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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/25/1992APPROVED 3.3 Minutes of a Regular Meeting 4w Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION Wednesday, March 25,1992,730 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road cc: Cassettes #5-92 (1) 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, Pahl, Jones, Stutz Absent: Ellinger Staff: Linda Niles, Town Planner; Joyce Reiter, Interim Planning Secretary 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOO There were no presentations from the floor. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.1 LANDS OF TAN, 26872 Almaden Court: A request for a Conditional Development permit for an Addition The staff requested that this item be continued to the meeting of April 8th for correct noticing and further review. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Pahl, seconded by Jones and passed by consensus to continue this item to the Planning Commission meeting of April 8, 1992. AYES: Chairman Noel and Commissioners Cheng, Comiso, Pahl, Jones, Stutz NOES: None ABSENT: Ettinger 3.2 LANDS OF 10, 13831 La Paloma Road: A request for a Site Development permit for an Attached Second Unit, Addition and Landscape/ Hardscape Linda Niles noted that there were a few questions that the Planning Commission had at the March lIth meeting for the applicant, but neither the applicant nor the �w applicant's representative was present to answer those questions, so the Commission continued the item. Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 3.3 March 25, 1992 Page 2 The questions were regarding whether or not the property had had restrictions placed on it stating that no further development could be allowed on the property. After researching the files the staff found that there was a requirement for a special land use permit, and that the land use permit was reviewed and approved by the Council in 1986. Under the Town's new standards the project had more area available for development. The applicant is proposing to do this now. The project is within the standards for the secondary unit and below the allowed 1,000 square feet. The Public Testimony portion of the hearing was closed Commissioner Stutz requested that Condition 11 be revised. The first part of the sentence reads: "The Type 11-B pathway shall be constructed within the right of way," Commissioner Stuts would like to have that part of the sentence and the '.and" following that removed from that condition. She noted that we have a Type 11-B path with the header boards already constructed within the right of way. Commissioner Stutz noted that she had brought this to the attention of the Pathway Committee for the past three years, that it needs to be sprayed and it hasn't been, but it is the responsibility of the Town to keep up the maintenance of the path and certainly not the responsibility of the property owner. Following a discussion with Commissioner Pahl, Commissioner Stutz proposed that the Planning �W Commission remove all of Condition 11 since the existing path should be the responsibility of the Town to maintain. Commissioner Stutz also requested that Condition 3 be modified to allow the addition to be painted to match the existing color of the dwelling. The property owner is aware of these Condition revisions and agreed. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Stutz, seconded by Comiso and passed by consensus to approve the Site Development Permit for an Attached Second Unit, Addition, and Landscape /Hardscape with modified Conditions. AYES: Chairman Noel and Commissioners Cheng, Comiso, Pahl, Jones, Stutz NOES: None ABSENT: Ellinger 3.3. LANDS OF PERING, 27744 Via Ventana: A request for a Site Development Permit for a Garage Addition, Driveway, Decking and Hot Tub Ms. Niles noted that the project meets standards for maximum development area, maximum floor area, and is below both. There is a proposal on the driveway to use �W either brick or grass crete and the staff prefers to see the grass crete. If the brick is proposed, the Town will require additional drainage information be submitted to ensure that drainage can be accommodated on site. Ms. Niles expressed concern Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 3.3 March 25,1992 Page 3 %W that the drainage is proposed to empty out at the small gravel area directly adjacent to the northeast property lines, which are small energy dissipators. Included in the recommended conditions for approval it is required that the drainage plan be reviewed by the City Engineer. This will be strongly considered by the City Engineer because we have the 10 foot trail easement which runs along that northeast property line which is dedicated and will be used. The staff would prefer not to see any of the drainage directed onto the trail. The staff has no problem with the rest of the design. The City Engineer's review will ensure that drainage does not cross the path and is not directed onto the neighbor's property. Commissioner Jones asked: 1) whether or not the project meets the standards, and 2) does the loft area count as floor area? Ms. Niles answered "Yes, it does meet standards with adequate parking for five cars. The center portion of the loft is higher and only 85 square feet is exempt from being counted as floor area." The Public Hearing was opened Bill Penfield, designer of the house, noted that the purpose of the garage addition is to provide a storage for the owner's car collection. He noted that out of concern for preserving the 36" circumference white oak tree, he consulted with Mr. McClanahan for the best procedure in the interest of preserving the tree. He proposed to provide a permiable