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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/03/2008Minutes of a Regular Meeting Approved 6/5/2008 Town of Los Altos Hills PLANNING COMMISSION THURSDAY, April 3,2008,7:00 p.m. Council Chambers. 26379 Fremont Road ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The regular meeting of the Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Commissioners Cottrell, Clow, Collins and Harpootlian Absent: Chairman Carey Staff: Debbie Pedro, Planning Director; Leslie Hopper, Consulting Planner; and Victoria Ortland, Planning Secretary 2. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR - none PUBLIC HEARINGS 4ho 3.1 AMENDMENTS TO THE LOS ALTOS HILLS GENERAL PLAN including updated Land Use and Pathways Elements. The updated documents comprise Phase 3 of the General Plan update project. The purpose of the project is to correct emors and obsolete references and to produce a more accurate, legible, and reproducible document that accurately depicts existing conditions in the Town. Leslie Hopper, Consulting Planner, introduced members of the General Plan Update Committee who were present: Mike O'Malley, Councilmember and Committee Chairman; Dot Schreiner and Carol Gottlieb, former Plantring Commissioners; Cut Cottrell, Planning Commissioner; and Debbie Pedro, Planning Director. Former City Councilmember, Elayne Dauber and former Planning Commissioner, Janet Vitu, were not in attendance. Ms. Hopper gave a PowerPoint presentation on the General Plan update project. She explained that in the process of revising the elements of the General Plan, the Committee had updated information, improved the format and added graphics. The General Plan policies and programs were also reviewed. Draft copies of the updated elements were distributed to all related Committees and Agencies for review and comment, and the General Plan Committee reviewed the comments and incorporated changes into the General Plan draft. Ms. Hopper discussed the terminology regarding open space easements, conservation easements, and open space conservation areas, which had caused confusion because of the similarity in terms and needed clarification. She also summarized some of the key policies and programs in 4W the updated General Plan regarding open space easements, green building, financing public Planning Conunission Minutes Approved 6/5/2008 April 3, 2008 Page 2 �ar services for new development, reducing water use for landscaping, annexation procedures, pathways maintenance and construction, and allowed uses in open space conservation areas. Ms. Hopper explained that in order to maintain consistency between the updated Land Use Element and the Open Space & Recreation Element that was adopted in 2007, it would be necessary to make a correction in the form of a housekeeping amendment. The amendment would change the language regarding Open Space Conservation Areas on page 8 of the Open Space & Recreation Element to be identical to language in the Land Use Element. The statement that no structures are allowed in Open Space Conservation Areas is incorrect and needs to be revised as shown in the staff report. OPENED PUBLIC HEARING Nick Ward, Via Ventana Way, wondered how the Town would encourage the use of drought - tolerant plants for landscaping. He asked about pathway placement designation and pathway maintenance. Earnest Solomon, Elena Road, stressed the importance of the statement in the Land Use Element regarding water conservation and the reduction in the mount of water used for landscaping. Sandy Humphries, Fremont Road and Environmental Design Committee, stated that the Environmental Design Committee has for many years informed applicants on the existence of Itar drought -tolerant landscape plants. She announced the completion of the drought -tolerant garden at Town Hall. Jim Abraham, Viscaino Road, commented that the current maximum development area and maximum floor area forinulas were discriminatory against sloped lots. In Policy 2.5, he wanted the 30 percent slope changed to 50 percent slope. He felt the green building suggestions were not necessary. He felt current City Council and Planning Commission practices demonstrated little respect for homeowner's rights computed to previous City Council and Planning Commission groups. He suggested consideration of a longer time period for a real reflection the Town's character. Richard Steinberg, Radcliffe Lane, brought to the attention of the Planning Commission a path shown on the Pathways Map for Radcliffe Lane that has no connecting pathway. He asked for assistance to reevaluate the need for the path in light of statements in the updated General Plan. Commissioner Harpootfirm suggested that Mr. Steinberg discuss the pathway concern with the Pathways Committee and pointed out one of the members, Nick Dunckel, in the audience. Roger Spreen, Rhus; Ridge Road, speaking as Open Space Committee Chairman, proposed changing the land use designation on the Land Use Diagram from "Open Space Conservation Area" to "Conservation Area." This change would simplify