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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/26/1989PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS %W 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California Wednesday July 26, 1989 L Chairman Emling called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers. A. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Present: Commissioners Carico, Jones, Stutz, Noel, Pahl and Chairman Emling. Absent: Commissioner Comiso Staff: Bill Ekern, Director of Public Works; Maria Baricevic, Planning Secretary B. CONSENT CALENDAR: Approval of Minutes: June 28, 1989 & July 12, 1989 MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Noel and seconded by Stutz and passed to approve June 28, 1989 and July 12, 1989 Minutes. AYES: Commissioners Jones, Stutz, Noel,*Pahl,*Carico and Chairman Emling NAYES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Comiso * = Abstained on vote to approve June 28, 1989 Minutes C. REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF July 12 1989• 7/12 Commissioner Noel: Stop sign will stay on Purissima at Arastradero. Date of Joint Meeting confirmed for Sept. 12, 1989. D. REPORT FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETINGS OF 7/18 and 7/25 7/18 Commissioner Emling: Discussed the three items that had been reviewed. 7/25 Commissioner Stutz: Lands of Finn - Noted that there had been discussion by the subcommittee regarding reduction of the subdivision from 6 lots to 5. Commissioner Jones added comment regarding paths between lots and site lines on Prospect. 1 Planning Commission Minutes Regular Meeting of July 26, 1989 t Commissioner Carico said the Committee had also discussed use of %r CCR'S and briefly outlined the City Attorney's comments on CCR'S re: setting house sizes. E. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR: F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. LANDS OF WEISS, FILE #VAR18-89, 4CDP2-89, 13208 E. Sunset Drive, Request for Variance, Conditional Development and Site Development Permits for an addition to kitchen, breakfast room, and bedroom located above garage, not to exceed maximum floor restrictions decided upon by Planning Commission. Mr. Bill Ekern presented Staff Report, recommending approval of the Variance and Site Development Permits upon granting of a Conditional Development Permit. The Public Hearing was then opened No public comment. Mr. and Mrs. Weiss were present and available for questions. The Public Hearing was then closed. Commissioner Noel stated that the floor area was okay. He stated MDA, to his knowledge, to be 7,494 square feet and that the Weiss' were requesting an additional 460 square feet of development area. After some discussion among the Commissioners as to the MDA stated, the incorrect figure of 7,494 square feet stated previous- ly was corrected to 7,794 square feet. The 460 square feet of additional development area stated was agreed to be correct. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Noel and seconded by Pahl and passed unanimously to grant the Weiss' a Conditional Develop- ment Permit with 4,000 square feet of Maximum Floor Area (MFA) and 5,000 square feet of Maximum Development Area (MDA). AYES: Commissioners Pahl, Noel, Stutz, Emling, Jones and Carico NAYES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Comiso MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Noel and seconded by Pahl and passed unanimously to grant the Weiss' a Variance of 2,794 square feet in MDA. 2 Planning Commission Minutes Regular Meeting of July 26, 1989 Safwat Malek, Architect, Triangle Associates, 473 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos, stated that the Middle Fork Lot is a sensitive site. He also described his efforts to create a stepped down version of the two-story building proposed, consisting of a second floor with a master bedroom only. To mitigate the impact a two- story house might have on the surrounding area and on neighbors' sight -lines, the home's placement in the plans has been designed, relative to the natural contour of the land. The existing fill is an average of zero to two feet in depth. The updated soils report addressed Cotton concerns of 6/23/89. M AYES: Commissioners Pahl, Noel, Stutz, Emling, Jones and Carico NAYES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Comiso MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Noel and seconded by Pahl and passed unanimously to issue the Weiss' a Site Development Permit subject to conditions proposed by Staff. AYES: Commissioners Pahl, Noel, Stutz, Emling, Jones and Carico NAYES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Comiso 2. LANDS OF QUATTRONE, FILE 182-10-055, 13432 Middle Fork Lane, Lot #5, Request for Site Development Permit. Mr, Bill Ekern referred to Staff Report dated July 19, 1989 stat- ing that the Public Hearing was to consider a request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence. Staff recommends denial of the project due to siting of a two-story structure on a ridgeline. Mr. Ekern spoke with Mr. Malek prior to the meeting of July 19, 1989, regarding previous conversations regarding this Project. The first issue raised by the Commission was that of building a two-story construction on a ridgeline. The second issue raised was that of whether the site chosen for construction on the Quat- trone's property at Middle Fork Lane is, in fact, a ridgeline. The Quattrone's property is in a sensitive area with regard to neighbors as well. Each of the Commissioners present stated that they had visited the Quattrone Lot at least once. The Public Hearing was then opened. