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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/09/1998Minutes of a Regular Meeting Approved 9/23/98 Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION Wednesday, September 9, 1998, 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road cc: Cassettes (2) #17-98 ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Chairman Cheng, Commissioners Gottlieb, Aurelio, Schreiner & Jinkerson Staff: Curtis Williams, Planning Director; Sheryl Proft, Associate Engineer; Suzanne Davis, Associate Planner; Shauna O'Connor, Assistant Planner; Lam Smith, Planning Secretary kaw 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR -none. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.1 LANDS OF NUVEEN CONSTRUCTION, 27585 Samuel Lane (lot 1) (126-98- ZP-SD-GD); A request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence and a lap pool (continued from August 12, 1998). Ms. Davis introduced this item clarifying the location of the lap pool could not be altered due to setbacks and leach field location. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Nader Zatparvar, 410 Juanita Way, Los Altos, applicant, stated he had made changes to the plans according to the direction he received at the August 12" meeting, which included the following: residence height reduced; stepping down the hill; and a change to the architectural style (different from lot 3). Dave Pilling, 12849 Canario Way, stated he had previously expressed concerns regarding drainage during the subdivision meetings, noting some of the history relating to the 1983 flood. He asked who would be responsible if there was a drainage problem in the future. Other than drainage concerns, he had no difficulty with the site. Planning Commission Minutes Approved 9/23/98 September 9, 1998 Page 2 The Planning Director responded there would be no liability to Mr. Pilling unless he does something to impact the property. Jerry Anderson, 12829 Canario Way, had viewed the property from his rooftop and could not see the story poles. He voiced his support. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Commissioner Schreiner would like the applicant to comply with staff recommendations in condition #1. She expressed thanks for the common driveway. Commissioner Jinkerson thanked the applicant for listening to the Planning Commission and making the requested changes. Commissioner Gottlieb agreed with condition #1 also. Normally, she would not want a house higher than the ridgeline but she understood the constraints of the site. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Jinkerson and seconded by Commissioner Schreiner to approve the Site Development Permit for a new residence and lap pool, Lands of Nuveen Construction, with the recommended conditions of approval. AYES: Chairman Cheng, Commissioners Gottlieb, Aurelio, Jinkerson & Schreiner NOES: None `. This approval is subject to a 21 day appeal period. 3.2 LANDS OF GOLUKHOV, 11195 Hooper Lane (72-97-ZP-SD-GD); A request for a Site Development Permit for additions (continued from May 13, 1998). Staff had nothing further to add to the report. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING David Blum, 1174 Fisher Avenue, Morgan Hill, project representative, stated he had worked with the Planning Director to comply with the previous requests. He has read and understood the conditions of approval. There had been a recommendation for a pathway donation, however the applicant has not been contacted by anyone from the Pathways Committee. The applicant is agreeable to discuss the request with the committee. Commissioner Schreiner asked how far the railing goes around the front of the house and deck over the garage. Mr. Blum was not sure what the applicant intended and the architect did not make it clear on the plans. He was open to their recommendations. The Planning Director stated it should be specified (i.e. the railing is just from the master bedroom area, and the area over the garage), and that it does not extend all the way across the whole house. Planning Commission Minutes Appmved 9/23/98 September 9, 1998 Page 3 Dianne Ban'ager, Pathways Committee, requested a donation of a 30 foot wide off-road easement along the southern boundary of the property, and that a five foot wide native pathway be constructed within the easement. This path would connect Hooper Lane to the existing Frampton Court -Fernhill Drive off-road pathway. The Committee is asking for a donation as it is not on the Master Pathway Plan. Unfortunately, when she called the applicant to discuss the donation, he was out of town. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Discussion ensued regarding any possible tax consequences with the donation of a pathway. The Commission felt, although they could not request the pathway dedication, they would like to recommend the donation, if the applicant was in agreement. Commissioner Gottlieb appreciated the changes made to the plans. She requested limiting (reducing) the front decking area from the garage to the master bedroom. Further discussion ensued regarding the width of the proposed deck and railing. Commissioner Schreiner hoped the applicant would consider the donation of the pathway as the applicant and his neighbors would benefit from its use, and it connects into a very beautiful path that was constructed a few years ago. Also, it would provide an emergency access. Pathways are very useful in town. MOTION SECONDED, AMENDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Gottlieb, [� seconded by Commissioner Schreiner, and amended to approve the Site Development Permit for Mw additions, Lands of Golukhov, with the following additions/changes to the conditions of approval: revised plans to limit the second floor roof deck within the front setback to extend no more than seven feet toward the front property line and only to the width of the master bedroom and bathroom addition (north wall of the bedroom). AYES: Chairman Cheng, Commissioners Jinkersou, Aurelio, Gottlieb & Schreiner NOES: None This approval is subject to a 21 day appeal period. 