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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/09/1980 (2)PLANNING COMMISSION (W26379 of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, April 9, 1980 Reel 84, Side II, Tr. 2, 752 to End; Side 1, Tr. 2, 001 to 913 The meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:47 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall by Chairman vanTamelen. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Carico, Lachenbruch, Stewart, Dochnahl, Kuranoff and vanTamelen; Commissioner Rydell arrived at 8:55 p.m. Absent: None Also Present: City Engineer/Planner John Carlson, Assistant Planner Pat Webb, Secretary Ethel Hopkins CONSENT CALENDAR: The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 26 were removed for separate consideration and also Item 3, Study Session for April 17th. MOTION SECONDED AND APPROVED BY CHAIRMAN: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch that the balance of the Consent Calendar be approved, namely the following: 1. Approval of Minutes: Minutes of March 27 (Adjourned Meeting) 2. Acceptance for Filing of Tentative Map: Lands of Avila, File #TM 2-80 4. Setting of Public Hearings for Meeting of April 23, 1980: Variance and Permit Commission: None; Planning Commission: Conditional Use Permit for Daughters of Charity, File #CU 1-80 The Minutes of March 26 were amended as follows: On page one, under corrections to the Minutes of March 12,on the last correction listed in the paragraph, Commissioner Carico asked that her name be inserted as requesting the amendment "...for some suggestion on preserving rurality." Commissioner vanTamelen requested that the first sentence on page three of the minutes be amended to read: "After the showing of slides that demonstrated that houses now being built in Los Altos Hills would comply for the most part with the new ordinance..." (the rest of the sentence remains as written). MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch and seconded by Commissioner Carico that the Minutes of March 26 be approved as amended. Item 3. Study Session for April 17 (7:45 p.m.): It was noted that the subject for the Study Session to be scheduled for April 15 should be changed to: Building Coverage, Impervious Surface Limitation Ordinance, and Discussion of Possible Related Ordinances. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: On the motion of Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch, the subject, date and time of the Study Session was approved by the Planning Commission. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - April 9, 1980 Page two COMMENTS FROM THE VARIANCE AND PERMIT COMMISSION: Commissioner Stewart noted that t e ariance an ermit omm ssion ad recommended approval of a variance request for the Lands of Lear, File #VAR. 7063-79, for a thirteen foot encroachment into the setback to build an addition to his dwelling. COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL: Commissioner Carico. noted that the Lands of Cheng had been continued y t e ouncil, that the Lands of Marek variance had been approved, and that considerable discussion had occurred on the Pre -Zoning matter. She noted that the matter would be considered again at a public hearing on May 7. Commissioner vanTamelen that she would be taking Commissioner Kuranoff's place as the representative for the City Council Meeting of April 15. DISCUSSION SESSIONS: 1. Traffic and Public Safety Committee: Present for the discussion with the Planning Commission were Bar ara Gordon, Chairman of the Committee, and Carolyn Wood, Secretary of the Committee. Barbara Gordon discussed items of business her Committee was working on. Specific matters referred to were itemized by Mrs. Gordon in a handout given the Commissioners before the meeting. Commissioner Dochnahl asked about the TJKM report, what it covers and what progress had been made on each item listed. Mrs. Gordon promised to provide him with this information. Mrs. Gordon also discussed things the Planning Commission should be doing in pre- OAV paring for public safety. Carolyn Wood noted the need to provide water for animals and people to use in case of a disaster. Commissioner Carico noted the need to include information on disaster preparedness in an article in the Town newsletter, and Commissioner vanTamelen concurred that this should be placed in the newsletter as an article. Mrs. Gordon discussed use of the Town roads by bicycle riders and the need to clear the roads of debris in order to provide for safer riding conditions. Commissioner Kuranoff noted that the bicycle path along the "s" curve on Fremont Road was relatively unusable and "perilous" and asked what could be done about improving it. Commissioner Carico asked about what could be done to enhance the rural quality of roads in the Town. Mrs. Gordon recommended wide roadway areas with narrow pavement areas and stated that weeds should be encouraged as they provide a rural look; also berms and curbs should be pulled back from the roadway. Mrs. Gordon also discussed traffic flow patterns which she said were on the whole quite good. She discussed several of the problem areas in the Town and things that might be done. Mrs. Gordon concluded her discussion by noting that the Town needed its own school system. She also suggested that a staff member be assigned to work with each committee and that thiswould be a help in getting a broader view of problems to be solved. Commissioner vanTamelen noted that this kind of direction should be provided by the City Council as the Committee was ultimately responsible to them. She thanked Mrs. Gor- don and her Committee for coming and discussing their work with the Planning Commission. `, 2. Public Works Committee: Mr.J. Dannenberg, Chairman of the Public Works Committee, discussed the history of his committee and noted that the issue of drainage was an important aspect of his committee's work with roads in the Town. He recommended that fees be charged to users of heavy equipment in the Town, as this equipment was very damaging to the Town's roads. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - April 9, 1980 Page three DISCUSSION SESSIONS: (continued) 2. Public Works Committee: (continued) IN Minutes of April 9: On page three of the Minutes the following amendments were made to remarks made by Mr. Danenberg. 'On page three, first paragraph, strike the last two sentences. Add instead: An example was the new road on the Dawson subdivision that was in danger of being washed oat because of 1 excessive drainage running along the roadway.' Insert an additional para- graph to be next in order: 'In response to Commissioner Lachenbruch's request for advice on recommendations for road standards that would maintain rural roads and minimize damage from storm runoff, Mr. Dannenberg stated that pre- vious road curbs had been a staff recommendation, and that as development increased and more and more drainage was being channeled onto roadways, tee hazards to traffic increased and the roads themselves were damaged. Histee Committee was against the use of curbs on roadways. Instead, he the use of wide road right-of-ways with natural areas for drainage burrows on either side of the roadways. If this could be obtained, he recommended a concrete, shallow ditch type of road berm that would not endange cars going over them and which would channel drainage. a4 --,u 2I a. i3 A'' PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. LANDS OF PHILBRICK, File #TM 2102-79, 25855 Westwind Way, John Riley, Engineer, mmen Request for Recodation of Approval of Negative Declaration and Tentative Map (resubmitted), 7 Lots: Mr. Carlson discussed briefly the background of the Tentative Map being considered. He recommended that the Planning Commission consider the Negative Declaration and that they recommend its approval. The public hearing was opened and closed with no on speaking for or against the Negative Declaration. The following motion was passed. MOTION SECONDED AND APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl that a recommendation of approval be given for the Negative Declaration for the Lands of Philbrick, File #TM 2102-79. Mr. Carlson continued the discussion of the request by reviewing the differences between the present map being considered and the one that the Planning Commission denied without prejudice. He noted that the present map was a much -improved map, discussed pathways and road and lot configuration. For further information on the subdivision, see Mr. Carlson's April 2 staff report. Commission discussion centered on landscaping on Lots 5 and 6, the further sub- dividability of Lot 7, and the accuracy of the staff report for "average slope" of Lot 6 (this was changed from 32.6% to 22.6%. Commissioners also expressed concern on whether several of the lots in the subdivision were "variance breeders". Mr. Carlson discussed problem areas because of lot steepness in the subdivision, singling out Lots 1, 5 and 6 as areas to be carefully observed for the amount of grading to be done. The public hearing was opened and closed with no one speaking for or against the subdivision. Commissioners began a review of the conditions. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - April 9, 1980 Page four `, PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF PHILBRICK, File #TM 2102-79: (continued) Fran Stevenson, Pathwa Committee, discussed the Pathway Committee's path recommen- dations for t e su division. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: That Condition 1.B be amended to read: The owner shall dedicate a minimum of ten feet 10' for a pathway easement along LaPaloma and Westwind Way along Lot 1 adjacent to Westwind Way, and along Concepcion Road from Westwind Way to a point two hundred feet (200') north of Westwind Way. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To amend Condition l.0 to read: The owner shall provide a common driveway easement for Lots -3,4, and 6. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY CONSENSUS: It was moved by Commissioner Kuranoff and seconded by Commissioner Stewart to amend Condition 8.0 to read: Because of the potential prominence of homesites in this subdivision, special attention should be paid to landscape screening at the time of site development. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To add as Condition 10.B: Vehicular access shall be restricted to within 100 feet of the returns on Westwind Way from La Paloma Road and Concepcion Road. Commissioners discussed additional conditions on drainage, but Mr. Carlson said that 40 drainage easements were not needed in the conditions since they are noted on the Tentative Map and would be similarly recorded on the final map. Also discussed were additonal conditions preventing further subdividability of Lot 7, but no additional conditions were imposed. Commissioners commended the improvement in the subdivision design and then passed the following motion recommending approval. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch to recommend approval of the Lands of Philbrick, File #TM 2102-79, with conditions as amended. 