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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/15/1995 (2)�w Minutes of a Regular Meeting March 15,1995 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Meeting Wednesday, March 15,1995, 6:00 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road 1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 6:08 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Mayor Dauber and Councilmembers Casey, Hubbard, Johnson and Siegel Absent: None Staff: City Manager/City Engineer Jeff Peterson, City Attorney �w Sandy Sloan, Planning Consultant Debbie Pollart and City Clerk Pat Dowd Press: Jan Shaw, Los Altos Town Crier MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously to add the following items to the agenda as urgency items: 1) Request from League of Women Voters to use Council Chambers; 2) Request for authorization to advertise for bid the completion of the Bellucci subdivision improvements; and 3) Letter from the Santa Clara County Cities Association regarding the March 27th hearing of the Senate Housing and Land Use Committee. 2. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS 3. PLANNING COMMISSION REPOR 3.1 Report on February 22, 1995 Planning Commission Meeting Planning Commissioner Schreiner commented on the Lands of Bilger which had been approved at the 2/22/95 Commission Meeting. This application had been heard three times by the Planning Commission. The house had been lowered and the pool moved as they had originally encroached on the neighbors' views. The parking issue had also been addressed as it was believed that there would be fewer vehicles after the project was completed. Dauber reminded staff that Council �w wanted to see the conditions of approval as recommended by the Planning Commission. 3.2 Status Report on General Plan Elements (Open Space Element and Scenic Roadways Element) Council first addressed the Scenic Roadways Element. It was agreed that this was not a required element and could logically be included with the circulation element. Council noted that the General Plan should be a straightforward document with the goals and policies clearly stated. The element also included a breakdown of paths which Council felt was too complicated. It was not necessary to categorize the paths, On the subject of corridor studies, it was felt these may not be necessary. Council suggested one street be chosen as an example with input received from the neighbors prior to the time of public hearing. It should be clearly stated that the Town is not in support of sound walls and the Town's policy on street trees should be included. All roads should be eliminated except the major corridors which included 280. The statement that no advertising signs shall be allowed on the scenic roads should also be included. Concerning the Open Space Element, Council noted that the General Plan was an important historical document and the open space element should clearly state the Town's policies on such issues as lot size, slope density, maximum floor area, �w maximum development area, conservation easements. The open space element needed to include more than just an inventory. It needed to include the purpose of such policies and the goals for the future. It was suggested that restrictions on Town -owned properties be included as an appendix. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR Item Removed: 4.1 March 1, 1995 minutes (Dauber) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar specifically: 4.1 Approved Minutes: March 2, 1995 (Adjourned Regular) 4.2 Approved Warrants: $102,237.88 (2/28/95) 4.3 Decided Not To Review the following Planning Commission Action at Its Meeting on February 22,1995: 4.3a Lands of Bilger, 25901 Vinedo Lane: approved request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence and pool 441W 4.4 Awarded Certificate of Appreciation: Gwendolyn Kratz, Pathways �w Recreation & Parks Committee 4.5 Accepted subdivision improvements, Lands of Hoover, Parcel Map 658M 26 & 27 -- Reso #18-95 4.6 Approved and authorized execution of an agreement between the Town of Los Altos Hills and Stevenson, Porto & Pierce -- Reso #19-95 4.7 Granted easement for pathway, Lands of Russell, 13331 Lenox Way -- Reso #20-95 4.8 Released Lien under Williamson Act Contract, property at 12870 Robleda -- Reso #21-95 4.9 Authorized League of Women Voters to use Council Chambers on April 17,1995 for a meeting Item Removed: 4.1 Approval of Minutes: March 1, 1995 (Regular Meeting) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Siegel and �w passed unanimously to approve the minutes of the March 1, 1995 City Council Meeting with the following corrections: page 10, last motion should show seconded by Johnson and page 11 the first roll call vote should show Mayor Dauber a no vote rather than a yes vote. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.1 Request for authorization to advertise for bid the completion of the Bellucci subdivision improvements MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED