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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/01/1998taw Minutes of an Adjourned Regular Meeting April 1, 1998 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Adjourned Regular Meeting Wednesday, April 1, 1998, 5:00 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Mayor Casey called the Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Mayor Casey and Courcilmembers Dauber, Flubband, Johnson and Siegel Absent: None Staff: City Manager/City Engineer Jeff Peterson, City Attorney Sandy Sloan, Planning Director Curtis Williams, Public Works Manager Jim Rasp and City Clerk Pat Dowd Press: None 2. STUDY SESSION REGARDING PROPOSED DRIVEWAY, RESIDENCE AND SECOND DWELLING UNIT, LANDS OF KERNS, 11888 FRANCEMONT ROAD The City Engineer and Planning Director presented a brief summary of the Kerns' application for Francemont Road. On 9/17/97 the City Council had denied their request for a new residence, second unit and driveway at 11888 Francemont Road based, in part, on the following issues: proposed driveway grades, retaining wall heights, quantities of cut and fill, drainage over steep slopes, pathway grades, the profile of the house on a ridgeline and the appearance of a second unit as a separate property. On 10/15/97 Council directed the applicants to meet with staff to address the technical issues of concern, particularly regarding the driveway, before forther Council review of this project. in 2/98 the applicants submitted a revised driveway plan for review. This plan met some of the criteria outlined by staff but was still felt to be excessive regarding retaining wall heights, inconsistent with Town policies regarding driveway grades and did not include all the driveway details. The applicants decided they wanted to proceed with these plans, however, and thus requested a Council study session on their application. The City Attorney had stated that a study session could be scheduled for the applicants to receive input but no Council actions could be taken. Mr. and Mrs. Kerns, applicants, reviewed their plans with the Council. In particular they referred to the reduced slope of the driveway and the increased radius of the curves. They believed they had addressed the safitty issues and referred to a petition of support signed by several residents. Mr. and Mrs. Kerns were asking for Council input concerning the height of the retaining walls. They commented on several other retaining walls in Town which they felt were of similar heights. They also mentioned the positive impact on the walls from both present and planned landscaping. **4w April 1, 1998 Adjourned City Council Meeting %W Susan Roberts, Giuliani & Kull, the applicant's civil engineer, commented that they were attempting to achieve a suitable project using the area they had to work with. She was asking for input from the City Council on possible allowable deviations from the grading criteria. Hubbard stated that he believed Council had made it perfectly clear at the earlier Council Meeting on this application that the siting of the house on the upper lot would have a detrimental impact on that area of Town and the driveway issues could not be resolved to be consistent with Town standards. In addition the proposed driveway design was not acceptable to both the City Engineer and the City Planner. Dauber, Johnson and Siegel concurred with Hubbad's comments. Casey referred to 1989 when this subdivision was originally approved. She noted that the driveway had been discussed at length at that time and the intention had been clear to approve the building site at the top lot. She supported the Kerns' project and did not believe it was right to approve a lot and then change that decision. k1w,"al:01 AN 11610.2 01013VAUL&W816" Liz Dana, member - Environmental Design and Protection Committee, stated that she was against building this house on the ridgeline. 4. ADJOURNMENT There being no farther new or old business to discuss, the City Council Meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Dowd City Clerk The minutes of the April 1, 1998 Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting were approved at the April 15, 1998 City Council Meeting. %W April 1, 1998 Adjourned City Council Meeting %W Minutes of a Regular Meeting April 1, 1998 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Regular Meeting Wednesday, April 1, 1998, 6:00 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Mayor Casey called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 6: 10 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Mayor Casey and Councilmembers Dauber, Hubbard, Johnson and Siegel Absent: None Staff: City Manager/City Engineer Jeff Peterson, City Attorney Sandy Sloan, Planning Director Curtis Williams, Public Works Manager Jim Rasp and City Clerk Pat Dowd Press: None 2. