HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/11/1984PLANNING CCAAITSSION
�, Ta N OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
MIN YY • •iC I9
Wednesday, July 11, 1984
Reel 110, Side I, Tract I, 600 -End; Side II, Tract I, 000 -End
Chairman Carico called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. in the Town Hall
Council Chambers.
Present: Commissioners Carico, Gottlieb, Lachenbruch, Siegel, Struthers
and Yanez
Absent: Commissioner Kuranoff
Staff: Acting City Engineer/Manager Gordon R. huller; Staff Planner
Nancy Lytle; Secretary Leslie Mullins
***Mr. Frank Gillio, City Attorney addressed concerns over vacation abandonment.(See Item E.1)
B. ORIENTATION:
Ms. Lytle made a presentation to Planning Ca Taission and audience regarding
the Ins Altos Hills' Planning Laws and Ordinances as they relate to the
Planning Commission's responsibilities. A packet of information was supplied
to each member of the Planning Commission for their review.
C. CONSENT CALENDAR:
NOTION SEOCMED AND CARRIED: Moved by Lachenbruch, seconded by Gottlieb
and passed unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar, namely:
1. Approval of Minutes - June 27, 1984
2. Setting Public Hearings for July 25, 1984:
(there are no public hearings to be set for this date)
D. REPORT FRAM CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 5, 1984:
Commissioner Struthers reported the City Council presented plaques to Cannissioners
Doch nahl and Stewart for their years of service on the Planning Commission;
appointed a new City Manager - George Scarborough, starting date August 13, 1984;
held public hearing on PAUSD Tentative Map, approved with amendments to the
Conditions of Approval; approved the Budget 1984-85; appointed Dick Durhing
as Acting City Treasurer. Struthers indicated she did not relay the message
regarding code enforoeme t from the Cannission, as she was not present at that meeting.
Mr. Gordon Miller indicated the City Camcil appointed Mr. Fd Coli as the Town's
Financial Consultant, noting he will be setting up the new computer program for
finances.
I.
LJ
Planning CO0nissicn Minutes - July 11, 1984
Page TDA
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Declaring the intention of said City to vacate and abandon a portion
of a certain non -vehicular street access easement under the provisions
of the "Public Streets, Highways and Service Easements Vacation Law"
Section 8300, et.seq., of the Streets and Highways Code of California.
Mr. Frank Gillio, City Attorney addressed the commission and audience
regarding concerns raised at the June 27, 1984 public hearing, noting the
Water District is exempt from State Map Act requirements, as well as Town
Zoning Laws (i.e., Zoning - Site Development). Mr. Gillio informed the
camdssim the item before them is a request for vacation of a non -vehicular
access easement on Fremont Road for a pump station, noting the cmmission
by motion should prepare a report to the City Council on whether this
abandonment conforms with the Town's General Plan. Mr. Gillio further
noted the cmmission may wish to incorporate in their report any statements
regarding site development review, landscape requirements, etc., for the
City Council's consideration at their public hearing scheduled for July
18, 1984.
Mr. Gordon Miller referred to his staff report dated July 6, 1984, noting
the Planning Commission at their June 27, 1984 meeting continued the Public
hearing becuase of concerns over legal lot size of remaining parcel; develop-
ment area; landscape, etc. Mr. Miller informed commission the pump station
Will be located between Fremont Foad and Barron Creek and the pmts will be
installed underground with transformer above ground. Mr. Miller informed
oommdssion the existing wood fence would remain with a gate for ingress/
egress purposes to the pump site.
Mr. Imbert Buss, Vice President Water District, informed commission of the
importance of this pump station for the Town of Ios Altos Hills, noting
they have been working on this project for over 1 1� years, indicating this
site is the most suitable for location of purp station regarding the ele-
vation and nuxa mmm impact as the paTps will be undergrounded.
Mr. Graham Malone, Boone/Cook Engineers, presented a three dimensional
elevation plan of the proposed Pomp station for the commissions review.
In regard to the number of times the site would be visited, Mr. Malone in-
formed comnussion the most use of the property would be during the summer-
time months, noting a site visit to turn on or shut off the street valve
would occur approximately once to twice a day.
Ms. Joan Crisman, Attorney for Water District, informed commission as the
Water District is a local agency, the District is exert from zoning, site
development and building permits, noting the only reason for being before
the cmmission and council is that there is an existing easement involved
with the property and the request =at go through public hearings. Ms.
Cassman indicated an Fhvironmental Report will be processed through the
Town for comrents.
Commissioner Iachenbruch expressed concerns over: 1) appearance; 2) noise;
3) traffic usage from easement; and 4) the remaining parcel status, noting
this location is at a major entrance to the Town and careful consideration
should be given to landscaping.
