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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/08/1978 (2)it .AMENDED MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Town of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, March 8, 1978 Reel 67, Side I, Tr. 2, 460 to End; Side II, Tr. 2, 001 to 803 Chairman Stewart called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order in the Council Chambers of Town Hall at 7:52 P.M.. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Stewart, Carico, Lachenbruch, Perkins, VanTamelen, Dochnahl Absent: Commissioner Kuranoff Also Present: City Manager Robert Crowe, Town Planner/Engineer John Markl, Secretary Ethel Hopkins CONSENT CALENDAR: The Minutes of February 22 were removed from the Consent Calendar for correction. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl, seconded by Commissioner Perkins, and passed by unanimous consent that the Minutes of February 8 be approved as submitted. Corrections on the Minutes of February 22 were as follows: 1. Page two - The motion at the top of the page should read: 'It was moved by Commissioner Perkins, seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl, and approved unanimously to accept the plan dated February 16, 1976, and submitted to the Planning Commission for review, as the basis for the design of the entranceway to Saddle Mountain Estates.' 2. Page four - The condition in the motion should be reworded to read: 'The Subdivider shall dedicate to the Town his interest in Chaparral Way.' On the vote on the motion, Commissioner vanTamelen's "no" vote should be changed to 'Abstain'. MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins, seconded by Commissioner Carico and passed unanimously, that the Minutes of February 22 be approved as amended. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. LANDS OF GERARD INVESTMENT, LTD., File #TM 2071-77, Moody Road, Paul Nowack and Associates, Engineer, Requests for Recommendation of Approval of Negative Declaration and Tentative Map (Continued from meeting of February 22) Mr. Markl reviewed background information on the above request. In a short discussion on the results of the field trip to the site of the proposed subdivision, Commissioner PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - March 8, 1978 Page two PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF GERARD INVESTMENT, LTD., File RTM 2071-77: (continued) Perkins expressed his concern that adequate fire protection be provided in the hillside area covered with heavy underbrush, and also his feeling that the hill- side be preserved in as natural a state as possible. Thereafter, the hearing was opened to the public. Alan Lambert 141 First Streetj. Los Altos A licant, noted that an area of one un re ee musBe c eare in t e u ng s to area and that this might take care of the fire hazard problem in the underbrush area. He also asked that some provision be made to construct a studio or gazebo in the area proposed for the expanded Conservation Easement. Bob Stutz, 25310 Elena Road, spoke for the pathway request onthe downhill side of Chaparral Way, and while he acknowledged the steepness of the area, it was his feeling that if this were the only access to Town -owned property nearby, the path should be built. The public hearing was closed, and discussion continued among comm ssioners on(Amend.3/22) the location of a sewer line and ways to protect the area where the sewer is to be installed from scarring from construction. Bud Chor, En ineer Paul Nowack and Associates, suggested that supervision be main - Ta ne wen a sewer s constructed so excessive scarring be prevented. He stated that the proposed development for the path on the hillside from Chaparral was the most economically feasible. Alan Lanbert Develo er, suggested that with appropriate backfilling and appropriate an scop ng w re resistant plants, the area where the sewer line would be in- stalled might end up better than before the construction occurred. MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins, seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl, and passed unanimously that the following be added to the list of conditions: The construction zone for the sanitary sewer shall be replanted to remove any evidence of construction. Discussion turned to the areas to be included in the Conservation Easement, and what activities should properly be allowed to take place, whether it was desirable to allow an area for the construction of a gazebo on Lot 5, and whether an area for stabling horses should be provided near Tanglewood Lane. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins, seconded by Commissioner VanTamelen, and passed unanimously that the following be added to the list of conditions: The bounds of the additional Conservation Easement shall be approximately the extension of Lot 4 and Lot 5 boundary southward one hundred and ten (1101), thence westerly approximately two hundred feet (200') to the initially pro- posed Conservation Easement line. This easement shall include all area southerly to Tanglewood Lane and over a portion of Lot 2 between Tanglewood Lane, the L proposed sanitary sewer easement, and the initally proposed Conservation Easement. kr (a) A portion of Lot 5 near the intersection of Tanglewood Lane and its southerly boundary shall be excluded from the Conservation Easement for stabling purposes. (See Exhibit A.) PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - March 8, 1978 Page three PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF GERARD INVESTMENT LTD. File #TM 2071-77: (continued) In discussing further con loons, it was the consensus of the Commission that they did not wish to reconsider the pathway on Lot 5. Commissioner Dochnahl stated that he could not advocate the steep pathway that would necessitate seventeen switchbacks along the boundary of Lot 5. (Amended 3/22/78) Commissioner Carico stated that a list of conditions for things that would be allowed in a conservation easement area had been drawn up with the Lands of Newman; it was her feeling that this list be used to work out things that would be allowed in the Conservation Easement in the subject subdivision. The following motion was passed: MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Perkins, and passed by unanimous roll call vote that two Planning Commissioners, Staff and the developer's engineer shall work out the things allowed in the Conservation Easement. (Commissioners Dochnahl and Perkins were named as Commissioners to work this out with Staff and the developer's engineer.) Camaissioner Lachenbruch asked if any provision was made for non -vehicular traffic (joggers, bicyclists, etc.) along Moody Road but was told by Mr. Crave that no further pathway could be provided on Moody Road because of a steep bank on one side bordering Lands of Gerard Investment Ltd. property, and opposite this snap bank, the roadway belongs to the.County. Discussion was concluded and the 4W recommendations to the Council made. MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl, seconded by Commissioner Carico, and passed unanimously that a Negative Declaration be recommended for the Lands of Gerard Investment, Ltd., File #TM 2071-77. MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins, seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl, and passed unanimously that Lands of Gerard Investment, Ltd., File #TM 2071-77, be recommended for approval with conditions as amended. 2. LANDS OF COUNTRY WAY SUBDIVISION File #TM 2041-75, Page Mill Road and Three ors ane, George o e ssocia es, ngineer, Request for Review of New Map Submitted for Subdivision City Manager Robert Crowe reviewed the history of the subdivision request before the Planning Commission, noting that the resubmitted fourteen lot subdivision was before the Planning Commission for review of the conditions approved on the sixteen lot subdivision at the Planning Commission meeting of March 9, 1977 and a decision on a pathway along the easterly boundary of the subdivision. The Commission was to submit recommendations on the resubmitted Tentative Map for Country Way Sub- division for the City Council meeting of March 15. Discussion began among Commissioners and Staff with Commissioner Lachenbruch asking for information on slope density for Lots 8, 9, 10, ll and 13 and expressing concern that any lot in the subdivision was further subdividable. Commissioner Stewart `, referred to Conditions 13 through 15 and expressed concern on access to Three Forks Lane. Thereafter, the meeting was opened to the public discussion. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - March 8, 1978 far Page four PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 2. LANDS OF COUNTRY WAY SUBDIVISION, File HTM 2041-76: (continued) Al Woolworth 13901 Cam o Vista Lane Applicant, discussed the proposal before Meommission. a reques a at some area for stabling horses be provided on Lot 12 in the Conservation Easement area since a part of the area was level and purchasers of lot would naturally want some stabling area. Tom Brower Beor a Nolte anI Associates En ineer, spoke for the stabling area to e perm tte n e onservation asement area, since the area being requested was level and would permit this use. Commissioners, however, pointed out the problem of hoofed animals getting across the Conservation Easement area to the stabling area and the fact that the area being discussed was an ecologically fragile one. Bob Stutz, 25310 Elena Road, stated that the area being requested for stabling purposes was somew al swampy and then discussed the pathway request for a path in the Conservation Easement area. Roland Von Huene 73500 South Fork Lane expressed concern on