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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/14/1978PLANNING COMMISSION Town of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, June 14, 1978 Reel 69, Side 2, Tr. 2 052 to End; Reel 70, Side 2, Tr. 1, 001 to 299 Chairman Stewart called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:34 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Stewart, Carico, Lachenbruch, Perkins, VanTamelen, Dochnahl, and Kuranoff Absent: None Also Present: Town Engineer Alexander Russell, Town Planner/Engineer John Markl, Town Geologist William Cotton, Secretary Ethel Hopkins CONSENT CALENDAR: MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner VanTamelen, seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl and carried that the Consent Calendar be approved as r+ submitted, namely: 1. Minutes of May 24, 1978 2. Acceptance for Filing of Tentative Maps: (a) LANDS OF LOW, File #TM 2088-78, Hilltop Drive, Edward Baca, Engineer (b) LANDS OF HIGHTOWER, Fite #TM 2089-78, O'Keefe Lane, Paul Nowack, Engineer All Commissioners voted for approval of the motion with the exception of Commission- er Carico who abstained on voting on the May 24 Minutes because of her absence from that meeting. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: 1. "Trails for Toda and Tomorrow": The subject slide presentation was given by tze ouperus o t e 0rsemen s Association. A short discussion followed on ways to obtain proper barriers for paths in order to prevent various types of bikes and motorcycles from using paths. Mr. Couperus was thanked for his pre- sentation. 2. Report by William Cotton, Town Geologist on "Geological Hazards of Los Altos year cal hazards in the Town. A short discussion followed on various aspects of Mr. Cotton's reports, with Commissioners asking Mr. Cotton questions on various aspects of his report. Chairman Stewart expressed the Commission's appreciation to Mr. Cotton, and PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - June 14, 1978 f` Page two SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: (continued) 2. RReejor_t b William Cotton' otton Town Geologist, on "Geological Hazards of Los Altos Hills". continue the Commission made the following recommendations to the City Council on the geological hazards report: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch, seconded by Commissioner Perkins, and passed unanimously that the Planning Com- mission recommend to the City Council that they adopt the analysis of geological hazards and the two accompanying map folios as documents to be used by the Town to guide its development.. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins, seconded by Commissioner Carico, and passed unanimously to recommend that all data developed in the community through subdivision and site development be made available to the consultant, Mr. Cotton, and that on a periodic basis the consultant use this data to update the geological hazard maps. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. LANDS 'EA TRA ESTATES File #TM 2081-78, LaPaloma Road, Siegfried Pfendt, ng sneer, equest or ecommen at on of Approval of Negative Declaration L and Tentative Map Mr. Markl discussed the above request as detailed in his staff report of May 16. Specific items covered were the short frontage area on La Paloma Road, the area of the parcel to be subdivided into buildable lots, access, and pathway requests. Discussion among Commissioners and staff concerned the provision of access for Lot 7 which was further subdividable.and whether contiguous parcels owned by Dr. Oliver should also be considered with the present subdivision. Mr. Russell noted that Lot 7 did have access, though steep, off La Paloma; and Mr. Markl referred the Commissioners to Section 9-4.265 of Ordinance 232 which defined subdivision units. Other concerns expressed by Commissioners were the conformance of individual lots to slope density requirements and the grade of the proposed Golden Hill Court. Thereafter, the hearing was opened to the public. No one spoke for or against the subdivision at the public hearing, and the public hearing was closed. It was decided by Chairman Stewart that pathways would be discussed later in the meeting as a separate item. Chairman Stewart discussed the conclusions arrived at after a field trip, his feeling that a roadway into the subdivision should follow land contours and that the sub- division should have five lots rather than six lots. Commissioner Kuranoff expressed his feeling that slope density calculations were very close, that the road should be redesigned, and that there would be exces3ive tree removal. It was the feeling of the Commission that they were acting within their perogatives in requesting L( that the applicant submit another design for the proposed subdivision. `r Lie fried Pfendt. Engineer, noted that he had supplied a subdivision design that met t e ega ano tecMnical requirements of the Town. He did not think that his subdivision design was below the standards of the neighborhood. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - June 14, 1978 4L Page three PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF ASTRA ESTATES, File #TM 2081-78: (continued) Commissioner Lachenbruch noted that topography was a central factor that had to be taken into account in the subdivision design. There was further discussion on protecting a viable access for Lot 7. Mr. Russell, however, noted that the only course open to the Commission was to place the comment "Not a Building Site" on Lot 7. This would prevent further subdivision. He noted also that as Mr. Oliver was a very businesslike person, it would be un- likely that he would allow his property to be denied a proper access. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE: It was moved by Commission- er VanTamelen and seconded by Commissioner Perkins to recommend denial without pre- judice for the Lands of Astra, File #TM 2081-78, with the suggestion that the map be re -submitted as a five lot subdivision with a road at a lower grade, hopefully not exceeding 15%. At 9:55 a recess was called. The meeting resumed at 10:10 P.M.. 2. LANDS OF CLAUDE File #TM 2085-78, Summerhill and Amigos Court, John Riley, ng neer, quest or ecommendation of Approval of Negative Declaration and Tentative Map The subject request was reviewed for the Commissioners by Mr. Markt as outlined in his staff report of June 7. Specific items discussed were the non-subdividability of Lot 2 because of easements for access to adjoining Lands of Waller and Blue, access for the proposed lots from the private road Amigos Court, and the design of the intersection of Amigos Court and Summerhill Road. Discussion among Commissioners and staff centered on the ownership of the private road, Amigos Court, with Mr. Russell reviewing the history of Amigos Court which is located on County property, and the agreements between Mr. Claude and the owners of the road for access to his proposed subdivision. He noted also that Mr. Waller and Mr. Blue have rightful accesses from the private road and easements across Lot 2 of the proposed subdivision, and thatthe line of sight at the junction of the easement at Amigos Court and Summerhill could be improved by the grading down -of the bank area. Mr. ..Russell's final request was that the notation "Future Lot Line" on Lot 2 be removed from the tentative map. Removal of this notation would prevent Lot 2 from being developed into two homesites until the private access belonging to Mr. Blue is removed. Mr. Russell wanted the record to be very clear on this matter. Mr. Claude,_ however, would own the new private road that provided access to his subdivision. Commissioner Perkins questioned the slope density calculations, and Commissioner Lachenbruch explained that a new format he had proposed had been used. Commission- er Carico asked whether Lot 3 was a "real" lot and was told that it was. Mr. Russell apprised the Commission of a note left by Mrs. Nancy Loughbridge, who could not remain longer at the meeting because of an illness in her family. The note L affirmed that she representated the three homeowners on Amigos Court, and that an agreement had been signed with Mr. Claude to allow entrance and exit on Amigos Court for Mr. Claude's subdivision. Thereafter, the meeting was opened to the public. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - June 14, 1978 C Page four �r PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 2. LANDS OF CLAUDE, File MTM 2085-78: (continued) Forrest Blue 24520 Summerhill Road, gave reasons for his insistance on retaining Tr__ p va rt roa access across Mr. Claude's property. He stated that he liked the rural setting for his property, and that he had hoped, when Mr. Claude subdivided, to buy the lot adjacent to his property. He stated his objection to a house being built on the portion of Lot 2 that was adjacent to his property as it was bisected by the road easement, as a house would detract from the rural setting. The public hearing was closed, and discussion returned to the Commission and staff. Mr. Russell noted that some demonstration of how Lot 2 could be subdivided in the future should be presented, but that it was not appropriate on the face of the tenta- tive map. The Commission began a review of the conditions. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Carico and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl that the Planning Commission recommend that a Negative Declaration be filed for the Lands of Claude, File MTM 2085-78. Condition 1: MOTION SECONDED AND APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commission- er Perkins, seconded by Commissioner Carico, and passed unanimously that a new Condition 1 read: The notation "Future. Lot Line" across Lot 2 shall be deleted. 