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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/21/1997Minutes of a Regular Meeting May 21, 1997 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Regular Meeting Wednesday, May 21, 1997, 6:00 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Mayor Hubbard called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Mayor Hubbard and Councilmembers Casey, Dauber, and Siegel Absent: Councilmember Johnson Staff: City Manager/City Engineer Jeff Peterson, Acting City Attorney Helene Leighter, Planning Director Curtis Williams, Computer Consultant Jeremy Hoptowit and City Clerk Pat Dowd Press: Clyde Noel, Los Altos Town Crier 2. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS 2.1 Appointment to Pathways, Recreation and Parks Committee Scott Vanderlip, 13851 Fremont Pines Road, addressed the Council concerning his interest in the Town's path system and in bicycle issues. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Casey, seconded by Dauber and passed unanimously by all members present to appoint Scott Vanderlip to the Pathways Recreation and Parks Committee for a two year term. 3. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT The Planning Director reported that the following applications were discussed at the 5/14/97 Planning Commission Meeting: 1) Lands of WytheNitu, 13824 Moon Lane, Lots 2 and 3: requests for site development permits for new residences —denied; 2) Lands of Zhu & Xu, 12580 Miraloma Way: request for a site development permit for a new residence - approved; 3) Lands of Rogez, 25561 W. Fremont Road: request for a site development permit for a new residence, pool and spa - approved; 4) Lands of Ware and Cates, 13961 Fremont Pines Lane: request for a site development permit for a major addition and remodel - approved; 5) Lands of Hsiao, 13001 La Cresta Drive: request for a site development permit for a new residence - approved; 6) Lands of Fremont Hills Country Club, 12889 Viscaino Place: recommended approval of review of conditional use permit for operation of a country club; 7) Lands of Vidovich and Wise, Lot 11 Quarry Hills an 24301 Elise Court: approved lot line adjustment. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR Items Removed: 4.1- Regular Meeting (Dauber), 4.3 (Siegel), 4.6 (Siegel) and 4.7 (Siegel) May 21, 1997 Regular City Council Meeting MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Casey and passed L unanimously by all members present to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar, i/ specifically: 4.1 Approved Minutes: May 7, 1997 (Adjourned Regular Meeting) 4.2 Decided Not To Review the following Planning Commission Actions at its meeting on April 30, 1997: 4.2a Lands of Ahrens, 12791 W. Sunset Drive: request for a site development permit for a major addition and remodel 4.2b Lands of LaJoie, 12025 Adobe Creek Lodge Road: request for a site development for a new residence, secondary dwelling unit, pool and spa 4.4 Adopted Town of Los Altos Hills vertical datum and bench marks; adoption of policy--- Reso #19-97 4.5 Introduced ordinance amending the conflict of interest code (FIRST READING) 4.8 Set the time and place of a public hearing to consider any objections and protests to the proposed adoption of the Palo Alto Sewer Service Charge Final Report -- Reso #20-97 4.9 Set the time and place of a public hearing to review the annual sewer charge set by the City of Los Altos for the Los Altos Sewer Basin -- Reso #21-97 4.10 Approved Master Agreement Administering Agency -State Agreement for Federal -Aid Projects -- Reso #22-97 Items Removed: 4.1 Approval of Minutes: May 7, 1997 (Regular Meeting) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Siegel and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the minutes of the May 7, 1997 Regular City Council Meeting with the following correction: Page 7, Item 11.3, fifth paragraph, second sentence should read: "It is an acre lot with a long, narrow piece but the subdivision ordinance requires a lot to contain a full acre within a 350' building circle." 4.3 Request for authorization to advertise the Town's Pavement Management Project FY 96-97 for competitive bids -- Reso # Siegel inquired about the number of roads included in this project and the amount budgeted for this endeavor. Staff stated that the number of roads included would depend on the bids received and the allocated budget. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously by all members present to adopt Resolution #23-97 ordering the performance of certain work (Town's Pavement Management Project FY 96-97) May 21, 1997 Regular City Council Meeting 4.6 Adoption of new standard drawings; standard detail #13, headwall type "A'; standard detail #14, headwall type "B'; standard detail #15, headwall type "C'; standard detail #19, manhole cover and frame; standard detail #20 sewer lateral; standard detail #22, backfill detail - street; and standard detail 423, backfill detail- shoulder easements — Reso # Siegel inquired about the standard for a street curb and was advised that this would be a separate discussion. Dauber also asked about storm drain grates and was advised there were standard grates to protect bicylists. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Siegel and passed unanimously by all members present to adopt Resolution #24-97 adopting standard detail 413, headwall type "A'; standard detail #14, headwall type "B'; standard detail #15, headwall type "C"; standard detail #19, manhole cover and frame; standard detail #20 sewer lateral; standard detail #22, backfill detail - street; and standard detail #23, backfill detail- shoulder easements 4.7 Approval of proposal from Wilsey and Ham for private/public road studies for Tepa Way, Summitwood Road and La Loma Drive. Siegel commented that in order for this study to be useful it would need to incorporate information on 40, 50 and 60' road widths. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Casey and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the proposal from Wilsey and Ham for private/public road studies for Tepa Way, Summitwood Road and La Loma Drive. 5.1 Demonstration of Parcel Data Base The Planning Director and Computer Consultant presented a demonstration of the parcel data base. In part this database included the following information for each lot: assessor's parcel number, owner's name and address, site address, caning district, tract/parcel number, maximum floor area, maximum development area, lot unit factor, average slope, net area, gross area, school district, water supplier, sewer, offroad pathway easement, secondary dwellings and violations. Council commended staff for the excellent work done on this project. 5.2 Recommendation for updating of Town's Municipal Code The City Manager requested direction from the Council concerning the Town's Code Project. The Town had received a proposal from Book Publishing Company for placement of the Town's Code on a computer system as well as revising the hard copy format. In addition the Technology Improvement Committee had spent some time putting the current code on disk. There was not a unanimous recommendation from this committee on whether to proceed with the proposal from the outside vendor or to do this project in house. Les Earnest, member of the Technology Improvement Committee, did not agree with proceeding with the proposal from Book Publishing. He thought a better solution was to take the work done by the Technology Improvement Committee and hire someone to proof it. Updates would then be done by the City Attorney's office. May 21, 1997 Regular City Council Meeting Council discussed the options. The majority of Council supported continuing with Coded Systems who presently updated the code and postponing indefinitely putting the code on the computer. However, Dauber stated that she was still interested in having a readable code on disk. Casey supported the proposal from Book Publishing. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Siegel and passed by the following roll call vote to contact Coded Systems for an update of the Town's Code and to agree that Les Earnest could continue to get information on costs related to the proofing of the Town's code on disk. AYES: Mayor Hubbard and Councilmembers Dauber and Siegel NOES: Mayor Pro Tem Casey ABSENT: Councilmember Johnson 5.3 Report on Procedure for Placement of Town information on the Los Altos Online Website MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously by all members present to agree that Website information should be approved by the City Manager. 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.1 Report on investigation into Animal Control Service Options MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Casey and passed `, unanimously by all members present to direct staff to return at the next Council Meeting with a three-year contract with the City of Palo Alto for animal control services. 6.2 Recommendation for approval of new Sheriffs Contract -- Reso # Council discussed the potentially high costs if a high profile crime occurred in the Town. They also addressed booking fees, communications costs and asked for clarification of compensation costs. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Casey and passed unanimously by all members present to adopt Resolution #25-97 approving a contract with the County of Santa Clara for law enforcement services. 6.3 Status of Review of Building and Planning Fees MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Casey and passed unanimously by all members present to direct staff to initiate a contract with the International Conference of Building Officials to conduct an "audit" of the Town's Building Department operation and to solicit proposals from engineering firms to conduct "impact fee analyses" related to drainage, roadway and pathway impacts in Town, pursuant to State law. 7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB -COMMITTEES. AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES 8. STAFF REPORTS 8.1 City Manager May 21, 1997 Regular City Council Meeting n 8. 1.1 Finance Committee The City Manager reported that the Finance Committee had met on May 20U' to review the proposed budget. Budget discussions for Council review were scheduled for June 3' and if necessary June 4. 8.1.2 Los Altos Garbage Company The City Manager reported that discussions were moving ahead with the Los Altos Garbage Company on the issue of curbside recycling. 8.2 City Attorney 8.3 City Clerk 8.3.1 Report on Council Correspondence 9. COUNCIL -INITIATED ITEMS 9.1 Authorization to attend the Executive Forum and Summer Workshops -- July 23-26, 1997 — Monterey Casey also mentioned the Legislative Day scheduled in Sacramento and the Annual Conference of Mayors to be held in San Francisco. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Siegel and passed unanimously by all members present to authorize Councilmembers to attend these conferences. 9.2 Northwest Flood Control Advisory Meeting (Councihnember Dauber) Dauber reported that at today's meeting of the committee, it was reported that Reach 5 had been funded. Comments on the environmental impact report were due in two months, permits would be obtained by December and the improvements were scheduled to be completed by summer 1998. 10. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Karen Lew -Tom, representing Assemblymember Ted Lempert, presented Council with an update on legislative matters. Mrs. Clement Butt, 24708 Voorhees, asked for Council's assistance. They had finished their home in April but it was still not fmalled. Two conditions of approval were of concern. Due to an oversight on their part they had not gotten the final color of their home approved. They had painted it a light grey with aqua trim and were now being told it was too light and to repaint it. Also the walkway was an issue. They had extended the path in a section from four feet to seven feet and were being told to remove it. Mrs. Butt was hoping that Council could visit their home and help them in getting these conditions resolved. Council referred Mrs. Butt to the Planning Commission to consider these requests for changes to the approved conditions of approval for her project. May 21, 1997 Regular City Council Meeting 11. PUBLIC HEARINGS 11.1 Request for a Site Development Permit for a major addition and remodel of an existing residence, Lands of Wu & Chen, 26998 Beaver Lane This public hearing has been continued to June 4, 1997 at the request of the applicant. 11.2 Request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence, Lands of Addison, 27863 Black Mountain Road This public hearing has been continued to June 4, 1997 at the request of the applicant. 11.3 Request for a Site Development Permit for anew residence, Lands of Rose, 25810 Vinedo Lane Bob Owen, representing the owners, explained that the property was four acres and although it was subdivided, the owners had decided to build one home on the property. While it was a large home it was certainly far less than what could be built on the four acres. They had contacted all of the neighbors and none of them had any opposition to the project. The house was set back on the property and they had lowered the house. Also they had eliminated hardscape by eliminating the driveway on the left of the house. There was a natural screening of trees and only a slight trimming of the oaks in the front of the house would be necessary. If they moved the house back more grading would be required. James Scott, certified arborist, commented on the two Coast Live Oaks in the front of this proposed home. One was 14-16' from the house and one was 8' from the house. In his opinion both of these trees could be protected during construction and were not in danger. He noted that the same comments had been received from S.P.McClenahan Company, arboriculturists. Dauber expressed concerns about the proximity of these oaks to the house. With four acres she thought it was possible to move the house and thus protect the oaks. She did not believe there should be more than 25% of the drip line impacted by the house. Hubbard concurred with Dauber. Casey supported the application as it was presented. Jean Struthers, Environmental Design and Protection Committee, thought this house was much to close to the oak trees. She recommended the house be sited toward the mountain view. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To agree that Condition 921 should be amended to include access. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Dauber and passed unanimously by all members present to continue this public hearing to the June 4, 1997 City Council Meeting to allow the applicant the opportunity to address the Council's concerns about the oak trees. 11.4 Request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence, pool and spa, Lands of Rosenbaum, 10560 Blandor Way This public hearing has been continued to June 4, 1997 at the request of the applicant. May 21, 1997 Regular City Council Meeting 1 11.5 Discussion of Master Path Plan: Page Mill Neighborhood -- Of road Paths Council had before them the map of offroad paths both existing and planned for the Page Mill Corridor. A copy of this map with an accompanying article had been included in the April issue of the Town newsletter. Input from Town residents on these paths was welcomed. Les Earnest, Chairman of the Pathways Recreation and Parks Committee, commented that many of these paths had been in place for several years. The goal was to link neighborhoods providing loop walks for pedestrians and equestrians. Although there was no access to the Stanford lands and there may not be for some years the plan was to obtain the easements at the time of development. Carol Gottlieb, 24290 Summerhill, commented that four years of research had been done on the 1981 Master Path Plan and many public hearings had been conducted at that time. Siegel noted that the Master Path Plan which had been done in 1981 was now in the process of being updated. These hearings which would probably take about a year to complete afforded Council and the residents the opportunity to discuss if the proposed paths made sense and to arrive at an updated Master Path