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS 2.1 Presentation on the Regional Open Space Study by the Midpeninsula Regional %W Open Space District Randy Anderson, Senior Planner - Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, noted that the District had celebrated its 25' anniversary last yew and decided it was an appropriate time to review its policies, adopt a mission statement and review plans for the future. Outreach meetings and workshops had been held and input had been received. The resulting study map was a working communication toot for the District with other agencies. It included private lands as well as potential open space lands. This map would be presented to the District's Board at their May meeting for approval. At that meeting there would also be a review of basic policies. Dauber stressed the importance of watersheds and noted the importance of creekland. She urged keeping the creeks natural and requiring banks along the creeks. Siegel did not support the District taking over the coast lands. Hubbard inquired about a specific lot shown on the map on Rhos Ridge and Mr. Anderson stated he would get back to Councilmember Hubbard with the information on this lot. 3. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT The Planning Director reported that the following applications were discussed at the 3/25/98 Planning Commission Meeting: Lands of Loughtniller, 25309 La Loma Drive: request for a variance to allow a required puking space to be located in the front setback - approved; Lands of Wong, 14470 DeBell Road: request for a site development permit for a new residence - continued for redesign; and Lands of Joy, 25599 Fernhill Drive: request for a site development �w April 1, 1998 Regular City Council Meeting permit for a new residence and pool - continued to 4/8/98 at the request of the applicants. A discussion followed on possible dates for the joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission but it was agreed to defer this meeting until after the two Planning Commission appointments in June. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR Item Removed: 4.1 (Dauber) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by Hubbard and passed by the following roll call vote to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar, specifically: AYES: Mayor Casey and Councilmembers Dauber, Johnson and Siegel NOES: None ABSTAIN: Councilmember Hubbard (Item 4.5 pertained to a neighboring property.) 4.2 Approved Warrants: $288,162.33 (3/25/98) Dauber did not remove the warrants from the Consent Calendar but did have a comment about their format. She noted that in the past the warrants were organized by fund which correlated with the format of the budget. Dauber believed that was a much easier format to follow than the one presently used. The City Manager stated that he would discuss this with the Finance Director. 4.3 Decided Not To Review the following Planning Commission Actions at its meeting on Much 11, 1998: 4.3a Lands of Robinson & Ikeda, 12238 Via Arline: approved request for a site �w development permit for a new residence 4.3b Lands of Lee, 25935 Estacada Way: approved request for a site development permit for a second story addition and remodel 4.4 Rejected Claim: LaVerle Spencer 4.5 Adopted Ordinance #392 amending the Zoning Ordinance to prezone the property adjacent to 25309 La Loma Drive 4.6 Issued Proclamation: Congratulating the Asian Americans for Community Involvement on their 25 yews of service to the community Item Removed: 4.1 Approval of Minutes: Much 18,1998 MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Johnson and passed by the following roll call vote to approve the minutes of the Much 18, 1998 City Council Meeting with the following corrections: Page 3, Item 7.1, third sentence should read: "It appeared that the original $30 million dollar budget needed had grown to $60 million dollars needed."; Page 5, Item 9. 1, fourth sentence, the reference to the January Meeting should be 1%W April 1, 1998 Regular City Council Meeting changed to the November Meeting; and Page 7, last paragraph, second sentence should read: "She did not think these conditions were wise or necessary because cars turning right had no �kv convenient way to make a u -tum and the fact that approaching cars would have just made a full stop a few feet before the driveway." AYES: Mayor Casey and Councilmembers Dauber, Johnson and Siegel NOES: None ABSTAIN: Councilmember Hubbard (not present at the 3/4/98 Council Meeting) 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 5.1 Uniform Building Code Requirements for Basements The Planning Director referred to the Town's current Zoning Code on basements: "Basement shall mean a space wholly underground and having its entire height measured from its floor to its ceiling below the adjoining grade, except for required exits. Exits shall only be allowed from basements as required by the Uniform Building Code (UBC) and must be windows or doors that are not visible from off-site." Compliance with the minimum UBC requirements for basements generally meant providing at least one exit from a basement (unless it was for storage or utility use only) and providing light wells which comprised 10% of the floor area of the basement. The Planning Director noted that staff attempted to apply these criteria to each basement, as well as assuring that the basement ceiling was below the adjoining grade and that the doors and windows were not visible from off-site. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Dauber and passed by the following roll call vote to accept the April 1, 1998 staff report on uniform building code requirements for basements. �Mr AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Johnson and Councilmembers Dauber, Hubbard and Siegel NOES: Mayor Casey �W Casey stated that no input from residents had been requested or received on the issue of basements. 5.2 Fire Vehicle Turnarounds in Setbacks The Planning Director referred to the following section of the Code: "No structure, nor portion thereof, other than driveways, including necessary backup areas; walkways; minor ornamental garden structures ... shall be constructed, altered, or maintained so as to be located between the property line and any setback line, except as otherwise permitted by the provisions of this chapter." The issue raised was a clarification of whether turnaround area required by the Fire Department was considered a "backup area" and therefore permitted in setbacks. The Planning Director noted that staff had treated fire vehicle turnaround areas similar to backup areas in terms of setbacks, as it was often difficult to distinguish them. If the vehicle turnaround was proposed in excess of the vehicle backup area and was to be located in the setback, then it would be appropriate to require surfacing that would reduce the hardscape appearance. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Casey, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously to direct staff to bring an ordinance back to Council mending the Zoning Code to reflect the currently used interpretation of fire vehicle turnarounds in setbacks as specifically outlined in the April 1, 1998 staff report on fire vehicle tumarounds in setbacks. April 1, 1998 Regular City Council Meeting 6. NEW BUSINESS 7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB -COMMITTEES, AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES 7.1 Community Relations Committee 7.1.1 Family Spring Picnic - Approval of Plans and Budget Request Roy Woolsey, Chairman of the Community Relations Committee, reported on the plans for the SpringPicnic. The event was scheduled for Sunday, May 31" from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Little League Fields. He commented on the activities planned for the day and the refreshments and entertainment. Mr. Woolsey noted that in addition to the proposed $1,130 budget before Council an additional $300 to $400 would be needed for a canopy for the hand. Also if it rained a tent would be needed. Council concurred with the proposed plans for this event. They agreed that a flyer included in the upcoming newsletter would be the best way to advertise this family picnic. Dauber also suggested contacting Fremont Hills Country Club for permission to use the Club for overflow puking, if needed. Council referred to the suggested raffle prizes and stated the committee should rethink this list and offer other more suitable prizes. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously to authorize a $1,500 budget for the Spring Picnic. 7.1.2 Approval of Town Questionnaire Roy Woolsey, Chairman of the Community Relations Committee, addressed the draft questionnaire that had been prepared by the committee. He commented that the questionnaires would be available at the Town Hall reception desk, the City Council Meetings and would also be mailed out to those completing application processes in the Town. Responses would be tabulated by the committee and periodic summaries would be submitted to the City Manager. Casey supported the idea of a questionnaire but suggested sending this draft to a few applicants who have recently completed projects and ask for their input on what kind of questions should be included in such a questionnaire. She also recommended using a one to five scale rather than yes or no as a better research methodology. Dauber and Hubbard recommended a suggestion box in Council Chambers and at Town Hall rather than using such a questionnaire. Also a separate page could be included in the application packet asking for input. Johnson recommended including the logo on the questionnaire. He also referred to the questions and inquired about what the Town was trying to find out. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To send the draft questionnaire back to the Community Relations Committee for additional review. 8. STAFF REPORTS 8.1 City Manager 8. 