HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/13/1984 (2)PIANNING OQ"AIISSION
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
RFGW�
Wednesday, Jame 13, 1984
Reel 109, Side I, Tract II, 135-fhd; Side II, Tract II 000 -End
Charman Kuranoff called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. in the Town Hall Council
Chambers.
A. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Present: Camnissioners Garico, Dochnahl, Gottlieb, Lachenbruch, Stewart, Struthers
and Chairman Kuranoff
Absent: None
Staff: City Manager Ann Hinshaw; Acting City Engineer Gordon R. Miller; Staff
Planner Nancy Lytle; Secretary Leslie Mullins
item Removed - B.1. (Lachenbruch)
Camnissioner Lachenbruch requested the minutes of May 9, 1984 be amended as follows:
On page four, first sentence, add after attended the "a meeting of the Disaster
Preparedness Committee—"
MOTION SECONDED APED CARRIED: Moved by Carico, seconded by Struthers and passed
unanimously to approve the minutes of May 9, 1984 as amended.
(Camnissioners Gottlieb & Kuranoff abstained from approval of minutes)
MOTION SECCMDED APED CARRIED: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Carico and passed
unanimously to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar, namely:
1. Setting Public Hearings for June 27, 1984:
a) Resolution # declaring the intention of said city to vacate and abandon
a portion of a certain nonvehicular street access easement under the pro-
visions of the "Public Streets, Highways and Service Easements Vacation
Law", Section 8300, et seq., of the Streets and Highways Cade of California.
C. REPORT FROM VARIANCE & PERMIT O@M,ILSSION:
Commissioner Stewart reported the Variance & Permit Commission held a public hearing
to consider a variance request for an encroachment into the front yard setback for
a garage, noting the Cmmussim could not positively meet the variance criteria
relating to #1 and 2 of the Municipal Code, and unanimously voted to deny the variance
without prejudice.
%Vt D. REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL =INGS OF MAY 16, 1984 and JUNE 6, 1984:
Ccm ssioner Stewart reported the City Council at their May 16, 1984 meeting inter-
viewed 9 applicants for the vacant Planning Ccmlission seats, appointing Carol Gottlieb,
Planning Camission Minutes - June 13, 1984
Page Two
D. REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS: (continued)
Lr William Siegel and Luis Yanez. Conmissioner Stewart indicated City Council
discussed the weed abatement reca:mendation from Commission and wanted further
explanation.
Comnissioner Carico reported the City Council at their June 6, 1984 meeting
accepted Mr. Tsunoda's wit drawl of his variance appeal; approved Resolutions
for stone damage work on Moody Road and Page Mill Road; awarded contract to
Ruth & Going, Inc., for Altamont Drainage Basin Study; discussed the Purissima
Hills Water District Lease; discussed the re -activation of the Adobe Creek
Country Club request by Dave Bellucci, noting this item will be forwarded to
Planning Commission when processed; and supported action by Diane Feinstein
regarding the peripheral canal. Ca Tnissioner Carico welcomed Carol Gottlieb
to the ounmiission.
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Lards of Palo Alto Unified School District, File #TM 7-83, Page Mill and
Arastradero Roads, Sandis & Associates, Engineers, Tentative Map, 4 Lots
Ms. Lytle referred to staff report of June 8, 1984, noting the Planning Commis-
sion held a public hearing on this iter on March 28, 1984 and made a unanimous
motion to recd miend to the City Council approval of the Negative Declaration.
Ms. Lytle indicated there are several areas of concern listed in the March 23,
1964 staff report and staff has prepared an analysis of these issues for
comissions review, relating to pathways, traffic safety, scenic corridor,
eucalyptus trees and riparian corridor and storm drainage. Ms. Lytle indicated
a memo dated June 7, 1984 frau the Planner to City Engineer should be included
in the conditions of approval of the tentative map to be ccmpleted prior to
public hearing conducted by the City Council. Ms. Lytle recommended the
Planning Commission adopt a motion recom ending that the City Council approve
the Tentative Map, subject to conditions of approval as submitted with the
June 8, 1984 staff report.