Plan. Andrew Chang, 27801 Via Feliz, asked how many people actually used the paths, what costs were involved and suggested that perhaps many were paying for a few to use the paths. Katy Stella, member of the Pathways Committee, commented that one of the primary reasons she moved to Los Altos Hills was the path system. She had a path on her property and enjoyed �. seeing people use it. She believed everyone should make a small contribution toward the be by pathway system which could used all. The following residents addressed the Council in opposition to the paths at the end of Amherst Court and along 280 connecting to the Stanford Lands: Mr. and Mrs. Steven Popell, 14244 Amherst Court; Mr. Shapiro, 14228 Amherst Court; Mr. and Mrs. Marcon, 14266 Amherst Court; and Mr. Ray McIntyre, 14278 Amherst Court. In addition a petition was submitted in opposition to these paths. Their concerns included the following issues: neighborhood safety, allowed strangers easy access via the proposed bridge, eliminated privacy, reduced property values and unfairly forced homeowners to restrain their pets in their own yards. The residents also commented on the fact that this path connected to Stanford lands which were not now opened to the public and if they ever were it seemed the City of Palo Alto would want to link the Arastradero Preserve to the Stanford Lands. This proposed path along 280 did not seem a wise expenditure in their opinion when there was another more cost effective option. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Casey, seconded by Siegel and passed unanimously by all members present to delete the offroad path at the end of Amherst Court. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Casey, seconded by Siegel and passed by the following roll call vote to delete the path that runs along the rear of the lots on Amherst Court along 280 to the Stanford Lands. AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Casey and Councilmembers Dauber and Siegel NOES: Mayor Hubbard ABSENT: Councilmember Johnson May 21, 1997 Regular City Council Meeting S►' MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Hubbard and passed by the following roll call vote to include on the Master Path Plan a proposed path along 280 on Caltrans property along the rear of the Amherst lots and to include on the path plan a notation that this is subject to the opening of Stanford Lands to the public. AYES: Mayor Hubbard and Councilmembers Dauber and Siegel NOES: Mayor Pro Tem Casey ABSENT: Councilmember Johnson The following residents spoke in opposition to the Mirmirou path: Matt O'Rourke, 13920 Minnirou and Cyril Yansouni, 13918 Mirmirou. They noted that this was much too steep for a path. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Casey and passed by the following roll call vote to delete the path on Minnirou connecting to Tracy Court. AYES: Mayor Hubbard and Councilmembers Casey and Siegel NOES: Councilmember Dauber ABSENT: Councilmember Johnson MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Dauber and passed by the following roll call vote to retain on the Master Path Plan the off road path along the creek connecting Page Mill and Arastradero. ` AYES: Mayor Hubbard and Councilmembers Dauber and Siegel NOES: Mayor Pro Tem Casey ABSENT: Councilmember Johnson MOTION SECONDED AND FAILED: Moved by Casey, seconded by Siegel and failed by the following roll call vote to abandon the path along the Town boundary easement on Old Page Mill. AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Casey and Councilmember Siegel NOES: Mayor Hubbard and Councilmember Dauber ABSENT: Councilmember Johnson PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To include the following paths which had been inadvertently omitted from the Page Mill Corridor Map: Byrd Lane to Middle Fork and Baleri Ranch along Matadero Creek. Janet Foley, 13124 Byrd Lane, commented on the proposed change to the path on Byrd Lane. This had a direct negative impact on their properly which already had paths on two sides. This proposed path would be at the most level part of their property and in a location where they eventually planned to build a sitting area. Heintz Furthmayr, 13500 South Fork Lane, did not agree with proposed path off South Fork. He thought this was a steep, unsuitable area and there was already a path in place. Andrew Chang, 27801 Via Feliz, stated that he did not have a creek on his property as indicated on the map and did not support this path as it was quite steep and made no sense. May 21, 1997 Regular City Council Meeting Ian Earnest, 27766 Stirrup Way, commented that a gully resulting from development was blocking the path on Stirrup. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To continue the discussion of the paths on Byrd and Via Feliz to the second meeting in September and to send notices to the neighbors about that meeting. In addition to schedule a discussion of the review of the Master Pathway Plan process for the June 18' Council Meeting and at that time to decide if Council wanted to schedule a public hearing on another part of Town for Master Path Plan review. 12. ADJOURNMENT There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council Meeting was adjourned at midnight. Respectfully Patricia Dowd City Clerk The minutes of the May 21, 1997 City Council Meeting were approved at the June 4, 1997 City Council Meeting. May 21, 1997 Regular City Council Meeting