1.1 Quarry Hills Subdivision %W April 1, 1998 Regular City Council Meeting The City Manager reported that the improvement plans for the Quarry Hills Subdivision had been completed and the tract map had been signed off. They were currently working on the �W covenants conditions and regulations (CC&Rs), the bonds and the subdivision agreements. It was possible this might be on the April 15' Council Meeting for approval. 8.1.2 Personnel Rules The City Manager reported that the revised Personnel Rules and Regulations and Compensation Plan would be on the April 15' agenda. 8.1.3 Yardwaste Center The City Manager reported that the yardwaste center would be closing on April 15". The garbage company would be sending a separate mailing to the residents with all of the details and a mailing would also be done by the Fire District on clean up days scheduled for Foothill College. It was agreed these mailings should be coordinated. The City Manager also reported that he was working with Zanker Road and this agreement might be ready for the April 15" Council Meeting. The curbside program would begin on April 27'. 8.1.4 Landslide - Edgerton Road The City Manager reported that he had met with Cotton Shires and Associates regarding the Edgerton Road Landslide. The area was so wet that the recommendation at this time was to put in horizontal drains to drain the water out of the subsurface. The City Manager asked that this be put on the agenda as an urgency item to authorize a budget amendment to do this work. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Johnson and passed unammously to add a budget amendment for work on Edgerton Road to the agenda as an urgency item. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Siegel and passed unanimously to authorize a budget amendment not to exceed $17,000 for installment of horizontal drains on Edgerton Road. 8.2 City Attorney 8.2.1 Evaluation The City Attorney requested that her annual evaulation be scheduled for the April 15' Council Meeting. 8.3 City Clerk 8.3.1 Report on Council Correspondence It was agreed that Mr. Seelig's letter on Pacific Bell concerns should be sent to Henry Duque. Casey also referred to a letter from the Los Altos Rotary Club requesting appointment of a Town representative on a committee to investigate the feasibility of building a new facility for multi- community uses such as art, music and theater activities. Siegel did comment that such facilities were already in place in cities such as Mountain View and Sunnyvale and there did not appear to be a need for mother such facility. %W April 1, 1998 Regular City Council Meeting PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To appoint Johnson as the Town's representative on a committee to investigate the feasibility of building a new facility for multi -community uses such as art, �w music and theater activities in Los Altos. 9. COUNCIL -INITIATED ITEMS 9.1 Pathway Projects (Councilmember Hubbard) Hubbard referred to the Pathways Committee report on the ten priority pathway projects in Town and asked that a status report be made on these projects. The City Manager responded that this status report could be included as a regular part of the Council Update which was distributed every month. Betsy Bertram, member - Pathways Committee, commented that she thought this was an old list and other mom important pathway projects should be given priority. 10. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Les Earnest, Chairman of the Pathways Committee, reported that a pathway walk was scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on May 3 V. This walk was being held in conjunction with the Town Picnic and would start at the Little League Fields. Stewart Wobber, 14381 Miranda Way, reported on a new home recently completed on Miranda and the neighbors' serious concerns about the paint colors on the house. They did not think that olive green, mustard and purple trim were appropriate colors. Mr. Wobber submitted a petition and several letters for the Council's reference on this issue. They hoped that the Council would be able to assist in the correction of this problem. �kw The Planning Director noted that technically the colors were from the Town's color chart. He would, however, send the petitions and letters to the owners of the house. Their project was not yet finalled and it was to be hoped that a mutually agreed on solution could be reached. Tim Darmohray, 12171 Hilltop Drive, referred to the Los Altos Parks and Recreation Department and the fact that Los Altos Hills children were placed on waiting lists for the programs. Since the programs were so well received by the Los Altos community, it meant the Los Altos Hills children would never get to participate. She did not think this was right as the Town's residents spent a lot of money in Los Altos and thus contributed to the sales tax. It was agreed that the Mayor would discuss this with the Mayor of Los Altos and the City Manager would discuss this with staff at Los Altos. Betsy Bertram, 11854 Page Mill Road, commented that she had attended the last three Planning Commission Meetings and wanted to make a few comments. She thought they were well run with concise staff presentations, input received from the public and objective and neutral demeanor on the part of the Commissioners. Robert's Rules of Order were followed and the Commissioners discussed interpretation of Town Ordinances, not personal opinions. 