Planning Caanission and staff discussed quotes received from three tree surgeons
for annual maintenance of the eucalyptus trees. Davey Tree -$25,000; Old Time
Tree Service - $34,700; and Sun Valley Tree Service - $21,000. Connission and
staff discussed the traffic survey prepared by Pang & Assoc., if this report
is adequate to answer all concerns previously mentioned by citizens in this
vicinity.
The Public Hearing was then opened.
Mr. William Kull, Sandis & Assoc., asked commission to review a couple conditions
that the applicant feel need to be codified slightly; Condition 1.A., 1.E.,
4.D. and 7.B. Caunissicn, staff and applicant reviewed each condition as
requested and incorporated changes to conditions as part of the Conditions of
Approval review after the Public Hearing.
r4r. Bruce Parker, 26190 Radcliffe Lane, asked if there were any way to eliminate
the overhead power lines that are existing on the property. Commissioner ex-
plained the ordinance conditions require that all new service be undergrounded
,%W and unless PG&E were willing to relocated the old lines, they would remain as is.
Mrs. Carol Stone, Radcliffe Lane, questioned the cost of aumplete removal of the
eucalyptus trees and requested if at all possible to keep the trees in place and
just consider trimming and pruning.
Planning Commission Minutes - June 13, 1984
Page Three
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
I. Lands of PAUSE), File #TM 7-83
The Public Hearing was than closed, commission began review of the Tentative
Map Conditions of Approval.
Condition 1.A. passed by consensus to amend: The owner shall dedicate a thirty
foot road right -o£ -way for Page Mill Road and an additional five feet along
Arastradero Road. The property line radius at the intersection of Page .Mill
and Arastradero Road shall be thirty feet.
Condition 1.B. passed by consensus to amend: The owner shall dedicate a
conservation easement, equestrian/pedestrian easement and storm drain easement,
separately described, for Arastradero Creek along the southerly property lines
of Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4. Said easement shall be twenty feet in width and
contiguous with top of bank of said creek. Tn addition the Owner shall dedi-
cate equestrian/pedestrian easerent twenty feet in width along the westerly
property line of Lot #1. (Subject to review by City Attorney)
Condition 1.B. & 1.C. of the proposed conditions of approval were combined to
make a new Condition I.B.
Condition 1.D. passed by consensus to amend: The owner shall dedicate a twenty
foes wide open space easement along Page hull Road adjacent to the thirty foot
wide street dedication along Page hull Road as shown on the Tentative Map.
There shall be no structures including fences allowed within the easement,
with the exception of those necessary for the equestrian/pedestrian trail and
bridge.
Condition I.F. passed by consensus to add: There shall be no access allowed
from Page Mill Road to Lot #4.
Condition I.G. passed by consensus to add: There shall be a forty foot front
setbacks on both Arastradero and Page hull Road for Lot #4.
Condition I.H. passed by consensus to add: Proposed contours should not be
shown on the Tentative Map, and are not to be installed as part of Tentative
Map improvements. The proposed contours should be shown on the Tentative Lot
Improvement Plans.
Condition 4.C. passed by consensus to amend: A standard path bridge shall be
installed across Arastradero Creek at Page hull Road within the easement
listed in Condition I.B. Planning Connission shall review bridge placement
and design. Bridge should be designed to accomodate bicyclists.
Condition 4.D. passed by consensus to amend: The pavement section for Arastradero
Road shall be widened on the south side to eighteen feet from the centerline
of the road to provide a twelve foot vehicular lane and a six foot bike lane
for easterly bound traffic.
Condition 5.C. passed by consensus to amend: A portion of the eucalyptus trees
along Arastradero Road shall be removed only as necessary to accomodate driveway
site distance as approved by the City Engineer. The remaining trees shall be
pruned, trimned and thinned at the expense of the applicant with the approval
%W and under direction of the City Ingineer. All stumps shall be removed blow grade.
Planning emission Minutes - June 13, 1984
Page Four
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
1. Lands of PAUSD, File CIM 7-83
kw Condition S.D. passed by consensus to add: hens listed in the mono dated June 7,
1984 from Staff Planner to City Engineer shall be additional conditions of approval,
with a modification in Item #2. A tract number is not required to appear on Tenta-
tive Map. These conditions shall be implementer] prior to distribution of the
Tentative Map to City Council.
