HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/25/19904W PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
26379 FREMONT ROAD
LOS ALTOS HILLS, CALIFORNIA
WEDNESDAY, JULY 25TH, 1990
cc: Cassette #1490(1)
1. ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE TO THE NEW PLANNING
No action was taken on this item as the two new commissioners were unable to
attend this meeting.
2. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Present: Vice -Chair Jones and Commissioners Carico, Comiso, Noel, Pahl
Absent: Commissioners Ellinger, Stutz
Staff: Bill Ekern, Director of Public Works; Ann Jamison, Planning Director
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
3.1 Approval of the Minutes of the July IIth,1990 meeting.
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Noel, seconded by Comiso, and
passed by consensus to approve the minutes of July 11th, 1990.
Vice -Chair Jones noted Items 5.2 and 5.3 had been withdrawn and public hearings
would not be held. He suggested any questions regarding the yard waste recycling
program be asked under Presentations From the Floor. He noted the Town is no
longer considering the two sites discussed in 5.2 and 5.3.
Ann Jamison referred to Item 5.1 Lands of Wiedman, noting she received a
facsimile from Mr. Peterson's attorney regarding a dispute relative to ownership of
this property. She noted the City Attorney and acting attorney were not available for
discussion to determine what the most appropriate action would be. She noted the
Planning Commission's advisory capacity to the City Council and that any action
they took would not be a final determination on this tentative map application.
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PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
July 25th, 1990
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4. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Approved
In response to a question from Commissioner Carico, Bill Ekern noted that Staff was
looking at the whole spectrum of yard waste recycling, sites are one aspect of the
program presently under review.
Commissioner Comiso requested Staff forward a request to the City Council for a
legal opinion on Byrne Park and uses, how the Town stands legally, and a
description of parks, recreation, and open space.
Jack Weissman, 12119 Foothill Lane, expressed concerns with the garbage and
recycling program and questioned the status of the Town's contract with LAGCO.
Vice -Chair Jones explained that as of the City Council meeting of July 24th, 1990, the
contract was approved. He noted the possibility a general discussion of the recycling
program would be agendized for the September 12th meeting of the Commission.
John Geramino, attorney representing the Peterson estate, noted there was no issue
over ownership on this property at this time. A petition was filed for the decedent
kw by Mr. Geramino. The estate will be distributed to the heirs of Mrs. Peterson in a
remainder fee interest, with a life estate for Mr. Peterson. He noted there is a dispute
as to Mr. Peterson's life estate, which has nothing to do with the title or subdividing.
He noted they had filed in good faith and hoped to complete the subdivision as
efficiently as possible to pay off estate taxes.
Commissioner Pahl noted the faxed letter appeared to indicate that under a life
estate, Mr. Peterson is entitled to the entire property for his life estate. If that is
correct, any action of the Commission would be set aside as Mrs. Wiedman didn't
have legal right to the property.
Mr. Geramino noted the issue is Mr. Peterson's life estate and whether he has a right
to any money resulting from sale of a portion of the property.
Ann Jamison noted Staff was not questioning anyone's integrity. She further noted
she would confer with the City Attorney as soon as possible to find out what the
disposition of this issue would be and if the Commission heard the application, she
would make certain a legal determination was made prior to it proceeding any
further through the process.
The Commission voted to consider the application by the following vote:
4 Ayes: Jones, Comiso, Pahl; Noes: Carico, Noel.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Approved
July 25th, 1990
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5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
5.1 LANDS OF WIEDMAN, 13930 La Paloma Road, A request for a Tentative
Map, Conditional Exception, and certification of a mitigated negative
declaration.
Planning Commission Disclosures: Vice -Chair Jones asked whether there were any
objections to adopting Commissioner Pahl's suggestion for this and future Planning
Commission Disclosures for Public Hearing: it will be assumed each Commissioner
has visited the property and not spoken with the applicant, and anyone with any
further disclosures should state them. There were no objections.
Ann Jamison introduced this item, outlining the quantitative analysis. She noted
key issues of concern included access to the rear lot and the Turek's property and a
conditional exception to the 30' half street right-of-way, preservation of the sense of
openness along La Paloma Road and setbacks, and parking and fencing in the
setbacks. She noted the overall subdivision is in accordance with the Town's
ordinances.
Commissioner Pahl expressed concern that if all residences along La Paloma Road
are required to have an 80' setback, the houses will line up 80' back from the road.
Ann Jamison responded that variation of setbacks by about ten feet would probably
no prevent line up, and with an 80' setback, any line-up would not be as apparent as
if it were at the 40'foot setback.
The Public Hearing was opened.
Susan Popylisen, Giuliani and Kull, civil engineer for the project, requested the
Commission's consideration of allowance of parking within the second 40' of the
setback. The parking would be for visitors, so they would prefer it to be in the front
of the house where it is more usable. She referred to Staff's option for an open space
easement on the property and noted they would prefer to record a deed restriction
on the property, as had been done on the Nelson property.
In response to a question from Commissioner Pahl, Ann Jamison noted during the
discussion of the Nelson subdivision and site development permit, Commissioner
Stutz noted the setback established for openness would allow a solid six foot wall or
fence with the 80' setback that would impact the sense of openness along the street.
Ms. Jamison suggested this as one way to address that concern.
Vice -Chair Jones questioned whether the applicant had any concerns with the Staff
`r recommended conditions. Susan Popylisen responded their only concerns related
to Condition #15, as she had outlined.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
July 25th, 1990
Page 4
Approved
Jacquie Wiedman, applicant, thanked the Commission for hearing the application at
this meeting.
The Public Hearing was closed.
