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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/13/1991`, PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS 26379 FREMONT ROAD LOS ALTOS HILLS, CALIFORNIA WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH, 1991 cc: Cassette #2-91 1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Present: Chairman Jones and Commissioners Carico, Comiso, Noel, Pahl Absent: Commissioners Ellinger, Stutz Staff: Bill Ekern, Director of Public Works; Margaret Netto, Planning Consultant, Laura Johnson, Planning Secretary 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR There were no presentations from the floor. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.0 PLANNING COMMISSION DISCLOSURES 3.1 LANDS OF WHEATLEY, 26644 Purissima Road: A request for a variance to allow a secondary unit to exceed the 1000 square foot limitation of the Zoning Code. This item was continued at the request of the applicant to the Planning Commission meeting of February 27th, 1991. 4. NEW BUSINESS 4.1 Discussion of Lands of Sheene, 12004 Emerald Hills Lane. A request from Staff for comments regarding hilltop construction. The Commission discussed hilltop development, including siting, height difference between one and two stories, issues of height versus mitigation and visual relief, the value of the full commission reviewing development at Planning Commission PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APPROVED L February 13th, 1991 `, Page 2 Site Development Committee meetings, utilizing cut and fill, and inclusion of photo montage in project review. Barbara Tryon, Councilmember, commended the Commission for a productive discussion, noting the general plan and ordinances were designed to make the land preeminent and that a vertical line house will dominate a hilltop location. She also noted the value of photo montage in aiding the Commission's review. The Commission discussed visiting hilltop sited residences for further discussion of hilltop issues. Commissioner Pahl suggested each commissioner choose a hilltop house they like and one they don't like and the Commission as a group tour them. He noted this would entail public noticing as a meeting. Chairman Jones requested that setting the date of the meeting be agendized for the next Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Carico suggested that after the meeting the Commission should share the information discussed with Council at the next Joint Meeting. Other New Business: Commissioner Pahl requested Sun Country Cable return to the Planning Commission regarding the appearance and color of the antennas on Purissima Road. Chairman Jones noted a six month review was a requirement of the Site Development Permit. Commissioners Pahl and Comiso noted they would like the discussion to be agendized for the Planning Commission. Commissioner Pahl requested Staff make proposed findings on applications by looking at the request from the applicant's point of view. Bill Ekern clarified that if Staff could make findings, they would do so. Commissioner Carico noted this was putting responsibility on Staff that should be the Planning Commission's. Commissioner Comiso noted there were references in the staff reports to neighbors' concerns and suggested including better descriptions of the residents' concerns. Bill Ekern clarified that letters regarding public hearings were generally not received PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APPROVED February 13th, 1991 Page 3 in time for inclusion in staff reports, noting residents call and express concerns to Staff up to the time of the public hearing. Commissioner Comiso suggested that if a clearer description of neighbors' concerns cannot be supplied, then references to them should not be included in staff reports. 5. OLD BUSINESS 5.1 Discussion of the process for reviewing projects resulting in impact to a conservation easement. Bill Ekern restated Staff's understanding of the process. Chairman Jones noted one problem was information that will come back from the agencies is technical while the question of whether there is a negative impact on a conservation easement is more a political question. Barbara Tryon noted the Planning Commission at Site Development could consider conditioning a project upon the approval of outside agencies. Commissioner Noel noted the Staff Report very clearly presented the process for reviewing conservation easements. Bill Ekern noted the importance of agreeing upon a process for dealing with conservation easements. Commissioner Pahl noted if there is any work in the conservation easement, the Planning Commission has input on the project. Bill Ekern clarified any work in a conservation easement would require the Commission's review, and the question of impact depends on the outside agencies review, which Staff would use to determine whether to bring a project to the Planning Commission for consideration of impact. Chairman Jones noted the applicant won't know if the Planning Commission will approve the project until after they have obtained all the agencies responses and he felt the applicant should be able to find out the Commission's disposition at an earlier stage. Bill Ekern clarified that if Staff and the applicant disagreed as to the impact on a conservation easement, it would be brought to the Planning Commission for ` comment. The option of the next level for review is there. Chairman Jones noted it was important to ensure applicants know the option exists. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APPROVED February 13th, 1991 4 Page 4 5.2 Update on the activities of the General Plan Housing and Mineral Resource subcommittees. Mineral Resource: Commissioner Comiso noted the subcommittee had nothing to report. General Plan Housing: Commissioner Pahl reported the subcommittee was awaiting City Council direction. 6. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF IANUARY 9TH. 1991 Commissioner Noel removed the minutes of January 9th, 1991. He wished to clarify under LANDS OF HANSEN, that he felt the lot was unbuildable with the size of house proposed. Under item 4.1, he wished inclusion of his suggestion to concentrate on policy direction rather than specific projects. Barbara Tryon, Atherton Court wished to make the following changes under Item 4.1: Paragraph 2 - Remove "the difficulty she had" and "and outlined the project. She noted there... in the conservation easement."; Insert "which led to this issue coming before the Planning Commission. Paragraph 3 - Add "Mrs. Tryon stated neither she nor her representatives were aware the pond was to be pulled from Site Development. Paragraph 8 - Remove "she was upset at the way the review of the project had proceeded" and "As it is not a major activity, the detaining pond could be addressed at the Staff level."; replace "this" with "the issue of "activity"; and add the paragraph to paragraph 3. Paragraph 10 - Remove "Mrs. Tryon clarified they are trying to repair damage... any information required by Staff. Paragraph 11 - Remove "The Commission... her project." Paragraph 12 - Remove "with Mrs. Tryon's proposed project'; replace "iterated" with "reiterated that"; replace "the application was complete" with "more information was available". PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APPROVED February 13th, 1991 060 Page 5 MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Noel, seconded by Comiso, and passed to approve the minutes of January 9th, 1991 as amended above. AYES: Chairman Jones and Commissioners Carico, Comiso, Noel NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioners Ellinger, Stutz ABSTAIN: Commissioner Pahl 7. REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 16TH AND FEBRUARY 6TH, 1991 January 16,1991: Commissioner Comiso reported Sun Country Cable presented a report on the status of cable television in Los Altos Hills. She noted her appointment by the Council to the Community Development Block Grant Citizens Advisory Committee. Commissioner Comiso noted LANDS OF HANSEN, approved at the Planning Commission meeting of January 9, 1991, was appealed and a public hearing was to be held at the Council meeting of January 23rd, 1991. LANDS OF LIU was continued for outside opinion on Prairie Style architecture. kw February 6th, 1991: Commissioner Noel reported Elaine Dauber was reappointed to the Library Commission. Two items, LANDS OF LIU and LANDS OF ESHNER were continued to the Council meeting of February 20th, 1991. LANDS OF FINN, a request to change siding from shiplap to stucco was approved. LANDS OF HANSEN was approved with a number of conditions and many legal considerations were discussed. 8. REPORT FROM THE SITE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETINGS OF JANUARY 8TH AND 22ND, 1991 January 8th, 1991: Bill Ekern reported one item was reviewed and approved: Nakao - Landscape Plantings. Plantings in the Santa Clara Valley Water District easement were required to be approved by the Water District. Redwoods along the creek, trees along the front of the property, and Birches along the house were required as well as slope stabilization and a $5000.00 landscape deposit. January 22nd, 1991: Bill Ekern reported two items were reviewed and approved. Sun - Driveway. This item was subsequently appealed and a public hearing will be held at the next Planning Commission meeting. Owen - Landscape Plantings. Plantings were required on the Fremont Road corner of the property PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APPROVED February 13th, 1991 Page 6 Bill Sun, 12444 Robleda Road, explained a series of delays over the past three years preventing the completion of his landscaping and requested the Planning Commission's attention to his situation. Chairman Jones requested Staff explained the process for addressing the landscaping to the Suns. 9. ADJOURNMENT Barbara Tryon referred to the minutes of January 9th, 1991 and noted the Commission's unofficial vote regarding agendizing an urgency item should be noted as a straw vote, as a vote to agendize an urgency item would have to be taken for reasons of health, safety, and welfare or as an item received after the agenda was set. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Jones, seconded by Comiso, and passed to so amend the minutes of January 9th, 1990. AYES: Chairman Jones and Commissioners Carico, Comiso, Noel `, NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioners Ellinger, Stutz ABSTAIN: Commissioner Pahl The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Laura Johnson Planning Secretary `7