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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/25/1980 (2)PLANNING COMMISSION Town of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, June 25, 1980 Reel 87, Side 2, Tr. 1, 617 to End; Side 1, Tr. 2, 001 to 515 Chairman vanTamelen called the meeting of the Planning Commission to order at 7:47 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Lachenbruch, Dochnahl, Kuranoff, and Chairman vanTamelen Amended Absent: Commissioners Carico and Rydell, Commissioner Stewart (excused absences) 7/9/80 Also Present: City Engineer/Planner John Carlson, Assistant Planner Pat Webb, Secretary Ethel Hopkins CONSENT CALENDAR: MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl that the Consent Calendar be approved as submitted, namely: 1. Minutes of June 11, 1980 2. Setting of Dates of Public Hearings: Variance and Permit Commission - Lands of Smith, File #VAR. 5-80; Planning Commission - Lands of Bellucci, File #TM 2104-79 REPORT FROM VARIANCE AND PERMIT COMMISSION OF JUNE 25: Commissioner Kuranoff reported on the recommendation of approval given for a variance for the Lands of von Huene, File #VAR. 4-80. REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 18: Commissioner Dochnahl reported that The Council had requested that the Planning Commissions of both Los Altos Hills and Palo Alto meet together, and that the Mayor and Town Manager meet with neighbors from the area. Commissioner vanTamelen reported further on the possibility of the Mayors of Los Altos Hills and Palo Alto getting together to discuss the Arastradero Road re -zoning issue and that a Committee of Mayor Nystrom, Commissioner Stewart and various neighbors had been formed to deal with the issue. She noted that further discussion on whether a joint meeting should be arranged would be deferred until later in the meeting when Commissioner Stewart would be present after attending a meeting of the Palo Alto Planning Commission. n11PI iC HFAPTNrC L 1. LANDS OF THOMPSON, File #TM 4-80, Summerhill Road, John Markl, Engineer, �r Request for Recommendation of Approval of Negative Declaration and Tentative Map, 2 Lots: Mr. Carlson reviewed the contents of City Attorney Frank Gillio's June 24th memo on possible recommendations the Planning Commission might make on the Lands of Thompson PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - June. 25, 1980. Page two PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF THOMPSON, File #TM4-80: (.continued) subdivision. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl that the Planning Commission proceed with recommending approval of the Lands of Thompson subdivision, subject to the first recommendation in the City Attorney's letter of June 24. John Markl, Ensineer for the AQpli cant, 10306 Castleton Terrace, Sunnyvale, stated his ciient's wi Rn ness to a ide y�tTie requirements of Item of the City Attorney's letter and noted the progress of efforts to work out an agreement with Mr. Blue's attorney regarding the easement problem. In further remarks on the subdivision, Mr. Markl stated his objection to the requirement to construct a Type IIB pathway along the subdivision, first because the previous pathway alone the Lands of Claude subdivision was a Type IA path, second because of the difficulty of constructing a path along the slope, and third, because of a lack of connections to other path segments. Celine Claude, 25545 Bella Ladera Drive, spoke against the construction of the Type IIB pathway. VOTE: Commissioners Lachenbruch, Dochnahl, Kuranoff and vanTamelen voted on the above motion, all in favor of proceeding with the Lands of Thompson subdivision, sub- ject to the recommendation in the City Attorney's letter of June 24. There were no abstentions or "no" votes. Commissioners considered the Negative Declaration, the public hearing being opened and closed, with no one speaking for or against the Negative Declaration. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch to recommend approval of the Negative Declaration for the Lands of Thompson, File #TM 4-80. Mr. Carlson discussed the details of the subdivision as Commissioners began a review of the conditions. He spoke for the Type IIB path requirement, as Summerhill is a collector road and the Master Pathway Plan calls for paths on both sides of major arterial and collector roads, and adding that it was the hope to establish by agree- ment with the City of Los Altos a path on the other side of Summerhill Road. Fran Stevenson, PathwayCommittee, spoke for the Type IIB path requirement, as it would assure i safer and more durable path, particularly for school children in the area. Carol Gottlieb,Pathwa Committee, spoke for the Type IIB path, noting the need for sa e y an ura i 'Ty orL11e pa way, especially for children in the area. Commissioners' discussion on the pathway concerned the issues of the problems of obtaining path easements to connect to the Type IIB path being requested, piecemeal development of paths, the issues of why the subdivider was required to construct and pay for paths, and the problem of establishing a better policy for constructing and maintaining paths in the Town. Peter Shaw, Architect, 125 University Avenue, Palo Alto, stated his opinion that the path construction requirement was not such a onerous requirement. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - June 25, 1980 Page three %, PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 1. LANDS OF THOMPSON, File #TM 4-80: (continued) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: It was moved by Commissioner Lachenbruch and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl the Condition 6.A. on a Type IIB pathway remain as written. VOTE: AYES: Commissioners vanTamelen, Lachenbruch and Dochnahl. NOES: Commissioner Kuranoff ABSTAIN: None PASSED BY CONSENSUS: That Condition 7.B. be added, to read as follows: The recommendation of approval of the Tentative Map is made with the condition that the driveway be relocated out of the 160 foot circle to a location approved by the Town, but subject to the concurrence of any property owners other than the subdivider who has an interest in the driveway property. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Kuranoff and seconded by Commissioner Dochnahl that the Lands of Thonpson, File #TM 4-80, be recommended for approval, with conditions as amended. 2. LANDS OF LA COMMARA, File #A 4744, Site Development Request, .Swimming Pool, Patio and Tennis Court, Request for Approval: Mr. Carlson noted that the above request for Site Development approval had been referred to the Planning Commission because of the extent of the development proposed and the amount of grading over the lot. He reviewed figures on lot develop- ment and slope density. Thereafter the hearing was opened to the public discussion. Peter Wri ht Shaw, Architect, 125 UniversityAvenue, Palo Alto, felt that his pro- posa was wit in t e constraints of the Town, stated that the retaining wall corrected the grading problem, discussed the landscaping plans for the site, and requested that the Commission approve his request as the proposal was in keeping withit develop- ment on adJ'acent properties and that it was good for the Town because t would increase the property values. (Amended 7/9/80) The public hearing was closed, and discussion returned to the Planning Commission. Commissioner Kuranoff noted that the proposed development was not out of character with the surrounding development on the Country Way Subdivision and that the screening proposed would be adequate. (Amended -77'11"t Commissioner Lachenbruch noted that the Town had been incorporated with certain values in mind and that these values were not necessarily market values. With the kind of development being proposed by the Lands of LaCommara, these values were being eroded. It was his feeling that the proposal violated the intent of the General Plan, but that no ordinances actually precluded such development. His specific concern was the amount of grading required and the amount of impermeable surface in relation to the lot size. It was his hope that with ordinance proposals recently sent to the City Council that the Town's desire for a modest development on a minimum size lot would be encouraged,and that for develonments such as the present request, at least two acres would be required.- (Amended 7/9/80): Commissioner Lachenbruch expressed the need for landscaping to screen the development from off site views, so that this develop- ment should be as unobtrusive as possible. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Kuranoff and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch that Site Development Approval be given to the Lands of LaCommara, File #4744. All Commissioners present voted in favor of the motion. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - June 25, 1980 Page four PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) The Planning Commission took a short recess at 9:10 p.m., the meeting reconvening at 9:28 p.m. 3. LANDS OF HUTH, File #TM 3-80, 13450 Burke Road, Request for Recommendation of Approval of Negative Declaration and Tentative Map, 6 Lots, Paul Nowack & Associates, Engineers, 6 Lots: Mr. Carlson recommended consideration of the Negative Declaration for the above request. Thereafter the public hearing was opened and closed with no one speaking for or against the matter. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Dochnahl and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch to recommend approval for the Negative Declaration for the Lands of Huth, File #TM 3-80. Mr. Carlson reviewed pertinent information on the Lands of Huth as detailed in his June 19th staff report. Specific items referred to in detail were the sewer con- struction and consequent connection at Edith as a result of a flow study, and his no vehicular access recommendation along Burke Road. Thereafter the hearing was opened to the public discussion. Z. Kay Bewley, 14370 Burke Road, spoke against widening Burke Road to sixty feet, C for access to t e su division off Bentley Court, for the pathway on the bank area and asked that the path area be divided to accommodate both foot traffic and horse traffic. Other items addressed by Dr. Bewley were the matters of storm drainage and fencing (she was for the four foot fence height and proposed 2 x 4 non -climb wire as a type of fencing material that might be used); she also proposed that houses on the subdivision be kept low. Roger Summit, 13390 Lennox Way, asked that some means be made available for surrounding properties to connect to the sanitary sewer being constructed, for some means like Bentley Court to be made available for the Fremont Road entrances to the subdivision, and against any six foot high fences along the perimeter of the subdivision. Irma Goldsmith, 27330 Elena Road, reviewed the history of the name "Bentley Court" as appropriate for the subdivision, and noted that she had made recommendations on the types of houses that might be built for the subdivision, suggested that the walnut trees might serve as fencing along the property's perimeter, noted the safety problems for horses and pedestrians and the danger of bicycle and motorcycle traffic. She also recommended changing the driveway off Fremont Road. Vir inia Sumni t, 13390 Lennox Way, expressed concern on the size of the houses that mig t e constructed on the su division and on the storm drainage, noting that open ditches could easily fill with overgrowth and cause flooding during rainy periods. Other concerns expressed were the amount of paving that might be allowed and the use of path and roadway areas by bikers and the problem of providing a consistent path that bicyclists might use to avoid travelling on the roadway. John Lynch Paul Nowack & Associates 127 State Street, Los Altos, speaking as the engineer and representative for the developer, Bob Owen Homes, noted that final design plans for the sanitary sewer were not yet complete, noted that drainage from the subdivision would be minimal and the drainage ditch would accommodate it, s `7 4W PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - June 25, 1980 Page five PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 3. LANDS OF HUTH, File NTM 3-80: (continued) that open wire fencing was agreeable to the subdivider, and questioned whether the subdivider could afford to bring the sewer line further up Fremont Road. Commissioner Lachenbruch discussed with Mr. Carlson the possibility of locating the pathway on Bentley Court so that it would be separated from the travel way, and how the grading could be reduced by steepening the grade on Bentley Court, his concern being to avoid the type of cul-de-sacs like Matadero Hills. Mr. Carlson noted that these matters would be worked out with improvement plans. Commissioner Lachenbruch also expressed concern on widening the pavement area for a bicycle lane. (Amended 7/9/80) Fran Stevenson, Pathwa Committee, discussed pathway proposals for horses and pedestrians, noting that bikes should have a path at the road level. She questioned whether an additional ten feet of pathway should be provided on Lot 6 to accommodate trees in the pathway area. Commissioner Kuranoff cautioned against providing a pathway for bicyclists for only a short distance, only to have to emerge onto a roadway. He noted that bikers would not be inclined to use such a path area. He questioned whether a path along both sides of the road would be the most practical way to provide for path or bike traffic. Considerable discussion followed on the most practical way of providing for the triple needs of horse, pedestrian and bike traffic along the subdivision. A short break was taken at 11:00 p.m., the meeting resuming at 11:15 p.m. The public hearing was closed, and a review of the conditions begun. The following amendments or changes were made in the conditions: PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To add as Condition 1.D: The owner shall dedicate a ten foot (10') pedestrian and equestian easement adjacent to the Burke Road right-of-way between Bentley Court and the southerly edge of the subdivision. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To amend the second sentence of Condition 6.A to read: The paths along Fremont and Burke Road shall be located adjacent to the property line within the right-of-way and/or within the pathway easement on Lot 6. The path on Bentley Court shall be separated by at least eight feet from the pavement. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY: It was moved by Commissioner Kuranoff and seconded by Commissioner Lachenbruch to eliminate Condition 6.B. The motion was approved by all present. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To amend Condition 7.A, to read: All fencing between the set- back lines and road right-of-way shall have no more than 35% of the surface area consist of opaque material and shall be no higher than four feet (4'). (Condition 7.B was eliminated as it had been combined with Condition 7.A.) PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To amend Condition B.A. to read: Landscaping shall be placed L to screen the residences from Bur a Rid, careful consideration shall be given `. to maintaining the open, natural characteristics of the area. In discussion on need for additional storm drainage culverts, Mr. Carlson noted that this matter would be taken care of with street improvements for the subdivision. Mr. Carlson was asked, however, to be particularly watchful of the grade on Bentley Court. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - June 25, 1980 Page six PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) 3. LANDS OF HUTH, File #TM 3-80: (continued) PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To add as Condition 9.E the following: An open ditch for drainage— shall be provided along Fremont Road. PASSED BY .CONSENSUS: To add as an additional condition under "Miscellaneous Conditions" the following, numbered Condition 10: In view of the drainage problems and the conspicuous place of the property, carefu5 consideration shall be made of the following: (Add the impervious surface item, Condition 10.E on the Lands of Burdick subdivision conditions.) All conditions subsequent to the added Condition 10 were to be renumbered. (Amended 7/9/80) MOTION SECONDED AND APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS ROLL CALL VOTE: It was moved by Conmissioner Lachenbruch and seconded by Commissioner Kuranoff to recommend approval of the Lands of Huth, File #TM 3-80, with conditions as amended. 4. LANDS OF ILA, File #TM 2-80,27881 Elena Road, Paul Nowack and Associates, Engineer, Request for Recommendation of Approval for Negative Declaration and Tentative Map, 5 Lots: Although the above item and subsequent items on the public hearing agenda were con- tinued to the meeting of July 9th (with the applicant's consent), a short discussion took place to clarify additional items Commissioners felt were needed for the next discussion. Mr. Carlson discussed pathways along the subdivision, noting Mr. Avila's willingness to donate a thirty foot pathway easement on the northerly section of the property until a ten foot pathway easement is obtained on the road opposite his property, at which time the thirty foot easement can be abandoned. Mr. Carlson informed the Commissioners that the City Attorney had recommended that both the Tentative Map and the secondary dwelling application be considered at the same time. Commissioner vanTamelen listed several discrepancies on the Lands of Avila map, asking that discrepancies on the subdividable lot be corrected and that figures on the individual lots needed clarification (gross, net and slope yield). She noted also that buildings on Lots 3 and 4 were not represented on the map. Commissioner Lachenbruch asked that consideration be given to a pathway along Elena Road, as it seemed like a natural place for a path when he had looked at the property. Commissioner vanTamelen noted that Lands of Avila would be the first item on the agenda at the July 9th meeting. NEW BUSINESS: f 1. LANDS OF RIGGEN, File #TM 2095-79, Review on Site Development Violation: Mr. Carl- �r son informed the Planning Commissioners that Mr. Gillio had promised to make a report on the above matter when the Lands of Riggen Tentative Map is discussed at the City Council public hearing. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - June 25, 1980 Page seven OLD BUSINESS: 1. Proposed Fence Ordinance: Continued to July 9th meeting. 2. New Schedules on Committee assignments were distributed to the Planning Commission. 3. Arastradero Road Parking Lot Landscaping: Mr. Carlson informed the Commission that the State would be submittin g plans to him re landscaping of the parking lot, and that he should receive these plans in the coming week. 4. Bridge at Page Mill Road: The Commissioners were informed that the Traffic and Public Safety Committee was uncertain about what to do about that bridge. 5. Arastradero Road Rezoning: As Commissioner Stewart had not returned from the Palo ,to meeting, Commissioners decided to wait until word had been received from him to decide on further action. As to a joint meeting with the Palo Alto Planning Commission, Commissioner vanTamelen felt that the Planning Commission of Los Altos Hills should decide what they wished to accomplish from such a meeting before proceeding further. She asked that minutes from previous joint meetings be supplied for her to examine. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further new or old business, Chairman vanTamelen adjourned the meeting at 12:20 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Ethel Hopkins Secretary V