HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/22/1978N
PLANNING COMMISSION
Town of Los Altos Hills
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, March 22, 1978
Reel 68, Side 1, Tr. 1, 001 to End; Side 2, Tr. 1, 001 to 449
Chairman Stewart called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:47 P.M.
in the Council Chambers of Town Hall.
ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioners Stewart, Lachenbruch, VanTamelen, Dochnahl, Kuranoff
Absent: Commissioners Perkins and Carico
Also Present: Town Engineer Alexander Russell, Town Planner/Engineer John Markl,
Secretary Ethel Hopkins
Chairman Stewart announced that Lands of Taylor, File #TM 2077-78, would not be
discussed under "Public Hearings". Instead, Lands of Taylor would be continued
indefinitely.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
f6w The Minutes of March 8 were removed from the Consent Calendar by Commissioner Stewart
for correction and separate consideration.
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: it was moved by Commissioner Stewart,
seconded by Commissioner Kuranoff, and passed unanimously to accept for filing
the Tentative Map for LANDS OF YELTON, File #TM 2082-78.
Corrections to the Minutes of March 8:
1. The remarks made by Mr. Stutz (page two) were amended to read: " ... spoke
for the pathway request on the downhill side of Chaparral Way, and while
he acknowl edged 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."
2. Page three - The following sentence was added after the first sentence on
the page: 'Commissioner Dochnahl stated that he could not advocate
the steep pathway that would necessitate seventeen switchbacks along the
boundary of Lot 5.'
3. The following remarks were not corrections per se to the Minutes, but were
remarks made by Commissioner Stewart and other Commissioners regarding the
approval by the City Council of a pathway along the eastern side of
Country Way Subdivision, File #TM 2041-76. and recommended for approval
on March 8. The remarks were directed at the City Council's action on
March 15.
4W Commissioner Stewart stated that, although the Planning Commission had
discussed extensively the pathway along the eastern side of the subdivision
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - March 22, 1978
Page two
#Ar CONSENT CALENDAR: (continued
and had thought the matter "put to bed, the Pathway Committee, by using
the drip -torture method g t what they wanted. The people living in the
area are very unhappy." e pointed to the confusion on the part of Staff
and Council as to when :hH.'subdivision would be considered by the Council,
and stated that had normal procedures been followed and the minutes of the
March 8 meeting accompanied the tentative map to the Council, possibly things
would have turned out differently. He expressed regret that "the die is cast."
Commissioner VanTamelen related that the Pathway Committee "took over" at
the Council meeting and that she, as Planning Commission representative to
the meeting, was not asked for the Planning Commission's opinion on the
pathway or to relate what had been discussed at the Commission level.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner VanTamelen, seconded
by Commissioner Stewart, and carried that the Minutes of March -P be approved as
amended.
AYES: Commissioners Stewart, Lachenbruch, VanTamelen. Dochnahl
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Kuranoff
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. LANDS OF LAM_B,LT FilatT#L' �07A4-77, Page Mill Road, Dexter Ahlgren, Engineer,
4,r cogiii I on OT
Tequest Tor PPMVdi OT lentative Map (Continued from March 8)
Mr. Markl reviewed for the Commission background information from his March 2
staff report on the above request. He noted that the request before the Commission
was to divide the seventeen acre parcel into two parcels, one to support an existinq
horse care facility and the other, which was now open territory, would probably be
subdivided some time in the future.
Discussion among Commissioners and staff raised the issues of whether the lot line
between Parcels Vand B was the optimal place to divide the property into two parcels,
and whether the barn on the horse facility was connected to the sanitary sewer.
Commissioner Stewart was told that it was agreeable to the Health Department that
the barn hook up to a sewer system at a future date. Other questions asked were
regarding the status of Page Mill Road bordering th property and the existence
and locations of pathway easements in the area. Th:reafter, the hearing was opened
to the public.
