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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/26/1978PLANNING COMMISSION Town of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, April 26, 1978 Reel 68, Side 1, Tr. 1, 591 to End; Side 2, Tr. 2, 001 to 1045 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, Lachenbruch, Perkins and Dochnahl Absent: Commissioners Carico, VanTamelen, and Kuranoff Also Present: Town Engineer Alexander Russell, Town Planner/Engineer John Markl, Secretary Ethel Hopkins CONSENT CALENDAR: tt The Minutes of April 12 were corrected as follows: AW 1. Page two - The sentence in Line 1 should read 'Commissioner Perkins ob- jected to the scale of the map and that it was an aerial photo, and questioned the accuracy of some of the dimensions on the map.' 2. Page three - Line 5 under remarks by Jerry Bishop, amend the line to read: ..."Nollers decide to sell both their own lot (Lot 2) and Lot 1." 3. Page seven - Line 3, change the beginning of the sentence to read: 'Mr. Russell stated that since the construction company... (the rest of the sentence remains as written). MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved byCommissioner Dochnahl, seconded by Commissioner Stewart, and carried to approve the .Minutes of April 12 as amended. AYES: Commissioners Perkins, Stewart, Dochnahl NOES: None ABSTAIN: Commissioner Lachenbruch (because of his absence from the April 12 meeting) PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. LANDS OF CASTERSON File #TM 2075-77, Elena Road (near Dawn Lane), Brian, Kangas, an ou ngineers, Request for Recommendations of Approval of Negative Declaration and Tentative Map Mr. Markl reviewed the changes in the map as requested by the Planning Commission at their meeting of April 12. These changes were enumerated in a supplemental (� staff report dated April 21. Commissioners.. began discussion with Commissioner Lachenbruch questioning the accuracy of the map in locating the swimming pool on Parcel 2 the required thirty feet PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - April 26, 1978 Page two PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF CASTERSON, File #TM 2075-77: (continued) from the property line of the parcel and whether the 350 foot rule could be applied to Lot 1. He pointed out that lot dimensions were very close;.. but stated that he was satisfied with Staff's opinion that the map met ordinance requirements. There- after, the hearing was opened to the public. Bill Hershman Brian Kangas & Foul k, Engineers, Redwood City, stated that the n a vie iii a m—ap�dimensions were cu al WP PP Fie aerial map and promised that any inaccuracies would be corrected by the time of the final map. He stated further that enough land was available in the subdivision to provide for errors in the tentative map. The public hearing was closed, and discussion returned to the Commission. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins, seconded by Commissioner Stewart, and: passed unanimously to recommend a Negative Declaration for the Lands of Casterson, File NTM 2075-77. Commissioner Perkins proposed that the area of Parcel 1 be increased by extending the lot boundary in a southwesterly direction as shown on Alternate B, but that the 30 foot easement of Alternate A.be .retained for the road right-of-way. He ` noted that there were historical arguments for retaining the road easement on �I Alternate A,and stated that with the extended lot area there would be more area for septic tank drainfields and possibly a stable area and -overall -the lot would be a much more manageable one. Commissioners were in agreement that Commissioner Perkins' proposal was a sound one for creating a more equitable lot size for Parcel 1. W. E. Casterson A licant however, stated that Alternate B was provided to the omm ss on on y a er ley had rejected the original map submission and was not a true subdivision proposal for the two lots. He also stated that he had objections to the additional expense he would incur by having to move the driveway access to Lot 2. Bill Hershman Encineer, stated that only a minimal area would be added to Lot 1 wi i tit�TTle chanie on Alternate B, and that with the driveway easement and the PUE easement, there would be little land left for a corral. Also, the extension of the lot line would eliminate several trees on a small orchard belonging to Mr. Casterson. Conmissiortl�ggr Lachenbruch, stating that. he had strong objections to the subdivision becaus Eh: lots being created by it of minimal size, proposed extending the lot line to.the Lands of Alexander and leaving the driveway to Parcel 2 across Parcel 1 intact. He noted that the proposal did not address the request for a con- ditional exception, but discussion among Commissioners pointed up the historical background for the request and the need for it because the driveway was less than the forty foot roadway required by Ordinance 232. The public hearing was opened %W so that the applicant,Mr. Casterson, could speak to the proposal. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - April 26, 1978 Page three 06," PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF CASTERSON, File #TM 2075-77: (continued) W. E. Casterson Applicant, stated that he felt that he had met the acreage require- ments in 7s original subdivision proposal, but stated that he would go along with the proposal for a lot line extension. He stated that he was not happy with the change, however. The public hearing was closed, a review of conditions begun, and the following motions passed: Condition 1: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch, seconded by Commissioner Perkins, and passed by unani- mous roll call vote to add the following condition as Condition 1 on the list of recommended conditions: To increase the usable gross area of Lot 1, the straight westerly boundary of Lot 1 shall be extended to the boundary with the Lands of Alexander. The southwesterly boundary line shown on the existing subdivision map shall be deleted. (a) The existing driveway serving the Casterson residence will remain with an easement across Parcel 1 for the benefit of Parcel 2. (All subsequent conditions on the list of staff suggested conditions were to be re -numbered. They will be referred to in these minutes to reflect the re -numbering.) Condition 3: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Perkins, and passed unanimously to amend Condition 3 to read: All new public utility improvements and public utilities to the present home on Parcel 2 shall be undergrounded. (Ordinance No. 232, Section 9-4.1105) The existing PG&E public utility lines in the thirty foot right-of-way are to remain. Condition 4: Commissioner Perkins observed that the septic tank drainfield lines were shown going through the oak trees root system and proposed that the areas be reversed and the area going through the root system saved for expansion area. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commission- er Perkins, seconded b Commissioner Stewart, and passed unanimously to amend Condition 4 a by adding the sentence: The actual drainfield shall be ns a e atthe position where a future drainfield is in- dicated. Condition 10: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Perkins, and passed unanimously to amend Condition 10 to read: If the existing pool equipment is to remain, the applicant shall apply for and be granted or denied a variance for this equipment as per Los Altos Hills Municipal Code, Sections 9-5.504, 9-5.1103, and 9-5.1107. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - April 26, 1978 Page four `, PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF CASTERSON File #TM 2075-77: (continued) Condition 70: (continued) Prior to the recordation of the final map, one of the following shall be accomplished: (a) Upon the approval of this variance, the existing pool equipment shall be enclosed to provide for sound insulation. (b) Upon denial of the variance, the pool equipment shall be re- located to a conforming location. Condition 11: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Perkins, and carried unanimously to accept Condition 11 as written with the exception of the deletion of section JU of the condition. Condition 12: Discussion on whether to extend the pathway easement along the new southwesterly line of Lot 1 so as to avoid dumping path traffic on the driveway of the Alexander property resulted in the following motion: (Mrs. Fiksdal, Pathway Committee Chairwoman recommended the additional path easement, but Commissioners noted that no one was present to affirm that the Alexanders would grant an easement across their property to continue the path.) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch, seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl, and carried to accept Condition 12 as written. AYES: Coamissioners Lachenbruch, Perkins, Dochnahl NOES: Commissioner Stewart ABSTAIN: None Condition 13: Planning Commissioners stated that after the discussion on fees at their April 12 meeting (page six, paragraph 4 under "Old Business") they were not in a position to recommend fees. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins, seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl, and carried to make no recommendation on fees. AYES: Commissioners Lachenbruch, Perkins, Dochnahl NOES: Commissioner Stewart ABSTAIN: None MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins, seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl, and passed unanimously to recommend approval of the Lands of Casterson, File #TM 2075-77, as amended,with the exception of fees to be charged. At 9:40 a recess was called; the meeting resumed at 9:55 P.M.. 3. LANDS OF ARASTRA LTD. PARTNERSHIP, File #TM 2065-77, Page Mill Road, Paul Nowack, ( w ngineer, Request or commen a ons o pprova of Negative Declaration and hh Tentative Map - Continued to the meetitn�g of May 10 thatabecauseeof teieaunlqueecharactertof thieelandsand thetprob9emsaInvolvedaWithnoted gning taw PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - April 26, 1978 Page five PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 3. LANDS OF ARASTRA LTD. PARTNERSHIP, File #TM 2065-77: (continued) an appropriate subdivision, it was important for the Planning Commissioners to see the site, view potential homesites, consider the location of future roads and the rather nice trail system in existence on the property. It was noted that this would be a rather decided advantage in considering the proposed subdivision at the meeting of May 10. Accordingly, Commissioners agreed to meet on Sunday, April 30, at 9:00 A.M. (Daylight Savings Time), at Via Ventana for the field trip to the property. 