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Quattrone, 148 Kelton Avenue, San Carlos, ad- dressed the Commission and described their project. Safwat Malek, Architect, Triangle Associates, 473 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos, stated that the Middle Fork Lot is a sensitive site. He also described his efforts to create a stepped down version of the two-story building proposed, consisting of a second floor with a master bedroom only. To mitigate the impact a two- story house might have on the surrounding area and on neighbors' sight -lines, the home's placement in the plans has been designed, relative to the natural contour of the land. The existing fill is an average of zero to two feet in depth. The updated soils report addressed Cotton concerns of 6/23/89. M Planning Commission Minutes Regular Meeting of July 26, 1989 L Ms. Marie Carmel, Landscape Architect, Peter Wright Shaw, Associa- tes, 160 Forest Ave., Palo Alto, presented landscape plans to Planning Commission and Staff which showed elevation views. She also discussed the general planting concept. Mr. Safwat Malek, addressed Commissioner Stutz's concern over fill and discussed letters from Nowack and TerraSearch regarding amount of fill to clarify. Mr. Peter Wright Shaw, Landscape Architect, Peter Wright Shaw, As- sociates, 160 Forest Avenue, Palo Alto, stated his intent is to provide mitigation of house plans with concern to the neighbors' sight lines and the land contours with landscape for a two-story house. The Public Hearing was then closed. Commissioner Pahl related discussion to Hao site. MOTION SECONDED AND FAILED: Moved by Pahl and seconded by Noel, (with the clause: that it be with the agreement of applicant) to continue this hearing until the Quattrones can provide a 3-D Model of their proposed home and property and surrounding homes and properties. AYES: Commissioners Noel and Pahl NAYES: Commissioners Stutz, Jones, Carico and Chairman Emling ABSENT: Commissioner Comiso `7 Prior to the vote, the following general discussion occurred Mr. Frank Quattrone, 148 Kelton Ave., San Carlos, accepted the conditions stated by Commissioner Noel. He also stated that Mr. Malek, he and his wife had explored other options and came up with the current design. They also met with neighbors to address their concerns that the pool be protected by a fence, and that the driveway be invisible to the neighbors. The Quattrones satisfied their neighbors concerns by agreeing to protect the pool area and to plant landscaping along the drive to make it less visible. Commissioner Noel proposed a split-level structure. Mr. Malek said he considered Commissioner Noel's options, but a split-level structure does not work due to the gentle slope. Commissioner Stutz made a suggestion of deep-rooted ground cover- ing instead of proposed fruit trees on front slope, due to slope and the amount of maintenance required to maintain an orchard. 4 `- Planning Commission Minutes Regular Meeting of July 26, 1989 Commissioner Jones alerted applicant to next Meeting date on 9/13/89. Commissioner Emling expressed concern to applicant regarding model cost and ridgeline development. General discussion regarding ridge lines took place among Commis- sioners and Staff. Commissioner Carico appreciated design of the house and landscape, but does believe that the site of the house should be considered a ridgeline. Commissioner Jones does not believe dictionary definition of ridge describes this property. He does not believe this is a ridgeline. Suggested we have Commission vote and if Site Development Permit is denied the Quattrones can appeal the Planning Commission's de- cision. Commissioner Stutz, suggested that house be staked in field so as to determine impact of house on surroundings. Commissioner Emling, stated that he thought Mr. Malek and Mr. Shaw o very good work but that he has a concern about the location. Mr. Safwat Malek, requested information on what a ridgeline is defined to be in the ordinance and what is stated in the ordinance regarding ridgelines. He stated that he was told by Mr. Ekern and Ms. Zeff, former Town Planner, that this area was not a ridgeline. Mr. Bill Ekern, Director of Public Works, stated that the ordinance regarding ridgelines is in Section 10 - 2.702 of the Site Development ordinance and outlines siting on ridgelines. The Commission stated that it needed more information about the height of the proposed structure and the steps taken to be sensitive to the neighbors' concerns. Mr. Andy Ribner, 13140 Byrd Lane, Los Altos Hills, expressed con- cern over fill areas. He did not see any problem in particular with the residence. Mr. Quattrone requested to poll the Commissioners on a Yes or No vote for issuing a Site Development Permit for their project. Commissioner Pahl stated that it is not appropriate to poll the Commission and therefore prejudice the project. The consensus of the Commission and Staff was that polling the Commission is not appropriate. E Planning Commission Minutes Regular Meeting of July 26, 1989 The vote, previously noted, was then taken. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Carico and seconded by Stutz and passed to deny, without prejudice, a Site Development Permit to Mr. & Mrs. Quattrone. AYES: Commissioners Noel, Stutz, Carico, and Chairman Emling NAYES: Commissioners Pahl and Jones ABSENT: Commissioner Comiso The Quattrones were intoned that they could appeal this decision within ten (10) days of this meeting. G. NEW BUSINESS H. OLD BUSIES: Date of Joint Meeting, September 12, 1989. Comments and questions to be given to Chairman Emling. I. ADJOURNMENT There being no further new or old business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Maria E. Baricevic Planning secretary 0.