Planning Commission Minutes - July 11, 1984
Page Three
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
( 1. Vacation abandonment - Water District
Mr. Joseph Seiger, 27087 Old Trace Lane, informed commission it is his lot the
Water District is proposing the pure station on, noting he is very sensitive to
landscaping for the pump station and concerned over the noise of the transformer.
Mr. Seiger expressed concern over the easement abandonment, noting if the com-
rdssion approves this tonight they will loose control over the site development
process.
Mr. Vince Liu, 27431 W. Fremont Road, being the closest and most affected neighbor
to this site asking counission not to rush into approval, as he is very concerned
over noise and landscaping of the pump station.
Mr. Bill McCann, Manager Purissima Hills Water District, informed commission
they have an agrees t with Mr. Seiger that he will provide for the landscaping
of the pump station, noting the only structure that will be above-gxound will be
the transformer everything else will be undergrounded.
Canmission discussed the concerns mentioned regarding site development, landscaping
and noise of the psnp station.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Lachenbruch, seconded by Siegel, and
passed unanimously to recamferd to the City Council that this matter be continued
pending discussion among Mr. Seiger, Water District, Town and neighbors and then
return back to camussion when concerns raised this evening have in the opinion
of the property owners been resolved in a fair and satisfactory way.
2. Lands of Smith, File #CUP 2-84, 24200 Summerhill Avenue, Request for approval
of Conditional Use Permit for a secondary dwelling.
Ms. Lytle referred to her staff report of July 6, 1984 noting this request is for
a Conditional Use Permit for a secondary dwelling at 24200 Smmerhill Avenue, in
accordance with Ordinance #283 amending Chapter 5, "Zoning", Section 9-5.217 and
9-5.703. Ms. Lytle amended the figures noted in the staff report, to include
280 square feet to second story and 240 square foot deck. Ms. Lytle noted the
Town Geologist made a verbal report today on this site, requiring the applicant
prepare a Soils Geotechnical Report. Ms. Lytle indicated there is a deck and
spa which has been installed without permits, noting there are three additional
conditions staff would like to include: 1) Proposed second unit confom with
height limitations; 2) Existing deck to be required to apply for zoning permit;
and 3) Town Geologist recrmmenaation that the applicant be required to obtain a
Soils Geotechnical Report as part of time Conditional Use Permit.
Crnmissioner Struthers asked if the second unit would be a pole house, noting
this would not be coupatible to the primary unit as specified in the Ordinance.
Commissioner Gottlieb asked if the steps are included in the NIDA? and asked if
oamussion would be in favor of asking for a ten foot pathway to ensure the Fath
remains?
Commissioner Siegel asked staff if there was a reason for not mentioning that
caretakers could use the second unit. Ms. Lytle indicated it was overlooked and
C will be added to the conditions. Mr. Siegel suggested that as it is a very
4/ difficult thing to enforce (guests) that the owners maintain a log of who occupies
the second unit, and that this log would be available upon request by the City,
noting this could be a useful tool of enforcement without much cost to the City.
Camdssioner Lachenbruch concurred with Sieqel, noting this should be addressed
under the Public Hearing for Second Unit Ordinance AnsncLnent.
Planning Commission Minutes - July 11, 1984
Page Four
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued)
2. Lands of Smith
Commissioner Struthers indicated while making a site visit to the property,
she noticed a section of property that look like dirt tossed over concrete
with petunias planted in it, asking if this was considered as part of the NIDA
coverage? Noting, if not it should be removed.
The Public Hearing was then opened.
Mr. Kenn Williams, Architect, informed camdssion the owner has made additions
to the property without permits, however, this public hearing is to consider
a request for a second unit, noting they have no problem in meeting the height
limits for the second unit, and after review with the soils engineer they
will be moving the second unit location but will still be in conformance with
the ordinances. Mr. Williams informed camussion it is the suggestion of the
soils engineer that the house be a pole house, noting the poles will be internal,
they will not be seen.
Mr. Smith, 24200 Summerhill Avenue, informed commission the house when purchased
was left vacant for two years, rundown and they have completely renovated,
but olid not add any new development only improved, with regard to the hot tub
Mr. Smith indicated it is portable.
The Public Hearing was then closed.
MOTICN SEODMED AND CARRIED: Moved by Yanez, seconded by Lachenbruch and
passed unanimously to reeamend approval of the subject Conditional Use Permit
to the City Council with amendments to the Conditions of Approval as follows:
Add the following conditions: 1) Non -conforming deck and hot tub will be
reviewed for zoning and building permits; 2) As per the Town Geologist the
owner shall retain the services of a Soils Engineer to perform a Soils Geotech-
nical Report, to be reviewed and approved by the Town Engineer and Geologist;
3) The Secondary Unit shall be in conformance with height restrictions; 4) The
owner shall dedicate a ten foot pedestrian/equestrian pathway along the frontage
of property, to be located in the field; 5) the pavement underneath the garden
bed shall be removed; and 6) Prior to final inspection on the second unit, the
deck will be in conformance with zoning laws or removed.
** Comissioner Carico requested that Item #3 of Public Hearings be continued until
after the items of Old Business and New Business were discussed.
F. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Setter regarding Code Enforcement
Commissioner Carico indicated this problem of enforcement is not new, noting
there are some gross violations, this is a recommendation to the City Council,
and we should only point out problems and perhaps not provide a solution.
Commissioner Siegel suggested that the second to last paragraph of the letter
be removed, as it is not true, noting there would be no money involved with
the enforcement of zoning and building codes.
Mr. Fred Delsey, 27856 Black Mountain Road, expressed concern over the site
development and building process, noting back in December, 1983, he reviewed
plans for site development of a new residence on Elena Road and has found now
that the house is being built, the plans are not the same as those approved
for site development, noting the second story is larger.
Planning Commission Minutes - July 11, 1984
Page Five
F. OLD BUSINESS: (Continued)
1. Code Enforcement
Ms. Lytle informed comnission there was a loophole in the system and is
being worked out by staff at this time.
Mr. Miller informed cannission that the building penTdt has already been
issued the house being constructed, noting the plans were revised after
the Site Development review. Mr. Miller indicated the total building coverage
is the same, however, the second story is larger than those plans originally
reviewed. Mr. Miller noted a policy is being worked on that the architect
do not alter plans after the zoning and site development process.
Mr. Merriem, asked if they would received a notice for the landscape approval?
Staff informed commission and audience that notice of public hearing would be
posted on site and in posting boxes as well as noticed to property owners within
300' of property.
Commissioner Lachenbruch noted there are twm distinct problems: 1) enforcement
and 2) Procedures, concurred with Commissioner Siegel on the fines, deletion
of top of second page.
Commissioner Gottlieb noted the Town does already have a code enforcement officer,
and suggested maybe recommending an assistant.
Commissioner Carico suggested that this item be discussed further at the next
meeting when Chairman Kuranoff is present.
fir' WrION SECCNDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Struthers, seconded by Iacherbrucb and
Passed unanimously to continue discussion on the code enforcement until Chairman
Kuranoff is in attendanzx ; and askedthatstaff look into the Site Development
loopholes.
G. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Lands of Norton, File #8-84, La Paloma Road, Int Line Adjustment
Ms. Lytle referred to her staff report of July 6, 1984 noting this request for
lot line Adjustnent is to acc�xcedate building plans on Int #1 as per John Riley.
Ms. Lytle indicated in the past Int Line Adjustments had been reviewed by staff
and sent directly to City Council for their approval, noting at the July 5, 1984
meeting, the City Council referred the Lands of Morton to the Planning cemni198ssi4
for their review and recannendation. Ms. Lytle recamended approval of the sub-
ject Lot Line, subject to conditions of approval as stated in the Resolution
prepared by the City Attorney and staff report to the City Council from Gordon
Miller and Neal Martin. Ms. Lytle informed commission staff has been unable to
clearly define a standing procedure for Processing Lot Line Adjustments in
research of local ordinances; staff requests recommended policy on procedures
for Processing of Int Line Adjustments, noting this request will be before the
City Council at their July 18, 1984 meeting.
( Commissioners discussed the development area allowed for each lot, size of lots.
♦r MOTION SECGDIDID AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Carico and passed
unanimously to recamend approval of the Lands of Porton, lot Line Adjustment
to the City Council with conditions as per Resolution and Staff Report.
Planning Commission Minutes - July 11, 1984
Page Six
E. PUBLIC BEARINGS:
3. Amnd ent to Second unit ordinance, Subsection (k) of Section 9-5.703;
and definition of "gross area" in Section 9-5.219.
MOPION SECONDED AND CAI=: Moved by Lachenbruch, seconded by Struthers
and passed unaniGmusly to continue the public hearing on the amendmnt to
second units until July 25, 1984, to include discussion on suggestions of
keeping log and limited to one story.
G. NEW BUSINESS:
2. Commissioner Carico suggested the Planning Ccnmission representative
to City Council Greetings be a commissioner who attended the previous
CoGmission Greeting.
3. Camuissioner Gottlieb expressed the need to have a calendar for
scheduling of Site Developmnt. Staff will prepare a calendar for
commissioners review.
H. ADJOURZENT:
There being no further new or old business, the meeting was adjourned
at 11:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Leslie Mallin
Engineering/Planning
R