base of grass crete on the driveway, a surface which will allow for ample air and water for the tree. They will run aeration radial tubes and any other trenching or site work will be done as far away from the tree as possible. Mr Penfield proposed to add to the language of Condition 6: "except for the construction of the driveway, no other work shall done underneath the drip line. The applicant will fence the drip line to prevent any construction traffic or work beneath the tree." Mr. Penfield noted that regarding preserving views, he did site studies and proposes to orient the garage parallel to contours and bury the top portion of the slab 4 feet into the hillside - this will keep the profile at a minimum. He has discussed this with his neighbors to address their concerns and they plan to incorporate landscape screening uphill of this garage. Question from the floor: Why is the garage proposed to be 38 feet long as opposed to 30 feet? Answer: To accommodate enough space for four cars. A neighbor expressed concern regarding view obstruction from the 20 foot high �w garage construction. Does not want the screening to be taller than the structure Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 3.3 March 25,1992 Page 4 John Knoxsite noted that the garage was downhill from the neighbors and that he proposed to plant some screening that would block the 20 foot high garage. We would like to work with the neighbors on this issue. jean Struthers, Representative of the Environmental Design and Protection Committee expressed concern regarding the curved, narrow driveway that this proposal would provide, making backing and turning around in a car difficult. She considered this a hazard. She suggested providing a spur for turning around to prevent this difficulty. Dot Schreiner, Pathway Chairman, would like to inform the applicant that the path on the northern boundary accesses an existing trail and that the staff will be posting signs this summer showing that it leads to Matadero Creek. Bill Moyer, Moyer & Assoc. noted that the Owner has agreed to provide landscape screening that will screen the rear side of the garage structure from the neighbor's view. Commissioner Pahl questioned why the garage had to be located in the far right corner. The owner would have to drive onto property in the lower left, clear across the property to get to the storage garage. It couldn't be physically placed any further away. Moyer noted that the reason is the steepness of the hill at the rear of the driveway is too difficult to get up on and would require a very deep cut and fill to gain access as well as additional cut and fill to locate the structure in that area. They had explored other locations in areas down below where the garage is cited and decided this location is in the primary view corridor from the Perings. Maintaining their view corridor is important to the Perings. We are also concerned about the preservation of the heritage tree on the property and will be sure to stay away from any disruption of restructure or dripline of that tree. We did a number of site studies and concluded that we could nestle the garage construction up against the buckeye trees, located in the upper corner. Commissioner Pahl questioned why it wasn't considered to cite the garage into the area of the redwood trees, cutting into the bank since the use of the garage would not be an ongoing, daily activity. He noted that this would prevent a great deal of proposed hardscape and damage to the oak tree. Bill Moyer suggested that they could access the steep cut which already exists and use retaining walls. But we propose to use a very open, porous material for the driveway, and as designed and located this will keep the cut of the bank to a minimum. �w Commissioner Pahl expressed concern that from the Town's past experience, the workers don't understand the conditions very well and the Town may find fences Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 3.3 March 25,1992 Page 5 46W on the ground and trenches going through the root structure of the trees. The drip line will be 9 feet from the trees. Also suggested that the garage not turn into an active workplace. Commissioner Comiso expressed concern that since it is on such an open side of the field the view of the garage structure will be unpleasant . Also concerned that the garage would turn into an ongoing work area which creates an unattractive site to passersby. The Public Hearing was Closed. Commissioner Jones expressed concern that the garage would turn into a secondary dwelling, however, he noted that it would be legal. Commissioner Jones would like to add a Condition that requires the landscaping plan to be returned for Site Development review. Commissioner Comiso suggested that Condition 11 should state that arborist would monitor and give a report on the construction around the oak. Commissioner Comiso would like the landscape plan to come back to Commission. Consider planting in front of the garage. �W Commissioner Stutz agreed to the proposed garage construction at the back location. She felt Condition #5 should suffice as written. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Comiso, seconded by Stutz and passed to approve the Site Development permit for a Garage Addition, Driveway, Decking and Hot Tub with Staff Recommended Conditions and Modifications AYES: Chairman Noel and Commissioners Cheng, Comiso, Pahl, Jones, Stutz NOES: None ABSENT: Ellinger 3.4 LANDS OF SANDMAN, 26545 PURISSIMA ROAD: A request for a Site Development Permit for an Addition/ Remodel, Swimming Pool and Hot Tub Linda Niles introduced this item noting that moderate grading is proposed to accomplish the siting of the pool, however, in review of the plans it was noted that that particular area is a drainage basin for quite a large area surrounding the property. In an effort to address that item and accommodate the pool and pool hut, we discussed with the applicant possibilities of reorienting the pool and the pool house closer to the slope near the house, or separating them slightly and moving the leach fields further away. The maximum height of the house is within the �W standard height limit, the floor area for the proposed dwelling is below the maximum by 900 square feet. The elevation is a one story house designed to be low profile as the existing house is, with wood siding and brick exterior materials. Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 3.3 March 25, 1992 Page 6 Pahl noted that he will not vote in favor of a plan that gives anyone the opportunity to move anything after the plans have been approved. Ms. Niles requested that the Commission consider approval of the plans for the house which is considered a necessity at this time and to continue the pool design for addressing the drainage and possible reorientation of the pool to the owner. Derek Van Alstem, Designer agreed with removing the pool and the pool hut from consideration and would be happy with only the approval of the house construction. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Pahl, seconded by Comiso and passed to approve the Site Development permit for an Addition/Remodel with the Pool and Pool Hut to be continued for further drainage review. AYES: Chairman Noel and Commissioners Cheng, Comiso, Pahl, Jones, Stutz NOES: None ABSENT: Ellinger 3.5 LANDS OF YUNG, 13880 Campo Vista Lane: A request for a Site Development Permit for a Major Addition Linda Niles introduced this item noting that the applicant proposes to change the wood siding to stucco which does change the character of the house. The property that views the project most directly will be the existing house north of the project. There are some trees between the two houses, but it may be appropriate to consider more landscaping between the two houses when the landscaping plan comes in. Ms. Niles also expressed concern that because the exterior building material is changed so much, it may not blend as well with the surrounding area as the existing. The proposed addition is within the standard height limits and is mainly an expansion of the back side in the patio area. Comiso expressed concern regarding the color of the house not being consistent. The color should be carefully chosen. Ms. Niles suggested that the darker colors on the color board be considered. The Public Hearing was opened. Mr. Yung noted that stucco will be on the new addition only and displayed a model of his proposed addition. i*0 Lorraine Young, an adjacent neighbor expressed concern that the garage should look as handsome as the house. Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 3.3 March 25,1992 Page 7 jean Struthers noted that there is view of the property from off site to the south. She felt this is a 2 -story house on top of a hill with a skylight at the top which may negatively impact the views from the south, looking north. The Public Hearing was closed. Commissioner Stutz stated that she liked the house design but it was a two story house on a ridge line. Secondly the proposal of painting the new portion a light color while leaving the origional house dark brown would be unattractive. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Pahl, seconded by Cheng and passed to approve the Site Development permit for a Remodel, of the House with Conditions 1-12 and a requirement to choose a darker color on the Town Color Board AYES: Chairman Noel and Commissioners Cheng, Comiso, Pahl, Jones NOES: Stutz ABSENT: Ellinger 4. NEW BUSINESS 4.1 Commissioner Cheng suggested that the Planning Commission submit to Sid a list of Meeting Agenda items for the April 29th meeting with the City Council. 4.2 Pahl suggested the Staff use Dick Jones' new format . Place all 5 categories on the front page of applicant's blue prints and at the front of the Staff Report. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Pahl, seconded by Comiso and passed to use Dick's new format. AYES: Chairman Noel and Commissioners Cheng, Comiso, Pahl, Jones, Stutz NOES: None 5. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 25,1992 MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Pahl, seconded by Comiso and passed to approve the minutes of March 25, 1992 AYES: Chairman Noel and Commissioners Cheng, Comiso, Pahl, Jones, Stutz NOES: None ABSENT: Ellinger Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 3.3 March 25,1992 Page 8 4bW 5. OLD BUSINESS No old business. 6. REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 18TH, 1992 6.1. The Flack property: The Council agreed to have cell site personnel pay a fee again if they wish to propose a new application. They agreed with waiving of fees for Mr. Flack for his pool house. They are concerned about Chen's proposal of a tennis court addition, but it is out of their hands. They request we have a Consent Calendar as they have to review Site Development decisions. The Laub subdivision: Recommended condition: change to public road and require a pathway along the cul-de-sac de sac road to be improved and the extension of the pathway from the cul-de-sac de sac end to the southern property line to be dedicated and rejected at this time to allow the Town to monitor what happens to the property at the back in the Palo Alto district. kw 7. ADJOURNMEN MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Pahl, seconded by Stutz and passed by consensus to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Joyce Reiter Interim Planning Secretary kaw