Alan Lambe e t os 'to licant. asked for relief from beinq
R. "' 'irEt StL ' T_ C1-1n-11etJ Tees, etG.) and explained
charged feis ai jhj TaR �s_%-_sLuE241 Ed (Ma
how the lot line dividing the property into two parcels was arrived at. He stated
that he had been informed that the Berry Hill Farm horse facility was probably
the best such facility in northern California; and informed the Commission further
that an agreement was being neqotiated with Bas Homes for the storm drain and set -ter
line throuah the Lands of Lambert to Saddle Mountain Estates.
cna logliet, Pathway Committee, discussed pathway requests on Lands of Lambert
7_pj
c&,H cf_
Ig 11nKS with Lands UT Borello and Saddle Mountain Estates.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - March 22, 1978
Page three
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
1. LANDS OF LAMBERT, File #TM 2074-77: (continued)
Considerable discussion ensued on the lack of illustrative material to reinforce
pathway requests and how this most annoying and time-consuming situation could be
remedied. The Planning ConFnission was recessed at 8:40 in order to adequately pro-
vide research on paths existing and requested. The meeting was resumed at 8:55 P.M.,
and when there were no further speakers during the public hearing, the hearing was
closed and discussion returned to the Commission.
Alan La can�, told the Planninq Commission that he would not object to
A � ra
a pat eas�n_ien�t%o ge Mill Koad alone The common property line with Lands of
Borello, but he would resent a pathway going through his property to connect to
Saddle Mountain Estates paths.
John Cle In
,Ine2r,�%rtE ddl,2 Moglain lgjaje�, reviewed the pathway requirements
a re u al% st7
116f a s' otJ t5a
Tor TanUs t pamns were set aside along roads
for people, and trails were to be unimproved and along the boundaries of the property
for horses.
Commissioners and Staff continued the discussion on where and when paths would he
required, and it was concluded that Parcel B would be more adequately addressed at
the time that it comes before the Commission for further subdivision. The following
motion was passed:
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl,
seconded by Commissioner Kuranoff, and passed unanimously to add as a con-
dition: The applicant shall dedicate a ten foot (10') p�thway easement for
an unimproved pedestrian and equestrian path along the southerly property
line of Parcel A from Page Mill Road up to the intersection of the Lands of
Borello and the Lands of Bas Homes.
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart, seconded
by Commissioner Dochnahl, and passed by unanimous roll call vote that: Road -in -lieu
fees shall be charged as measured from the southwesterly corner of the property alone
Page Mill Road for a distance of 187.25 feet on a bearing of north 390, 28', 58' east.
Similar road -in -lieu fees shall be postponed for Parcel B until that parcel comes in
for future subdivision.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: It was the consensus of the Commission that Condition (b) be
amended to 187.25 feet @ $10.00 per foot = $1,872.50, and the total fees amended
to be $2,796.03.
Commissioner Stewart noted that there were chuck holes in the road into the Page Mill
Road right-of-way, and Mr. Russell noted they were caused by Improper drainage in the
area. Mr. Lambert offered to repair the chuck holes and asked that road -in -lieu fees
be adjusted appropriately, but the Commission took no action requiring that this be
accomplished.
f4w Mr. Lambert requested that when Parcel B comes before the Commission for further
suF31`VT_s7_on, that the same one inch to fifty feet scale map be permitted. Discussion
followed this request, with Cormnissioner Lachenbruch expressing disfavor with any
informal negotiations on ordinance requirements. Mr. Mark] noted that the ordinance
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - March 22, 1978
Page four
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
1. LANDS OF LAMBERT, File #114 2074-77 (continued)
required that a conditional exception to the ordinance be requested and granted to
permit this substitution in map scale. Mr. Lambert noted that he was making the
request because it would save in draftin—g--co-sl—s.7-More discussion occurred on whether
this was the appropriate time for such a request, and the issue was left with no
decision on the matter one way or the other.
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl,
seconded by Commissioner VanTamelen, and passed unanimously that a Negative Declara-
tion be recommended for the Lands of Lambert, File ITM 2074-77.
MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl,
seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch, and passed unanimously that Lands of Lambert,
File #TM 2074-77 be recommended for approval with conditions as amended.
Commissioner Stewart requested that Town Staff apprise the Planning Commission as
soon as possible on the state of the Conditional Use Permit for the Lands of Borello
(formerly English Meadows) which adjoins the Lands of Lambert. noting that at present
the stable was operating without a use permit.
2. LANDS R" ILLT Ap File #CU 8028-77, 14250 Page Mill Road, Dexter Ahlqren,
OE_
2E BE U r ec
eer, eques ommendatiun UT Approval for Conditional Use Permit
rn 9 —in
Mr. Markl reviewed pertinent information on the above request as detailed in his
staff report dated March 1. He reviewed the conditions recommended, and drew
particular attention to the need to modify Conditions 10 (to change the hours of
Daylight Saving Tim operation to 9:30),and 16 (to amend the condition to only
require the recordation of appropriate easements since Bas Homes would construct
the improvements and would negotiate an agreement with Lands of Lambert developer Alan
Lambert on this installation).
Commissioners and Staff reviewed items of concern such as the fact that the facility
was categorically exempt from environmental impact report requirements because it
is an existing facility, the problem of complying with Health Department suggestions
for the storage of manure in a concrete bin, lighting on the ring area, parking re-
quirements, and the number of horses at the facility. Thereafter, the hearing was
opened to the public.
Alan Lamb�qtt �qers discussed the number of horses proposed for the facility. parking,
the numbe r ors, snows and clinics needed (six of each would be needed), and his
objection to having to construct a concrete bin for manure storage. He cited his
preference for a drying and spreading operation to handle the manure problem.
Jitze Co Veu�,
,�oqpwqnls Association 113161810 Pa Mill Road, called Berry Hill Farm
e IIIIISK080
g
—r a e nor e c 0 a par -n Was re
emarK ty. e Invre with the English
Meadows stable (now Lands of Borello), and that there was no problem with this use.
04'w Peter Bowman, 28254 Radcliffe. cited his background as Commander of the Berlin Riding
Group for the U.S.ArIly in Berlin and the Will Rogers State Historic Riding Group as
credentia Is for volunteering information on parking for the subject horse facility
PIMNING COM14ISSION MINUTES - March 22, 1978
Page five
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
2. LANDS OF BERRY HILL FARMS, File #CU 8028-77: (continued)
during horse shows and clinics. He also cited his experience with manure disposal
on hillside sites, stating that drying the manure and spreading it was infinitely
preferable to storing it in concrete bins in the middle of a drainage area.
The public hearing was closed, and the conditions reviewed, with the following
changes:
Condition 1: MOTION SECONDED AND UNANIMOUSLY PASSED: It was moved by Commission-
er Stewart, seconded by Commissioner VanTamelen and passed unanimously
that if the present sprinkler system is adequate and has been installed
in accordance with Uniform Building Code requirements, Condition l(a)
may be deleted.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: Condition l(b) shall be amended with the
addition of "...as required by the National Electrical Code." to the
end of the sentence.
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY CONSENSUS: It was moved by Commissioner
VanTamelen, seconded by Commissioner Stewart, and passed by consensus
that the second sentence of Condition 1(c) be deleted, and in its place
#AV the foll wing: If the accumulation of manure exceeds the capacity of the
area to store -dry -dispose of it, it shall be removed off site.
Condition 4: PASSED BY CONSENSUS: Amend the first sentence of the condition to read:
FUDlic and academic riding instruction shall be permitted.
Condition 5: PASSED BY CONSENSUS: Amend the last line of Condition 5 by deletinq
,.the Planning Commission" and replacing it with 'Staff and t�e Town
Engineer.'
Condition 6: PASSED BY CONSENSUS: Revise the first sentence of Condition 6 to read:
All persons visiting the subject property shall park their vehicles on
the premises.
