HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/10/1984PLANNING COMMISSION
4 TOWN OF IAS ALTOS HILLS
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
4kduesday, October 10, 1984
Reel 112, Side I, Tract I, 000 -End; Side II, Tract 1, 000-240
Chairman Kuranoff called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Town Hall
Council Chmnbers.
A. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Present: Co rmissioners Carico, Gottlieb, Lachenbruch, Siegel, Struthers,
and Chairman Kuranoff
Absent: Com ssicner Yanez
Staff: City Manager George Scarborough; City Engineer Michael Enright;
Staff Planner Nancy Lytle; Secretary Leslie Mullins
Item Removed - B.1. (Carice/Kuranoff)
khow Carico requested page R2, of planning Cam ission minutes, 4th paragraph, last
sentence be amended as follows: '...noting she did not feel it was edited
and organized". Kuranoff requested page four, Planning Camussion minutes,
last paragraph, 4th line be amended as follows: "...and 2) nuisance
Carico further requested that the Site Developrent Minutes of September 18,
be amended on page to under roll call to remve sentence under abstained,
and include Carico.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Carico
and passed unanimously to approve the minutes of Planning Comiission meeting,
September 26, 1984 and Site Development minutes of September 18, 1984.
M(7PION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Lachenbruch, seconded by Struthers
and passed unanimously to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar,
specifically:
B.1. Variance & Permit Cacmission Minutes - September 26, 1984
B.2. Setting Public Hearings for October 24, 1984:
1. Lands of Sierra Club Foundation, Cpen Space Abandounant
2. Lands of Voros, Conditional Use permit for secondary dwelling
3. Lands of Kava, Tentative Map and Negative Declaration
C. REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 3, 1984:
Ccanassioner Gottlieb reported the City Council referred a request by the
Sierra Club for abandonment of Open Space Easement to the Commission for
review at our next meting; heard a report on Urban Service Area boundaries;
planning Camuission Minutes - October 10, 1984
Page Two
C. REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL PEEPING: (c tined)
heard a report on the heritage preserve; discussed the next volunteer
luncheon to be held an November 16, 1984; and appointed Louse Dronkert
and Mary van Tatm?len to attend the meetings concerning Code Enforcement.
D. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1 LANDS OF PINMM PRIVATE SCHOOL, FILE #CUP 8014-76, 26800 Fremont Road,
Annual Review of Conditional Use Permit
Ms. Lytle referred to her staff report dated October 5, 1984, recommending
that the Comuission adopt a motion to approve the extension of the subject
Use Permit with reconTended amendments, i.e., New Condition 413 regarding
landscaping for new construction consistent with Town's Landscape Policy;
and amendment to Oonditicn #7 changing City Council to Planning Commission,
as commission is the approving body on Use Permits. Ms. Lytle indicated
the applicant has requested that Condition 48 be deleted from the Conditions
as the school has found it necessary to lock their gates to avoid vandalism
and nuisance. Ms. Lytle informed commission notification of the renewal
for the Use Permit were forwarded to cc mmenting agencies, both agencies
found facilities in compliance.
Commissioners questioned staff on the amount of development area, if the
new construction plans had been approved by the Palo Alto Unified School
District, and if in fact the buildings were thirty feet from setback?
Camuissioner Gottlieb expressed concern over the gates being locked,
noting this is a very important and intregral part of the pathway system.
The Public Hearing was then opened.
Mrs. Mary Stutz, Chairman, Pathway Committee, informed camuission and
applicant how important it is to keep the gates open for access, noting
it was part of the original conditions for this property.
Mr. Victor Riches, Pinewood School, indicated to camuission the gates have
been locked because of vandalism, noting however, the front
gate is open at 7:00 a.m. and closed at dark. Mr. Riches indicated there
is a very large problem with dogs running loose on school property during
and after school hours. With regard to PAUSD, Mr. Riches indicated they
have signed a 20 year lease, which they will now maintain all school property,
and insurance, noting they no longer would be required to follow the civic
center act regulations. Mr. Riches informed cammissicn the building Icing
constructed is more than 30' from property line, noting the fence is not
on the property line.
Mr. Lyn Riches, Headmaster, Pinewood, informed commission the new building
is actually 45' from property line. With regard to the Conditions of Approval,
they do indicateithe school should couuly with civic center code, noting
the lease has changed considerably since these conditions were originally
adopted and maybe this aspect should be looked at also.
Mrs. Gwen Riches, Founder Pinewood, informed commission she is afraid of
liability, noting there wasa great deal of vandalism on the school premises,
but not as much now that they have been locking the gates at night, noting
one of their biggest nuisances is the dogs that wander on the property.
The public hearing was then closed.
Planning Ounnission Minutes - October 10, 1984
Page Three
D. PUBLIC HEARING: Continued
Commission and staff discussed the need for tore info=tion regarding the
location of pathways on the property and surrounding the property; and
opinion frau City Attorney on the Civic Center Act with regard to this
application, and concurrance frau PAUSD on new construction.
MOTION SECOIDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Struthers, seconded by Carico and
passed unaniccusly to continue the public hearing for lands of Pinewood
Private School, File #COP 8014-76, for input from staff on pathways, civic
center act, and concurrance by PAUSD.
Camdssion requested a copy of the contract with PAUSD frmn the applicant.
2. DRAFT PMMMENTS To ZONING ORDINANCE, MUNICIPAL CODE SECIIONS 9-5.237,
9-5.502 and 9-5.503
Ms. Lytle referred to her staff report of October 5, 1984, noting this
is a public hearing to consider: 1) draft zoning ordinance amendment to
that sectio; of the zoning ordinance which defines the height of floor
space in excess of 2,000 square feet that is courted toward development area
coverage; draft zoning ordinance amendment to that section of the zoning
ordinance which defines natural ground level; and 3) suggested siffulifi-
catioa to those sections of the zoning ordinance which define building
height.
