HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/27/1978PLANNING COMMISSION
i r. Town of Los Altos Hills
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, September 27, 1978
Reel 72, Side 1, Tr. 2, 455 to End; Side 2, Tr. 2, 001 to 446
Chairman Stewart called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order in the
Council Chambers of Town Hall at 8:02 p.m..
ROLL CALL:
Present: Commissioners Carico, Lachenbruch, Reeves, VanTamelen, Dochnahl,
Kuranoff, and Chairman Stewart
Absent: None
Also Present: Consulting Engineer/Planner John Markl, Secretary Ethel Hopkins
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Chairman Stewart requested that all items on the Consent Calendar be removed for
separate consideration.
The Minutes of September 13 were corrected as follows: Chairman Stewart asked
that on age and 7 of the Minutes that "Vice -Chairman Carico" be changed to
'Acting Chairman Carico'; also, Mr. Markl's title should be changed to 'Consulting
Engineer/Planner'. Commissioner Lachenbruch asked that the first motion on Page 3
be amended in the last line to read: "visual screening of structures and graded
slopes;" also, on Page 4, on the motion for Condition 17, remove the word "drain -
field" at the end of the first sentence and add 'driveway, and an exception be
made permitting the necessary development for a drainfield.' On Page 6, under "Lands
of Fleming", add 13,500 square feet' before "size" at the end of the third line of
the first paragraph on the page.
MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl, seconded by Commissioner Reeves,
and passed unanimously except for one abstention, that the Minutes of September 27
be approved as amended. (Chairman Stewart abstained from the vote.)
The Minutes of Se tember 16 were corrected by Chairman Stewart who asked that
Mr. at�rkT'i e a e end of the Minutes be changed to 'Consulting Engineer/
Planner.' Thereafter, the Minutes were approved as amended on the MOTION of
Commissioner Lachenbruch seconded by Commissioner VanTamelen. All present voted
for the nation, except Commissioners Stewart and Dochnahl who abstained.
Acceptance for Filing of Tentative Map for LANDS OF SCHWARTZ, File #TM 2091-78,
Saddle Mountain Drive and Moon Lane, Paul Nowac an ssoc a es, ng neer:
Mr. Markl requested that the above Tentative Map be withdrawn from the Consent
Calendar because it lacked a title report dated not more than six months prior to
L the date of application.
L PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. LANDS OF HORTON, File #TM 2066-77, Altamont Road, Sandis and Associates,
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - September 27, 1978
Page two
� VAW PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
1. LANDS OF NORTON le #TM 2066-77: (continued)
ng neer, eqFi
ues or ecommen ation of Approval of Negative Declaration and
Tentative Map - Continued to the Meeting of October 11.
2. LANDSOF YELTON, File #TM 2082-78, Josefa Road, John Riley, Engineer, 2 Lots,
Ac. moss, . c.et, 10.8% Average Slope, Request for Recommendation
of Approval of Negative Declaration and Tentative Map
Mr. Markl reviewed for Commissioners pertinent background information from his
September 18 staff report on the above request, calling particular attention to
the need for conditional exceptions to Ordinance 232 requirements, the problem
of noise on the property, and the need for a variance.
Discussion revolved around whether the Lands of Yelton should be subdivided when
it required the granting of two conditional exceptions and a variance on Lot 1,
the problem of drainage on the subdivision, whether more soils studies were needed,
and whether the proposed turn -around areas were adequate. Thereafter, the hearing
was opened to the public discussion.
John Rile 66 Third Street Los Altos En ineer for the A licant, discussed the
oca on the propose turn-aroun an note tat t e re epartment had not
objected to the turn -around proposal. Also, in response to Commissioner VanTamelen's
request, he discussed Item 3 of his March 3 letter to the Planning Commission (Appen-
dix B) regarding privileges enjoyed by other property owners in the vicinity.
GeraldSteinacher, 25755 Josefa Lane, inquired about the status of Josefa Lane and
ase e wen t roa wou a improved.
Mr. Markl advised the Planning Commissioners that the A -file for the development of
Lot 1 of the Lands of Yelton had been lost; and therefore, no information on the
requirements for the road access to that lot was available.
Mr. Yelton, Applicant, stated that if the proposed subdivision was approved, it
was -Ps Intention to pave the Josefa Road access area, and if the subdivison was
not approved, he would oil and screed the road area.
