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Home My WebLink About11/10/1998Minutes of a Regular Meeting Approved 12/9/98 Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, November 10, 1998, 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road cc: Cassettes (2) #20-98 ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Planning Commission meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Chairman Cheng, Commissioners Gottlieb, Schreiner & Jinkerson Absent: Commissioner Aurelio Staff: Curtis Williams, Planning Director; Sheryl Proft, Associate Engineer, Sharron O'Connor, Assistant Planner; Lam Smith, Planning Secretary 4W 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Michael Scott, 27856 Black Mountain Road, noted concern in the neighborhood regarding the need for a study of drainage requirements, landslides, and ways to drain water when the land is saturated. The Planning Director stated that the next General Plan Element to be reviewed, Land Use, will address this subject. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.1 LANDS OF SCOTT, 27860 Black Mountain Road (246-97-ZP-SD); A request for a Site Development Permit for a pond and a landscape plan. The Planning Director introduced this item and noted the receipt of letters from Mr. Lai, Mr. Lanahan, Mr. & Mrs. Marcus, Mr. & Mrs. Hall, Mr. & Mrs. Marion, and Mrs. Hoff). Commissioner Jinkerson disclosed he also has a clay pond. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Mike Scott, 27856 Black Mountain Road, applicant, stated that the pond is planned as a water garden and not as a fish pond, although small Mosquito fish, provided by Santa Clara County, will be used to provide pest control. An airation system is planned to maintain water quality and no chemicals will be used. He expected an increase in wildlife, particularly birds, that will visit the area. He further addressed the complaints listed in the letters from neighbors which included Planning Commission Minutes Approved 12/9/98 November 10, 1998 (( Page 2 rI the size of the pond, the pond not keeping with the residential nature of the neighborhood, the potential the pond would bring (attract many ducks, the mosquito fish not controlling mosquitoes, the noise from frogs), and drainage issues. He further questioned the conditions of approval, 1 through 13, and the site development permit date. He started this project 18 months ago. Originally there was a large house, pool, tennis court, barn and caretaker cottage on the site. He does not plan to build a house on the lot for at least four years, and he felt the pond would be more attractive than the existing weeds and will better support local wildlife. Further discussion ensued regarding the safety of the pond. Daniel Lima, 2120 Church Avenue, San Martin, project landscaping representative, addressed the safety of the pond liner, the location of the pond (lower area), and the planned natural landscaping. Sandy Humphries, Environmental Design Committee, encourages a plan which promotes native plants between properties. The pond will be very helpful in attracting and providing areas for native species. This will create a healthy corridor. Bob Hall, 12140 Foothill Lane, voiced health concerns regarding water fowl, drainage, mosquitoes, earthquake and spill-over, and the movement of wildlife. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Commissioner Jinkerson shared his personal experience with ponds. He did not know why neighbors would be concerned as the pond would maintain the rural environment, much more than a new structure. Commissioner Gottlieb asked if the drainage concerns would be greater than with a new residence. Sheryl Proft responded there would be no more concern than with a tennis court. It was noted that the maintenance agreement would run with the land. Commissioner Schreiner agreed with previous comments. Any development would increase drainage, and the maintenance agreement has specific language in case of complaints. She was concerned with the 750 cubic yards to be spread on the site. Ms. Proft stated that there was enough room on the site to spread the fill so not to be detrimental. It would eliminate the need to haul the fill off-site, if spread properly. The Planning Director recommended additional wording to condition #8 regarding fill to prevent any negative drainage impacts on the neighboring properties, and any excess fill material that is not approved with the grading plan to be exported from the site. Also, add to condition #3 that the Planning Director shall have the discretion to require review of the pond maintenance and may take emergency action, if necessary, to insure that the pond is properly maintained. Planning Commission Minutes Approved 12/9/98 November 10, 1998 Page 3 4/ MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Jinkerson and seconded by Commissioner Schreiner to the Site Development Permit for a pond and landscape plan, Lands of Scott, with the following additions/changes to the conditions of approval: add to #3, The Planning Director shall have the discretion to require review of the pond maintenance and may take emergency action, if necessary, to insure that the pond is properly maintained; and add to #8, the plan shall limit the placement of fill on the site in such a way that no additional negative drainage impacts would occur on the neighboring properties. Any excess fill material that is not approved with the grading plan shall be exported from the site. AYES: Chairman Cheng, Commissioners Gottlieb, Schreiner & Jinkerson NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Aurelio This approval is subject to a 21 day appeal period. 3.2 LANDS OF SHUM & TENG, 24028 Oak Knoll Circle (144-98-ZP-SD-GD); A request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence and indoor pool. The Planning Director introduced this item by noting the receipt of a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Chantalat on Dawson Drive regarding modifying the drainage plan. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Patrick Sheahan, 2213 Fifth Street, Berkeley, project architect, provided a colored rendering of the proposed house, providing information regarding design elements. In 1995, the Planning Commission approved a site development permit for a new residence and pool on the property. The applicant did not obtain a building permit to build the house, and the permit expired in 1996. The applicants have since decided to propose a completely different design and submitted the current application earlier this year. He further discussed the use of mat finish, cast color concrete, roofing material, the use of different shades of gray, and adhering to the Town color board. Mr. Sheahan stated they will revise the basement plan to conform to code, and they will address neighbor's concern regarding drainage. Paul Chantalat, 11681 Dawson Drive, felt they could resolve the drainage concerns by working with the applicants. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Commissioner Schreiner questioned the requirement for a residential fire sprinkler system on a fairly new subdivision. The Planning Director will ask the fire department to review water flow needs on future subdivisions. Commissioner Jinkerson questioned the very large skylight (glass roof cover). He asked that it be designed to meet the Town's reflectivity standards for roofs (40%). Commissioner Schreiner noted the subdivision conditions required a one story house although the previous approved house plan also had a two story element. Planning Commission Minutes Approved 12/9/98 November 10, 1998 Page 4 MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Jinkerson and seconded by Commissioner Schreiner to approve the Site Development Permit for a new residence and indoor pool, Lands of Shorn and Teng, with the following additions/changes to the conditions of approval: add #2, that trees shall be limited to species which at maturity will not block views from neighboring properties; add to #4, that the large skylight over the front entry shall be as non -reflective as feasible, but in no event shall it exceed a reflectivity of 40%; add to #6, the porcelain tile shall have a matte finish (not highly reflective) and a sample of the material shall be submitted for staff review along with the color selections; and add to #13, that the plan shall be revised to relocate the drainage outlet to minimize impacts to the neighboring property in the rear. AYES: Chairman Cheng, Commissioners Schreiner, Gottlieb & Jinkerson NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Aurelio This approval is subject to a 21 day appeal period. 3.3 DRAFT CIRCULATION AND SCENIC ROADWAYS ELEMENT OF THE GENERAL PLAN, including proposed policies and implementation measures regarding: maintenance and dedication of private roadways; right-of-way widths; the aesthetic design of roadways; road capacities and traffic levels; regional traffic problems; roadway safety measures; emergency access routes; standards for drainage; reducing impacts of regional traffic; bicycles and other alternate transportation modes; and coordination with the Town's Pathways Element and the pathway network; and proposed Negative Declaration (continued from October 28, 1998 Planning Commission meeting). The Planning Director introduced this item by indicating there were changes made to the document as directed at the previous meeting. He will instruct the consultant to indicate in the margin box on page 9 that the Commission recommends Alternative A. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Les Earnest, 12769 Dianne Drive, felt the revised version was much improved, although there were a few issues which still needed to be addressed, in particular, emergency access roads. He felt there needs to be an emergency access road plan just as the Town has a pathway plan. They should systematically identify places that need to have emergency access roads but do not at present. The Planning Director agreed, however, a more comprehensive review of this should be addressed in the Safety Element of the General Plan. Mr. Eamest continued by discussing the issue of operable gates. He felt somewhere in the document it should state that gates should at least be openable by nearby neighbors and no gates should bar pedestrian access to an emergency route. Planning Commission Minutes Approved 12/9198 November 10, 1998 Page 5 60 Commissioner Gottlieb suggested expanding the language so all emergency roads used for emergencies can also be used for emergency pedestrian access. Discussion ensued regarding access to locked gates, and gate use being consistent with keeping non emergency vehicles off the road. Les Earnest commented on the need for wide outside lanes for bicycles. The Planning Director responded that the language in the document, while it does not go to the point of identifying the standard Les would like to see, it does state that bike traffic shall be accommodated by discouraging auto traffic and providing adequate road shoulders. Further discussion ensued regarding the Santa Clara County designated bike route and the signing of same. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion by Commissioner Gottlieb and seconded by Commissioner Jinkerson to recommend approval of the proposed Circulation and Scenic Roadways Element of the General Plan to the City Council, including a recommendation to adopt the Negative Declaration, with two recommended changes: note in the box on page 9 that the Planning Commission has recommended Alternative A; and add a policy relative to emergency roads stating emergency roads should be made as accessible as feasible to pedestrians during emergency access. AYES: Chairman Cheng, Commissioners Schreiner, Gottlieb & Jinkerson NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Aurelio This item will appear on the December 2, 1998 City Council agenda. Commissioner Jinkerson thanked the staff and the consultant for all their hard work and patience while working with the Commission on the Circulation and Scenic Roadways Element. He hoped that the City Council would approve the document as recommended by the Planning Commission. 4. OLD BUSINESS 4.1 Report from subcommittees -none 5. NEW None Planning Commission Minutes Approved 12/9/98 November 10, 1998 Page 6 4 6. REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING 6.1 Planning Commission Representative for November 4' meeting - Commissioner Gottlieb, reported on the following: acceptance of Summit Wood Road and Tepa Way as public streets; approval of agreement with Crawford, Multart and Clark Associates for professional planning services to prepare Phase 2, update to the Town's General Plan (Land Use, Open Space, Conservation and Recreation Elements); and determination of roof color at 12840 Lucero Lane, Lands of Buffer and Pope (continued). 6.2 Planning Commission Representative for November 1 go - meeting canceled APPROVAL OF MINUTES 7.1 October 28, 1998 minutes will be available at the next scheduled meeting. 8. REPORT FROM THE SITE DEVELOPMENT HEARING NOVEMBER 3 AND 10 1998 8.1 LANDS OF VELLEQUETTE, 25505 Bledsoe Court (187-98-ZP-SD); A request for a Site Development Permit for a landscape screening plan and fence. Approved with conditions November 3, 1998. 4 8.2 LANDS OF SACHS, 14245 Berry Hill Court (212-98-ZP-SD); A request for a Site Development Permit for a landscape screening plan. Approved November 10, 1998 with conditions. 9. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 9:05 p.m. Recspectfully submitted, _ Planning Secretary