42r Condition 9: Commissioner Kuranoff stated, in discussion on Condition 9, that it was unfair that Mr. Claude would have to grade the access easement for the exclusive benefit of Mr. Blue. David Claude AppV.li�cantt stated that the road agreement stated that egadacc� —to — gos Court, and that this access included the three lot subdivision and access for the Waller and Blue residences. MOTION SECONDED AND FAILED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Kuranoff that Condition 9 be deleted. AYES: Commissioners Stewart and Kuranoff NOES: Commissioners Carico, Lachenbruch, Perkins, VanTamelen, Dochnahl Condition 10: Carol Gottlieb 24290 Summerhill Avenue Pathwa Committee, spoke for ten foot easement a ong t e proper y un er scuss on to provide for a possible widening of Summerhill and discussed path connections be- tween the Town portion of Summerhill and the County area. The pur- pose of her request was to provide enough property at the top of the bank area to assure that the horse path would remain. She also asked that construction crews be restrained from parking on bike paths along Summerhill, as this was creating a very dangerous situation. She was advised by Chairman Stewart to discuss ways to prevent this with the City Manager. Both the applicant, Mr. Claude, and the engineer, Mr. Riley, agreed to the request. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE: It was moved by Commissioner Perkins and seconded by Commissioner Carico that PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - June 14, 1978 Page five %W PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 2. LANDS OF CLAUDE, File #TM 2085-78: (continued) Condition 10: (continued) Condition 10 be amended with the addition of section (b) to read: Dedicate a ten foot (10') easement along the thirty foot right-of-way line of Summerhill Avenue with the proviso that it be abandoned at some time in the future if found not to be necessary. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE: It was moved by Commission- er Lachenbruch and seconded by Commissioner VanTamelen that Condition 10(c) read: Wherever feasible, the pathway shall be separated from the travel way by at least six (6) feet. MOTION SECONDED AND APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE: It was moved by Commissioner Lach- enbruch and seconded by Commissioner Carico to recommend approval of the Lands of Claude, File #TM 2085-78, with conditions as amended. OLD BUSINESS: L 1. Reconsideration of Disposition of Parcel A, LANDS OF ARASTRA LTD. PARTNERSHIP, File #TM 2065-77, Page Mill Road, Paul Nowac an Associates, nc., ng neer, en aT—rive ap ecomnended for Approval on May 24 MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl, and carried that a new Condition 9(c) be added to the list of conditions for Lands of Arastra Ltd. Partnership, File #TM 2065-77: 9. The applicant shall offer for dedication to the Town of Los Altos Hills, by the final map, the following: (c) The 1.95 acre area designated as Parcel 'A' on the Tentative Map dated May 19, 1978 as open space. 2. Clarification of Ordinance No. 239: Commissioner Lachenbruch discussed his efforts with Staff to draw up an ordinance to clarify Ordinance No. 239, noting that a number of issues had come up that needed Planning Commission study. It was the consensus of the Commission that a committee of Commissioners VanTamelen, Perkins and Lachenbruch would discuss the issue further, and contact City Attorney Gillio on drawing up a proposed ordinance. The matter would then be returned to the Planning Commission for further discussion. NEW BUSINESS: L 1. Location, Size, and Design of Solar Panels: Mr. Russell noted that a home using three support.structuresfor solarpanels had come up -for discussion at the Site Development Committee. He noted that most of the present solar panels are now mounted on homes, that there was nothing in Town PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - June 14, 1976 Page six NEW BUSINESS: (continued) 1. Location, Size, and Design of Solar Panels: (continued) ordinances to prohibit the construction of these structures for solar panels. He noted that the structures conform to setback requirements, and that the purpose of this agenda item was to get Planning Commission thinking on the matter. Commissioners offered various comments: Commissioner Carico noted that a San Jose State Professor had talked to the Planning Commission several years ago on the impact of solar power; Commissioner Kuranoff noted the problems of screening for solar panels, the fact that they sometimes block views, and the need to paint connecting pipes so that they are as unobtrusive as possible; and Commissioner Lachenbruch noted that a simple ordinance might be drawn up to encompass the following information: 1) the structures are all utilitarian, 2) they are all black, and 3) they cannot be landscaped for screening on the south side. It was the consensus that Mr. Markl should check out the information presented in the discussion, that he should check with suppliers and manufacturers of solar materials, and that he should contact the City of Palo Alto on a similar ordinance they had considered six or eight months ago, and report back to the Planning Commission at the meeting of June 28 with a summation of the information he'd been able to gather. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further new or old business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:44 P.M. by Chairman Stewart. Respectfully submitted, Ethel Hopkins Secretary