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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/23/1980 (2)PLANNING COMMISSION Town of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, January 23, 1980 Reel 83, Side 1, Tr. 1, 553 to End; Side 2, Tr. 1, 001 to 1920 Acting Chairman Dochnahl called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall at 7:45 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Carico, Lachenbruch, Rydell, Stewart, Kuranoff, Dochnahl Absent: Commissioner vanTamelen Also Present: City Engineer/Planner John Carlson, Secretary Ethel Hopkins CONSENT CALENDAR: Commissioner Carico requested that the Minutes of January 9 be removed for correction. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: On the motion of Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carico, the remaining item on the Consent Calendar was (410 approved, namely, the Setting for Public Hearing before the Planning Commission on February 13 of the Lands of Manuel, File #TM 2101-79. The Minutes of January 9 were corrected as follows: ()Page two, last line, delete "Stewart" from the "Noes" and replace with 'Kuranoff ;2) Page four, Condition 1.A.2, line two, change "...easement within Chaparral Way" to '...easement along Chaparral Way...'; 3) Page seven, first line of paragraph three under "Tennis Court Policy Review", delete everything in the line after "Discussion was concluded..." and add instead '...and members present aareed...'; 4)Page seven under "Drainage", delete the statements there and add instead 'Commissioner Carico asked if the Public Works Committee ever discussed drainage problems and was told that this committee mostly addressed the problem of roads in the Town.' MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: On the motion of Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Carico, the Minutes of January 9, 1980 were approved as amended. COMMENTS FROM THE VARIANCE AND PERMIT COMMISSION: Commissioner Dochnahl discussed Variance and Permit Commission actions on the variances requests for the Lands of Clifton, File #VAR.7066-80, and Lands of Morley, File #VAR. 7065-79. COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL Commissioner Rydell discussed City Council actions on Lands of Closs, Lands of Horton, and the Tennis Court Report. On the Tennis Court Report, Commissioner Rydell noted that the Committee for the Policy Review for Tennis Courts would be re -convened and another review made of the Tennis Court issue. Another statement would be presented to the Planning Commission for review and forwarding to the City Council PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - January 23, 1980 L Page two � r COMMENTS FROM THE FLOOR: Mr. Carlson informed the Chairman that there were people at the meeting who wished to speak from the floor. The consensus of the Commission was that they should be heard. Irma the Historical Society, extended an invitation to Commissioners to attend the ceieoration OT the sown s LwenLy-TUUI'lli anniversary of its founding on Sunday, January 27. She commended both the City Council and the Planning Commission members for their dedication and sincere loyalty to the Town. The Commission thanked Mrs. Goldsmith. Commissioner Carico also commended her for her efforts as one of the most dedicated and hardworkinq members of the Town. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. LANDS OF LULL, Request for Exemption from Noise Abatement Measures for Lot #4, Tract 3 eport from Noise Abatement Committee and Request for Recommendation to the City Council from the Plannina Commission: Mr. Carlson demonstrated proposed changes in the noise abatement measures for the subdivision with a transparency review. He noted that Mr. Lull had made a request for exception from original noise abatement measures, and that the City Council had recommended this matter to the Noise Abatement and Plannina Commission so that a review of all noise abatement measures might be made. This would prevent further 4W piecemeal requests for exceptions. Walter Greqorwich Chairman, Noise Abatement Committee, discussed reasons for modifying The originally proposed noise abatement measures, reviewed his revised recommendations on the transparency map, discussed the kinds of trees that would make the best screening against noise, and expressed a preference that the developer maintain trees planted for noise abatement. After a short discussion between Commissioners and Mr. Greqorwich, the hearing was opened to the public discussion. Don Lull,17623 Rebecca Lane, stated his approval of the reviewed recommendations for noise mitigation, and t en asked if he could request a variance to build a fence higher than six feet. He also discussed the placement of the noise barrier on his property. Louis Yanez,687 29 Moody Road, owner of Lots 2 and 3 of the subdivision, requested t at t e pro em so ve for Lot 74 be solved consistently throughout the subdivison. He recommended requiring that the developer place automatic sprinklers for watering the trees planted, and that the noise mitigation measures be extended along Magdalena Avenue. Commissioner Kuranoff noted that the request was to remove trees from the subdivision, not add to the number of trees planted. He recommended that Mr, Yanez do something on his own to provide noise abatement for his lots, as the Planning Commission had no jurisdiction over his request. Mr. Greqorwich noted that a six foot fence alona the freeway side of Mr. Lull's property would not do the job required because the land slopes off drastically, noting that a higher fence may be needed. PLAN14ING COMMISSION MINUTES - January 23, 1980 Page three PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF LULL, Lot #4, Tract #6314: (continued) The public hearing was closed, and discussion returned to the Comanissioners MOTION SECONDED AND FAILED: It was moved by Commissioner Carico and seconded by Commissioner Kuranoff to recommend that Mr. Lull's request for exemption from