Condition 8: PASSED BY CONSENSUS: Amend the first line of Condition 8 to read:
,Ine total maximum number of resident horses..." (the rest remains as
written. )
Condition 10: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner
stewart, seconded by Commissioner VanTamelen, and passed by unanimous
roll call vote that Condition 10 be amended by changing the hours of
operation during Daylight Savings Time to 7:00 A.M. to 9:30 P.M..
Condition 11: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner
Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl, and passed by unanimous
4W roll call vote that the first sentence of Condition 11 be amended
to read: No more than six horse shows and six clinics per year shall
be held. Also, change the last line of the condition to read "...prior
to each show."
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES March 22, 1978
Page six
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
2. LANDS OF BERRY HILL FARM File fCU 8028-77: (continued)
Condition 11: PASSED BY CONSENSUS: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and the
LUP.�UN�U� 111-t the following be added as Condition 11(a): The Town
Staff and the Applicant shall meet to define what a clinic is.
Condition 16: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner
Stewart, semnded by Commissioner Dochnahl, and approved by unanimous
roll call vote that Condition 16 be amended to read: Within six months
after the issuance of this Conditional Use Permit, the applicant shall
record all appropriate storm drainage easements. (Everythil*.n elsp in
the Condition is deleted.)
Added Condition: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commission-
er Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl, and passed unanimous-
ly to add as a condition: The applicant shall provide a parking
attendant or attendants to handle parking at the horse shows.
Added Condition: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was roved by Commission-
er Ldchenbruch, seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl, and passed unani-
mously to add as a condition: Residents on the property shall be
limited to custodial personnel using existing facilities.
4bo MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was roved by Commissioner Dochnahl,
seconded by Commissioner VanTamelen, and passed by unanimous roll call vote, to
recommend approval for Lands of Berry Hill Farms, File #CU 8028-77, with conditions
as amended.
1. LAN � A;�2.sPaTr5celTeC" File #2078-78, Saddle Mountain Drive, John Clegg,
_'2 ' ri --?—Approval of Negative Declaration and
NgTnei r co"nraff;�s 0
Tentative Map.
Mr. Markl disussed the Lands of Armes, Parcel"C" request as outlined in his staff
report dated March 16, drawing particular attention to item five in the evaluation
which discussed the pathway r�questand to the configuration of the lots which
allowed a greater land area to Lot I in order to accommodate the expansive view
and beauty of the surrounding land.
Discussion among Commissioners covered how Saddle Mountain Drive would be terminated
before reaching Moon Lane and how this might be more accurately reflected on the map.
whether Lot I conformed to slope density requirements and whether an inequitable
division of land between the two parcels was fair to the potential owner of Lot 2.
Thereafter, the hearing was opened to the public.
John Cle,,A,En
kingegr, stated that Mr. Arms, as developer -owner of the subject
requesf. rately intended to haw Lot 1 be the larger of the two lots.
He intended this site for his home and planned to sell the other lot. He related
that Mr. Schwartz, new owner of the Lands of Clayton, was in favor of the Lands of
%w Armes subdivision. Mr. Clegg noted that there is an extensive trail system in
Saddle Mountain Estates, but that the pathway request around the perimeter of
of the subdivision was contrary to that trail system. Also,,bec—se of the contour
of the land, the trail requested would be an invasion of orivacy. Relief from road -
in -lieu fees was requested because of the construction of Saddle Mountain Drive.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - March 22, 1978
Page seven
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
3. LANDS OF ARMES, Parcel "C", File #2078-78: (continued)
Commissioners discussed the unequal distribution of land between the two parcels,
and noted the need for preventing requests for variances on Lot 2. It was also
argued that the path around the perimeter of Lot 2 did not connect to anything
on Moon Lane, since the area is still a private road.
It was the consensus of the Commission that the meeting should be continued until
12:00 P.M., and at 11:35 a recess was called. The meting was re -convened at 11:40.
Engineer, stated, after the recess and talking with the Pathway Committee,
ktC, ' as not opposed to a path easement on the southerly boundary adjacent to
IF e 8'
Moon Lane.