Condition 6.B. passed by consensus to amend: A reduction from four to three drive-
way accesses shall be required to reduce the number of vehicular conflicts along
Arastradem Road. ...
Condition 6.C. passed by consensus to amend: Place Stop Ahead and Cross Traffic
Warning signs along the south side of Arastradero Road westerly of Page Mill Road
and Liddicoat Drive respectively.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by lachenbruch, seconded by Struthers and
passed unanimously to recommend approval of the Lands of Palo Alto Unified School
District, File #TM 7-83, Tentative Map to the City Council subject to Conditions
of Approval as amended.
F. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Discussion of proposed revisions to the Second Unit Ordinance #283
Ms. Lytle informed connission a Resolution will be prepared for the next
meeting to set public hearing for July 11, 1984 on this subject, and reviewed
the proposed changes to Ordinance as listed in her June 8, 1984 staff report.
Commissioners and staff discussed the changes and agreed to send on to the
City Attorney with one slight modification to Municipal Code Section 9-5.216(b)
third sentence, change "several" to "all".
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Stewart, seconded by Carico and passed
unanimously to recommend the City Attorney prepare necessary Resolution and
amendment to Municipal Code Sections 9-5.703 (k) and 9-5.216 (b) .
Commfssioner Gottlieb abstained from voting on this subject.
3. Status of General Plan Update and Revision to contract With Connerly & Associates
Staff informed commission Connerly & Associates has been given the ok to proceed
with their first project; which will be in this order:
1) Site Development Review Co nittee on Site Development Ordinance arendments,
it was noted there is a meeting tentatively scheduled for June 26, 1984 at 1:00
p.m. regarding this matter and if any one is interested please stow;
2) Update Housing Element; and 3) General Plan Update.
Item Number 2 of Old Business will be discussed after Item Number of New Business.
G. NESS BUSINESS:
1. Discussion and Recommendation regarding extension of Planning Services
Ms. Hinshaw referred to mach dated June 8, 1984, regarding staff planning services,
noting the current contract with Martin -Carpenter will expire on June 30, 1984,
and she would like to recommend to City Council at their meeting of Jane 20, 1984
that the contract be e,tendcd Lwodg.m tle next fiscal rear. ns. Hinshaw provided
Planning C(]nmiseien Minutes - June 13, 1984
Page Five
G. NEW BUSINESS: (continued)
(. 1. Planning Services Contract
Commissioners with a memo from Martin -Carpenter Associates outlining the
terms they find desirable for FY 1984-85.
Can:ussioner Carico informed commission she was asked several Weeks ago to
look into the current planning procedures at Town Hall, noting she felt it
would be very important for Commission and staff to schedule a Study Session
when the new Planning Commissioners are on board to discuss pertinent items.
Conmissioner Struthers concurred with Caricod suggestion.
Commissioner Kuranof£ indicated based on the quality of staff reports and
work being processed through current planning staff that he is pleased with
what is happening.
Commissioner Lachenbruch expressed he did not See anything unreasonable with
this proposal for the interim period, but would need more information to
consider this approach for a long term basis.
Commissioners suggested staff prepare a time schedule on current processing
of applications, policies currently in practice and agendize on the July 11,
1984 Agenda for discussion.
2. Discussion of Proposed lllmndment to landscape Policy, Resolution #1256
Ms. Lytle referred to her staff report of June 8, 1984, noting at the request
of the City Manager, the suggested arnendnents to the landscape Policy, Item
6.(c) be approved by commission and forwarded to City Council for their
approval. Ms. Lytle indicated commission should consider the purpose of
the revision is to amend to policy as soon as possible, to more accurately
reflect our current practice, noting the commission may also want to discuss
the suggested wording describing the time of submittal and the amount of
deposit to be required.