drainage from the onserva on asemen area owing into Matadero Creek, and concern on the further ` subdividability of Lot 12. He stated that a path in the Conservation Easement area would open the area to motorcycles and increase greatly the fire hazard. Wallace Ster South e Fork Lane stated he was against this subdivision and that it was no appropr a r t Jnd it was on. He felt that the utility easement negated the Conservation Easement and that this was true also for the path and horse trail being proposed by Mr. Stutz. It was his feeling that any trails or easements on the eastern side of the subdivision were a mistake. Penny Woolworth, Campo Vista Lane, spoke for the approval of the subdivision. QFCou emus 13680 Pae Mill Road, spoke for a path to follow the countour area ins o e s eep canyon area on the east side of the subdivision, pointing out that there was less invasion of privacy on the contour area and less of an erosion problem. Bonnie Davis 13452 South Fork Lane, expressed concern for privacy, the problems of ire an eros on a pa being proposed were installed. She stated her opposition to the path being proposed and suggested instead that the path be put on the other side of the subdivision. The public hearing was closed, and discussion returned to the Commission. A need was expressed by Commissioners to walk the site, and discussion continued on the matters of the public utilities easement on the east side of the property, lot configurations, the pathway request and the conservation easement. MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl, seconded by Commissioner Perkins, and passed unanimously that the public utility and sanitary sewer easement on the eastern side of the subdivision be deleted. (Condition 3 on the approved checklist dated April 1, 1977) PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - March 8, 1978 Page five PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 2. LANDS OF COUNTRY WAY SUBDIVISION, File #TM 2041-76: (continued) MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch, seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl, and passed by unanimous roll call vote, to amend Condition 20 on the April 1, 1977 list of conditions to read: Dedicate a conservation easement to the Town running from the westerly conservation easement line as shown on the revised Tentative Map dated February 24, 1978, to the easterly property line of all lots except Lot 12 where it shall terminate with the 330 foot contour line. The following uses shall be prohibited within the conservation easement: (Thereafter, sections (a) through (e) remain as written.) MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch, seconded by Commissioner Carico, and passed by unanimous vote, that a new condition be added: Lot lines shall be adjusted so that no lot in the subdivision has a formal yield of more than 1.8 units. Considerable discussion occurred on alternatives for pathsand conservation areas. Commissioner Stewart acknowledged letters received from Bonnie and Kenneth L. Davis, Cordell Green, and Roland vonHuene regarding the conservation easement areas and the pathway proposal. Commissioner Carico asked what the chances were for the Town topick up a pathway on the school property bordering Lands of Country Way Subdivision 40 on the west and was told by Mr. Crowe that while Purissima Hills Water District had purchased some of the area for a water tank, some way could probably be worked out to go around the tank site; however, the path connection really depended on how the school property was developed. The following motions were passed amendina Conditions No. 13 and 14: MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner VanTamelen, and carried, that Conditions 13 and 14 be amended to read: Condition 13: Dedicate a thirty foot (30') easement adjacent to the northerly line of Lot A2 for for future widening of Three Forks Lane. Condition 14: Dedicate an easement on Lot #13 for the future widening of Three Forks Lane; the easement shall vary in width from fifty feet (509 to thirty feet (30'). AYES: Commissioners Stewart, Carico, Lachenbruch, VanTamelen, and Dochnahl NOES: Commissioner Perkins ABSTAIN: None Further discussion on the pathway request for the eastern side of the subdivision in the conservation easement area resulted in Commissioner Perkins expressing his opposition to the path easement request, stating that it degraded the effectiveness of the conservation easement and at the same time was very restrictive to the property owners. Also cited was the fire hazard the pathway would create. Commissioner Lachen- `r brach stated that he too was opposed to any path other than what was already a part of the conditions. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - March 8, 1978 Page six PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 2. LANDS OF COUNTRY WAY SUBDIVISION, File #TM 2041-76: (continued) Al Woolworth, Applicant, stated his opposition to a path easement in the conservation Basemen ai rea an t astern side of the subdivision. MOTION SECONDED AND DEFEATED: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl, seconded by Commissioner Stewart and defeated that a pathway easement in the conservation area on the eastern side of the subdivision be required. AYES: Commissioner Dochnahl NOES: Commissioners Stewart, Carico, Lachenbruch and Perkins ABSTAIN: Commissioner VanTamelen Commissioner Dochnahl stated, after the vote was taken, that he wanted to make sure that there was a record that the Planning Commission had taken a stand on the path issue on the eastern side of the subdivision. This was his reason for making the motion. MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Perkins and passed unanimously that a Negative Declaration be filed for the Lands of Country Way Subdivision, File #TM 2041-76. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carico and carried that the Commission recommend approval for the Lands of Country Way Subdivision, File #TM 2041-76 with conditions as amended. AYES: Commissioner Stewart, Carico, Lachenbruch, and Perkins NOES: Commissioner VanTamelen ABSTAIN: Commissioner Dochnahl Commissioner Dochnahl explained that his abstaining vote was because he had not had the opportunity to explore the property. At 11:41 a recess was called; the meeting resumed at approximately 11:50. After the recess, Chairman Stewart explained that the Lands of Lambert, File #ili 2074-77 and the Lands of Berry Hill Farms, File #CU 8028-77, would not be considered by the Planning Commission that evening because there was not enough time to give adequate consideration that evening. The applicant, Mr. Lambert, had agreed that they could be continued to the meeting of March 22 where they would be the first items on the agenda. 5. LANDS OFTAYLOR File #TM 2077-78, Miranda Road, Paul Nowack and Associates, Inc., ng neer, eques s or ecommendations of Approval on Negative Declaration and Tentative Map Mr. Markl reviewed the proposed subdivision and pointed out the problem with the road connection into the Town of Los Altos that led to his recommendation of denial of the subdivision request. A full discussion of this matter may be seen in the Staff report of March 1, 1978. Thereafter, the hearing was opened to the public. 4 Paul Nawack En sneer for the A licant, noted that the reason for the proposed 4r stree connec ion was a ey owned the lot across the creek but it has no access. They want to convey to the City of Los Altos the Townis feeling on access from Los Altos Hills; he asked that the Planning Commission make known the Town's feeling on access from Los Altos Hills. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - March 8, 1978 L Page seven PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 5. LANDS OF TAYLOR, File CTM 2077-78: (continued) Jack Moffat 453 C ress Drive Los Altos, spoke against the through road proposed y an s o LY or n o os os, an requested that the Town deny the subdivision. He submitted a text of his remarks which was made a part of the file record. Chairman Stewart noted that a part of the General Plan had noted that it was the desire of the Town to limit the number of accesses to the Town. MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins, seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch, and passed unanimously, that the Lands of Taylor, File CTM2077-78, be recommended for denial without prejudice. No further action was taken on a Negative Declaration recommendation. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Letter from Francis Stevenson dated February 10, 1978 re Pathways: In discussion on Mrs. Stevenson's letter, it was recommended by Commissioner Carico that the Planning Commission have a joint meeting with the Pathway Committee to work out mutual problems. It was the consensus of the Commission that Chairman Stewart contact Mrs. Fiksdal of the Pathway Committee to arrange a mutually agreeable time for a meeting and work out the agenda. Chairman Stewart asked that Planning Commissioners submit any ideas they had for the agenda. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Communication from City Council re Determination of Road -in -Lieu Fees: Commissioners discussed ways that the road in -lieu fee may be charged equally on all subdivisions. No action was taken, but a suggestion was made by Commissioner Perkins that the charges be made on a per unit basis. Chairman Stewart noted that a more thorough consideration was needed, and that Mr. Russell and Mr. Markl should be asked for their suggestions. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further new or old business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:14 P.M.. Respectfully submitted, Ethel Hopkins Secretary