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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/20/197840 PLANNING COMMISSION Town of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING Monday, Novenber 20, 1978 Heel 73, Side 2, Tr. 2, 001 to End; Side 1, Tr. 1, 001 to 035 Chairman Stewart called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Tom Hall. He noted that the regular meeting of the Planning Commission had been changed from Wednesday, November 22, because of the impending Thanksgiving holiday. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Carico, Iachenbruch, Stewart and DDchnahl. Commissioner vanTamelen arrived at 7:57, and Commissioner Reeves at 7:58 p.m. Absent: Commissioner Kuranoff Also Present: Town Engineer John Carlson, Consulting Enginser/Planner John Markl, Secretary Ethel Hopkins ( OCNSENT CALENDAR: Commissioner Lachenbruch requested that from the consent Calendar and corrected attended the mmeating of November 12 as Planning Commissioner. the Minutes of November 12 be removed as follows: Conmmissioner Lachenbruch an interested neighbor rather than as a Commissioner Carico expressed concern on item (c), page two of the November 12 Minutes. She stated that she was concerned that the Tuan was getting into the business of protecting people's views in requiring a cross-section of the pro- posed building site on the new lot as it related to the Metzger's line of view. Her concern was where this might lead the Tann in the future. Discussion among Commissioners and Staff followed on this, with Cawissioner Dochnahl stating that this problem really belonged to Site Developm t, and Chairman Stewart stating that it was his feeling that the Planning Commission could express views that would be influential at the time of Site Development. Mr. Markl stated that an environmental assessment could address the problem of houses obstructing scenic vistas, thus re- moving the matter from Site Developnent concern and placing it under Subdivision issues. Camdssioner Carico, however, still felt that the Town was moving into an area not hitherto a planning area. As Commissioners Reeves and VanTemelen had not yet arrived, the approval of the November 12 Minutes was delayed until there was a quorum present. Y,OTION SECONDED AMID PASSED UNANIMUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl, seconded by Chairman Stewart and passed by unanimous consent that the remaining items on the consent calendar be approved, namely, the Minutes of October 25 and November 8. PLANfIING COMMISSION MRWrES - November 20, 1978 Page two 4 PUBLIC HEARINGS: These were no public hearings on the following subdivisions. All were continued to the meeting of December 13. 1. LANDS OF RAM, File #TM 2079-78, South Fork Lane, Paul Nowack and Associates, Engineers, Request for Reccnmendation of Approval of Negative Declaration and Tentative Map - Continued to December 13. 2. LANDS OF STEERS, File #TM 2087-78, Central and Buena Vista Drive, G. Nolte and Associates, Engineers, Request for Recamoendation of Approval of Negative Declaration and Tentative Map - Continued to December 13. 3. LANDS OF LENZEN, File #TM 2092-78, Campo Vista Lane, Paul Naaack G Associates, Engineers, Request for Reromnendation of Approval of Negative Declaration and Tentative Map - Continued to December 13. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Revision: Clarification of Intent Commissioner Lachenbruch discussed the proposed ordinance change for the Camdssion- ers, noting that the November 15 proposal would provide for good overall lot sizes in subdivisions. A short discussion among Commissioners followed, with the request th33t��M.t�Mar provide the Planning Commission, by the next meeting, with a formula�'slop`e` ensity calculations. Thereafter, the hearing was opened to the public discussion. Ca Zz,��/r3��y Ren Pastrof, Woolworth Construction Co 740 Camden Avenue, Campbell, asked if consideratin owould be green to a subdivider who had a lot yield of fifteen lots and only requested eleven lots when subdividing, and about lot splits being allowed if a residence had to be moved to accamnodate slope density requirements. Discussion was concluded, the public hearing closed, and the following motion passed: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch and seconded by Ccnmissioner Caries to recannend approval of the Alternate revision of Ordinance 239, page 9, dated November 15, 1978. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Public Hea The public hearing was opened so that discussion would be in dialogue with the public comment. Section 9-5.703(k) was considered as follOWS: Ken Pastrof, Woolworth Construction Co. asked about access to secondary dwellings from circular driveways. Discussion centered on the need to prevent private access from the street to a secondary dwelling, thereby facilitating the dwelling becoming a rental property completely separated from the primary dwelling. pIANNNING COMMIISSION MINUTES - November 20, 1978 Page three NEW BUSINESS: (continued) 1. Public Hearin on n aTe is to the Tvulrn o£ Los Altos Bllls Sections 9-5. 03 , 9- cortin MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANTMOUSLY: It was moved by Cc missioner Reeves and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl that a Negative Declaration be recommended on Section 9-5.703(k) of Chapter 5, entitled "Zoning", of Title 9 of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Cam ssionsr Reeves and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl to recamiend approval of the amendnent to the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code, Section 9-5.703(k). Section 9-5.214: Commissioners discussed the proposed code atmen2rent as a means to eliminate the ambiguity of the current ordinance which states that a secondary dwelling may not exceed "...1,000 square feet or forty (40%) percent of the gross floor area of the primary dwelling." Cam ssicner Iachenbruch stated that he wished to avoid de facto subdivision on a subdividable property, and the 1111000 square feet" size was an appropriate way to do this. Conuissioner vanTammelen questioned the 1,000 foot limitation for a secondary dwelling if the secondary dwelling were built on a very large estate, and commissioner Carico noted the need for more information on when a secondary dwelling becomes a primary dwelling. Jean Struthers, 13690 Robleda, stated that she lives in a 1,000 square foot house that was built on two