HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/17/1996Minutes of a Regular Meeting
`► April 17,1996
Town of Los Altos Hills
City Council Meeting
Wednesday, April 17,1996,6:00 P.M.
Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road
1. CALL TO ORDER. ROLL CALL. AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Siegel called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 6:00
p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall.
Present: Mayor Siegel and Councilmembers Casey, Dauber and
Hubbard
Absent: Councilmember Johnson
Staff: City Manager/City Engineer Jeff Peterson, City Attorney
Sandy Sloan, Planning Director Curtis Williams, Public
Works Manager Ed Taylor and City Clerk Pat Dowd
Press: Clyde Noel, Los Altos Town Crier
Mayor Siegel reported that LAFCO had approved the urban service area for
the Quarry Subdivision; the lake was overflowing into the creek and the
annexation process would proceed.
2. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS
3. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
Planning Commissioner Gottlieb reported that the following items were discussed
at the 3/27/% meeting: Lands of Peirce, 12008 Emerald Hill Lane: approved request
for a site development permit for a new residence; Lands of Ploss, 13349 LaCresta
Drive: approved request for a conditional development permit and a site
development permit for a carport and variances to allow the structure to encroach
fifteen feet into the rear setback; Lands of Teng, 25420 Cresent Lane - request for a site
development permit for a guest house - continued; and Pacific Bell Mobile Services -
request for a conditional use permit - continued. Planning Commissioner Gottlieb
reported that the following items were discussed at the 4/10/% meeting: Lands of
Becker, 14271 Miranda Road: request for a site development permit for a major
addition and remodel - approved; Lands of Scifres, 26700 Palo Hills Drive: request
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♦ for a site development permit for a detached guest house - denied; and Lands of
Shideler, 27994 Via Ventana Way: request for a site development permit for a new
residence and to modify roadway median to provide driveway access - denied.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Items Removed: 4.1 (Dauber) and 4.8 (City Attorney)
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Casey, seconded by Hubbard and
passed unanimously by all members present to approve the Consent Calendar,
specifically:
4.2 Approved Warrants: $117,558.12(3/15/96)
$167,207.47 (3/29/96)
4.3 Decided Not To Review the following Planning Commission Actions
at Its Meeting on March 27,1996:
4.3a Lands of Peirce, 12008 Emerald Hill Lane: approved request for
a Site Development Permit for a new residence and a variance
to allow grading closer than ten feet from the property line
` 4.3b Lands of Ploss, 13349 LaCresta Drive: approved request for a
Conditional Development Permit and a Site Development
Permit for a carport and variances to allow the structure to
encroach fifteen feet into the rear setback
4.4 Issued Proclamation: Honoring David Packard
4.5 Awarded Certificate of Appreciation: Robert Hatch, Safety Committee
4.6 Adopted ordinance #382 amending the Zoning Code regarding slope
density calculations, building circle requirements and service uses
as conditional uses
4.7 Approved 1) Resolution vacating portion of right-of-way of Oak
Knoll Drive; 2) Resolution to approve quitclaim deed to convey land
to owner of adjacent property (Sash); and 3) Certificate of Compliance
for Lands of Saah, 24024 Oak Knoll Circle -- Resolutions #19-96 and
#20-96
Items Removed:
4.1 Approval of Minutes: March 20, 1996
April 17, 1996
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Hubbard and
passed unanimously by all members present to approve the minutes of the March
20, 1996 City Council Meeting with the following corrections: page 4, second motion
should read: "...a minimum of 40' right of way, the improvements are in an
acceptable condition and constructed to Town standards, and the residents want it to
be public, the Town shall accept the road as public." and page 6, Item 9.2, paragraph
should read: "Casey stated that she believed the Council should carefully analyze
each bill and its direct affect on the Town before taking a position on it.
Councilmembers commented that the Town should not be reviewing legislation
that did not have a direct impact on the Town. Furthermore, when appropriate the
Santa Clara County Cities Association should be used as a lobbying organization for
certain legislation."