11. PUBLIC HEARINGS 11. 1 Request for a site development permit for a new residence, Lands of Gorman/Cheng, 24004 Oak Knoll Circle SW April 1, 1998 Regular City Council Meeting The Planning Director listed the following issues raised by the Planning Commission and their decision to deny this project: highly visible ridgeline, house should be one story, metal roofing too reflective, house did not step down, visual impact, and shape of house did not fit slope of land. He referred to the project architect's letter and disagreed with comments made about meetings with staff. Staff did not encourage a two-story home on this lot but did acknowledge that the lot was not specifically limited to one story. Jennifer Cheng, applicant, gave a brief overview of their history with the lot under discussion. They had worked with their realtor in finding a lot for their two story dream home. They had found this lot; met with staff to discuss any restrictions; were told there were no restrictions regarding a two-story home; and closed escrow. Then at the Much I I' Planning Commission Meeting they were told to redesign to a one story because it was a highly visible lot. Most of the homes in the neighborhood were two story and they had tried to work with the Town's guidelines. She did not think it was fair to be limited to one story and told to redesign their project. Patrick Sheahan, architect, explained how they had addressed the Town's guidelines. He commented on the siting of the house noting how the house curved and the end of the house which was the most visible had the least visual impact because of the siting. In their opinion a two-story home on this lot resulted in much less visual impact than a one-story. They had designed a home which was compatible with the rest of the neighborhood and the planned landscaping would blend the house in with the surroundings. They had also planned on using different roof lines and materials to improve the overall visual impact of the house. Timothy Rempel, architect, stated that they had spoken with Jerry Lohr and wanted to work with the Council on modifying the impact of the two-story home. They had agreed to extend the eaves, lower the house by two feet and change the roof material. Dot Schreiner, Planning Commissioner, referred to her comments made at the Planning Commission meeting on this project. Specifically she referred to Article 7, Section 10-2.70 1 of the Town's Code which stated in part: "The purposes of this article are to insure that the site, location and configuration of structures we unobtrusive when viewed from off-site; that scenic views are retained; that buildings do not dominate the natural landscape; that ridgelines and hilltops are preserved; and that the siting of structures is consistent with other provisions of this chapter concerning grading, drainage and erosion control." Mrs. Schreiner also referred to the following statements made in the Code: Ridgelines, hilltops and highly visible lots shall be preserved by the siting of structures to take advantage of natural topographic or landscape features which would cause structures to blend with their natural surroundings. Single story buildings and height restrictions may be required on hilltops, ridgelines and highly visible lots. Structures may be located on ridgelines or hilltops only when they can be rendered unobtrusive by one or more of the following techniques: me of natural vegetation and/or added landscaping; the use of a low -profile house, with a sloping rooffine and foundation that follows the natural contours of the site; and the use of exterior roofing and siding materials and colors that blend with the natural landscape. John Gonnan, applicant, believed Council should look at the entire project including the landscaping. They had sited the house on the logical flat area of the lot and had hired Peter Shaw as their landscape architect. They believed a two-story home was much less bulky than a one- story. Mr. Gomm also stated that they had addressed the neighbors' concerns and had solid support from the neighbors. 04W April 1, 1998 Regular City Council Meeting Mr. Nyborg, realtor, stated that he had been selling real estate in Los Altos Hills for about fifteen t4w years and had worked with Mr. Gomm and Ms. Cheng on this purchase. They had checked the CC&Rs for this subdivision and had met with staff and had found no restrictions against a two- story home. He believed as did his clients that the proposed project would be an asset not only to the area but to the Town. Mr. Bill Lee, senior architectural advisor on project, stated that they had analyzed the site and studied the codes. They also had worked with the Town's guidelines but he did note that guidelines were different from the codes in that they were guidelines and not regulations. Mr. Lee commented on the siting of the house, the proposed and existing landscaping and their attempt to fit in the house into the neighborhood. MT. Stan Hill, 12051 Stonebrook Drive, commented on the visual impact of this house on their home. 