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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/13/1991APPROVED PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS 26379 FREMONT ROAD LOS ALTOS HILLS, CALIFORNIA WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH, 1991 cc: Cassettes #18-91 1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairman Noel called the Planning Commission meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Chairman Noel and Commissioners Cheng, Comiso, Ellinger, Jones, Pahl, Stutz Absent: None Staff: Bill Ekern, Director of Public Works; Margaret Netto, Planning Consultant; Laura Johnson, Planning Secretary Commissioner Cheng arrived at 7:35 p.m. 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR There were no presentations from the floor. Chairman Noel announced the Special Meeting of the City Council scheduled for Tuesday, November 19th, 1991 at 7:00 p.m. at Bullis-Purissima Elementary School to discuss what was learned from the Oakland fire. He noted that representatives of the Los Altos Fire Department, the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, Purissima Hills County Water District, California Water Service Company, Pacific Gas and Electric, and Pacific Bell would be present to review the Oakland fire and discuss fire safety in Los Altos Hills. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.1 LANDS OF CHIAO-TSAI, 13290 Lenox Way: A request for a Site Development permit for an Addition (,. The Public Hearing was opened. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APPROVED November 13th, 1991 Page 2 Terry McDaniel, 10417 Lone Oak Lane, Environmental Design and Protection Committee, noted she visited the site with the applicant. Repairs were being made to the septic drainfield in the area of a number of Oak trees and a large quantity of dirt had been dumped against the trees. There was no fencing in place for tree protection, and the truck had hit a branch of one of the larger Oak trees. Bill Ekern noted this was the first he had heard that work was being done on the septic drainfield. He clarified that septic drainfield repair may require a building permit, but would not require a Site Development permit. Staff tries to alert contractors to protect trees that may be impacted. Staff can see if the situation contravenes the Oak and Heritage Tree Ordinance, and contact the contractor to alleviate the situation. Ms. McDaniel noted she had spoken with the Mr. Chiao, and he intended to contact the contractor to remove the dirt as soon as possible. Commissioner Ellinger noted the importance of requiring use of appropriate equipment, like a crawler tractor, as well as fencing to protect trees. Mr. Chiao, applicant, noted the septic system failed and the Santa Clara County Health Department assisted them in installing a new drainfield in the rear yard, which has Oak trees. The septic tank was finished, the backhoe left, and an excavator was asked to bring in dirt. The excavator was to bring in a tractor to spread the dirt, but his trailer failed, and the driver left the dirt by the tree in error. Mr. Chiao stated he would remove the dirt, clarifying that the drainfield work was finished in the area of the Oak trees. He noted he had read and agreed to the Staff Recommended Conditions of approval. Commissioner Comiso noted that if the application was approved, the applicant must be careful of construction impacts to any trees. In response to a question from Commissioner Pahl regarding Staff Recommended Condition #5, Bill Ekern clarified that Staff recommended fencing of all trees, but the Commission can require fencing of all or some trees. The Public Hearing was closed. Commissioner Stutz commended the applicant on the addition for a job well done. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Comiso, seconded by Ellinger and passed to approve the Site Development permit for an addition with Staff `, Recommended Conditions 1 - 4 and 6, and the following Condition #5: PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APPROVED ` November 13th, 1991 Page 3 5. The one tree proposed to be removed from the site shall be replaced with an equal size tree or up to a maximum 24" box tree. Prior to beginning any grading operation, all major trees are to be fenced at the dripline. This fencing shall be of a material and structure to clearly delineate the dripline and approved by Staff. This fencing must be inspected by Town Staff prior to commencement of grading. The fence must remain throughout the course of construction. No equipment, vehicles, or debris shall be allowed within the driplines of these trees. AYES: Chairman Noel and Commissioners Cheng, Comiso, Ellinger, Jones, Pahl, Stutz NOES: None ABSENT: None 3.2 LANDS OF BECKER, 14290 Saddle Mountain Road: A request for a Site Development permit for a New Residence and Swimming Pool This item was continued at the request of the applicant to the next available Planning Commission meeting �W 3.3 LANDS OF DEL INVESTMENT COMPANY, 24970 O'Keefe Lane: An appeal of the Site Development Committee denial of a request for a Site Development permit for a Tennis Court This item was continued at the request of the applicant to a Planning Commission meeting of January, 1992. 4. NEW BUSINESS 5. OLD BUSINESS Commissioner Pahl asked about the status of the new fence ordinance. Bill Ekern noted they were waiting for the new Town Planner to arrive to direct the work on this ordinance. The Commission agreed by consensus to schedule the new fence ordinance for the first Planning Commission meeting in January, 1992. Chairman Noel noted any Commissioner's comments on fences and the ordinance should be written to Mayor Hubbard. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APPROVED e November 13th, 1991 Page 4 Commissioner Jones apologized to the Commission for not being able to explain the purpose of referring the Forward application to the City Council as he did not understand the rationale for the action. In response to a question from Commissioner Comiso, Bill Ekern clarified Mr. Mourad and Mr. Becker were in the process of negotiating access to the Lands of Becker. Commissioner Comiso requested distribution to the Commission and Council of an article on sound walls published in the San Jose Mercury New Commissioner Cheng asked about the status of the blue second unit on Thendara Lane. Mr. Ekern noted the Town did not have control over paint color of an existing structure. The property owner had just completed a new residence which was in conformance with the Town approved color board. Commissioner Pahl noted a new residence on Elena Road and Taaffe Road did not appear to be sixty feet from the neighboring residence. Mr. Ekern noted the structures were on the setback lines. Commissioner Jones noted a fence at 13390 Lenox Way appeared to be new, six feet in height, and was located next to the road. He was concerned it was an example of the same situation on the Forward property, only worse. Mr. Ekern noted it could be replacement of an existing fence, but Staff would do a site visit. Commissioner Comiso noted the Cable subcommittee was scheduled to meet with Sun Country Cable on November 19, 1991 at 2:00 p.m at Town Hall. 6. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 23RD 1991 MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Pahl, seconded by Noel, and passed by consensus with Commissioners Comiso, Ellinger and Stutz abstaining, to approve the minutes of October 23rd, 1991. 7. REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF NOVEMBER 6TH, 1991 Commissioner Jones reported LANDS OF MERRILL was continued. Council restricted the residence on the LANDS OF OSHIMA to a single story by a 4:0:1 vote (Councilmember Tryon abstained from voting on this item). LANDS OF MOORING, request for a new residence was denied by a vote of 4:1. LANDS OF BEN ARTZI was denied by a vote of 4:1; Councilmember Siegel expressed k, dissatisfaction with the Planning Commission for approving the residence. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES APPROVED November 13th, 1991 (_ Page 5 Commissioner Jones noted he responded that the Council should have listened to the tape to hear the Commission's discussion of the project: Commissioner Pahl had noted the project represented the least an applicant could do to get approval, and Commissioner Jones had said he felt the project was of the lowest grade. The new Town Planner, Linda Niles, would begin work on December 9, 1991. A barbed wire fence was approved for Byrne Preserve. The City Attorney is preparing a sample ordinance for eaves and setback requirements. Commissioner Ellinger wished to know the status of the report from the General Plan Mineral Resources Subcommittee. Mr. Ekern noted the State was aware the Town had made progress on this element. He noted the City Council did not wish to take action at this time. The Planning Commission agreed by consensus to cancel the Planning Commission meeting of Wednesday, November 27th, 1991. 8. REPORT FROM THE SITE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 12TH, 1991 November 12th, 1991: Bill Ekern reported one item was reviewed and approved: Saah - Driveway modification. Driveway was required to be roughened at the pathway crossing. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Laura Johnson Planning Secretary