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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/13/1978AMENDED MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION Town of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, September 13, 1978 Reel 72, Side 2, Tr. 1, 001 to End; Side 1, Tr. 2, 001 to 455 Acting Chairman Carico called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall at 7:50 p.m.. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Carico, Lachenbruch, Reeves, VanTamelen, Kuranoff; Commissioner Dochnahl arrived at 7:55 p.m.. Absent: Chairman Stewart Also Present: Consulting Eningeer/Planner John Markl, Secretary Ethel Hopkins CONSENT CALENDAR: The Minutes of August 9 and August 16 were removed for separate consideration. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE: It was moved by Commissioner Van Tamelen and seconded by Commissioner Reeves to approve the remaining items on the Consent Calendar, namely the acceptance for filing of the following Tentative Maps: (a) LANDS OF BOSTON, File #TM 2090-78, Black Mountain Road at Ursula Lane, Marvin Wolff, Engineer (b) LANDS OF LENSEN, File #TM 2092-78, Campo Vista Lane, Paul Nowack Engineer (c) LANDS OF MILLER, File #TM 2093-78, Natoma Road, Civil and Construction Consultants, Engineers MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: There being no corrections to the Minutes of August 9 and 16, it was moved by Commissioner VanTamelen and seconded by Commissioner Reeves to approve these items as submitted. All Commissioners voted for the motion, with the exception of Commissioner Kuranoff who abstained. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. LANDS OF ALMON File #BSA 6106-78, Page Mill Road, Paul Nowack and Associates, ngineers, Review of etas s of Cross -Sections for Proposed Driveway as Requested by City Council Mr. Markl discussed the history of the above request as submitted to the Planning Commission by his memorandum of September 7, calling attention to the change in driveway design with a reduction in the grade of the proposed driveway. He stated that the engineer felt that the newly submitted design was superior to that origi- nally proposed. Mr. Markl completed his presentation with a discussion of the pathway design for the path area from the swale on the property to Page Mill Road. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - September 13, 1978 Page two PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF ALMON, File #BSA 6106-78: (continued) Discussion among Commissioners began with a request from Commissioner VanTamelen that the Planner/Engineer explain Section 9-4.706 of Ordinance 232 titled "Grades." As a result of the discussion, the following motion was passed in order to clar- ify the ordinance: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch and seconded by Commissioner Kuranoff that the words "Streets havina" be deleted from the last two sentences of the first paragraph of Section 9-4.706 of Ordi- nance No. 232. The motion passed by unanimous consent. Commissioner Lachenbruch expressed concern on the need for conservation easements on the Almon property and for provisions in the list of conditions for such easements. He also pointed out the need to clarify Condition 2 to providp. for appropriate landscaping for structures and cut slope areas. Questions were raised on whether alternate sites had been considered for the building area, and discussion on the matter demonstrated the problems of com- plying with setback requirements and adequate drainfield areas when considering other areas on the property for building sites. Again, the matter of screening a high -visibility building area was cited as a problem that should be 4 adequately dealt with. The question of whether anyone had explored a connection with County land on the proposed pathway was raised, and thereafter the hearing was opened to the public discussion. WilliamAlmon 544 Irvin Court Palo Alto A licant noted that the land in ques on was a reg y sur a ecause a een a quarry area and noted that the residence he proposed to build would be tucked back against the hill and would not be conspicuous. He pointed out his attempt to satisfy Town's objections to his original driveway plan and noted that the revised plan had achieved the needed reduction in slope. He also cited his objections to a path easement that would invite horse traffic to go up his driveway and onto Page Mill Road, citing an increase in liability that would incur to him as a result of this path use. Bob Naegele, Paul Nowack and Associates, 220 State Street, Los Altos, Engineer or the App n cant, stated his availability to answer questions -on t e an s o Commissioner Kuranoff expressed concern that on the matter of pathways that the applicant must comply with Town and Pathway requirements with very little opportunity to influence decisions on this matter. Carol Gottlieb, Chairwoman Pathway Committee noted that she had failed to tele - p one t e ounty on a poss a path connection from the Lands of Almon, and then went on to discuss the proposed path and proposed connections to other areas near- by. She recommended that the easement on Mr. Almon's property be required in the event that the County ever installs a trail connection and suggested that appropri- ate signs be installed at Page Mill Road to protect trail users from traffic. hazards. L PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - September 13, 1978 Page three PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF ALMON, File #BSA 6106-78: (continued) Mr. Almon, Applicant, stated his preference for a trail in the swale area that minae a u rn t e open space area rather than a trail that would exit onto Page Mill Road, citing the very real danger, particularly to children, of a trail exiting onto Page Mill Road. The public hearing was closed, and final deliberations made on whether the pro- posed driveway plan was adequate, on how to provide adequate protection for path users for a path exiting onto Page Mill Road, and on how proposed path easements would connect to other path areas on adjoining properties. The final motions were passed: PASSED BY CONSENSUS: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl to amend Condition 2(b) by adding to the end of the con- dition after "...slope stabilization, erosion prevention..." the phrase '...and visual screening of structures and graded