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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/23/1980PLANNING COMMISSION 4 Town of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, April 23, 1980 Reel 86, Side 1, Tr. 1, 001 to End; Side 2, Tr, 1, 001 to 130 Chairman vanTamelen called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall at 7:47 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Lachenbruch, Rydell, Stewart, and vanTamelen. Commissioner Dochnahl arrived at 8:55 p.m. Absent: Commissioners Carico and Kuranoff (both .excused absences) Also Present: City Engineer/Planner John Carlson, Assistant Planner Pat Webb, Secretary Ethel Hopkins CONSENT CALENDAR: The Consent Calendar items were all considered separately. The following corrections were made to the Minutes: Ir 1(a) Minutes of April 3: Page 1: Add 'Assistant Planner Pat Webb' as staff listed under the "Roll Call" portion. Page two: Amend the third line sentence to read: careful search shall be made from off site locations..." . Also, ."A under the second motion "Passed by Consensus", amend the third line to read 11 ...current neighbors or potential neighbors are concerned." The Minutes of April 3 were declared approved as amended. 1(b) Minutes of April 9: On page three of the Minutes the following amendments 'On first were made to remarks made by Mr. Danenberg. page three, paragraph, on strike the last two sentences. Add instead: An example was the new road the Dawson subdivision that was in danger of being washed out because of excessive drainage running along the roadway.' Insert an additional para- Lachenbruch's request graph to be next in order: 'In response to Commissioner for standards that would maintain rural for advice on recommendations road roads and minimize damage from storm runoff, Mr. Oannenberg 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, hazards to traffic increased and the roads themselves were damaged. His Committee was against the use of curbs on roadways. Instead, he recommended burrows the use of wide road right-of-ways with natural areas for drainage he on either side of the roadways. If this could be obtained, recommended a concrete, shallow ditch type of road berm that would not endanger cars going over them and which would channel drainage. The Minutes of April 9 were declared approved on the motion of Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch. 14: On the 2. Setting of Public Hearings for Planning Commission Meeting of May Rydell, and approved motion of Commissioner Stewart, seconded by Commissioner by all Commissioners present, the following items were scheduled: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - April 23, 1980 Page two 4/ CONSENT CALENDAR: (continued) 2. Setting of Public Hearings for Planning Commission Meeting of May 14: (continued) 1. Lands of Thompson, File #TM 4-80 2. Lands of Burdick (formerly Lands of Manuel), File #TM 2101-79 (resubmitted Tentative Map) 3. Amendment to Sections 9-4.703, 9-4.704(a) and (b), Section 9-4.707 and 9-4.710 - Increase in Cul -de -Sac Right -of -Way to Sixty Feet Please note: Two other items on Building Height and Building Envelope, Building Coverage and Impervious Surface were also scheduled but will have to be rescheduled (as determined by the City Attorney) COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Commissioner vanTamelen reported on the election of a new Mayor by t e City Council, the possibility that the Town may provide its own fire protection, and noted that she had reported to the Council on the ordinance revisions the Planning Commission was working on. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. LANDS OF DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY, File #CU 1-80, 26000 Altamont Road, Paul Nowack and Associates, Engineers, Request for Recommendation of Approval of Conditional Use Permit for Caretaker's Dwelling: Mr. Carlson discussed the above request as covered in his staff report dated April 18. He recommended that the hearing be opened to the public discussion. Commissioner vanTamelen asked where the proposed caretaker's residence would be located on the aerial map provided the Commissioners and asked also whether all the conditions of the fire marshall had been met. Commissioner Stewart asked about the location for vehicular access to the proposed structure. Thereafter the hearing was opened to the public discussion. Michael Kai Be IK and Kaindl 1110 Burlingame Avenue Burlingame, spoke as t 12111 Old Snake a representative for Dr. Shiff w o owned th adjacent or re •, y Road. He stated that Dr. Shiff had not been informed of the Conditional Use Permit application and noted that the addition would cause problems for the site he was designing a house for on Old Snakey Road. He suggested that another site for the residence be found and expressed concern that the fire access to the Daughters of Charity property would be used as an access to the proposed dwelling, thus causing an increase in traffic on Old Snakey Road. Mr. Kindle answered questions from Commissioners about the size of the Shiff property and about the design of the structure to be built by Dr. Shiff. La rr Mea her, 12113 Old Snikey Road, noted that Old Snakey Road was a private road, and t at a did not wis to have any further traffic on the road. He asked whether there were