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Home My WebLink About06/10/1992Approved Minutes of a Regular Meeting �.. Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING, June 10, 1992,6:30 P.M. ON PROTECT SITE LOCATED AT, 27840 SADDLE COURT 2. ADIOURNED PUBLIC HEARING The Planning Commission and the neighborhood met on the site at 6:30 p.m. this day to help better determine the impact on the site, and to see the story poles and the building staking. 4.1 LANDS OF YOUNG, 27840 Saddle Court: A request for a Site Development Permit for a New Residence. This item was continued from the meeting of May 27,1992 to allow the Planning Commission and the neighborhood to meet on the site at 6:30 p.m. this day to view the building staking and story poles. The continued public hearing discussion was adjourned to resume at the Regular Public Meeting at Council Chambers at, or soon after, 7.30 p.m. 3. ADIOURNMENT To be reconvened at the Regular Meeting at Council Chambers, at 7;30 p.m. REGULAR MEETING, June 10, 1992,7:30 p.m. Council Chambers 26379 Fremont Road Draft cc: Cassettes #10 (2) 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, & Stutz Absent: Jones & Ellinger Staff: Linda Niles, Town Planner; Jeff Peterson, City Engineer; Joyce Reiter, �, Interim Planning Secretary. Planning Commission Minutes June 10, 1992 Page 2 There were no presentations from the floor. None Approved 4.1 LANDS OF YOUNG, 27840 Saddle Court: A request for a Site Development Permit for a New Residence (Continued from 6:30 p.m. Special Meeting). Aaron Green made lengthy presentation with exhibits of drawings and photographs. Commissioner Stutz questioned driveway length and slope. View from the street will be seen. Concern regarding plantings on North East side. Trees will not grow to screen soon enough, and lack of water an issue for preventing planting. Will not be penalized on driveway if structure is lowered. PUBLIC A IN OPENED �y Drew Anderson, 27802 Saddle Court, stated she loves the proposed house, however, the type of pine proposed for landscape will be too open. Too much shade cast by structure, blocking sunlight now enjoyed. Massiveness of structure a concern. Eric Bredo stated Mr. Green failed to mention that the tree planting will impact his view across the valley. The Moon Lane views get neglected on the issue due to the regular view from Saddle Court instead of from across the valley. Harry Hicks suggested the sewer may be a non exclusive easement. He asked if Mr. Green had checked on moving the house lower? Ramona Chown, 13822 Page Mill Road, has concern regarding massiveness of structure, and drainage problem on Moon Lane. Aaron Green stated they could lower house, however, it would not be of significant benefit to Andersons. Planning Commission Minutes Approved June 10, 1992 Page 3 Chairman Noel stated that there will be a house on the lot.. His concern is that it be compatible. Not sure moving it would help and he is concerned about the massiveness as its at the maximum. Does not like to approve a house that may need to ask for a variance. Commissioner Pahl stated the location is the best you will have. He feels the design is perfect for the Town. Of concern is the massiveness. He felt that this was not a ridgeline. If the applicant were to take 1,000 sq. ft. out of the house it would not reduce the appearance of the house. Also stated that unless he could be convinced he would see a reduction in mass, he did not feel it was necessary to reduce the square footage. Commissioner Comiso stated that if the applicant were to take off half of the house you would see the same mass from each side of the lot. In 5 years the landscape could hide the house. Commissioner Cheng was not sure that reducing the square footage would be a visible difference in the house mass if the same design was kept. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Pahl and seconded by Comiso to approve with recommended conditions 1-10 as proposed by staff. AYES: Commissioners Cheng, Comiso, Pahl NOES: Chairman Noel, Commissioner Stutz ABSENT: Ellinger & Jones The item will be set for the consent calendar of the City Council Meeting of July 15, 1992. 4.2 LANDS OF RATNAM, 13408 Middle Fork Lane: A request for a Site Development Permit for a Landscape Plan and Paint Color. Ms. Niles introduced item and noted that the applicant requested extension of the pool permit which had expired and that the request would be forwarded to the City Council. She also stated that the fountain shown on the plans was not allowed in the setback. Smaller fountains are considered ornamental garden features and are allowed in the setback. :.91• -1 Up I" Planning Commission Minutes June 10, 1992 Page 4 Approved Mr. Ratnam, the applicant, explained that the grading had been accomplished on the lot. He stated that he felt the fountain was appropriate for this property. Mr. Ratnam noted that they had changed some trees and plants to enhance the appearance and to be more drought and fire resistant with less cleanup necessary of foliage drop. Becky Palmissano, the neighbor to the north had a concern regarding landscape planting. She requested more native trees and shrubs. She was concerned that her privacy be retained. Dave Palmissano requested that the Commission drive up Page Mill road and look up at three forks and see the house with no landscaping. Brenda Butner, Environmental Design and Protection Committee stated that the number of Oaks proposed is a concern. The Committee desired more native plants as recommended on the original Conditions of Approval. Dave Palmissano was surprised regarding the number of trees discussed and desired. He was concerned for a quantity discrepancy (total number is 34). He noted that the selection of trees proposed will provide more privacy for neighbors, however, from what was originally reviewed on the Peter Shaw plan. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Comiso and seconded by Pahl. All Ayes to discuss with Ms. Butler the recommendations of the Environmental Design and Protection Committee. Ms. Butler's recommendation was to include Manzanitas which are more appropriate for the environment and wild life. Commissioner Pahl recommended that the Environmental Design Committee meet with the Ratnams, staff and neighbors and come back to the next meeting with a proposal. Commissioner Stutz agreed with Commissioner Pahl's suggestion. She also wanted topographical lines shown on the map more clearly. She recommended planting on the right side of driveway. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Pahl and seconded by Comiso to request that the applicant meet with the neighbors, staff and Environmental Design Committee to discuss alternatives. AYES: Chairman Noel, Commissioners Cheng, Comiso, Pahl, & Stutz NOES: None 4 ABSENT: Ellinger & Jones Planning Commission Minutes June 10, 1992 Page 5 Approved Commissioner Comiso asked that the applicant return with 36" and 24" box costs to buy and plant the oaks and to show elevation of the fountain. 5. NEW BUSINESS The Commission discussed the summer meeting schedule. It was decided that there would be two meetings in July and no meetings in August. 6. OLD BUSINESS No old business 7. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF MAY 13, 1992. 8. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS Continued discussion regarding: Calculating Floor Area 9. REPORT FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETING OF JUNE 2, 1992. The Site Development meeting of June 2, 1992 was cancelled at the applicant's request. 10. REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 3, 1992. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:36 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Joyce Reiter Interim Planning Secretary