slopes.' MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner VanTamelen and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl to amend Condition 13(a) by adding to the end of the sentence (after removal of the period) '...southerly to its connection with the proposed pathway connection to Page Mill Road.' (Condition 13(a) will be Condition 13(b) in the larger, revised Condition 13 on the list of conditions.) AYES: Commissioners Carico, Lachenbruch, Reeves, VanTamelen, and Dochnahl NOES: Commissioner Kuranoff ABSTAIN: None MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by Commissioner Reeves that the following be added as Condition 13(c): Condition 13(c): Construct the pathway connection between the proposed trail on the Lands of Almon and Paqe Mill Road, as proposed by the Pathway Construction Exhibit, with the followinq additional provisions: (1) The entrance of the pathway on Page Mill Road shall be closed until such time as signs indicating that it is a danaerous equestrian crossing are posted, (2) Striping to delineate a crossing on Page Mill Road is provided, and (3) A barrier is constructed to prevent path users from goinq into the driveway area on the Lands of Almon. AYES: Commissioners Carico, Lachenbruch, Reeves, VanTamelen, and Dochnahl NOES: Commissioner Kuranoff ABSTAIN: None During the discussion on Condition 13(c) Commissioner Kuranoff stated that he did not favor the proliferation of signs in the Town. He suggested that a better way would be to grade the path so that path users could arrive ( to the top of the bank and still be six or eight feet from the edge of the shoulder, and so that they could come up to the road level qradually. In this way a horse would appear gradually near the road rather than immediately on the road. Commissioner Kuranoff stated that it was his feeling that a siqn would not remain in place for lonq. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - September 13, 1978 16 Page four �r PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF ALMON, File #BSA 6106-78: (continued) Co -Chairman Carico recommended that Commissioner Kuranoff's suggestions he in- corporated into the path design. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY CONSENSUS: It was moved by Commissioner VanTamelen and seconded by Commissioner Carico that Condition 11(b) be deleted. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: That Condition 18 a read as follows: Dedicate, by deed of easement, a ten foot (10 r pe es an and equestrian easement along the drainage Swale from the northerly to the southerly property lines of the parcel, so located to include the existing path tread and the proposed pathway connection to Page Mill Road as shown by the Pathway Construction Exhibit. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE: It was moved by Commission- er Lachenbruch and seconded by Commissioner Carico that the following be added as Condition 77: It is recommended that the Town request the applicant's cooperation in securing a dedication of conservation easements for those steep slopes outside the region that will undergo grading during develop- ment for a driveway, and an exception be made permitting the necessary [ development for a drainfield. By this we mean most of the land that is out - \r' side the dashed lines in Exhibit A of the map dated March 1978. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE: It was moved by Commissioner Lach- enbruch and seconded by Commissioner Kuranoff that the following be added as Condition 18: A conditional exception shall be granted to Section 9-4.706 of Ordinance No. 232 to permit the construction of the driveway to grades as shown on the engineering section dated September 1978. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE: It was moved by Commissioner Lachen- bruch and seconded by Commissioner Reeves to recommend approval for the Lands of Almon, File #BSA 6106-78, with revised driveway plan and additional conditions as proposed by the Planning Commission. At 9:40 p.m. a short recess was called; the meeting resumed at 10:00 p.m.. 2. LANDS OF HORTON File #TM 2066-77, Altamont Road, Sandis and Associates, mgr neers, eques or Held Review of the Proposed Subdivision Mr. Markl reviewed items from his staff report of September 6 relative to the above -listed subdivision. He noted that, instead of a request for a recommenda- tion of approval of the Negative Declaration and Tentative Map, he had placed this matter of the agenda for the purpose of Planning Commission discussion or study and the scheduling of a field trip. kw Commissioners' discussion centered on concerns expressed on subdivision lay -out, whether the proposed subdivision was consistent with Town ordinances, whether the proposed subdivision should be on sanitary sewers, and the location of Versailles Court. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - September 13, 1978 t Page five PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 2. LANDS OF HORTON, File #TM 2066-77: (continued) More specific questions were asked on the letter from Harry Field (Appendix #11) and the letter from Alan Lambert (Appendix #12). Commissioner Carico wanted to know the Town's liability for the path discussed by Mr. Lambert in his letter to the Town. Thereafter, the hearing was opened to the public discussion. Alan Lambert, 141 First Street Los Altos Subdivider- discussed his opposition o arses on a pa way propose y t e at way Committee and the disposition of the private water line crossing the property. Ted Schildge, Representing Mt. St. Joseph/St. Elizabeth, Owners of the Lands o�ie omae n CaEi�O c ana e, expresse concern t at t e em an ments to the roac into the property De p anted to improve its appearance and to prevent erosion, and that none of the existing trees along the common property line of the Lands of Horton and the Lands of the Roman Catholic Orphange be cut. Alan Lambert discussed further the disposition of gift parcel of land as voluntary g tib s to tie Town, that they were voluntary gifts and not matters for legislation; the design of the subdivision and the disposition of the path. Fran Stevenson, 26989 Beaver Lane, discussed pathway proposals. Alan Lambert stated his consent that the Lands of Hortons be postponed until the next meetlg of the Planning Commission and agreed to the proposed field inspection. The public hearing was closed, and the following motion passed: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT: That the Planning Commission meet for a field inspection of the subject property at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 16 at the top of the hill of the Horton property. OLD BUSINESS: 1. LANDS OF GERARD INVESTMENT Ltd,. d. File #TM 2071-77 Mood Road Paul Nowack an Associates, ng neer, eV ew b mprnyement ans: Commissioners reviewed proposed improvement plans with the assistance of Mr. Markl and Alan Lambert, Developer for the Lands of Gerard Investment, Ltd.. Commissioner Carico requested that when the Planning Commission reviews improve- ment plans, that they be provided with a set of the approved conditions. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch and passed by consensus that the following condition be added to the list of conditions for the final map, and that it also be added to the final improvement plan map: Natural -appearing landscaping shall be provided to screen the artificial slopes and retaining structures. Such landscaping shall also include the re-plantinq of areas where sanitary sewer lines are installed. It was the consensus of the Planning Commission to move on to "New Business" to take care of applicants waiting in the audience. 40 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - September 13, 1978 Page six PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) NEW BUSINESS: Commissioner Lachenbruch explained the reasons for asking the Planning Commission to discuss the subject site development request, referring to to Section 9-3.305 of the Municipal Code as authorization for this action and pointing to the 3,500 sq. ft. size of the structure proposed to be built over a swimming pool as further reason for asking for Planning Commission approval. He pointed out that the proposed structure is in excess of that allowable for many secondary dwellings, that auxilliary structures should be subordinate to the primary structure on the property, but that the proposed structure was still within ordinance requirements of no more than 15% of the land area covered by structures. The proposal conformed to Code require- ments;and the -applicant had a convincing reason for the request. Roscoe Fleming, 8RPlicant, indicated his willingness to submit a landscape plan an to comply w1tn any request to remove any kitchen facilities if they were a problem for the Commission or the Town. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE: It was moved by Commissioner Doch- nahl and seconded by Commissioner Kuranoff that the Planning Commission grant t approval of the Site Development request, subject to the condition that a land- scaping plan to screen the structure be submitted for review and approval by the Environmental Design Committee and the City Engineer. Such a plan must be submitted before a building permit can be issued. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch and seconded by Commissioner Reeves that the Planning Commission look at the ordinances restricting secondary dwellings and auxilliary structures. OLD BUSINESS: (continued) 2. Revision of Section 9-5.503.Height Paragraph a of the Los Altos Hills un C pa 0 e: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by Commissioner VanTamelen to recommend approval of the proposed revision to Section 9-5.503, Paragraph (a) of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code regarding the allowable height of structures in the Town. 3. Scenic Highways Element Recomnendtion of Approval Requested: Planning Commissioners reviewed the revised Scenic Highway Element and changed Item 6 on Page 3, lines three and four to read: "...and between the trails and adjoining properties, and to provide a pleasing and safe corridor for both vehicular and non -vehicular travel." MOTION SECONDED AND APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch to recommend the Scenic Highways Element to the City Council for approval. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - September 13, 1978 L Page seven �r OLD BUSINESS: (continued) 4. Election of Officers (if a full P'an"" Commission is present): No election 0o p acf k-1 a because If full Stewart's a Bence. NEW BUSINESS: (continued) 2. John Chown, 13822 Pae Mill Road, discussed the amount of dirt moved onto t e TT area on a d e untain Estates, the grading of Lots 25 and 26 with- out site development permits and the improper installation of the retention basin near his property. He pointed out the need to adhere to the require- ments of the geological report on the property to have all fill areas super- vised by a soils engineer and properly keyed into bedrock, noting that he had stated these concerns by letter to the Planning Commission. Mr. Markl discussed the requirements of the Town for the installation of the retention basin and the installation of fill. The Planning Commission, however, after determining that the Town should be supervising the work being done on the Saddle Mountain Subdivision, Tract #6297, proposed to observe first hand the work being done by visiting the site on Saturday, September 16. They requested that copies of the approved conditions be provided for them at that time, along with copies of the improvement plans for the subdivision. [ It was the consensus of the Commission that the field trip be made to Saddle `, Mountain Estates, Tract. #6297, and that staff notify John Clegg, Engineer for the development that such an inspection would be made on September 16. Staff was also to notify the City Manager and ask him if he could join the inspection group. 3. Arastradero Road/Page Mill Culvert Improvements: Commissioner Kuranoff ex- pres ncern on t e remova of euca yptus trees and the improvement of Arastradero Road. It was the consensus of the Planning Commission that they should visit the site of the Arastradero/Page Mill Road improvements, and that they should review the improvement plans for the area. It was also requested that the Environmental Design Committee be permitted to review improvement plans for this site and any other important areas to be "improved" in the future. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further new or old business, it was moved by Commissioner Reeves and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting was adjourned by Acting Chairman Carico to the meeting on September 16. Adjournment occurred at 12:40 a.m.. Respectfully submitted, Ethel Hopkins Secretary