Carol Got�ji2b?_ ��Ilw Committee, discussed the purpose of asking for a path
easement on tEe sg.tgg'� DOU"UdTY of Lands of Armes.
Mrs. Handl% IN" a! Mi.11 Road, expressed concern on the Saddle Mountain Drive
connectl 55 MoR LEaFe
The public hearing was closed, and a review of the conditions began. The followinq
motions were passed:
�6y MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: it was moved by Commissioner Stewart,
seconded by Commissioner VanTamelen, and passed unanimously that: The applicant
shall be granted a conditional exception to section 9-4.406 of Ordinance No. 232
for the use of V=201 scale in place of the required V=401 scale for tentative
maps.
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Kuranoff,
seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch, and passed unanimously that the following
be added as a condition: The applicant shall dedicate a pathway easement from
Saddle Mountain Drive easterly along the southerly property line of Lot I to a
point ten feet (10') easterly of the terminus of Moon Lane.
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner VanTamelen,
seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl, and passed unanimously that the following con-
dition be added: The size, shape, and slope of Lot 2 shall not provide qrounds
for a future variance.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: It was the consensus of the Commission that Condition 6(d)
be: Road -in -lieu fees are waived as road cost is to be partially born by the applicant.
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch,
seconded by Commissioner Kuranoff, and passed unanimously, that a Negative Declaration
be recommended for Lands of Armes, Parcel "C", File #TM 2078-78.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch, seconded
by Commissioner Stewart, and carried that the tentative imp for Lands of Armes,
%W Parcel "C", File #TM 2078-78 be recommended for a proval with conditions as amended.
AYES: Commissioners Stewart: Lachenbruch, Dochnah� and Kuranoff
NOES: Commissioner VanTaffelen*
ABSTAIN: None
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - March 22, 1978
Page eight
4W PUBLIC HEARINGS (continued)
3. LANDS OF ARMES, Parcel "C", File #TM 2078-78: (continued)
*Commissioner VanTamelen stated that she did not disapprove of manor -house -size
lots, but that she did want to protect thellserfs.11 Every lot in Los Altos Hills
should stand on its own, as the Ordinance intends, and Lot 2 does not.
1. LANDS 2� Ig41211 Fi?l� #T� 2077-78, Miranda Road, Paul Nowack and Associates.
Engineer, uist or ffecommendations Or Rpproval for Negative Declaration
and Tentative Map - Continued Indefinitely (see announcement after "Roll Call")
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Tentative Ordinance on Fencing (for Discussion Only): Continued because the
proposed ordinance was not available.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Envigpn, 1 oMil Is oint. Meetijn_q: Commissioner Stewart
4 Ing to De held in the Town Hall at
t� s' an 'V
he CoTtm-isisiVers! 5 t eC3oiRm-J'Gint
7:30 P.M. on April 11, Planning Commissioners were welcome to attend, and one
Commissioner was asked to volunteer to go. Commissioner Dochnahl volunteered
to go, and Chairman Stewart said that he would accompany him.
2. Road -in -lieu Fees: Chairman Stewart asked for a report from Staff making road-
in-Ti-e-u-Te—esmore equitable and was told by Mr. Russell that Commissioners
should also make recommendations on this matter.
3. Lands of Borello Conditional Use Permit: Chairman Stewart asked for a report
from Staff on why the subject horse facility had not been before the Planning
Commission for a use permit.
4. Pathways: A short discussion ensued on Pathway Committee requests for paths and
TF57-e-eff to provide an adequate picture of the path beinq requested. The follow-
ing motion was passed: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by
Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner VanTamelen, and passed unanimously
that: Every land transaction that has a path request shall be accompanied by a
schematic drawing showing the paths being requested and those paths in peripheral
areas with which it would connect. This motion was to be conveyed in a letter to
the Chairwoman of the Pathway Conwnittee, Mrs. Fiksdal. with a copy to all other
Committee members.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no other new or old business, the meeting was adjourned by Chai man Stewart
at 12:37 P.M..
Respectfully submitted,
Ethel Hopkins
4,00 Secretary