the terminology and avoid the confusion resulting from the use of similar munes and acronyms. He also said there is an ambiguity in the Open Space & Recreation Element, which refers to specific areas of steep #AW hillsides and creek corridors with the intent to protect them. But these areas on the map were painted Plaming Conannission Minutes Approved 6/5/2008 April 3, 2008 Page 3 OSCA. The current Open Space & Recreation Element states there are no structures allowed in these areas. A property owner with a parcel designated on the map would assume that no stnicture could be built. He felt the language expressing the duality of conservation and development within the OSCA areas could be improved. Commissioner Clow felt that the new proposed wording in the Open Space & Recreation Element covered Mr. Spreen's observations. Roger suggested revising the proposed amendment to the text box on page 8 of the Open Space & Recreation Element by adding the words "Lands that include" to the beginning of the first sentence of the second paragraph and dropping the words "Open Space" before "Conser�vafion Areas" in the same sentence. In the second sentence, he proposed adding the words "on the specific sensitive portions" after the word "Development." He also proposed adding a new statement that "Within the general contiguous areas, special measures should be taken to conserve the natural quality of the area and to avoid environmental degradation." Roger Spreen said he would like to work with staff on the language. Dot Schreiner, Saddle Mountain Drive, explained that since incorporation of the Town, the policy has been followed that as slopes get steeper, development decreases. The rationale for this policy includes erosion problems, landslides and seismic concerns. Many other communities use a 30 percent slope threshhold. She said that only 15 percent of Los Altos Hills has slopes greater than 30 percent according to the USGS survey map in Appendix A of the General Plan �ar update. Mike O'Malley, Edgerton Road and General Plan Committee Chamman, commented on Mr. Spreen's suggestion regarding the Open Space Element wording change. He felt the General Plan Committee had done a good job and the wording was sufficient, but he was fine with changing it if the Planning Commission felt it was appropriate. Carol Gottlieb, Surnmerhill Avenue, confirmed that off-road pathways would continue to be allowed in the Open Space Conservation Areas. Richard Partridge, Briones Way, supported the updated Land Use Element of the General Plan. He said that the 30 percent slope policy had been in effect and worked well for over 30 yews. He suggested the inclusion of a map showing contours for identification of sloped areas in Town. He asked about the pathway and subdivision fee payments for site development mentioned in Policy 4.5. Nick Durickel, Cortez Lane, asked about the pathway in -lieu fee in Policy 4.5. Leslie Hopper explained that only the word "initial" had been added to the original language in Policy 4.5. The change was intended to indicate the possibility that payment of a pathway fee could be required more than once, depending on the type of development, when the first fee was paid, and the amount of that fee. 06V Mr. Dunckel, suggested adding the wording "but may be required for later development" to further clarify the policy. Planning Corrunission Minutes Approved 6/5/2008 April 3, 2008 Page 4 4ar Mike O'Malley commented that the General Plan Committee felt that the Planning Commission and City Council should address the ordinances for pathway fees to make them more specific. He thought the wording did not need to be changed. CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING Chairman Carey had previously submitted written comments, which had been provided to the Planning Commission for review. Commissioner Clow said he liked the updated General Plan the way it was and did not recommend my changes. Commissioner Collins supported the wording changes suggested by the Open Space Committee. Commissioner Cottrell supported the document as presented. Commissioner Harpoottim presented several wording changes to the General Plan. Commissioner Harpoothan's and Chairman Bart Carey's suggestions were discussed at length by the Planning Commission and staff. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED: Motion made by Commissioner Clow and seconded by �jw Commissioner Cottrell to forward to the City Council the recommendation to approve the Initial Study/Negative Declaration and adopt the proposed amendments to the General Plan with the following changes: Land Use Element 1 . Paragraph 102, strike the third sentence. 2. Paragraph I 11, strike the last sentence. 3. Policy 1. 1, strike the word "architecture" from the last line. 4. Policy 1.2 (and throughout the entire document) replace the word "church" with the phrase "religious facilities." 5. Paragraphs 125-127, add a sidebar or text box with a disclaimer stating that the City Council and Planning Commission have the discretion to require stricter standards depending on the constraints of the specific site. 6. Program 2.4, add the word "native" before the words "hillside vegetation." 