The public hearing was then opened.
Camiission and staff discussed existing ordinances and their interpretation
relating to building height; making ordinances more understandable to the
tbr applicant and the reasons why the ordinances are in effect. As sane of
these amendents may be related to the Site Develoiment Ordinance changes
it was suggested to continue this item until after Site Development is
resolved.
MOTION SEMI)ED AND CARRIED: Moved by Lachenbruch, seconded by Carico
and passed unanimously to continue the zoning ordinance until the Site
Developrent ordinances are revised.
3. STUDY SESSION: DRAFT SITE DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE AMa\MMENTS TO LOS ALTOS
HILTS MINICIPAL CODE, TITLE 9, CHAPTER 3, PREPARED BY C(NNERLY & ASSOCIATES
Councilwan van Tamelen gave a brief background report on the Site Develops ent
Task Force; William Spangle (consultant) report on site development mrendments;
and Connerly who was hired to make a final revision frau all information provided.
Mrs. van Tamelen noted there are building permits issued for sere items that
should be reviewed by site development prior to issuance, (ie, second story
additions,items that effect neighbors). Mrs. van Tamelen infonred coanission
the new proposed ordinance would allow a major and minor site development,
(ie new residences would go before a more formal oc miittee), the charges of
the catmittee would also include beside grading and drainage, house plaoanent,
landscaping, etc.
Chairman Kuranoff noted at the last meeting it was requested that cmnission
write down their thoughts on the draft, noting he received a very detailed
report by Carico and a new staff report. Caanission and staff began a review
of the draft, deciding before going through item by item a consensus was
needed as to what categories and in what detail they should be reviewed
and discussed.
Councilwoman Dronkert suggested that each camissioner re -review the draft
and bring in their list of major concerns, and then go back to the format
and review to be sure that all items are included.
planning commission Minutes - October 10, 1984
Page Four
3. STUDY SESSION: (continued)
N15. Lytle referred to her staff retort of October 4, 1984 indicating the
Purposes seotion of the ordinance should be a general and concise stateapnt;
rather than listing specific types of develop�nt Projects for which a
permit is required, staff recommended expanding on the existing ordinance
format, noting the existing provides for thresholds which if exceeded require
a Site Development Permit; regarding the camattee, staff recmmended
that one committee be appointed with one weekly meeting; with regard to
standards and par&neters, staff recaamended that the convassion should consider
establishing standards for items which would be used for reviewing site
developrent applications and would define what is "normally acceptable".
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Struthers, seconded by Gottlieb
and passed unanim, sly to continue the Site DevelOFMcnt Study Session
to the October 24, 1984 meeting.
E. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Site Development Recamenndation - n1CP Area plan to full Planning Camnission
Commissioner Carico expressed concern over the subject area, noting the
current applications for new residences on Reiser property (Red Rock Road)
should be considered at Ccmiission level, and all other properties within
the MMCP Area be heard at camiission meetings. Carico indicated we should
look at circulation, drainage before accepting applications for development
in this area.
�r Cmmissioner Iachenbruch indicated the development table included in the
subject report was done before the current NIDA ordinances, and suggested
staff revise. Lachenbruch questioned if carico wanted a study prepared
like the Chaparral Way Specific Plan? Carico indicated yes, this is what
she intended.
commission requested staff provide topographic, site and subdivision maps
in this area for conTnissioners review at a future meeting.
F. NEW BUSINESS:
1. oral Peport - Request for clarification of status on satellite dishes and
fences with regard to zoning implementation.
Ms. Lytle asked ccnmission for same input on how to enforce zoning ordinances
with regard to satellite dishes and fences? Should staff request NIDA? Topographic
map?
Canmissican discussed if applicant can prove that he is under NIDA the dish
should be allowed; requirements of landscaping for off-site views; and a review
of the site by staff world be beneficial in the placement of the dish in
relation to setbacks and off-site views.
MOTION SECONDED AND FAILED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Lachenbruch and
failed by the following roll call vote: That staff be instructed that
satellite dishes not larger than 12' shall not be deemed a material contribution
to NIDA. The siting of the satellite dish to be reviewed by staff with applicant.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: co mussimers Ku anoff, Gottlieb and Siegel
NOES: commissioners Carico and Struthers
ABSTAIN: Camdssioner Lachenbruch
Planning Camassion - October 10, 1984
Page Five
2. EIR Bellucci property - Chairman Kuranoff informed commission if any
one is interested in reviewing current Conditional Use Permit application
4W and EIR information he has a copy and one on file at Town Hall.
3. E1 Retiro - Commissioner Struthers reported the EIR is out for review.
Struthers indicated the Los Altos Planning Commission continued consideration
until October 18th meeting, noting if anyone is interested they should
send a letter to Cmmission and Council.
4. Mrs. Steers, 11641 Buena Vista Drive, informed cannission she has had
an application for Site Approval with the Town for sone time and would
like sore action taken by the Connission, asking commission what is
necessary for proceeding, indicating she feels she is being treated
unfairly by staff.
Mr. Enright informed cam ssion the application is not ccffplete, insufficient
information has been submitted.
Mr. Scarborough suggested that Mrs. Steers draft a letter to the City
Council asking that they rectify this situation.
G. ADJOLEI4ff :
There being no further new or old business, the meeting was adjourned at
12:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Leslie Ymllins
FYngmeermg/Plannmg Secretary
MI i