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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/08/1995`, Minutes of a Regular Meeting Approved 11/29/95 Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION November 8,1995,7:00 p.m. nbers, 26379 Fremont Road cc: casserres nar>o t< 1. unr r CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Chairman McMahon, Commissioners Cheng, Doran, Gottlieb, Finn & Stutz Absent: Commissioner Schreiner Staff: Curtis Williams, Planning Director; Sheryl Proft, Assistant Engineer; Suzanne Davis, Planner; Lani Lonberger, Planning Secretary r, TZ T1909MM 3.1 LANDS OF TAM, 14297 Saddle Mountain Drive (180-95-ZP-SD-GD); A request for a Site Development Permit for a major addition. At the request of the applicant, this application has been re -scheduled for the December 13th meeting. 3.2 LANDS OF LOHR,12109 Oak Park Court (Lot 4) (183-95-ZP-SD-GD- VAR); A request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence, pool and spa, and a variance to allow grading over the property line and within the road right-of-way. Staff had nothing further to add to the report. Commissioner Gottlieb questioned the following: the driveway on lot 5 and whether it could be constructed in combination with the driveway grading on lot 4; the pool equipment location possibly impacting lot 5; the back up area entirely within the setback; and that the driveway was very constrained (width, close to the property line, not much back up area). n Planning Commission Minutes Approved 11/29/95 November 8,1995 Page 2 OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Jerry Lohr, J. Lohr Properties, 2021 The Alameda, San Jose, applicant, in answer to Commissioner Gottlieb's concerns discussed the design of the project noting that the driveway on lot 5 would likely be on the right side of the lot (keeping drainage away from the house) which is the opposite side of the lot from lot 4. He had tried to fit the house to the contours, keeping grading down. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Commissioner Finn also noticed the pool equipment location. However, he realized the freeway noise would probably be louder than the pool equipment and the proposed location should not be a problem. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Doran and seconded by Commissioner Finn to approve the site development permit for a new residence and pool, and a variance to allow grading over the property line. AYES: Chairman McMahon, Commissioners Stutz, Cheng, Gottlieb, Finn & Doran NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Schreiner This approval is subject to a 21 day appeal period. 3.3 LANDS OF JABBOUR,12800 Clausen Court (189-95-ZP-SD); A request for a Site Development Permit for a tennis court. Staff had nothing further to add to the staff report. Commissioner Gottlieb was concerned with drainage on the site, building the court over a drainage swale, and the water draining off the tennis court onto the down hill neighbor's property. Mrs. Proft commented that the court was not being constructed in a drainage swale. Drainage had been addressed when the property was subdivided. The drainage from the front deck would be connected directly to the existing storm drain catch basin in Clausen Court. This will also help protect the existing pathway. It was noted that El Monte is actually lower than this property. Part of the subdivision improvements provided a new pipe along El Monte with more capacity. Commissioner Stutz asked why the Clausen subdivision was an exception to the Town's typical drainage requirements (natural drainage). Mrs. Proft answered that the storm drain systems with pipes are provided where there is room for them to connect to existing systems. On this property, there is a pipe to drain the courtyard area and the rest of the property will drain naturally over the property. Mrs. Proft stated that the drainage will be diverted around the (Butt) J F-1 LJ Planning Commission Minutes Approved 11/29/95 November 8,1995 Page 3 house. The same engineer is designing the drainage systems for both the Jabbours and the Butts properties. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Marvin Kirkeby, 2397 Forest Avenue, San Jose, project engineer, noted that the court drains toward the freeway off ramp which is the same direction as the natural ground currently slopes. There is a very defined drainage swale which runs across the Butt property. Where it daylights out is a catch basin that is actually on the off ramp, not on Voorhees. He felt the swale on the Butt property was adequate to handle drainage from either of these lots. The only other solution to the water crossing the Butt property would be a closed pipeline which he understood the Town opposes. When questioned, he commented that there would be a maximum cut of 6 feet and a maximum fill of 6 feet from the existing ground from the top of the court to the bottom of the court. The planned 2:1 slope will be planted with ground cover, not requiring retaining walls. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Commissioner Finn felt drainage was a major issue, however it was nice to see a tennis court without walls. He felt the engineer had adequately addressed the drainage and he was in favor of the project. Commissioner Doran clarified with a question that the water will flow to a catch basin near the freeway off -ramp. Mr. Kirkeby commented that the volume of water will not be increased other than from the concentration from the hard surface run off. Commissioner Cheng noted that in the winter, the area in the rear of the lot was like a swamp, noting drainage would need to be done well. Chairman McMahon, looking at the axis of the tennis court, felt it could run more parallel with the contours, minimizing the 12 foot difference between the highest to the lowest point. She encouraged some rotation of the tennis court at the north east corner, bringing it 10 feet closer to the major Oak. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Finn and seconded by Commissioner Doran to approve the site development permit for a tennis court with the recommended conditions of approval, including working with staff in an attempt for some rotation of the tennis court at the north east corner, bringing it 10 feet closer to the major Oak. AYES: Chairman McMahon, Commissioners Cheng, Doran, Gottlieb, Stutz & Finn NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Schreiner ��„ This approval is subject to a 21 day appeal period. Planning Commission Minutes Approved 11/29/95 November 8,1995 Page 4 3.4 LANDS OF MORRISON, 27641 Purissima Road (83 -95 -LLA); A request for a lot line adjustment. Staff had nothing further to add to the report. Copies of a letter received from Giuliani & Kull were provided to the Commissioners. The letter discussed the potential for subdividing the property. However, Mr. Williams noted that this was not a proposed subdivision and is not sanctioned by the Town. Staff still has concerns regarding the future development of Parcel l and of a future subdivision of Parcel 1. He further restated the review authority for lot line adjustments as outlined in Section 66412(d) of the State's Subdivision Map Act. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Ruth Morrison, 27641 Purissima Road, applicant, discussed the history of the property, the house being built in 1916, and her goal of preserving this property. However, according to her estate planners, the tax laws would have made it impossible for her to keep the property unless it was divided up into increments that she could give to her children and grandchildren yearly. Estate taxes were estimated between 2-3 million dollars in its present state. The sale of one lot after the lot line adjustment would fund the cost of subdividing. Bill Kull, 26431 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, project engineer, discussed the requested lot line adjustment, a possible subdivision, the existing trees, creek and road way access. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING It was understood that approval of the lot line adjustment does not imply approval of any master plan for the property or that with the approval of the lot line adjustment, the lot would be a legally buildable lot. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Finn and seconded by Commissioner Cheng to recommend approval of the lot line adjustment to the City Council, subject to the applicant's submittal of a plat map prior to the Town's recordation of a certificate of compliance, and subject to conditions to provide appropriate access and utility easements (or declaration of easements) to Parcel 1. AYES: Chairman McMahon, Commissioners Doran, Stutz, Cheng, Gottlieb & Finn NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Schreiner This item will appear on the City Council agenda December 6,1995. ,J Planning Commission Minutes Approved 11/29/95 November 8,1995 Page 5 t•; C•u f.l f• • 1► 1 u fl► 4.1 Planning Commission Representative for the November 1st meeting, Commissioner Finn reported to the City Council on the October 25th Planning Commission meeting. Mr. Williams reported the following items were also discussed at the City Council meeting: Lands of McNees relating to the pathway easement; the approval of the Lands of Micko; review of condition #15, Lands of Weiler; and the Lands of LeFevre. 4.2 Planning Commission Representative for the November 15th meeting - Chairman McMahon. 5. NEW BUSINESS Discussion ensued regarding the original approval of the Lands of Jabbour,12800 Clausen Court, in particular, the subject of drainage. 5.1 Pathway Element discussion ensued with suggestions, changes and modifications by the Planning Commission and Pathway Committee. Changes included using the word "shall" in place of "may" or "should'; in -lieu fees; #4, page 6, clarify the type of fencing; "path" and "trail' used interchangeable; non motorized trails; the use of trails; define "paths"; roadside paths not always located along road right-of- ways; standards for slopes as it relates to the Master Pathway map; pathway standards; ADA requirements; updating of the Master Pathway Map clarifying the location of all paths and related slopes; and the need for sprinklers to be set back from pathways. Under "Ordinance Changes to go with Path Element", #3, it was felt "400 square feet was too low, possibly increasing the figure to 900 square feet of "habitable" floor area. The Planning Director requested the Commissioners to forward any further comments in writing so he can incorporate all suggestions, changes and/or modifications into the Pathway Element of the General Plan. The Pathway Element will be returned to the Commission for review and scheduling for public hearing. 6.1 Report from subcommittees. None. • • �.IIUfj��7 7.1 Approval of the October 25,1995 minutes. `7 Planning Commission Minutes Approved 11/29/95 November 8, 1995 Page 6 MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY CONSENSUS: Motion by Commissioner Finn, seconded by Commissioner Stutz and passed by consensus to approve the October 25th minutes with Commissioner Doran abstaining and Commissioner Schreiner absent. 8. REPORT FROM THE SITE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING OF 8.1 LANDS OF WAGNER, 26788 Robleda Court; A request for a Site Development Permit for a pool, spa and decking. Approved with conditions November 7,1995. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:10 p.m. Res estfully submitted, �� LaniLonberger 0 Planning Secretary J .j