and one half acres. She noted that the small size of the house would be difficult to live with if the lot were not so desirable. Ken Pastrof, Woolworth Construction Co., discussed instances in the Town when residents had built a new primmary dwellirng and converted the old primary residence into a secondary dwelling. Commissioner Iachenbruch stated that the issue of the size of secondary dwellings should be studied by the Joint City Council -Planning Commission Steering Committee and volunteered to serve on the sub -committee appointed to make the study. MOTION SECONDED APED PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was mrrved by Commissioner Lachenbruch and seconded by Commissioner vanTammelen that a Negative Declaration be recamended for the anenrhnent to Section 9-5.214 of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code. MOTION SECONDED APED PASSED UNANIMDUSLY: It was moved by Com ssioner Iachenbruch and seconded by Commissioner vanTamelen to recamiend approval of the Section 9-5.214 aTendment as an interim measure, recognizing that a complete study of the problem must be undertaken presently. Section 9-5.503!2hairnan Stewart acknowledged receipt of a letter dated November 3 ran an of Gerard Hanes regarding the proposed height limitation for structures. Ken Pastrof stated that if the new height limitation revision were passed, the result for the Tcan would be long, ranch -type houses that would be "tractish" in logram method of appearance. He pointed to the pointed out housesed the Town that determining height of structures, could not haw he been constructed had the proposed cede revision been in effect, and stated that he would rather prepare exhibits to show what construction he was proposing and why rr rather than conform to the limitations imposed by the new code revision. Jean Struthers stated her concern that the new code revision could have an impact on the use of solar power. PLANNING OJbMUSSIo3 MRWIES - November 20, 1978 Page four NEW BUSINESS: (continued) 1. Public Hearing on n hdMents to the Town of Los Altos Section 9-5.5U3: lWnr '' ) Caumission discussion centered on the need to have more information on hoe structures would be affected by the proposed code revision. Commissioner Lachenbrucpsin� out that the General Plan would have houses as unobtrusive as possible, that the new code revision could force developers to be more creative in designing houses to enhance the hills. Ren pastrof said that he would like to put before the Site Developmment Committee the question "Where do you want to go with this site?" whenever a structure is proposed, and stated his preference to build a house to fit the land rather than on land that is barren and scarred. YMION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMWSLy: It was proved by Commissioner Reeves and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch that a Negative Declaration be recomended for Section 9-5.503. It was the consensus of the Commission that Building official Daryl Fazekas pro- vide some illustrations of houses under present code requirements with use of the parallelogram concept for determining house height at site development, and with illustrations on the height limitation that would be imposed if the new code re- vision is passed. He was also to point out houses in the 'Town that could not be 6W built if the new code revision were in effect. Mr.Fazekas was to be present to discuss these illustrations at the December 13 meeting, along with other staff members John Markl and John Carlson. 2. Letter of November 8, 1978 from Laurence UaWSOn re send a member and place theof Mr.Dawson's #TM 209 -78: Chairman Stewart asked that the secret d place letter in the letter to each member of the Pathway Committee file so that it can be considered at the time of the tentative map review. 3. Letter of November 13 from G. Steers re Lands of Steers, File #TM2087-78: aAirman Steaazt acknoal g receipt of the etter am dr that it be placed in the file and considered at the time of the tentative map review. 4. TCourt Li hting, Resolution No. 694: Chairman Stewart requested that Sennis investigate e e res utron and report back at the next meeting whether there can in fact be lighting on tennis courts. 5. Lands of Stamschror-Silver, File #CU 8029-78: Chairman Stewart requested that Mr. Markl check on compliance with Condition 1(e) of the use permit regarding the removal of the driveway to the secondary dwelling and report back to City Manager Crowe and the Planning Commission at the next meeting on whether the driveway removal is being handled as required. 6. Lands of Aveni, File #VAH. 7051-78: Chairman Stewart and Commissioner Dochnahm expressed some concern t the variance for the Lands of Aveni had bazianceroved by the City Council. It was their feeling that the app roval of in conflict with the there of the Joint Meeting of October 25 on why the Toon was not achieving the goals of the Tuan ordinances and the General Plan. 7. Annual Review of the General Plan: It was the desire of Chairman Stewart that the annualreview of the General Plan should be delayed until the Joint Meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission is held. The Commission was H Highways informed that the City council was in the process of adopting the Scenic Element of the Plan. PLANNING 03naSSION MDgUrES - November 20, 1978 Page five NEW BUSINESS: (continued) 8. Planning Camiission Setting of Public Hearing Dates: City Engineer Carlson in - the Planning Camtission that they c+wld be setting dates of public hearings for all tentative maps, variances, building site approvals and conditional use permits. This was a requirement of the subdivision code that had not been adhered to in the past, but its implan tation could allow time for the applicant and staff to prepare adequately for the public hearings. Co missioners were in con- currence with the proposal. 9. ,sting of Historical Sites in the Town: Ca ssioner Dochnahl informed the Carmi.ssron that as a result of the tearing down of an old barn of historic interest, he had premised the Council to ask the Historical Society to make up a list of the 'town's historical sites to be submitted to the Planning Camussion for approval when it is ocmpleted. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further new or old business, the meeting of the Planning Cacmission was adjourned at 11:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ethel Hopkins Secretary