Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/29/1995`, Minutes of a Regular Meeting APPROVED 12/13/95 Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION Wednesday, November 29,1995,7:00 p.m. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road cc: (:assettes iztryo tz ) 1, ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Chairman McMahon, Commissioners Cheng, Doran, Gottlieb, Schreiner & Stutz Absent: Commissioner Finn Staff: Curtis Williams, Planning Director; Sheryl Proft, Assistant Engineer; Susan Manca, Planner; Lani Lonberger, Planning 4 Secretary 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR -none 3.1 LANDS OF NEAL,13691 Old Altos Road (188-95-ZP-SD); A request for a Site Development Permit for a major addition/remodel, pool, and pool house. Ms. Manca introduced this item noting the receipt of two letters from neighbors (Koenig and Eckert) expressing support for the project. Both felt there was no need for paving over part of the Neal's front garden for additional turnaround space as the present situation is adequate. For informational purposes, it was noted that Old Altos Road, except for a very small portion, is a public road. Commissioner Schreiner was concerned with the fact that the pool plan was not showing elevations, however it was located in a flood plain. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Stephen Neal, 13691 Old Altos Road, applicant, discussed the project. In answer to a question, Mr. Neal commented that the access road would be Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 12/13/95 November 29,1995 Page 2 kept an open access road. Maintenance for this private access road would be provided by the three owners. Nancy Wyatt, 151 Almendral Avenue, Atherton, architect, discussed condition #16, regarding the height of the building. She explained how she calculated the 25 feet mathematically, based on existing plans. They have not yet verified that the house is 31 feet wide according to older plans. She would like to have a few inches latitude in case the house is wider, the roof pitch may rise another 3 to 6 inches. It was suggested by the Planning Director to include some type of wording in the condition that the house would not exceed 27 feet in height (giving them a six inch latitude). Commissioner Schreiner noted that the pool house plan indicates 10 feet to the eaves asking if they were planning to have a second floor or an attic. Ms. Wyatt responded no. She did understand that an area over seventeen feet in height counts as floor area. Commissioner Gottlieb felt with the room they have on the property, they did not need to place the pool decking in the setback, suggesting moving the pool forward. Ms. Wyatt indicated that there were some existing trees and landscaping in that area which the applicants would like to maintain. Pushing the pool forward would interrupt some of the mature vegetation. Anneka Wyatt, 1391 Old Altos Road, applicant, noted that the lot was very narrow. The 30 foot setbacks limit the area for the pool. As it is, some trees will be moved with the smaller trees being donated to Bullis School. The decking does not exceed five feet into the setback. Ms. Wyatt commented that the Santa Clara Valley Water District representative was out to the property regarding the flood plain issue. The pool house is at grade so it prevents no obstruction to the floods, if they occur. The house is two feet in elevation above the pool house. They are providing a concrete foundation wall with openings on the uphill side and creek side with a flow through. They can landscape and screen up to that opening per the SCV WD representative. The full height of the pool house will be 20 feet with a roof pitch of 10:12 which matches the house. Discussion ensued regarding condition #18 clarifying that the construction drawings are required to be reviewed by SCV WD prior to acceptance of plans for building plan check. Mr. Neal discussed condition #20, a requirement for additional driveway area. He requested deletion of this condition explaining that currently, they are leaving intact an existing driveway and existing gravel area that adjoins the driveway. The existing space on their property alone provides ample room for cars to turn around without going onto the private road. 1 Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 12/13/95 November 29,1995 to Page 3 Condition #20 would require them to put concrete paving in front of an area which will be the dining area. This would require removal of lawn and substantial plantings in that area. None of the neighbors feel this is necessary. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Commissioner Doran agreed that condition #20 was not necessary. She was in support of the project as presented. Commissioner Stutz agreed with the deletion of #20. She noted that a pathway requirement was mentioned on page 3 of the staff report, however it is not in the conditions of approval. It should be added. She disagreed with the wording in #13. This was further discussed by the Commission. Commissioner Stutz also felt that the pool house was too tall (bulk and mass). Commissioners Schreiner and Gottlieb agreed that the pool house height should be reduced. Chairman McMahon suggested a one foot reduction (nine foot walls rather than 10 foot walls). Commissioners Doran and Cheng did not feel a reduction in height was necessary. After some discussion, there was a consensus to maintain the roof pitch and reduce the height of the pool house by two feet. This was in agreement with the architect. It was noted that there would be an increase in the floor area ending figures due to the `, reduction of the pool house height. Condition #13 will be revised as needed. Jean Struthers, Environmental Design Committee, requested saving the native plantings on Old Altos Road. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Doran and seconded by Commissioner Gottlieb to approve the site development permit for a major addition/remodel, pool, spa, and pool house with the following changes/amendments to the conditions of approval: add pathway condition as noted on page 3 of the staff report including wording, saving the native plantings along the banks, and plantings near the pathway must be non-invasive and native in species; add a condition noting that the height of the pool house be reduced by two feet; #13, revise wording regarding the maximum floor area due to the pool house height being reduced; #20, delete condition; and #16, and wording regarding the height of the residence may be increased up to six inches with prior approval of the Planning Director. AYES: Chairman McMahon, Commissioners Schreiner, Cheng, Gottlieb, Stutz and Doran NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Finn Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 12/13/95 November 29,1995 Page 4 y V This approval is subject to a 21 day appeal period. 3.2 LANDS OF SCHRAM, 25685 Fernhill Drive (181-95-ZP-SD- GD); A request for a Site Development Permit for a major addition/remodel. The Planning Director introduced this application noting a letter had been received from a neighbor, Mr. Fowler, in support of the project. Also, condition #21 should state "from Fernhill Drive" not "from Fremont Road." It was noted that the closest sewer connection was in excess of 400 feet from this property. Commissioner Gottlieb was concerned with the addition of a second driveway. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Jim Schram, 25685 Fernhill Drive, applicant, was available for questions. He commented that they plan to comply with the recommendation to eliminate the addition (bathroom) to the detached garage structure. It was noted by Commissioner Stutz that this should be redlined on the plan. Bill Maston, 384 Castro Street, Mountain View, architect, noted agreement with the conditions of approval as noted in the staff report. He discussed the background for the request for the additional driveway, in particular, working with a house with a front door on the back of the house. Currently, you are walking past the garage into the back yard to get to the front door. The best way to solve this problem was to flip-flop the front entry to create a very focused front entry. This created the need to provide a driveway in a different location. He provided an additional drawing for roadway clarification. He noted that Fernhill Drive actually goes beyond the house and the current entry to the garage is off a private easement. Their proposed solution to the driveway is actually giving them a single access off a public road and the other two accesses off a private easement. In effect, they are only asking for a single access off a public road. He commented that the neighbors have given their approval or positive reaction to the plan. He noted that the fire department had a positive reaction to the plan as they had been concerned with how to get to the front door. The Fire Department liked the circular driveway especially relating to the benefit of turnaround area on Fernhill Drive, if needed. Mr. Maston questioned condition #8, requiring fire retardant roofing. The current house has an all shingle roof and they are proposing to add 900 square feet. He asked for clarification of roofing material for the addition. The Planning Director noted that the requirement for fire retardant roofing is Class B or better. He suggested discussing this with the Town building Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 12/13/95 November 29, 1995 4 Page 5 official. In conclusion, Mr. Maston requested approval of the submitted project. Commissioner Gottlieb was concerned with the placement of a pathway with an island and split driveways. Mr. Maston felt it could be worked out to the satisfaction of the engineering department. The creation and suggested maintenance of a small island with a large portion in the public right-of-way was discussed. Chairman McMahon noted that there was a need for roadway clarification regarding landscape, the location of the pathway, and the location of the front walkway. Mr. Maston commented that the existing bedroom, adjacent to the dining room, will be the new entry. The pathway going from driveway to the front entry is basically a flagstone style pathway which is intended for visitors as the applicants will be using their garage and will go around the way they currently do. He further noted that there was an existing pathway that runs adjacent to the tennis court. That pathway, for the most part, is within the street right-of-way, not on the property. When the pathway reaches the end of the tennis court, closer to where they are proposing the driveway, the pathway terminates, turning back towards the street and stops. They do not mind if the pathway continues through the island as they are not trying to create an island exclusively for landscaping. It was suggested expanding Condition #19 so the pathway continues across the extent of the Fernhill Drive frontage of the property. Joe Bedell, 226 Lowell Avenue, Palo Alto, project contractor, was very willing to work with staff and the Pathway Committee regarding the location of the pathway and driveway commenting that the driveway was a key element to the entire project. Commissioner Gottlieb felt they could have their front entrance without having the driveway in the proposed location. She would not vote on the project without seeing how the driveway would effect the pathway and road right-of-way. Commissioner Schreiner noted that the driveway appears to be providing guests with a place to park in the front. She did not feel there should be parking within the front setback. An alternative would be to park on the street. Mr. Bedell felt the current approach to the house was very unattractive, appearing to go back to a service entrance where the garbage containers are kept. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Discussion ensued with a failed consensus (2/5) vote for plans to be returned for review by the Planning Commission showing the driveway, Lar pathway and landscaping of the island. It was felt, with the approval of Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 12/13/95 November 29,1995 Page 6 the project, staff could work out the issue of the driveway and pathway. J The driveway area is not the required four parking spaces and the material used could be something other then a hard material. It was suggested that staff also take into consideration fire vehicle turnaround area when reviewing the driveway/pathway plans. Commissioner Schreiner was concerned with the three access points regardless of the fact that it is private and public. She sees the area in the front as more of a parking area because it was obvious to her that the owners do not want to lead their guests towards the back. They want to be able to park in the front and walk down the driveway. The Planning Director commented on plantings in the island, suggesting the relocation of some of the younger, smaller trees in the island location or in the vicinity of the driveway. Jean Struthers, 13690 Robleda Road, Environmental Design Committee, asked if there was a safety issue regarding being on a corner and having an entrance to anything too close to a corner. She suggested, perhaps, the applicant relocate a parking bay somewhere to one side or another of that intersection for safety. They can still landscape the island area without having two entrances. She was concerned with site distance from both sides. Chairman McMahon felt the driveway situation could be worked out at staff level once staff had the missing part of the plan. She felt the house was an outstanding design which will be enjoyed by the applicants and the entire Town. She had no concern with the pavement in the front area. However, the path between that area and the front door is important. The fact that the applicant is showing flagstone and that the path is meandered is lovely across the dry creek. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Doran and seconded by Commissioner Cheng to approve the site development permit for an addition and remodel of an existing residence, addition to an accessory building with the addition of a second driveway. Staff will review and approve the final plans for the driveway and pathway location. AYES: Chairman McMahon, Commissioners Stutz, Cheng and Doran NOES: Commissioners Schreiner & Gottlieb ABSENT: Commissioner Finn This approval is subject to a 21 day appeal period. ,, Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 12/13/95 November 29,1995 Page 7 3.3 LANDS OF ROUSE, 27979 Baker Lane (106-95-ZP-SD-GD); A request for a Site Development Permit for a secondary dwelling unit. This item was continued to the December 13th meeting. 4. EFFORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING 4.1 Planning Commission Representative for the November 15th meeting, Chairman McMahon, reported on the following: Lands of Micko, Lands of LeFevre, Lands of Vidovich, and approval of the consent calendar items. 4.2 Planning Commission Representative for the December 6th meeting-Commissioner Doran. 5. NEW 13USZMES 5.1 Town maintenance trimming of vegetation along road ways. The Planning Director introduced this item noting he had some discussion with the City Manager and the Town's Public Works Manager regarding this subject. 4W The Public Works Manager has met with Jean Struthers and Guy Jinkerson of the Environmental Design Committee. At that meeting they provided Mr. Taylor with information relating to plant types which might be most appropriate along road ways. Ms. Struthers highlighted some of the subjects needing further discussion which included the machinery used by the maintenance crew, the need for some expertise to produce the least harm to vegetation, and the importance of timing relating to the growth and trimming of different vegetation. The Commission cited several instances where trimming and/or spraying was done improperly or where trimmings were not removed. It was suggested that the Public Works Manager have scheduled meetings with the Environmental Design Committee to go over some of these issues, working toward an understanding and a solution. Commissioner Stutz noted that Foothill College has landscape type classes and she felt the enrollment of the Town crew into one of these classes would be a substantial benefit to the Town. Discussion ensued regarding paint color requirements, reflectivity value, and the size of paint samples submitted for approval. This subject will be agendized for further discussion. 8 6.1 Report from subcommittees. None. Planning Commission Minutes APPROVED 12/13/95 November 29,1995 Page 8 7. APPROVAL OF MINI JTES J 7.1 Approval of the November 8, 1995 minutes. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY CONSENSUS: Motion by Commissioner Doran, seconded by Commissioner Cheng and passed by consensus to approve the November 8th minutes. 8. REPORT FROM THE SITE DEVELIORNMK410=1-41[1�; OF NOVEMBER 21.1995 8.1 LANDS OF COTE, 24970 O'Keefe Lane; A request for a Site Development Permit for a pool and spa. Approved with conditions November 21,1995. 6 • C Uu1 ma The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:07 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Planning Secretary J J