4.8 Award of Contract for Construction of Robleda Road Retaining Wall
Project -- Reso #
The City Attorney recommended that the Council not authorize the additional
$6,000 for inspection services to be provided by the Town Geologist, William Cotton
and Associates because of certain provisions in the proposed contract which were
not acceptable and needed to be clarified.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Casey and
passed unanimously by all members present to adopt Resolution #21-96 awarding
the contract for the Robleda Road Retaining Wall Project to Power Engineering
Contractors for an amount of $239,000 and to authorize an additional $5,000 if
necessary for any potential modifications or change orders.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5.1 Use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds
Council reviewed the Planning Director's staff report on this subject which
included the status of CDBG funding options. It appeared the CDBG staff
supported the use of these monies within the Town but if this was not the
proposal then the monies should be returned to the CDBG "pool" for
funding projects of Countywide interest.
Janet Stone, MidPen Housing Coalition, explained their project for
developmentally disabled housing in Palo Alto and the funding that was
needed. She did comment that if the North County CDBG monies went
back to the "pool" there was no guarantee that the money would come
back to the North County for projects here. Stan Perry, 2020 Cowper, was a
member of the parent group that went to MidPen Housing Coalition to
look for programs and housing for the developmentally disabled. He
noted that this was a wonderful program and one that served the residents
April 17, 1996
of the Town. The planned project in Palo Alto had 24 units, a manager,
security, congeniality and independent living. Bill White, 13348 Rhoda
asked for clarification of the allocation of funds.
Shelley Doran, Town representative to CDBG, noted that the project under
discussion was the only project in the North County not funded by CDBG
funds. She inquired about where the discretionary Supervisors' pool fund
came from.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Casey
and passed unanimously by all members to ask the Board of Supervisors
to approve the Town deciding on the use of their CDBG funds.
5.2 Goals and Objectives for FY95-96 -- Third Quarter Status
Hubbard asked the status of the Town Hall modification project and suggested
dropping this from the priority list at this time. The City Manager asked if
staff could bring back to the Council a recommendation on this project.
Council thanked the City Manager for his third quarter status report on FY95-%
goals and objectives.
6. NEW BUSINESS
7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB -COMMITTEES, AND
COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES
7.1 Pathways Recreation and Parks Committee
7.1.1 Request for preliminary approval of construction of
Adobe Creek Lodge Path and Aric Lane Bridge
Les Earnest, Chairman of the Pathway Committee, explained his requests and
why he believed the Adobe Creek Lodge Path should be a high priority.
Council discussed the priority of path projects and how these proposed projects
fit into the already approved schedule of path projects. Casey stated that
she wanted to see a pathway maintenance plan.
MOT10N SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by
Hubbard and passed unanimously by all members present to approve
starting research on the Adobe Creek Lodge Path and Aric Lane Bridge
projects for discussion in the 96-97 Capital Improvements Budget after
currently funded path projects are completed such as the switchbacks and
Lupine to Elena path.
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7.1.2 Recommended List of Proposed Streets with paths on
both sides
Council had before them a recommended list of proposed streets that should
have paths on both sides. In addition Siegel had prepared a list of
recommendations and comments. A discussion followed on these
recommendations and it was agreed that it would be best to continue this
item to the second meeting in May to allow Council the opportunity to see
the streets under discussion (possibly staff could conduct some tours of the
streets).
7.1.3 Recommendation to name the path between Lupine Lane
and Elena Road as the Fran Stevenson Path
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To approve the request to name the path between
Lupine Lane and Elena Road as the Fran Stevenson Path.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To modify the Town Policy adopted in July 1994
concerning naming of paths to reflect that persons currently holding an
elected or appointed position may not have a path named after them.
8. STAFF REPORTS
8.1 City Manager
8.1.1 Finance Committee
The City Manager reported that the Finance Committee was scheduled to meet
on April 18th. At that meeting, the following items were on the agenda:
building permit fees, fringe benefit costs and a request for proposals for a
financial data base.
8.2 City Attorney
8.2.1 Code Enforcement
The City Attorney stated that she would be proceeding with the legal steps
necessary to address the code enforcement issues on Stonebrook.