Ken Pastrof Woolworth Construction Com an 740 Camden Avenue, Ca bell advised
e omm 55 on at e a oun , in scuss on w t t e ty Engineer, that there
were numerous lots bordering I.S.280 that had been created since the Town's incor-
poration that could not accommodate the 160 foot circle required by Town ordinance.
The public hearing was closed, and Commissioners discussed the pros and cons of
recommending approval on the proposed subdivision. Essentially, two viewpoints
were presented: 1) There were a number of technicalities which demanded special
attention, the subdivision was a poor one from a planning standpoint (too many
exceptions were being requested which could establish precedents), that the develop-
ment of the subdivision was not consistent with wholesome rural living, and that
one lot conformed to ordinance requirements while a two -lot subdivision would not
conform; (2) Special and extraordinary circumstances did in -fact exist with the
proposed subdivision and that the strict application of ordinances would deprive
the applicant of a second lot, and that other landowners would not be damaged
by this subdivision. Questions to be answered were whether this was a reasonable
use of the land, and whether the proposed subdivision was in harmony with the General
Plan.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - September 27, 1978
Page three
i
PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
2. LANDS OF YELTON, File #TM 2082-78: (continued)
John Rile En ineer requested that a recommendation of approval be given for
iFe propose su iv Sion and stated that the subdivision was in harmony with the
intent and purpose of the General Plan. Further, he pointed to the special and
extraordinary circumstances with regard to size and shape of the lots which could
not be avoided in planning for the subdivision.
MildredSaviano, 12620 Corte Madera Lane stated that Lands of Yelton should have
een e t as open space, ut noted that development would prevent the use of Lot 2
for various activities and trespassing such as parking by Foothill College students.
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Carico and
seconded by Commissioner Reeves that a Negative Declaration be recommended for
the Lands of Yelton, File #TM 2082-78.
Commissioner Carico pointed out that the proposed subdivision did conform to Town
Ordinances and stated that while she did not like the subdivision, she could not
vote for its denial. She noted that exceptions were being requested but that
similar unusual circumstances had been granted approval in the past, as in the
Lands of Deveze. She asked for a clarification of "Open Space" in the General Plan.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Kuranoff and seconded
' by Commissioner VanTamelen to recommend denial of the Tentative Map for the Lands
of Yelton, File #TM 2082-78, for the following reasons:
1. The request for two conditional exceptions and a variance is not justified.
2. The proposed map is not consistent with applicable general and
specific plans.
3. The site is not physically suitable because of shape, drainage and noise
(Reasons anoe were na�Canyrromofadger�eormrrompt?rienFify Attorney dated December 27,
1977 citing reasons for denial of a Final or Tentative Map.)
AYES: Commissioners Kuranoff, VanTamelen, Reeves and Stewart
NOES: Commissioners Carico, Lachenbruch and Dochnahl
ABSTAIN: None
A recess was called from 9:35 to 9:47 when the meeting was resumed. At that time
it was requested that the Commission consider "New Business".
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Cul-de-sac Construction for Country Way Subdivision Tract #6400:
Commissioner Kuranoff noted that since construction would start soon on the Lands
of Country Way Subdivision, it was important to consider alternative to Town road
standards so that the developer might have some leeway in road construction in order
to snake the road up the hill to avoid cutting trees and to cut down street visibility
to adjacent neighbors.
Ken Pastrof, Woolworth Construction Company, discussed with Commissioners road
standards used by other communities, particularly the road standards used by the
community of Hillsborough.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - September 27, 1978
Page four
NEW BUSINESS: (continued)
Jean Struthers Pathwa Committee asked if the proposed road section for
e cu _U,
e -sac on oun ry ay would be a hazard to walkers and was told by
Mr. Pastrof that the proposed road construction would instead be beneficial
to keeping the road area clean of debris because of the flushing action of the
v -section at the roadside.
Mildred Saviano, 12620 Corte Madera Lane spoke for having a roadway that was
no a azar o cyc s s, bikers, horsemen, or walkers or joggers, and stated
that the Town had spent money several years ago to get rid of grids and pits in
roads that were hazardous to these groups.
The following recommendation was made for the cul-de-sac construction on Country
Way Subdivision, Tract #6400:
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Kuranoff and seconded
by Commissioner Reeves to recommend that the cul-de-sac construction for Country
Way Subdivision use a shortened cross-section road curb, similar to that used
by Hillsborough, for the purposes of narrowing the total pavement width approxi-
mately two feet; and further, suggested that lampblack be used to color the concrete
so that it matches the asphalt as closely as practical.
