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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/09/1992 (2)Minutes of a Regular Meeting APPROVED Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION December 9,1992, 7:30 P.M. cc: cassettes ozi-9z (z) 1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Chairman Pahl, Commissioners Cheng, Comiso, Ellinger, Schreiner, Sinunu & Stutz Staff: Linda Niles, Town Planner; Jeff Peterson, City Engineer; Lani Lonberger, Planning Secretary 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Persons wishing to address the Commission on any subject not on the agenda are invited to do so now. Please note, however, that the Commission is not able to undertake extended discussion or take action tonight on non-agendized items. Such items will be referred to staff or placed on the agenda for a future meeting. None Items appearing on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and will be adopted in one motion, except for any item removed for separate consideration elsewhere on the agenda. The Chairman will ask the Commission and the audience for requests to remove these items. None 4.1 LANDS OF VISO, 28620 Matadero Creek Court; A request for a Site Development Permit for a New Residence, Pool and Spa (continued from E November 24,1992). � 10 Ms. Niles introduced this item stating that there was nothing to add to the Staff Report. Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED December 9,1992 Page 2 Commissioner Schreiner asked Mr. Peterson what portion of the grass ring area of the driveway was counted as development area. He stated that it could vary, however, generally it was around 50%. Commissioner Schreiner counted it out at 1,300 and asked if it were 650' that was not counted. Mr. Peterson stated that when you get 100' away from the garage that portion of the driveway is not counted so there might be a portion of this driveway that is not counted. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Bob Owen, 445 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos, applicant's representative, hoped everyone could see the story poles. He stated that the house was set back quite a bit from the street to save a few trees. The intent of the property owner was to design a house with no problems that would be approved the first time out. It is a good size house, however, not overbearing. He discussed the geotechnical report from Cotton and Associates regarding the western side of the property where they mentioned land fill and stated that it was not on their property. He stated that in Cottons report they mentioned that on the eastern side of the property there is a slope at some distance from the house. Mr. Owen stated that Mr. Viso would have his geologist check that for his own protection. Commissioner Schreiner noted that they were planning to use grass-crete on the main driveway and asked if they thought it would last. Mr. Owen responded that it would. Commissioner Schreiner also asked what size the eaves were. Mr. Owen indicated that they were 18". Commissioner Comiso discussed Cotton's report, page 2, #1, paragraph 2 regarding the results of the supplemental geotechnical evaluations and asked that Ms. Niles clarify if this area as mentioned by Mr. Owen was on the neighbor's property. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Commissioner Schreiner asked Mr. Peterson for his opinion regarding using a grass ring on the steep driveway. Mr. Peterson responded stating his concern would be that weeds growing in the winter time may become wet and slippery on an 11% slope. He also noted that in the future this area could be resurfaced with asphalt and there was no MDA left on the project with this design. Commissioner Schreiner discussed the Valley Oak and replacing it with a non- deciduous oak as mentioned in the letter from Tree Movers president Jon Anderson. The Commission had no problem with a non-deciduous oak. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Comiso and seconded 1 by Commissioner Sinunu to approve the Site Development Permit for new residence, �/ Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED December 9,1992 Page 3 pool and spa as conditioned by Staff with the exception of page 2, item 1 of the Cotton report that will be clarified by Staff. AYES: Chairman Pahl, Commissioner Cheng, Comiso, Ellinger, Schreiner, Simmu & Stutz This item will appear on the City Council consent calendar on December 16,1992. 4.2 LANDS OF MEDINA, 26501 Purissima Road; A request for a Site Development Permit for a Guest House and Variance (continued from October 28,1992). Commissioners Cheng and Ellinger had to abstain from hearing this item since they were absent for the first meeting. Ms. Niles introduced this item stated that there was nothing more to add to the Staff Report. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Don Martin, Box 1233, Sausalito, applicant's architect, stated that as suggested at the (60 previous meeting they have redesigned the project and connected the guest house to the garage and main structure so it all becomes one. They agreed with all recommended conditions. Chairman Pahl asked Mr. Martin if he simply put in a breeze way to attach the guest house to the house. Mr. Martin stated that they actually moved it up towards the main structure, 8' to 10'. They left the breeze way so they would have easy access from the front of the garage to the new guest house and outdoor living area. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Commissioner Schreiner thought they asked the applicant to have less encroachment and she did not think that this was accomplished. Commissioner Comiso stated that one of the things that Chairman Pahl was concerned about at the previous meeting was that this guest house was so separate. Chairman Pahl did not want to create another separate building and he mentioned he would have liked to see this attached in some way to the main house so that it was a part of the main house. Chairman Pahl stated that he was quoted correctly saying that it needed to be attached E so they would not have a separate structure in the setback and also indicated that they 4r were already in the setback with the existing structure. He felt he could live with the Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED December 9, 1992 Page 4 added horizontal area on the same building. He did not think of the concept they followed where they simply attached a breeze way to it. The thought was to make it less of an encroachment that did not destroy the integrity of the building. Chairman Pahl stated that the guest house sits back from the wall of the garage about 8'. He further discussed the New Floor Plan and discussed moving the guest house to the left which would lessen the encroachment but would decrease the outdoor living area. Commissioner Simmu felt that the area in the back was on the edge of being cramped already and it would hurt the design of the house if it were to be pushed closer under the patio and the patio area. There appears to be a small amount of outdoor living area behind the house. He felt that Commissioner Comiso stated that she agreed with Commissioner Sinunu and this lot was so constrained and so small in the back. Commissioner Sinunu felt that this was the best place for the guest house and the neighbors have given full approval for it. He discussed the reason for the variance and the extreme constraint by the triangular shape lot. Commissioner Schreiner stated that she thought this could be a two story house which would reduce the size of the encroachment or possibly eliminate it entirely, Chairman Pahl stated that while he would vote to support the variance, however, this was the greatest variance that they have ever supported and he hoped that this would be the exception. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Sinunu and seconded by Commissioner Comiso to approve the variance adopting the evaluation and findings in the Staff Report. AYES: Chairman Pahl, Commissioners Comiso & Simmu NOES: Commissioners Schreiner & Stutz ABSTAIN: Commissioners Cheng & Ellinger MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Comiso and seconded by Commissioner Simmu to approve the recommended conditions, changing Condition 3 to read "Paint color shall match the existing color in conformance with the Town's adopted color board. AYES: Chairman Pahl, Commissioners Comiso & Sinunu NOES: Commissioners Schreiner & Stutz ABSTAIN: Commissioners Cheng & Ellinger i u V Planning Commission Minutes December 9,1992 Page 5 KVJ9T,*7A0F91 This item will appear on the City Council consent calendar for December 16,1992. 4.3 Review of the addition of a Landscape Conservation Ordinance to the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code, as required by Assembly Bill 325; and review of recommended Negative Declaration. This item will be continued as requested by Staff. 5. NEW BUSINESS Chairman Pahl asked if he could have a clean Master Pathway Plan showing where there are paths and where the Committee would like future paths. He would also like to see on what side of the road the path is on. Commissioner Schreiner discussed three other stages to the Master Pathway Plan; the map that will be going into the handbook that will show what the Council has actually approved as off road paths; a map showing all easements in Town, those that are approved and those that are not; and a fourth map showing what they have. Eventually he will receive all four maps 6. OLD BUSINESS 6.1 Fences, Basements and Recommended Plant List Study Session scheduled for December 15 at 5:30 p.m. will include "portable features". This item will be rescheduled to February. 6.2 MDA/MFA-This item will be discussed at a special workshop meeting to be scheduled in the near future. This.. item_ will be oostooned until after the 6.3 Review of General Plan Chairman Pahl attended the last City Council meeting and the Council suggested correcting the wording of the Housing Element instead of rewriting the entire Housing Element Council also was agreeable to have it completed by mid February, 1993 to give to Ms. Niles to take to Council. He stated that much of the 1988 figures in the Housing Element were incorrect and he asked the Commissioners to pencil in correct figures from the 1990 Census Report.. b. Recreation Element will be set aside until the completion of the Housing Element. Planning Commission Minutes December 9,1992 Page 6 APPROVED c. Review first 10 pages of the Housing Element. The discussion would follow regular business. 7. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 28 AND NOVEMBER 12,1992 MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Comiso and seconded by Commissioner Sinunu to approve the minutes of October 28, 1992 and passed unanimously with Commissioners Cheng and Ellinger abstaining. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Comiso and seconded by Commissioner Sinunu to approve the minutes of November 12, 1992 and passed unanimously with Commissioner Stutz abstaining. 8. REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF DECEMBER 2,1992 8.1 Chairman Pahl was the representative from the Planning Commission and enjoyed the dialogue from the Council and they were very interested in the thought process of the Commission. . J 9. REPORT FROM THE SITE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING OF DECEMBER 1 AND 8,1992 j 9.1 LANDS OF CURATOLA, 255630 Frampton Court; A request for a Site Development Permit for a Landscape, Hardscape and Pathway. Approved with conditions. 9.2 LANDS OF SANDMAN, 26545 Purissima Road; A request for a Site Development Permit for a Landscape Plan. Approved with no further conditions. 6. Continued the discussion of the Housing Element. Ms. Niles stated that the Commissioners received in their packet the first 10 pages of the Housing Element and background information regarding same. What they received after the packet had been distributed was a document that was put together by one of the Town's interns that was the result of the surveys the Commission completed and the extra review they accomplished between the time that the State said that the 1988 Element was not acceptable. She asked them to compare the 1988 with what had already been completed on the 1991. She felt the 1991 was good, however, it did need a Table of Contents. and other additions and revisions. Commissioner Sinunu asked that Staff put in the 1990 Census before their meeting next week. It was decided that the discussion would be limited to one hour. J Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED December 9,1992 Page 7 The Commission discussed the "Introduction", Numbers 1 through 4, discussion of the statement "we have agreed with the goals (1988)"; low to moderate housing; clarification of wording such as principles, objectives and goals; incorporate 1988 Housing Element into 1991 Housing Element with their own comments. Ms. Niles stated with regards to low and moderate housing, the Council and some of the other public agencies in the area in Santa Clara County and outside, like Hillsborough and Portola Valley, are trying to work with the same things Los Altos Hills is which involves putting something in the Housing Element that the State could approve. They also felt that the only way this could happen in some of the communities like theirs and ours where there is higher priced ground, higher priced units and limited zoning, is for the State to come to the realization that they need to allow and encourage the ability of the public agencies to contribute funds to a program that will build affordable housing where it is appropriate. Where there is correct zoning and where it is close to public transportation and facilities for the people who will be housed in those units which is a requirement of the State. For the Town of Los Altos Hills to provide a lower or moderate housing facility which is not near to transportation facilities or retail facilities (as it is assumed these people would be walking) is unreasonable. The resolution that the Council approved (6.3 d in packet) was a hope that they are sending out to all the public agencies in the area to get them to work with us as a joint effort to get the State to allow us to consider regional options. The Planning Commission still has to proceed and see what else they can provide in our ordinance. It is the understanding of some of the other communities that they will try like Los Altos Hills is trying and the State will review the Elements and not approve them. Then the State will give the agencies another year to try to comply. During this time the Town and other communities will continue to get a regional view or a regional effort going were agencies can contribute to these kinds of facilities where they are appropriate. In the next two, three or four year period it would be hoped that the State would agree to this concept. It may take awhile or it maybe sooner if they understand that a lot of the agencies in the State are not objecting to contributing their fair share to provide these units, but where it is impossible in their own communities, why not allow it where possible. Chairman Pahl discussed what the Town would be going through in the next ten years which would be rebuilding. In that rebuilding process attempts would be made "where appropriate" to utilize the efforts to create low to moderate income housing through other mechanisms which would be approved through the zoning ordinances, such as the use of secondary dwellings and granting units. The second aspect would be to create student apartments at Foothill College which would indicate that Los Altos Hills would work with other municipalities and other governmental agencies to develop, where appropriate, low and moderate income housing on certain designated lots. ` The Commission further discussed Los Altos Hills not being a low income community; \r secondary units (five years from now there would be several tear downs which would Planning Commission Minutes December 9, 1992 Page 8 -be replaced with larger homes); possibility of some help to survey the Town regarding secondary units (possible questionnaire); showing the State what has been done and what could be done regarding low income housing. The Housing Element discussion will resume Tuesday, December 15,1992 at 5:30 p.m. 10. ADJOURNMENT Passed by consensus to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lani Lonberger Planning Secretary J J