HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/16/1997Minutes of a Special Meeting Approved 9/24/97
Town of Los Altos Hills
PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, September 16, 1997, 7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road
cc: Cassettes (2) #17-97
ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. in the Council Chambers at
Town Hall.
Present: Chairman Gottlieb, Commissioners Schreiner, Cheng, Stutz & Jinkerson
Staff: Curtis Williams, Planning Director, Dain Anderson, Planning Consultant; Lani
Lonberger, Planning Secretary
2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR -none
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
3.1 PROPOSED HOUSING ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN; AND
PROPOSED NEGATIVE DECLARATION.
The Planning Director introduced Dain Anderson, Planning Consultant, who has been working
with staff and the Housing Element Subcommittee on the revisions to the Housing Element. The
Planning Director provided background information regarding the process of the Draft Element
before the Commission. He noted specific comments received from Commissioners Stutz and
Jinkerson regarding changes to the draft which can be worked into the document. He continued
with an overhead display providing additional historical information regarding the Housing
Element as follows: (1) the required Elements of a General Plan (land use element, circulation
element, housing element, conservation element, open space element, noise element, and safety
element); (2) State Government Code; (3) an assessment of housing needs and an inventory of
resources and constraints relative to meeting of these needs; (4) a statement of the community's
goals, quantified objectives, and policies relative to the maintenance, preservation, improvement,
and development of housing; (5) a program which sets forth a five-year schedule of actions the
local government is undertaking or intends to undertake to implement the policies and achieve
the goals and objectives of the housing element; (6) income limits (Santa Clara County); (5) and
rental rate limits (Santa Clara County).
Planning Commission Minutes Approved 9/24/97
September 16, 1997
Page 2
Mr. Anderson addressed the evaluation of the 1988 Housing Element, population, household and
employment trends, housing needs (fair share allocation by income); proposed programs
promoting residential secondary units, and the residential unit construction objectives (1996-
1999).
OPENED PUBLIC HEARING
Fred Osterlund, 26268 Fremont Road, questioned the tax implications relating to the construction
of a secondary unit.
John Barkers, Wildcrest Drive, stated a 600 square foot unit would not attract the same number
of people as a 1,000 square foot unit. He suggested complying with the State suggestion of 600
square feet.
CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING.
Discussion ensued regarding the housing goals, policies, programs, and objectives which
included the following: general strategy; goals, policies, and programs; establishing an in -lieu
fee to be assessed on newly developed residential properties (page 45 of report); establishing a
fund to promote the development of residential second units; revising the review process to allow
staff level approval of residential second unit of 750 square feet in size of less; eliminating the
housing fee ($1,050) for all residential second units; designate the current housing fee ($1,050)
for all market rate new residential construction to be contributed to a fund to promote residential
second units; and establishing low interest loans for the construction of affordable residential
second units, with loan administration contracted to a local -area non-profit organization. The
Planning Director noted if they maintain the 1,000 square foot maximum, it would allow
flexibility. Commissioner Schreiner agreed to the 1,000 square foot maximum with restrictions
regarding attached garage, patios, etc. The unit should always be subordinate to the main
residence.
The Planning Director clarified the various statements presented. Commissioners Stutz and
Jinkerson agreed that the document was very well written.
MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Schreiner and seconded by
Commissioner Cheng to forward the recommended changes to the City Council, including a
recommendation to adopt the Negative Declaration with the noted changes as specified by the
Commission and changed by the Planning Director.
AYES: Chairman Gottlieb, Commissioners Jinkerson, Stutz, Cheng & Schreiner
NOES: None
This item will be scheduled for a City Council agenda for public hearing.
Planning Commission Minutes Approved 9/24197
September 16, 1997
Page 3
4. NEW BUSINESS
4.1 Discussion Topics for Joint Meeting with City Council.
The Planning Director introduced this item. Discussion ensued which resulted in the following
list of proposed topics: (1) secondary dwellings (basements, height, driveway access, patios,
garages); (2) Basement definition (daylighting, backfilling, lightwells and stairways, patios); (3)
Definition of "three story facade" and "single story'; (4) Enforcement of conditions of approval;
(5) "Challenged" lots (how best to address them); (6) Development of "ridgelines"; (7) Height
measurement, particularly regarding basements; (8) More strict application to Design Guidelines
to protect `rural' character; (9) Requirement for two -car garages; (10) Carports counting as floor
area; (11) Town removal of trees in the right-of-way; and (12) Planting in the road right-of-way.
The Planning Director will provide a list of the previous suggested topics to the Commission for
their review at the following Commission meeting to allow the list to be narrowed some what to
perhaps five (5) topics.
5. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:15 p.m.
Ob/ Respectfully submitted,
L i Lonberger
Planning Secretary