noise abatement measures for Lot #4, Tract #6314, be approved and amended as advised by Chairman Gregorwich of the Noise Abatement Committee. In discussion before the vote, Commissioner Carico noted that the change proposed in Mr. Lull's lot was substantial, while changes to adjacent lots were minimal. She wished to have some substantiation that the changes proposed were tied to recommendations from the Pack report. Mr. Gregorwich noted that the noise recommendations for the Lull property were sub- stantiated by an additional report by Edward L. Pack Associates dated November 20, 1979. VOTE: AYES: Commissioner Carico, Lachenbruch, Kuranoff; NOES: Commissioners Rydell, Stewart, Dochnahl; ABSTAIN: None After a motion to recommend the changes for all the lots, as proposed by Mr. Gregorwich, was withdrawn, Commissioners discussed the need for more time to consider whether to amend Condition #18, the need for more information in order to make a decision involving the whole subdivision, and the need to notify property owners and the subdivider and his representative. The concensus, with the concurrence of the Lulls, was that the matter be continued to the meeting of February 13. Thereafter, a short recess was called at 9:10 a.m. The meeting resumed at 9:25 p.m. 2. LANDS OF LYNCH, File #A 4438, 25701 Lomita Linda, Reconsideration of Request for Building Permit for Tennis Court: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: On the motion of Commissioner Kuranoff, seconded by Commissioner Rydell, it was agreed that the Planning Commission would reconsider the request for the Lands of Lynch, File #A 4438. Commissioner Lachenbruch asked about the yield unit of the Lynch property, the approxi- mate slope and acreage, the amount of impervious surface, and stated that contours were not complete on the map. Thereafter the hearino was opened to the public discussion. Tom Lynch, 27501 Lomita Linda Court, reviewed the plans for the revised tennis court, noting tat the tenors court ad oeen lowered four feet, the amount of cut and fill reduced about seventy percent, and Grading reduced from five hundred to one hundred fifty yards. He noted that on a 2.4 acreage, impervious surface would be from fifteen to eighteen percent. He stated that landscapina would be professionally done and dis- cussed with Commissioners the amount deck area that would be between the caboose to be installed on the property and the tennis court. He requested that his plans be approved. Richard Gieseker, 25703 Lomita Linda Court, spoke for the approval of the permit, stating that the landscaping of t e property would be an improvement to Ravensbury Avenue. `, Ste hen Merchant, 24065 Ravensbur Avenue, spoke for the approval of the request and note tat t e tennis court would not be observable from his property. Commissioner Lachenbruch discussed whether the Lynch property was suitable for a tennis court, the elevation of the tennis court, the amount of aradina to be done, PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - January 23, 1980 Pane four PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) �r 2. LANDS OF LYNCH, File #A 4438: (continued) the fact that the tennis court would violate no specific ordinance and that neighbors did not object to the development, and the fact that landscaping would be a considerable mitigating measure. Concurring with Commissioner Lachenbruch were Commissioners Carico and Kuranoff. Commissioner Carico pointed out the large size of the lot and its distance from adjacent properties, that no further development would be coming close to the pro- posed development as factors in favor of approving the request, plus the fact that the applicant had tried hard to mitigate the effects of the court. She noted that all of this, plus the landscaping proposed, would be an improvement to the area. Commissioner Rydell recommended that if the court were approved, that fencing be of a dark material. Commissioner Lachenbruch noted that with a caboose, deck, and tennis court on the property, considerable landscaping would be needed to soften the view from every side of the property. He requested that landscaping be placed close to high vertical structures to screen these structures from every angle of off-site view and that the deck area be be reduced or re -designed so that landscaping can be placed between the tennis court and the deck area. Ralph Nofield Reimer & Associates 1633 Old Bayshore Highway, Burlingame, reviewed plans for the tennis court with Commissioners. The public hearing was closed, and the following motion passed: MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE: On the motion of Commissioner Kuranoff, seconded by Commission- er Lachenbruch, it was moved that the permit for the tennis court be granted for the d Lands of Lynch, File #A 4438, subject to the following conditions: 1. Landscaping designed by a licensed landscape architect intended to sub- stantially screen the tennis court fence, deck, retaining wall and rail car as viewed from off site shall be installed. 2. The landscape design shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission prior to court construction and again during construction but prior to landscape installation. Mr. Carlson stated that Mr. Lynch should stake out the exact location of the tennis court, deck and caboose area so that the Planning Commission could review the site before tennis court construction. Richard Gieseker, 25703 Lomita Linda Court, asked about the long term effect of land- scaping w en it o strutted views. He suggested that this matter needed some attention by the Town and invited Commissioners to see the effects of such landscaping by visiting his property. At 10:25 Commissioner Rydell was excused. 