plans to use Old Snakey Road as an access for the Daughters of Charity property during the construction of the caretaker's residence. Albert Uhalde, Elena Road, spoke as a representative for Paul Nowack and Associates w o cou d not a present for the meeting. He noted that there would be no traffic at all on Old Snakey Road as a result of the caretaker's residence and that the existing road into the property would be used both for access for the residence during construction and after. He discussed the need for additional security on the Daughters of Charity property and requested that the Planning Commission recommend approval of the Conditional Use Permit. PLANNING COMMISSION Minutes - April 23, 1980 Page three `, PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY, File HCU 1-80:(continued) Dr. Shiff, 24837 Olive Tree Lane, noted that he had bought the property at 12111 Old Snakey Road in September 1979 and that he had not been notified of the public hearing for the Daughters of Charity Use Permit. He asked that the caretaker's residence be located in another place on the property and that the hearing be continued so that he could have more time to consider the the effect of the caretaker's dwelling in relationship to his own property. Generally, however, he was against the request. Letters were submitted by Joan Meagher 12113 Old Snakey Road and Mrs. Waltraud Kapust, 12200 Old Snakey Road, withdrawing their consent from the signature list for the Conditional Use Permit. Letters were dated April 23, 1980. Carol _Go I lieb Pathway Committee, stated that the Town was very fortunate to have twenty-five acres of open space with limited development such as the subject property. She noted that the applicants have been generous with pathway requests in the past, but felt impelled to request another ten foot (10') path for a path connection and a meandering oath adjacent to the Horton property as it comes off Altamont Road. Michael Kaindl, requested that the architectural scheme for the proposed dwelling conform to the original master plan for the architecture on the Daughters of Charity property. The public hearing was closed, and Commissioners requested that the following additional information be supplied by the applicant: To the Map: 1. Add the names and amounts of acreage owned by all adjacent property owners. 2. Add the amount of acreage for the Daughters of Charity property. 3. Setbacks for existing buildings are to be shown on the map. 4. Proposed construction is to be located on the map. 5. Show the elevation of the proposed structure. 6. Major trees and groups of trees are to be shown on the plan. Additional information requested included: 7. The Engineer for the Applicant is to determine whether Old Snakey Road is public or private; what access the Daughters of Charity have to the road, i.e., is it a fire access only or can the access be used or other purposes? 8. Information was to be obtained by the Pathway Committee on the specific request they were making on the pathway. Commissioner Rydell suggested that the applicant consider re -locating the proposed structure on the property. Commissioner vanTamelen commended the applicant for having approximately three times the amount of setback from the property line than required. Commissioner Stewart asked that the applicant stake out the four corners of the proposed dwelling so that the Commissioner could get some idea of its location on the property. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch to continue the Lands of Daughters of Charity, File NCU 1-80, to the meeting of May 14 when it will be considered as the first item of business on the agenda. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - April 23, 1980 Page four 4W PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) At 8:59 p.m. the Commission took a short break; the meeting resumed at 9:10 pm. 2. TENNIS COURT POLICY STATEMENT: The Planning Commission reviewed the Tennis Court Policy Statement at an open public hearing. With the exception of page two, under the hearing "Grading", only minor changes were made. Under "Grading" the following change was made: The second sentence beginning "When the amount of fill exceeds six feet..." was deleted. It was replaced with the following: 'In general, grading shall r be considered excessive and inconsistent with Town objectives when the amount of fill exceeds six feet (6') or the total grading exceeds twelve feet (12' Such projects shall be carefully screened at a meeting of the Planning Commission. Tom Barton, Contractor, 960 N. San Antonio Road, Los Altos, commended the Commission on t e Tennis Court Policy Statement. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Rydell and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch to approve the Tennis Court Policy Statement as amended and to send it to the City Council for consideration. OLD BUSINESS: 4W 1. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE STATEMENTS ON FENCING: Assistant Planner Pat Webb gave a report on fencing requirements and materials required by surrounding communities. Commissioners considered what requirements the Town might make regarding materials for fencing, setbacks and where fencing should be located when adjacent to roadways. Barbara Gordon, Traffic and Public Safet Committee, made suggestions on rail- type fencing as a desira e for a rural environment. She called attention to the need to avoid sameness in fencing along subdivisions, as of course this would detract from a rural appearance for the community as a whole. Carol Gottlieb Pathway Committee, discussed fencing setbacks and noted that such limitations on fencing was legislating horses out of Los Altos Hills. She suggested pipe fencing along horse corral areas, noting that while it is not beautiful fencing, it is open. The Commissioners made various proposals for inclusion into an ordinance proposal. Staff was asked to work the proposals into ordinance form and present this to the Commission for further consideration. Points to be included were: u 1. No fence within thirty feet (30') of the center line of any �oa dwa 2. Fences on property lines adjacent to roadways must be open. type (75% open). 3. All other fences must be set back from such property lines - to a distance equal to not less than twice their height. The category of "all other [ `r fences" will include solid fences (more than 25% solid) or chain link fences. Various formualtions were proposed for this last point: Solid fences along roadways cannot be any higher than half their distance from the property line. Chain link fences should be considered as solid fencing and should be set back accordingly. 4V PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - April 23, 1980 Page five OLD BUSINESS: (continued) 1. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE STATEMENTS ON FENCING: (continued) John Carlson suggested the wording: The height of all other fences along roadways cannot exceed half their distance from the property line (for fences along property lines facing roadways). In closing discussion, it was determined than any ordinance on fencing would apply to new fencing in the Town. When the ordinance is applied to roads developed in past -years (old roads or private roads), it was suggested that hardship cases may appeal through the variance process. NEW BUSINESS: 1. LANDS OF TAYLOR, LOS ALTOS, 80-PUD/Cluster 19: John Carlson discussed the pro- posed development in Los Altos. Hi srecommendation was that no action be taken as this was not the Town's jurisdiction.. ,His comments were included in his April 16 staff report. Commissioners discussed the proposed development and their attitudes toward it. Commissioner Stewart's suggestion was that the City Council should pursue this immediately. It was his feeling that the development was spot zoning. Commissioner Rvdell felt that some response should be made, and Commissioner Dochnahl felt that the Town should recommend denial of the development. Commissioner vanTamelen suggested that Commissioner Stewart write a letter to the City Council on this and that he speak to this issue as Planning Commission Representative at the meeting of May 7. 2. TENNIS COURT POLICY: It was noted by Commissioner vanTamelen that some approach should e made to Foothill College for better relations between the College and the Town with regard to the use of the public tennis courts at the College. Commission- er vanTamelen suggested that Commissioner Rydell write a memo recommending that the Mayor call on the President of the College to discuss this. This memo was to be included in the City Council Packet with the Tennis Court Policy Statement. OLD BUSINESS: (continued) ". Ridge Lines: Commissioner vanTamelen had recommended earlier in the evening before the discussion of New Business, that the Commission give consideration to the statement regulating development on ridgelines: No house shall be higher than twenty feet on the ridge line. She noted that this would encourage building down the sides of hillsides rather than along the top of hillsides. Assistant Planner Pat Webb discussed a ridgeline ordinance from the City of Lafayette, copies of which were passed out to the Commissioners. She noted that something like what Commissioner vanTamelen had proposed was much more workable. Also, on Page 5, Conmissioner vanTamelen requested G that the third paragraph under "Ridge Lines" be stricken, and the following added bi instead: Commissioner vanTamelen recommended that one way of dealing with the /,�,� ,1k'l ridge line problem would be to allow no building on a lot with more than 158 slope �'" �.,,` tl to rise more than twenty feet (20') above the highest point on that lot. This would tl allow only one story houses on ridges and hilltops. Commissioners discussed what areas of ridge line were left to build on in the Town, and it was determined that three ridge line areas were Buena Vista, Sherlock PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - April 23, 1980 Page six OLD BUSINESS: (continued) 2. Ridge Lines: Way and the Neary property. Carol Gottlieb, Pathway Committee, noted that when the Semas property is annexed to the Town, a 7t of ridge line area will be available for development. Commissioner Lachenbruch expressed approval of Commissioner vanTamelen's suggestion, and the discussion was terminated with Commissioner vanTamelen suggesting that the Commissioners think over the suggestions made. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further new or old business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:40 p.m. by Commissioner vanTamelen. Respectfully sumbitted, Ethel Hopkins Secretary