2. LANDS OF NORTON, File #A 4474, Altamont Road, Request for Approval of Resubmitted Tennis Court Plans: Mr. Carlson reviewed background of the request for a tennis court permit, a short discussion occurred on the amount of cut and fill that would be needed to build the tennis court, and then the hearing was opened to the public discussion. Donald Boos, Landsca e Architect, 304 Br ant Street, Palo Alto, discussed for the Commssioners t e design of t e tennis court, 1an scaping proposed, fencing, terracing, and views of the court from off the site. He responded to Commissioners' questions on oak trees proposed for the planting, drainage into the storm drainage system for the area, planting of the fill areas with ground cover and drainage from the court area. Nancy Horton, 8' 1i cant, discussed with the Commissioners the proposed installation of t e storm ra%age system and sewers for the area. `, The public hearing was closed, and discussion returned to the Commissioners. Commissioner Lachenbruch noted that the proposed development was one of the largest development plans he had seen for a site but commended the quality of the design effort. Commissioner Kuranoff felt that the Staff could review drainage and grading and that Site development would not have to review the court again. commissioner PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES April 9, 1980 Page five �r PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 2. LANDS OF HORTON, File#A 4474: (continued) vanTamelen expressed concern over the overall development of the lot and the require- ments of the General Plan to preserve the naturalness of vegetation and slope areas. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl to approve the tennis court for the Lands of Horton, File #A 4474. The applicant was not required to return to site Development. VOTE: AYES: Commissioners Carico, Lachenbruch, Rydell, Stewart, Dochnahl, Kuranoff; NOES: Commissioner vanTamelen; ABSTAIN: None The Commissioner took a short break at 10:29, reconvening at 10:40 p.m. REPORT: 1. A Court's Lye View of PIanning: Councilman Perkins reviewed for the Planning Conmissioners some o1• tie highlights of the recent case filed by the applicant for the Lands of Miller Tentative Map. As aresult of that case, he made the following recommendations on record keeping for Tentative Maps and other items processed by the Town: 1. Time extensions on Tentative Maps must be obtained in writing with a reason noted for the extension request. It is imperative that the ` file be kept up to date on the time period required for action on the tentative map. 2. Conditional exceptions to the ordinance must be dealt with and a reason provided for the granting of the exception. A running log should be maintained on conditional exceptions granted. Conditional exceptions should be treated separately when they come in - and dealt with before the 50 day time period is begun. 3. Every revision of a map that comes in should have a revision number and a date attached. 4. Every piece of paper in the file should be dated and signed - scraps of paper are no good if there is no time assignment attached. 5. Conditions of approval - and map revisions must be coordinated so that they are in agreement. 6. Slope density calculations and map revisions should be coordinated and slope density calculations dated and signed by the person doing them. The approved or agreed to slope density calculations must be so noted. Commissioners commended Councilman Perkins on his presentation and for his role in the Miller Case. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Draft of Revised Statement on Tennis Court Policy-: A quick review was made to comp ete sma additional revisions needed in die Tennis Court Policy Statement. Commissioner Kuranoff recommended that everyone on the Commission go to see the tennis court in the front yard of a property in Portola Valley because it was so well hidden from view. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - April 9, 1980 Page six OLD BUSINESS: (continued) 1. Draft of Revised Statement on Tennis Court Policy: (continued) MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: On the motion of Commissioner Kuranoff, seconded by Commissioner Stewart, the statement on Tennis Court Policy was set for public hearing on April 23 for the Planning Commission Meeting. 2. Proposed Ordinance on Fencing: This item was continued to the Study Session on April 17. 3. Consideration or vur oses on nei ,-u- being Proposed: Commissioner vanTamelen referred to a letter on "Purposes" she had written for consideration by the Planning Commission. The Commissioners also received a memo from Commissioner Lachenbruch on this matter. Both drafts were continued to the Study Session for further consideration. 4. Preservation of Ridge Lines: Commissioner vanTamelen noted that she had written a memo to Planner Pat Webb asking her to assemble information on ridge lines. She advised Commissioners that if they had any further information or request, to refer them to Pat. This matter would also be considered at the Study Session. 5. Letter from Mr. Thomas R. Conlon on Draina e: Mr. Carlson informed the Commissioners that t is matter was being andled byt e Staff. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Ha fields Development in Po r tola Valley: Commissioner Kuranoff commended the Hayfields Development as t e most sensitive he had seen. He advised Commissioners to go and see the development. 2. Committees: Commissioner vanTamelen advised Committee chairmen that if they needed help to contact her. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further new or old business, the meeting was adjourned by Commissioner vanTamelen at 11:37 p.m. to the Study Session on April 17 at 7:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ethel Hopkins Secretary V