3. LANDS OF WESTWIND DEVELOPMENT, File MI 2103-79, Page Mill and Arastradero Roads, Pau Nowac an ssociates, eque st for Recommendation of Approval of Negative Declaration and Tentative Map, 10 Lots: Mr. Carlson discussed the Negative Declaration for the subdivision as recommended in his memorandum of January 17. He noted that the condition recommended for addition to the Negative Declaration should also be placed on construction plans. Thereafter, `„ the public hearing was opened and closed with no one speaking for or against the Negative Declaration. Mr. Carlson recommended approval. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Carico to recommend approval of the Negative Declaration for PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - January 23, 1980 Page five PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 3. LANDS OF WESTWIND DEVELOPMENT, File NTM 2103-79: (continued) the Lands of Westwind Development, File HTM 2103-79, as amended by the condition recommended in Mr. Carlson's January 17 staff report. Mr. Carlson continued the discussion of the Lands of Westwind with a review of his staff report dated January 4, 1980, noting that the site to be developed was at the time a horse farm with a conditional use permit. Commissioners' discussion centered on whether the storm drainaqe easement should be as large as that requested by the Santa Clara Valley Mater District; the amount of development in the general area; the congested, urban feeling of the subdivision and whether road should be widened to sixty feet to increase 7the openness of the subdivision. Mr. Carlson suggested that another way to increase the openness of the subdivision would be to require that houses built on the subdivision have varying setbacks. The public hearing was opened for discussion from the floor. Al lJoolworth Subdivider Westwind Development Company, 740 Camden Avenue, Campbell, spoke against being required to set houses back from the street, stating that he pre- ferred to build homes to suit each particular lot being developed; spoke against being required to provide a sixty foot street right-of-way; and objected to providing the the storm drainage easement because house foundations would provide the necessary pro- tection from danger of flooding in the area. The public hearing was closed, and at 11:00 p.m. Commissioner Kuranoff was excused from the meeting. Commissioner Dochnahl suggested that Mr. Woolworth consult the Town's Historical Society for appropriate street names for the area. Thereafter, the Commission began a review of the conditions for the subdivision. The following changes were made: Condition 1.A: hIOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch to amend Condition 1.A to read: The owner shall dedicate a sixty foot (60') right-of-way for the extension of Arastradero Road, and a forty foot (40') right-of-way for the "T" of the cul-de-sac as shown on the Tentative Map. Condition 1.B: Considerable discussion occurred on whether to modify or delete Con- dition I.B. Speaking against Condition 1.B. was Al Woolworth who stated that this requirement took land away from people's rear yards. MOTION SECONDED AND FAILED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl to add the following to Condition 1.B: Structures for? man abitat♦yion will bellowed in the storm drainage easement. d (nom- «uw/ j+ �y 10e � VOTE: Commissioners Stewart and Dochnahl voted in favor of the motion while Commissioners Carico and Lachenbruch voted against it. None abstained. The motion was amended with the addition of the word 'easement' after "The owner shall dedicate a storm drainage 'easement'...". Condition 1.C.b.: Carol Gottlieb, Pathway Committee, spoke for pathway requests and expresse concern a ou eF very narrow path areas on Page Mill Road. Commissioner Lachenbruch spoke for providing adequate pathways along Page Mill Road as it is desiqnated as a scenic corridor, but he spoke PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - January 23, 1980 Paae six 4W PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 3. LANDS OF WESTWIND DEVELOPMENT, File #TM 2103-79: (continued) Condition 1.C.b.: for the need to ensure privacy if pathways are to be along the back yard areas of lots. He asked that the Subdivider, Pathway Committee and Town Engineer meet and present a detail of a pathway along Page Mill Road that meets the needs of the residents of the Town and the subdivider. Al Woolworth, Developer, discussed the problems of providing an adequate ridge across Matadero Creek Condition 1.C.b. was amended to read "b. along the northern boundary of Lot 3" Condition 7.A.: PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To amend Condition 7.A. by deleting "...and landscaping, approved by Site Development, shall be required." and placing a period after the word "...easement." A new sentence was to be added instead. 'If any landscaping is needed, the landscaping shall be placed within the storm drainage easement.' PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To continued the discussion on Lands of Westwind Development, File #TM 2103-79, at an adjourned meeting to occur on Saturday, January 26, at 9:30 a.m. Commissioners were to meet at the entrance area to the horse stables. Lands of Westwind was to be the first item of business to be discussed at the meeting of February 13. It was the consensus of the Commission to continue the meetinn past the 11:30 p.m. ad- journment time. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Discussion on Drainage: Due to the lateness of the hour, this matter was not discussed. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Planning Conferences: Mr. Carlson discussed several conferences that Commissioners might attend. No further action was taken on this matter except to inform the Commission- ers of these meetinas. 2. Lands of Palo Alto School District, File #PM 4045-79: Mr. Carlson discussed with Commissioners the latest developments in the Preliminary Map stage of the subject sub- division. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further new or old business, the meetinn was adjourned by Commissioner Dochnahl at 12:20 p,m. to Saturday, January 26, at Lands of Westwind Development. Respectfully submitted, Ethel Hopkins Secretary