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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/28/1996�w Minutes of a Regular Meeting Approved 3/13/96 Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION Wednesday, February 28,1996,7:00 p.m. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road cc: Cassettes #4-96 ( 2 ) 1. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OFA F ANCE The Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Chairman McMahon, Commissioners Cheng, Stutz, Finn & Schreiner Absent: Commissioners Doran & Gottlieb Staff: Curtis Williams, Planning Director; Sheryl Proft, Assistant Engineer; Suzanne Davis, Planner; Susan Manca, Planner; Lani Lonberger, Planning Secretary 3.1 LANDS OF LOHR 24040 Oak Knoll Circle (lot 14) (10-96-ZP-SDGD); A request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence, pool and spa. Staff had nothing further to add to the staff report. Commissioner Schreiner commented on the paving within the slope easement which is to allow access for maintenance. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Jerry Lohr, J. Lohr Properties, 2021 The Alameda, San Jose, applicant, discussed their clients, the Winners, the design of the house, the constraints of the lot (80% of the lot encumbered), geotechnical recommendations, and review of the conditions of approval. The exterior colors which have not been chosen as yet but will be in keeping with the italianate style (beige tone). Because the house is so close to the road, staff did not feel there was a problem requesting a 12 foot width for the driveway rather than a 14 foot ( width as recommended by the Fire Department. Commissioner Finn questioned yet another beige stucco house in this subdivision. Planning Commission Minutes Approved 3/13/96 February 28,1996 Page 2 CLOSED PUBLIC TESTIMONY The Planning Director noted the lack of a street sign at the corner of Oak Knoll Circle requesting the applicant contact the Public Works Director regarding the placement of the sign. Commissioner Stutz felt they have done a good job considering all the constraints on the lot. She also agreed with the 12 foot width for the driveway. Commissioner Schreiner discussed the stepping of the pool to reduce the fill. Mr. Lohr commented that they were trying to balance cut and fill with fewer retaining walls. The new buyers have four small children, preferring to see the pool from the house (kitchen area). They would also not want the pool too close to the house because of shading on the east side. He suggested rotating the pool more toward the house, bringing it closer to the house to reduce grading and retaining walls. Unfortunately, this would shade the pool more. Ms. Davis commented if they move the pool further down the property, away from the house, they will be very close to the conservation easement unless the whole angle of the pool is changed. Mr. Lohr discussed going across contours with the pool (45° angle to the contours), so the pool was more parallel to the house. This would reduce the fill (rotating the right side of the pool). Commissioner Finn suggested moving the pool down the hill, dropping the elevation, pushing it right up against the conservation easement to reduce the amount of cut and fill. Mr. Lohr noted that they cannot do any filling in the conservation easement. The one retaining wall along the pathway, which leads to the pool to the driveway to the guest parking space, was only there because of not being able to grade in the conservation easement. The large Oak tree (#13) in that area has split and the horticulturist will recommend removal due to a safety issue. If the tree is removed, there is no need for the conservation easement coming so close to the left. If the boundary of the conservation easement was changed, there would be no need for the left retaining wall going toward the garage. The Planning Director noted that the conservation easement was established at the time of the subdivision and it was not within their authority to alter it. Chairman McMahon noted that the conservation easements and the human habitation setbacks have left a very small buildable area on the lot. Commissioner Finn felt Mr. Lohr could work with staff to try to minimize the cut and fill. He voiced concern again with another beige stucco house within this subdivision. Mr. Lohr commented on the different beige tones within the subdivision. Further discussion ensued regarding the pool. It was noted that the walkway would be no more than 4 feet in width. Mr. Lohr suggested rotating the pool more parallel to the house, going into the contours. This would result in less grading or less retaining walls but not pulled in so much that they would not get maximum sun. MOTION SECONDED, AMENDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Finn and seconded by Commissioner Schreiner and amended to approve the Site Development Permit for a new residence, pool and spa, Lands of Lohr, directing staff to work with the Planning Commission Minutes Approved 3/13/96 February 28, 1996 ( Page 3 applicant to minimize the cut and fill of the pool area, reducing the retaining walls to approximately 3 feet in height and reducing fill to approximately 5 feet. AYES: Chairman McMahon, Commissioners Schreiner & Finn NOES: Commissioners Stutz & Cheng ABSENT: Commissioners Doran & Gottlieb This item will appear on the City Council consent calendar March 20, 1996. ('NO" votes due to the pool redesign criteria) At the end of the meeting, the Commission again discussed the Stonebrook subdivision. They all were in agreement that the houses were looking too similar (stucco in beige tones). They again agreed that they do not want an appearance of a tract design in Los Altos Hills. They will be looking for distinct architectural differences from previous approved projects in the future. The Commission requested the Planning Director to convey their concerns to the applicants. 