2. LANDS OF BORELLO/Kuhaylan_Arabian (formerly English Meadows), File #CU 8033-78 Conditional Use Mr. Markt discussed the subject request as outlined in his staff report of April 19. He noted that a great improvement has taken place in the property, and that work is still in progress in completing phases of the work scheduled under Lands of English Meadows property ownership. Areas still needing work were the removal of manure storage and refuse areas, the completion of stall areas, and work in the drainage area on the property. A short discussion followed among Commissioners and Staff, and the hearing was opened to the public. Commissioner Lachenbruch questioned Hr. Borello on whether subdivision was imminent on the subject property, and whether this should be taken into consideration in granting this conditional use ..permit. Leonard Borello A 11cant and Owner stated that he was in the process of having a s u y one y o n egg on the easibility of a subdivision of the property, and that he would present a preliminary map to the town within the next 90 days. However, no development would be started for three years. He stated that based on what he had to pay for the land, a horse operation would not be a financial success. Commissioner Stewart expressed concern at the length of time the property had been owned by Mr. Borello and operated without a valid conditional use permit. The public hearing was closed, and a discussion of the conditions begun. The following amend- ments were passed: Condition 1: It was the consensus that the first paragraph of Condition 1 be amended by striking "dated April 20, 1978," at the end of line two and adding instead 'received April 21, 1978 and dated March 1978'. It was the consensus of the Commission that the following section be added to Condition 1: E. The site shall be inspected by the City Planner at the end of each of the above periods for the purpose of determining the completion of the work prescribed. He shall submit a written report to the City Manager describing his findings. The applicant shall be per- mitted to discuss .with the City Manager the findings of the report. It was the consensus of the Commission that Section A(1) be amended to read: All manure and material mixed with manure from the three locations immediately adjacent to the creek is to be removed all site. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - April 26, 1978 Page six PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 2. LANDS OF BORELLO/Kuhaylan Arabian, File #CU 8033-78: (continued) Condition 3: It was moved by Commissioner Deeliaahl and the consensus of the Commissioners that Condition 3 be amended with the addition of Section 3(a): Proper "No Smoking" signs shall be installed at the direction of Staff. Ken Brooks0 eWrator of Kuhaylan Arabian Horse Stableagreed that the "no smoking" sus r the areas�ere�en strut ures were oca,ed were a good idea. He asked for relief foom the condition requiring earth removal from around structures that would shortly be torn down, for some extension of the time limit for debris removal, and discussed the reasons for requesting an increase in the number of horses allowed on the facility. Commissioners spent a considerable amount of time discussing the requested increase of from seventy to eighty horses that would be maintained on the facility with Commissioner Dochnahl stating that if sufficient stalls and pasture land existed, then the figure of eighty horses could probably be maintained. At any rate, inspection of the facility from time to time could assure that proper care was given to the horses at the facility. Condition 8: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and passed by consensus that Condition 8 (a) read: The ten (10) stalls under construction shall be completed prior to this conditional use permit being considered by the taw City Council. Condition 10: It was the consensus of the Commission that the hours of operation in Condition 10 be the same as permitted for Berry Hill Farms, i.e., 7:30 A.M. to 8:30 P.M. (Standard Time) and 7:00 R.M. to 9:30 P.M. (Daylight Savings Time). Condition 13: It was the consensus that the last line of Condition 13 should be amended to read "...Municipal Code as amended shall be observed." Added Condition: It was the consensus of the Commission that the following condition be added to the list of conditions: Breedino shall be done in a proper and professional manner. - MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl, seconded by Commissioner Stewart and passed unanimously that the Lands of Borello/ Kuhaylan Arabian, File NCU 8033-78, be recommended for approval with conditions as amended. Commissioner Perkins suggested a emiderable amount of time might be saved by the Planning Commission if astandard format were adopted for the review of conditional use permits for stables. No action was taken by the Planning Commission on this. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Cross Section of Pathway Area at Alta Tierra Road for Lands of Noller, File `r #TM 2080-78 : Commissioners reviewed the cross-section sketch for the pathway on Alta Tierra Road PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - April 26, 1978 Page seven OLD BUSINESS: (continued) 1. Cross Sectionof Pathwa Area at Alta Tierra Road for Lands of Noller, File 80- cont nue along the Lands of Noller, expressed their satisfaction with the proposed design, and thanked Mr. Bishop for his attendance at the meeting. 2. Review of Grading Plans for Lands of Crist, File MTM 2062-77: Mr. Russell addressed Commissioners with a review of the proposed grading plans for the subject subdivision. He noted that the major grading on the property would be in the area of Lot 3; discussed the installation of the catch basins; the removal, compaction and fill of the junkyard area and the fact that only pier and grade beam foundations would be allowed for the houses to be constructed. He acknowledged that there would also be considerable grading in the street construction approaching Page Mill Road. Bud Chor, Paul Nowack and As Engineers, statedi in response to Commissioner er ns -ques on on w e er s orm drainage -easement and -a..conservation easement en- croached upon each other, that they did so in one small area on the property. Other matters discussed by Commissioners were ways to minimize the steepness of the road and control on truck traffic , dust, and mud problems during the grading operation. Rick Hirsch, Garrick Development Companv. 1950 Beach Park Boulevard. Foster Citv. to be removed from the site, and proposed a joint meeting between the contractors who would be removing the material, the Town and Garrick Development Company to work out ways to minimize the effects of road traffic, dust, etc., in the removal operation. Jitze Cou emus Pa a Mill Road expressed concern for the safety of horses on sloping areas a ong is a ice an age Mill Road and urged that the road area be made as flat as possible. Commissioner Stewart expressed satisfaction with the proposed grading plan, and recommended that Mr. Hirsch and Mr. Russell get together to formulate the ground rules for the grading operation. 3. Tentative Ordinance on Fencing (for Discussion Only): Chairman Stewart noted a of n yCommissioners�anTame en an urano t had responded with comments to the Tentative Fencing Ordinance. He directed the Planning Commission secretary to send a memorandum to each Commissioner requesting his comments to be sub- mitted on the Fencing Ordinance and the "Uses Within Conservation Easements" proposal (Item 4). These would be sent out with the next packet, and the discussion items re-agendaed for the next meeting. 4. Uses Within Conservation Easements: Continued to the next Planning Commission meeting. See omments un er tem 3 above. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Election of Officers: Chairman Stewart advised the Commissioners of the election PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - April 26, 1978 Page eight NEW BUSINESS: (continued) 1. Election of Officers: (continued) of officers to be held at the May 24 Planning Commission meeting. He noted, however, that the terms of two Commissioners would expire on June 30. It was the consensus of the Commission that the election of officers for the Planning Commission should be deferred until new Commissioners were seated (or previous Commissioners re- appointed). The election of officers was deferred to the meeting of July 12. 2. Letter of Donald E. S ommssioners iscusse on the development of development plans were Town staff was not ade of impending site deve u vie suuiecc ieccer wm cn compiainea or excessive graaing the Borrall property. Ways of alerting neighbors to site explored, but it was pointed out by Mr. Russell that quate to do the time-consuming job of notifying neighbors lopment meetings. No action was taken on this matter. 3. Commissioners' Attendance at Site Develo ment Meetings: The presence of Planning ommissioners at s eve opment mee ngs was discussed, along with the need of Commissioners who would not be able to attend at their assigned times to notify staff or other Commissioners of this absence. Commissioner Dochnahl stated his willingness to serve for an absent member, but that he would have to be notified far enough in advance of the meeting so that he could look at the proposed sites. Commissioner Perkins observed that Planning Commissioners had insufficient experience to adequately represent the citizen interest at site development meetings.- He pro- posed that a professional person could more adequately speak to the issues in- volved. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further new or old business, Chairman Stewart adjourned the meeting at 12:10 A.M.. Respectfully submitted, Ethel Hopkins Secretary