7. Paragraph 130, in the fourth sentence, after the words "Many parents," replace "me" with a comma and replace the word "and" after "unhappy with this situation" with a comma. After the last sentence of the paragraph, add the wording "Bullis-Purrisima School, closed in 2003, is expected to be reopened in 2008. Recent cooperation 04W between the districts (such as Inter -District Transfer Agreements) should be Planning Commission Minutes April 3, 2008 Page 5 Approved 6/5/2008 4W encouraged to allow children from both elementary districts to attend the same neighborhood public elementary schools in Town." 8. Paragraph 13 1, replace 2005 with 2003. 9. Paragraph 133, revise the last sentence so that it reads "These schools provide excellent educational opportunities and extracurricular activities." 10. Move Policy 4. 10 on page 21 to page 9 and renumber it as Policy 2.9. Pathways Eleme 11. Policy 4.3 e, change the sentence to read "Other types of development proposals, such as conditional use permits or variances, shall require findings by the Town that justify the nexus for pathway requirements for that particular project." 12. Omit one of the pictures on page 11 (upper left). Open Space & Recreation Element 13. Add "on the Zoning Map" to the end of the first sentence of the first paragraph in the text box on page 8. 14, Add "Lands that include" to the beginning of the first sentence in the second #*MV Paragraph in the text box on page 8. AYES: Commissioners Clow, Collins, Cottrell and Harpootlian ABSENT: Chairman Carey NOES: None This item will be forwarded to a future meeting of the City Council. 4. OLD BUSINESS - Water Conservation Sub -Committee Report Commissioner Harpootlian stated that the Water Conservation Committee had not met since the last Planning Commission meeting. 5. NEW BUSINESS - none 6. REPORT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING 6.1 Planning Commission Representative for Much 13'� — Commissioner Clow reported on the rubbish contract award and the Los Altos School District funding request. 6.2 Planning Commission Representative for March 27" — Commissioner Clow reported on THE LANDS OF LOS ALTOS HOMES, LLC approval. 6.3 Planning Commission Representative for April 10" — Chairman Carey 4br 6.4 Planning Commission Representative for April 24'h — Cancelled Planning Conarnission Minutes Approved 6/5/2008 April 3, 2008 Page 6 7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 7.1 Approval of Much 6, 2008 minutes. MOTION SECONDED AND PASSED BY CONSENSUS: Motion by Commissioner Collins and seconded by Commissioner Clow to approve the Much 6, 2008 minutes as presented. 8. REPORT FROM FAST TRACK MEETING — MARCH 11, MARCH 25 AND APRIL 1, 2008 8.1 LANDS OF MARPLE, 12610 La Cresta Drive, File 4243-07-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a new 5,506 square foot two-story residence, attached secondary dwelling unit, and 1,674 square foot basement (maximum height: 27'). CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (staff -Brian Froelich) (Approved with conditions). 8.2 LANDS OF PATOU, 26353 Esperanza Drive, File 4273-07-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a 1,274 square foot addition and interior remodel (maximurn height: 25'). CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303(a) (staff -Nicole Horvitz) (Approved with conditions). 8.3 LANDS OF HEIT, 27753 Sherlock Road, File #164-07-ZP-SD-GD; A request for 4W a Site Development Permit for a new 4,266 square foot residence with a basement and pool (maximum height: 26'6"). CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (staff -Nicole Horvitz) (Approved with conditions). 8.4 LANDS OF ROBERTSON, 13131 Delson Court, File #258-07-ZP-SD-GD; A request for a Site Development Permit for a new 5,982 square foot two story residence and 512 square foot swimming pool (maximum height: 27 feet). CEQA Review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15303 (a) (c) (staff -Brim Froelich) (Approved with conditions). 9. REPORT FROM SITE DEVELOPMENT MEETING — MARCH 18 AND MARCH 25,2008 9.1 LANDS OF STROBER, 14355 Miranda Way; File 9257-07-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for landscape screening. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304 (b) (Staff -Nicole Horvitz) (Approved with conditions). 9.2 LANDS OF JAYCO INVESTMENTS, LLC, 26535 Altantont Road; File #167- 07-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for landscape screening. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304 (b) (Staff -Nicole Horvitz) (Approved with conditions). 6W Planning Coninussion Minutes April 3, 2008 Page 7 Approved 6/5/2008 %W 9.3 LANDS OF ALLEGRA, 26721 Tuffe Road; File #265-07-ZP-SD; A request for a Site Development Permit for landscape screening. CEQA review: Categorical Exemption per Section 15304 (b) (Staff -Nicole Horvitz) (Approved with conditions). 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 8:59 p.m. Respectfully submitted, � Planning Secretary 041V 6