale area crossedthefront of the property. Commissioner VanTamelen inquired about the liability of Mr. Yin for having an un- fenced pool bordering a public park such as the Esther Clark Park. Thereafter, the hearing was opened to the public. C.C. Yin,A licant, noted that Esther Clark Park was kept mostly as open space, and t a ew peop a wa ked there. Most of the people in the area were on horseback. He noted, however, that he planned to fence the pool. He reviewed his reasons for obtaining a variance for the specific area proposed for the pool, noting the needs to supervise young children in the family who would be using the pool area and also to accommodate gracefully a horse corral and gate area at the back of his property. William Perkins 26623 Snell Lane, spoke as a neighbor in favor of Mr. Yin's request. Re no at t e ocation o the pool at the front of the property would be unaccepta- ble because of the important drainage swale that crosses the property and noted further that the proximity to Palo Alto was an important point. However, the setback area Mr. Yin would have would be in excess to anything that Palo Alto required. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner VanTamelen, seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl, and carried that the variance request of Lands of Yin, File #VAR. 7049-78, be recommended for approval with conditions. Voting for the motion were Commissioners VanTamelen and Dochnahl. Commissioner Perkins abstained. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further new or old business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:20 P.M.. Respectfully submitted, Ethel Hopkins Secretary