AYES: Commissioners Lachenbruch, Reeves, Dochnahl, Kuranoff
NOES: Commissioners Stewart, Carico, VanTamelen
ABSTAIN: None
Both Commissioners Carico and Stewart expressed concern on the legal liability
of the recommended change in road standards and suggested that the City Attorney
be asked to present his opinion on the recommendation.
2. Ordinance Revisions: Commissioner Lachenbruch cited recommendations made in an
article concerning economy methods in municipal government as a result of the
passage of Proposition 13. (The article was directed to the Planninq Commission
by the City Manager.) He noted that one way of cutting expenses in planning
cited by the article was to tighten ordinances, and pointed out that at the
present time about a half dozen or so such ordinance -tightening measures were
pending City Council action. Commissioner Lachenbruch asked the question of
how, if the planning help the Commission needed would not be available, the
recommended ordinance changes might be quickly implemented by the City Council.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Election of Officers:
Chairman Stewart noted that the officers to be elected would continue in office
to the first meeting in May of 1979 when the regularly scheduled election of
officers would be held. He noted that the reason for the delay in the election
of officers in 1978 was caused by a wish to give newly appointed Planning Commission-
ers a voice in the selection of officers, and then by the inability of all Commission-
ers to be present at one time.
Commissioner Lachenbruch nominated Chairman Stewart to the Chairmanship of the
Planning Commission for the balance of the year. The nomination was seconded
by Commissioner Dochnahl. Thereafter, Commissioner Dochnahl moved that the
%W
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - September 27, 1978
Page five
OLD BUSINESS: (continued)
1. Election of Officers: (continued)
nominations be closed and that a white ballot be cast for the office of Chairman.
This motion was seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch. VOTE: The vote to retain
Chairman Stewart as Chairman of the Planning Commission for the balance of the
year was unanimous.
It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl that Commissioner VanTamelen be nominated
as Vice -Chairman of the Planning Commission. There being no other nominations,
it was moved by Commissioner Carico and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch
that the nominations be closed and that a white ballot be cast for the election
of a Vice -Chairman of the Planning Commission. VOTE: The vote for Commissioner
VanTamelen for Vice -Chairman of the Planning Commission was unanimous.
Chairman Stewart suggested that the Commissioners give thouaht to a rotating
of the Chairmanship of the Planning Commission, whereby the chairman who consulted
with Mr. Marks on the content of the coming Planning Commission meeting would then
be chairman for that meeting.
Commissioner Carico was excused from the meeting at 10:32 P.M..
2. Joint Meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission:
Chairman Stewart advised the Commissioners that the joint meeting with the City
Council was scheduled for October 27 and suggested that three Planning Commissioners
meet with two Councilmen to discuss the agenda for the meeting. Commissioners
Lachenbruch and Dochnahl, and Chairman Stewart agreed to meet with Council persons
by the end of the week to discuss the agenda for the coming joint meeting.
3. Arastradero Road Improvement Project:
It was decided that a Sub -committee be formed to look into the background and current
status of Arastradero Road Improvement Project and to find out if there were any im-
provement plans available for the Commission to examine. Accordingly, Commissioner
Kuranoff was appointed Chairman of the Sub-committee,with Chairman Stewart and
Consulting Engineer/Planner Markl,to contact Mr. Noguchi of Palo Alto and report
back to the Planning Commission at the next meeting. Commissioner Reeves also
volunteered to be a part of the Sub -committee.
4. Saddle Mountain Estates, Tract #6297:
Commissioner Lachenbruch noted that at 10:00 a.m. on September 28 a field inspection
of Saddle Mountain Estates would be made. He stated that Crosby and Associates had
been retained by the Town to explore whether fill material had been properly keyed
in place and that the Town Geologist would also be on the site later in the day.
Commissioner Lachenbruch asked that the Crosby report be reviewed by the Town Geologist,
and that the Town Geologist's opinions be reviewed by the Commission.
Commissioner Lachenbruch added that even if the engineering procedure was sound on
the subject subdivision, the movement of the large amount of dirt on the subdivision
had not been authorized.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - September 27, 1978
Page six
~ OLD BUSINESS: (continued)
4. Saddle Mountain Estates, Tract #6297: (continued)
Commissioner VanTamelen noted that the Saddle Mountain Estates controversy had
underscored the need for the Planning Commission to see and review improvement
plans.
ADJOURNMENT:
The Planning Commission meeting was adjourned at 11:28 p.m. on the motion of
Chairman Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Kuranoff.
Respectfully submitted,
Ethel Hopkins
Secretary