8.3 City Clerk
8.3.1 Report on Council Correspondence
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Council agreed to take no action on the letter from Supervisor Gonzales
concerning the FY96-97 Hazardous Advisory Committee.
8.4 Planning Director
8.4.1 LAFCO
The Planning Director reported that Supervisor Honda had thanked
Council for all of their work toward getting the Quarry Subdivision
issues resolved.
9. COUNCIL -INITIATED ITEMS
9.1 Clarification and emphasis of design guidelines for hillside lots
(Councilmember Dauber)
Dauber referred to the Town's Design Guidelines and specifically those that
addressed building on hillside lots. She referred to a recently approved house that
she believed violated this guideline and she recommended that staff and the
Planning Commission discourage such designs early in the process.
Shelley Doran, Planning Commissioner, commented that the Planning
Commission had referred to the Design Guidelines which stated that houses on
hillsides should follow the slope of the hill. However, in this particular case she
believed an exception could be made because this home could not be seen from any
other lot. Carol Gottlieb, Planning Commissioner, noted that when the natural
vegetation came down, this house would be visible. She did not believe it complied
with the guidelines and required excessive grading.
It was agreed that the Planning Director would include language supporting the
guidelines in the planning reports.
9.2 Role of Environmental Design Committee (Councilmember Casey)
There was a tentative joint meeting with Council and the Environmental Design
Committee scheduled for May 15, 1996. At that time it would be appropriate to raise
and discuss some concerns about the charges of this committee.
9.3 Pathway - Moon Lane - Wythe Subdivision (Councilmember Casey)
Casey stated that she had asked this be put on the agenda because the applicant was
experiencing costly delays to his subdivision in trying to get the pathway issue
resolved. She believed in lieu fees could be accepted at this time for future path
work especially since this path was not connecting to an in place path at this time.
April 17, 1996
Dr. Wythe, applicant, explained the path situation to Council and their concerns
about the steep embankment and grading. He did not object to putting in a path but
did not believe the condition reflected the best place to put the required path.
The City Attorney commented that the conditions of approval were known at the
time of tentative map approval. While the conditions could be modified slightly
they could not be changed without going back to the Planning Commission and
then to Council for public hearings.
Mrs. Handley, 13818 Page Mill Road, expressed her concerns about the placement of
this path. She noted that the roadway (Moon Lane) was not built on center and in
some sections came practically right up to her property. She was concerned about
possible infringement on her property.
Dot Schreiner, Planning Commissioner, stated that this was the last pathway link on
Moon Lane and one of the main trails in that area.
Les Earnest, Chairman of the Pathways Committee, suggested putting the path on
the road and resolving the ownership of Moon Lane.
Carol Gottlieb, Planning Commissioner, believed the path dedication needed to be
taken at this time.
Council discussed the location of the path, the condition of Moon Lane, the
ownership of Moon Lane and steps which had been undertaken by staff to resolve
this issue.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To continue this item to the May 1, 1996 City Council
Meeting to allow staff the opportunity to review the request, provide cost estimates
and information on the path connection to the Chown property.
9.4 Emergency Preparedness Meeting and Fire Services Task Force
(Mayor Siegel)
Siegel reported that an emergency preparedness meeting was scheduled for April
18th from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. In addition the Task Force to discuss the level of
fire services for the Town was scheduled to meet Friday, April 19th at 9:00 a.m.
9.5 Transportation Agency (Mayor Siegel)
Siegel commented on the new Measure A and the proposal to allocate funds to the
smaller cities to fix pot holes.
9.6 ABAG (Councilmember Hubbard)
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Hubbard noted that he was unable to attend the GeneralAssemblyMeeting
scheduled for the 19th and asked if anyone else was able to attend.
10. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Stephanie Munoz, 13460 Robleda, addressed the Council in support of front-
end recycling legislation and a used paint exchange.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
12. ADTOURNMENT
There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council
Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. in memory of David Packard and Leslie
Helgesson. Mr. Helgesson had served on the Town's Council from 1968-74.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Dowd
City Clerk
The minutes of the April 17, 1996 City Council Meeting were approved at the
May 1, 1996 City Council Meeting.
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