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Carico, seconded by Noel to
recommend certification of the mitigated negative declaration for the subdivision.
AYES: Vice -Chair Jones and Commissioners Carico, Comiso, Noel, Pahl
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioners Ellinger, Stutz
MOTION FAILED: Motion by Carico, failed due to lack of a second, to substitute
dedication of an Open Space Easement for Staff Recommended Condition #15
Bill Ekern noted the open space easement and deed restriction have the same
language and effect, the former shows up on the map, and the latter shows up as a
recorded instrument subsequent to the map and can be problematic in tracking.
`, MOTION SECONDED AND FAILED: Motion by Pahl, seconded by Noel to
recommend adoption of Staff recommended conditions 1 - 18 with the following
Condition #15, and approval of the Tentative Map to the City Council.
15. The applicant shall record a deed restriction to run with the land, which may
not be removed without the approval of the Los Altos Hills City Council,
outling the following: Development to occur on lot 1 shall be designed to
protect the openness of the La Paloma Road corridor. In order to accomplish
this, development on this parcel shall be setback 80' from the right-of-way of La
Paloma Road and shall be no greater than 23 'in height. All other setbacks and
other restrictions shall be in accordance with code requirements in place at the
time of development.
AYES: Commissioners Comiso and Pahl
NOES: Vice -Chair Jones and Commissioner Carico
ABSENT: Commissioners Ellinger, Stutz
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Noel
Commissioner Pahl noted the motion did not extend to allowance of parking
within the setback but the issue may deserve consideration when the Site
Development Permit for the new residence is reviewed.
`. Vice -Chair Jones explained he voted 'no' as he felt the fence restriction should be
included.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
July 25th, 1990
4 Page 5
Approved
Commissioner Noel noted his abstention was due to the legal problems presented,
and the lack of an official recommendation from the City Attorney relative to how
to proceed with consideration of the application.
MOTION SECONDED AND FAILED: Motion by Carico, seconded by Jones to
recommend approval of the Tentative Map to the City Council with the Conditional
Exception, noting the findings of Staff, with Staff Recommended Conditions 1 - 18.
AYES: Vice -Chair Jones and Commissioner Carico
NOES: Commissioners Comiso, Pahl
ABSENT: Commissioners Ellinger, Stutz
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Noel
MOTION: Motion by Carico, failed due to lack of a second that when the legal issues
are resolved, the application return to the Planning Commission.
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Noel, seconded by Comiso to
forward the application to the City Council without any recommendations.
4 AYES: Vice -Chair Jones and Commissioners Comiso, Pahl, Noel
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commissioners Ellinger, Stutz
ABSTAIN: Commissioner Carico
5.2 LANDS OF THE LOS ALTOS FIRE DISTRICT, Arastradero Road at
Horseshoe Lane, A request for a Conditional Use Permit to allow a yard
waste recycling collection facility and a Site Development Permit.
This item was withdrawn at the request of Staff.
5.3 LANDS OF LOS ALTOS HILLS, Altamont Road (Westwind Barn), A
request for a Conditional Use Permit to allow a yard waste recycling
collection facility and a Site Development Permit.
This item was withdrawn at the request of Staff.
6. NEW BUSINESS
6.1 Discussion of the location of Council and Site Development Committee
Reports on the agenda.
#AW Vice -Chair Jones asked whether there were any objections to moving the Council
and Site Development reports to follow 'Old Business' on future agendas.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Approved
July 25th, 1990
4 Page 6
Commissioner Pahl requested the Consent Calendar also follow 'Old Business'. The
Commission agreed by consensus to adopt this ordering of items.
7. OLD BUSINESS
7.1 Selection of the 1990/91 Chair and Vice -Chair
Commissioner Comiso noted there were no Planning Commission meetings in
August and suggested waiting until September to make the selections.
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Pahl, seconded by Comiso, and
passed by consensus, with Commissioner Carico dissenting, to continue selection of
the 1990/91 Chair and Vice Chair to the first meeting in September.
Commissioner Carico noted it might be easier to vote in the new Chair now.
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Pahl, seconded by Noel and passed
by consensus to reconsider the motion to continue selection of the Chair and Vice -
Chair, and appoint Vice -Chair Jones as Chair for 1990/91.
Commissioner Carico made and withdrew a motion to select Commissioner Noel as
Vice -Chair. In response to a question from Commissioner Noel, the Commission
discussed Commissioner Stutz's interest in the position.
8. REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 24TH, 1990
Commissioner Comiso reported Mary Stutz was reappointed and Rick Ellinger was
newly appointed to the Planning Commission. She noted the City Council denied
without prejudice the Lands of McDonald request for a Conditional Development
Permit, Variances, and a Site Development Permit for a new residence to allow the
applicant to return to the Council sitting as the Site Development Authority with a
request for a residence less than 3500 square feet in size. She also reported an appeal
by a neighbor of Lands of Saviano Site Development Permit for a new residence,
swimming pool, and tennis court was granted to delete the tennis court with
acknowledgement that future development of a tennis court is not precluded.
9. REPORT FROM THE SITE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING OF
JULY 17TH AND JULY 24TH, 1990
July 17th, 1990: Ann Jamison reported two items were reviewed and approved:
McLaren, minor driveway and addition, there were no significant concerns. Kam,
paint color, two samples were approved, one gray, one grayish -beige.
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
July 25th, 1990
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It!
Approved
July 24th, 1990, Ann Jamison reported one item was reviewed and approved:
Stanley, swimming pool, decking, landscaping, there were no significant concerns.
10. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Noel, seconded by Jones and
passed by consensus to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Johnson
Planning Secretary