Ms. Hinshaw informed commission after discussion with the City Attorney regarding
the amount of bond that would be adequate if the Town needed to get the landscaping
done would need to be upgraded to either $3,000 or 158 of the estimated cost
of landscaping whichever is smaller. Ms. Hinshaw also indicated the commission
may want to build in some discretion regarding the time of year the time period
in which the landscaping most be complete.
Commissioners discussed time frames in which to set deadline dates for
canpletion of landscaping, and the bond amount should only be what the Landscape
Policy requires - screening. Commissioners discussed setting up a way of
estimating the cost on each individual job. Commissioners Kuranoff and Lach-
enbruch stated, "A Landscape Plan which complies with the minimum landscape
Policy shall not be submitted until after the residence is framed, but must
be submitted and approved." Camntissioner Struthers suggested the Environmental
Design Committee be asked to crane up with a ballpark estimate for 1, 3, 5 & 10
gallon trees; then we will be able to look at the house and will determine
what is needed and ask for the sufficient amount of landscaping. Commissioner
Carico indicated the time should be changed from 6 months to 9 months.
Mrs. Mary Stutz, Chairman Pathway Connittee, indicated 6 months is a reasonable
amount of time, and could easily be changed to 8 months to accomodate any bad
weather.
Planning Commission Minutes - June 13, 1984
Page Six
G. NEW BUSLNESS: (continued)
2. Discussion - Landscape Policy
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Moved by Lachenbruch, seconded by Stewart
and passed unanimously to continue discussion of Landscape Policy revisions
to the next regularly scheduled meeting.
F. OLD BUSINESS:
2. Discussion of Weed Abatement Policy
Ms. Lytle referred to her staff report of June 8, 1984 indicating the
Commission at their May 9, 1984 meeting,unanim ously voted to recromnend
to the City Council that the Town study the matter of discing vs. mowing
and that the Town give further attention to alternative forms of weed
abatement; the camdssion also voted unanimously to suggest to the City
Council that the Town undertake a study by consulting with experts on
the effectiveness of various weed abatement techniques. Ms. Lytle informed
commission the City Council at their May 16, 1984 meeting, asked-forclari-
fication of the commissioners recommndation. Commissioner Stewart added
the council wants to know who the experts are? and if this will be an out-
side study with consultants?
Commissioner Lachenbruch indicated he has talked with Chief Farwell of the
Los Altos Fire Department and he noted the Fire Commission and Department
had discussed this issue and they do not have anything against mowing.
Commissioner Lachenbruch indicated perhaps staff would be able to let the
community know it is alright to mew, especially to those properties that
are sensitive.
Commissioners felt this would be a good item to include in with the next
Tom Newsletter.
G. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Reminder to Commission the Budget Hearings start Thursday, June 14th
at 3:00 p.m., if anyone is interested in attending.
Commissioner Lachenbruch informed commissioners the Mayor has appointed
a selection committee to review applications for City Manager: Andy
Cochran, Art Lachenbruch, Dick DeLong (City Manager - San Mateo) ,
Marty Tarshes and William Zaner (City Manager - Palo Alto). Iachenbruch
indicated Tarshes has received about 130 applications and has reduced
them to 52 candidates, noting tomorrow the selection committee will
review and reduce it down to 10-12 candidates. Commissioner Lachenbruch
indicated he believes it is very important to bear in mind our unique
objectives for Los Altos Hills, and would be looking for a Manager
with a philosophy compatible to our own.
3. Volunteer for City Council Meeting of June 20, 1984: Carol Gottlieb
4. Ms. Lytle referred to a request for a sign to be installed by the Palo
�. Alto Hills Homeow3lers Association for the Palo Alto Country Club to be
placed at Alexis & Page bull Road, asking commission for comments on
the proposed sign, Ms. Lytle passed a working drawing for commissioners
review. Commissioners suggested a wood sign as it is rural and to keep
as simple as possible.
Planning Commission Minutes - June 13, 1984
Page Seven
G. NEW BUS=S:
0660 5. Cc mdssimer Carico reminded ccmnissioner about the party being
held on Friday, June 22, 1984, asking everyone to please attend.
H. ADJOUR ENT:
There being no further new or old business, the meeting was adjourned
at 12:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ieslie Mallins
E]igineering/Planning Secretary
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