3.3 LANDS OF GTE Mobile Communications (Lands of State of California, Department of Transportation) 2350 Page Mill Road (128-98-ZP-SD-CUP-ND); A request for a Site Development Permit, Conditional Use Permit, and Negative Declaration for the placement of 4 panel antennas on an existing pole. The Planning Director introduced this item by providing some history of prior conditional use permit approvals for Sprint Spectrum, Pacific Bell Mobile Services, and Cellular One at the CalTrans maintenance yard site at Page Mill Road and I-280. To date, there have been no complaints from neighbors. Commissioner Jinkerson disclosed that he was a GTE Mobile Communications user. L OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Planning Commission Minutes Approved 9/23/98 September 9, 1998 Page 4 Peter Maushardt, 121 Madrid Way, Sonoma, representative, stated he has read the staff report and was available for questions. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Discussion ensued regarding the recommended conditions of approval, the proposed findings for the Conditional Use Permit and the Negative Declaration. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Gottlieb and seconded by Commissioner Schreiner to recommend approval of the requested Site Development and Conditional Use Permits, subject to the conditions outlined in Exhibit "A", and citing the findings outlined in Exhibit "B"; and recommend adoption of the Negative Declaration. AYES: Chairman Cheng, Commissioners Schreiner, Gottlieb, Aurelio & linkerson NOES: None This item will appear on the October 7`" City Council agenda. 3.4 LANDS OF MARQUEZ, 25665 O'Keefe Lane (104-98-ZP-SD-GD); A request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence. Staff had nothing further to add to the report. Commissioner Gottlieb voiced concern regarding drainage going down to the path area. The associate engineer fielded her questions. The noise study and the use of a sound wall was also discussed. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Michael Davis, 275 Tennant Avenue, Morgan Hill, project architect, discussed the staff report, in particular, the noise study and the sound wall, asking if they could mitigate the sound in any other way as they would like to remove the existing sound wall. He further discussed staff recommendations requiring the roofline elevation be lowered a minimum of three feet, and to limit the height to 22 feet. Commissioner Gottlieb asked if there was any thought to a courtyard area in the front to provide a quiet area with a view of the hills. Mr. Davis indicated it would move the house closer to I-280 with more noise coming into the back area. Diane Barrager, Pathways Committee, reiterated their request to restore the B -B path along O'Keefe Lane. The Pathway Committee also requested the donation of a 10 foot pathway easement along the western boundary of the property to connect the cul-de-sac to the pathway adjacent to I-280. Also, they would prefer the existing sound wall. Debbie Chen, 25545 O'Keefe Lane, expressed a concern with the reflectivity of the roofing material. y Planning Commission Minutes September 9, 1998 Page 5 CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Approved 9/23/98 The Planning Director clarified staff's objective to lower the profile of this high single story structure. The language in the report is to lower the roofline elevation a minimum of three feet, but not with a lower roof pitch. Commissioner Jinkerson agreed. He noted that with the two properties, there will be eight garages close to each other, asking if they should consider this a problem. The Planning Director indicated no as he felt it is better to concentrate that area. Commissioner Jinkerson complimented staff on the fine report. With regard to the Human Habitation setback line for noise, he asked if this is something that should be noted in a disclosure statement. The Planning Director responded no as this is a basic issue to be disclosed to any new buyer. Commissioner Aurelio questioned the extent of the landscaping (barren area). He felt plantings should be big and mature. Commissioner Gottlieb felt there should also be heavy landscaping between the two driveways. RE -OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Commissioner Schreiner asked the representative for his thoughts regarding the donation of a pathway. Mr. Davis felt there would be a privacy issue. In answer to other questions, he noted that they positioned the driveways to lessen the impact to the neighbors. Also, there is a grade difference between the driveways for landscaping. He asked for some flexibility regarding the roof height. Sandy Humphries, Environmental Design Committee, requested at least 30 % drought tolerant plantings, and the committee prefers the use of oak trees. She also suggested plantings on and around the sound wall. The Planning Director suggested a mixture of sizes for the trees and a mixture of species. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Commissioner Schreiner agreed with the recommendation from staff regarding condition #1. She suggested amending the landscape condition (#2) requiring larger, more mature trees to be planted, recommending oaks and native plantings. It was noted that the existing sound wall could not be removed as it is a part of the subdivision improvements. Chairman Cheng was not sure there was a reason to request so many trees at this time instead of at the Site Development hearing for landscaping. Further discussion ensued. Planning Commission Minutes Approved 9/23/98 September 9, 1998 Page 6 MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Jinkerson and seconded by Commissioner Aurelio to approve the Site Development Permit for a new residence, Lands of Marquez, with the following additions/changes to the conditions of approval: add to #1 (1), not to be accomplished through decreasing roof pitch; #1 (3) chimney heights not higher than the minimum required by the Uniform Building Code; add to #2, that required landscaping for screening shall, at a minimum include: five 36" box, five 24" box, and five to ten 15 gallon native (not redwoods) trees. Consideration should be given to landscaping over the existing sound wall; and add to #4, roofs shall use a non -reflective material. AYES: Chairman Cheng, Commissioners Aurelio, Gottlieb, Jinkerson & Schreiner NOES: None This approval is subject to a 21 day appeal period. 3.5 LANDS OF BORNS, 25625 O'Keefe Lane (105-98-ZP-SD-GD); A request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence. The Planning Director introduced this item noting this structure sits lower than the previous residence although it has a small second story. Commissioner Aurelio felt the second story portion goes against the Design Guidelines. Commissioner Schreiner asked if staff was concerned with the reflectivity value of the roof tiles. The Planning Director responded that the Commission could request that the material and color be 40% or less. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Michael Davis, 275 Tennant Avenue, Morgan Hill, project architect, discussed the choice of earthtone colors and the dulled roofing material. The lot from right to left, drops nine feet. They have buried the house and second story into the site. Commissioner Aurelio referred to the Design Guidelines noting the second story portion did not step down the hill and needed work. This lot is very visible from Foothill College. Diane Barrager, Environmental Design Committee, requested that special care be taken when addressing the landscaping for screening and the colors of the exterior materials. Sandy Humphries, Environmental Design Committee, requested at least 30 % drought tolerant plantings, and preferred the use of oak trees. Debbie Chen, 25545 O'Keefe Lane, expressed a concern with the reflectivity of the roofing material. Grace Lee, 25585 O'Keefe Lane, requested landscaping at the property line fence for screening 3 and privacy. Planning Commission Minutes Approved 9/23/98 September 9, 1998 Page 7 4W Ted Homs, owner of property, stated that the previous design had a larger two story portion but they reduced it at staff's request. They preferred not using more of the footprint by using a small section for the two story portion. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Commissioner Aurelio agreed with staff recommendations regarding extensive landscaping. The second story portion of the design still bothered him. He would prefer a redesign before approval. Commissioner Gottlieb concurred. Commissioner Jinkerson was also concerned with this very visible site. He rarely supports a two story design on a ridgeline and certainly not on a highly visible site. He also would request a redesign. Mr. Davis voiced concern regarding the grading moratorium stating they can eliminate the second story portion completely (approximately 800 square feet), working with staff. The associate engineer clarified, even if the project was approved this evening, it would be questionable if they could meet the grading moratorium date. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Aurelio and seconded by Commissioner Jinkerson to approve the Site Development Permit for a new residence, Lands of Bums, with the following additionslchanges to the conditions of approval: add to #1, deletion of �. the second story; the chimney heights not higher than the minimum required by the Uniform Building Code; add to #2, required landscaping for screening shall, at a minimum, include: five 36" box, five 24" box, and five to ten 15 gallon native (not redwoods) trees; and add to #4, roofs shall use materials which have a light reflectivity value of 40 or less and made of a non -reflective material. AYES: Chairman Cheng, Commissioners Schreiner, Jinkerson, Gottlieb & Aurelio, NOES: None This approval is subject to a 21 day appeal period. 4. OLD BUSINESS 4.1 Report from subcommittees. Discussion ensued regarding the Circulation Element of the General Plan. The next scheduled meeting will be held on September 17'". NEW BUSINESS 5.1 Planning Commission Schedule. The tentative agenda for the October 28'" meeting was reviewed. G Planning Commission Minutes Approved 9/23/98 September 9, 1998 Page 8 6. REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING 6.1 Planning Commission Representative for September 2n°, Commissioner - Schreiner, reported on the following items: approval of resolution authorizing agreement with Carl Mileff and Associates for building plan review services; approval of memorandum of Understanding with the League of Women Voters regarding the 1998 Election of the Los Altos Hills City Council; discussion of policies and ordinances regarding chimney heights, La Paloma corridor, and carports/garages; City Manager's report on visual enhancement of projects; and request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence and variances to exceed allowable height and floor area and to encroach into the side setback, Lands of Lambert. 6.2 Planning Commission Representative for September 16, meeting canceled APPROVAL OF MINUTES 7.1 Approval of the August 26, 1998 minutes. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To approve the August 26, 1998 minutes. 8. REPORT FROM THE SITE DEVELOPMENT HEARING SEPTEMBER 8 1998 8.1 LANDS OF GROFF & TAYLOR, 28625 Matadero Creek Court (106-98-ZP-SD); A request for a Site Development Permit for a pool, spa and a landscape plan. Approved with conditions. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lam Smith Planning Secretary 4W