'they had been assured the ridgeline would be protected and did not support this house being sited on the ridgeline. Lime Davilla, 24005 Oak Knoll Circle, stated her disagreement with the easement issue and the road. At one firne she had given an easement for the road and had been told there would be a ten foot height lirnit above the road. While this had happened on two lower lots, it had not occurred for her lot. Since there seemed to be nothing to be done about that issue at this time, she concurred with this project with appropriate landscaping. Betsy Bertram, 11854 Page Mill Road, stated that the Town's rules were in place and should be followed by everyone - exceptions should not be made. Jerry Lohr, representing the Architectural Committee for the Stonebrook Subdivision, stated that their major concern with this house was not that it was two story but it was the massiveness of the house. They had met with the applicants and their architects and believed some steps could be taken to lessen the bulk of the house. These changes included the following: use of different roof materials, lower the house by two feet and extension of eaves. He believed a one story house would be more massive and if these changes were made the project would be acceptable to the Architectural Conunittee. Dauber referred to the March 11' staff report on this project and the direction to the applicants. She did not see that they had made my changes or revisions as directed by the Planning Commission. Casey believed it was confusing to have two recommendations - one to redesign and one to approve the application. Dauber stated that applicants should be told if there were choices in the recommendations this was not a sign of a strong, staff -approved project. Johnson believed a two-story house was better for this lot than a one-story. He further believed if the changes proposed by Jerry Lohr were made, the massiveness of the house would be mitigated. In addition the siting was the natural location for the house and the proposed landscaping would also mitigate the project. Hubbard stated this was a massive project on a highly visible lot. The overwhelming design of this house was not in conformance with the Town's design guidelines and it would be years before the landscaping would mitigate the project. Hubbard concurred with the Planning Commission's denial. Casey did not agree this was a ridgeline but did agree it was a highly visible lot as were all of the homes on the comer under discussion. She believed a one story would be more massive than a two story and concurr:ed with the changes proposed by Jerry Lohr to reduce the massiveness of the project. Siegel concurred with Hubbard's comments. He believed the applicants went directly to the appeal process without working with the Planning Commission. Dauber stated that the house should fit with the land and she did not think the proposed two story house did that. �w April 1, 1998 Regular City Council Meeting %W Casey was concerned that the applicants did not have clear direction from the Council. Hubbard and Siegel stated that the design as presented was not acceptable. The bulk and massiveness needed to he reduced. Dauber stated that it did not matter how many levels were inside but the house had to fit with the land. Johnson believed a two story house would be better than a one story with the changes mentioned by Jerry Lohr. Dot Schreiner, Planning Commissioner, suggested a site analysis meeting with the applicants. The Planning Director noted that this was often not very productive as it was fairly general with no specific plans, etc. It was agreed that it would be left up to the applicants to decide if they wanted a site analysis meeting. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Johnson and passed by the following roll call vote to direct the applicant (Gorman/Cheng) to make design changes to lower the profile of the house and to reduce the height and bulk and to submit revised plans for review by the Planning Commission. AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Johnson and Councilmembers Dauber, Hubbard and Siegel NOES: Mayor Casey Casey voted no because she believed this project should stay at the Council level and not go back to the Planning Commission. 12. ADJOURNMENT There being no flarther new or old business to discuss, the City Council Meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Dowd City Clerk The minutes of the April 1, 1998 Regular City Council Meeting were approved at the April 15, 1998 City Council Meeting. %1W April 1, 1998 Regular City Council Meeting