3.2 LANDS OF SORENSEN,13820 La Paloma Road (5-96-ZP-SD); A request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence, pool, spa and pool house. Ms. Davis introduced this item noting the Environmental Design Committee comments were not attached to the staff report. The Committee noted that the building apparently was on fill and the site should be carefully reviewed by soils engineers. Also, the site should be reviewed again at the time of landscape plan submittal by the Environmental Design Committee as screening may be necessary toward the rear (south) of the house. It was noted that the plans sent to the Fire Department for review indicate a 14 foot wide driveway. The plans reviewed by the Commission indicate a 12 foot wide driveway. The Fire Marshal did not recommend a 14 foot wide driveway as the plans show the 14 foot width on the plans he reviewed. It was also noted that the application included a very small pool house (150 square feet) to house the pool equipment. Commissioner Finn noted concern with drainage on La Paloma Road asking if this has been addressed. The Planning Director reported most of the neighbors have reviewed the plans. The previous development area on the site was greater than the proposed development area. Therefore, there will not be an increase in runoff to the La Paloma Basin as a result of the project. Due to the decrease in development area and the fact that drainage from the site to the drainage channel is not an issue, the project was determined to be categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act. He noted that a condition has been included which limits development on the site to not more than 15,510 square feet of development area (the previously existing level of development) until such time that a final solution to the drainage problem is implemented. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Planning Commission Minutes Approved 3/13/96 February 28,1996 Page 4 Sidney Hoover, 500 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, project architect, noted a spa was not a part of this application and the pool house would be a small, one story square building (12 X 12) to house the motor and pumps to reduce noise. He also noted no trees to be removed. Commissioner Schreiner voiced concern with the amount of pavement in the 30 foot setback. Mr. Hoover responded that it was needed for the turn around area. Ms. Davis explained due to the size of the garage, that area does not count toward two car spaces and the four spaces in the circular area meet Town requirements. Chairman McMahon suggested a donut shape or grasscrete in the center of the circular area instead of solid pavement. The applicant agreed to consider this suggestion. Commissioner Stutz suggested directing the drainage toward the front of the lot into the orchard. Mr. Hoover agreed that the water could be dispersed in that direction. CLOSED PUBLIC TESTIMONY MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Stutz and seconded by Commissioner Finn to approve the Site Development Permit for a new residence, pool and pool house, Lands of Sorensen, as conditioned, with direction that the driveway be 12 feet wide unless directed differently by the Fire Marshal. AYES: Chairman McMahon, Commissioners Cheng, Schreiner, Finn & Stutz ` NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioners Doran & Gottlieb This item will appear on the City Council consent calendar March 20, 1996. 3.3 LANDS OF GOLDSOBEL,14415 Miranda Court (1-96-ZP-SD-GD); A request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence. Staff had nothing further to add to the staff report. Commissioner Schreiner questioned the color of the copper roofing material. Commissioner Doran expressed to Chairman McMahon that she very much liked the perspective which was very helpful in understanding the project. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Maurice Camargo, 3953 Yolo Drive, San Jose, project architect, stated the cooper roofing surface will patina with the help of a method to quicken the process. Commissioner Stutz noted double the amount of fill compared to the cut asking if they would consider stepping the house down. Mr. Camargo commented on using the existing pad, digging the garage element into the property, allowing the applicants to have more rear yard in the process. They are using some of the dirt to accommodate the driveway. The rear area will stay at the existing grade. ko Planning Commission Minutes Approved 3/13/% February 28, 1996 Page 5 Chairman McMahon was pleased with the new location of the garage. All Commissioners expressed pleasure with the new design, complimenting the architect and the owners. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Cheng and seconded by Commissioner Schreiner to approve the Site Development Permit for a new residence, Lands of Goldsobel, with the recommended conditions of approval. AYES: Chairman McMahon, Commissioners Finn, Stutz, Schreiner & Cheng NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioners Doran & Gottlieb This item will appear on the City Council consent calendar March 20,1996. 3.4 LANDS OF PLOSS,13349 La Cresta Drive (15-96-ZP-SD-CDP-VAR); A request for a Conditional Development Permit and a Site Development Permit for a carport, and a variance to allow the structure to encroach 15 feet into the rear setback. Staff had nothing further to add to the staff report. A new proposed design of the carport was provided to the Commission for review. It was noted that elevation drawings had not been provided. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING John Ploss,13349 La Cresta Drive, applicant, was available for questions. He clarified that the house was built 20 years ago with the house, garage building, etc. in the same condition as when we purchased the property in 1984. The garage building was never completed as a garage by the original owner. CLOSED PUBLIC TESTIMONY Chairman McMahon requested the submittal of standard drawings which would include elevations. The Commissioner would like to see how the carport is tied to the house, as the design of the carport as presented did not appear to be compatible with the house. Discussion ensued regarding reduction of the roof height, restricting the requested development area, the length of the roof, and keeping the roof style compatible with the house. All Commissioners agreed with the variance request, but they would prefer reducing the size proposed (suggested 28' X 24'), and restricting the area to 600 square feet which would be more desirable. It was also recommended that the pathway easement be shown on the plans. Variance findings #3 should be rewritten to exclude the statement regarding noise. Chairman McMahon questioned #2 and #3 of the Conditional Development Permit findings as she did not feel they were valid statements as the findings are not met by the design presented Planning Commission Minutes Approved 3/13/96 February 28, 1996 ( Page 6 MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Schreiner and seconded by Commissioner Stutz to continue the request for a Site Development Permit, Variance, and Conditional Development Permit for a new carport located within the rear setback for a redesign of the carport as directed by the Planning Commission. The redesign should include the submittal of standard drawings, provide a site plan which accurately shows the existing equestrian/pedestrian trail easement along the lower portion of the lot, the development area not to exceed 600 square feet, the height of the carport not to exceed 10 feet at any given point, and the materials of the proposed carport and roof should more closely match those of the existing residence. AYES: Chairman McMahon, Commissioners Finn, Cheng, Stutz & Finn NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioners Doran & Gottlieb This item will be re -noticed for public hearing. 3.5 Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance Regarding 1) Clarifying Definition of "Service Uses"; 2) Slope Density Calculations; and 3) Requiring Building Circles for all lots; and Proposed Negative Declaration. Staff had nothing further to add to the staff report. 4W OPENED PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Discussion ensued with suggestions and changes noted by the Planning Director MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Finn and seconded by Commissioner Schreiner to recommend to the City Council adoption of the Zoning Ordinance Amendments, as revised by the Commission. AYES: Chairman McMahon, Commissioners Stutz, Cheng, Schreiner & Finn NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioners Doran & Gottlieb This item will be noticed for City Council public hearing March 20,1996. 4. REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING 4.1 Planning Commission Representative for the February 21st meeting, Commissioner Doran. In her absence, Commissioner Schreiner reported on the following items: Lands of Quarry Hills; Lands of Rouse; Lands of Parikh; and Lands of Owen. Planning Commission Minutes Approved 3/13/96 February 28,1996 ( Page 7 4.2 Planning Commission Representative for the March 6th meeting - Chairman McMahon. 5. OLD BUSINESS 5.1 Report from subcommittees. A meeting of the Housing Element subcommittee has been schedule for March 11th and the ADA committee will be scheduling a meeting in the near future. 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.1 Schedule Fire Department Presentation. The Fire Marshal, Dan Dunlap, will be available for a presentation at the March 27th meeting at 6:30 p.m. 7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 7.1 Approval of the February 14, 1996 minutes. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To approve the February 14, 1996 minutes. 8. REPORT '•u THE SITE DEYELOPMENT• allyl_ • FEBRUARY r'. 8.1 LANDS OF HIFAI, 26856 Almaden Court; A request for a Site Development Permit for a landscape plan. This has been continued to the March 5th meeting as the applicant or their representative was not present. 8.2 LANDS OF FERRELL,13818 La Paloma Road; A request for a Site Development Permit for a landscape, hardscape and related improvements. Approved with conditions. The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Planning Secretary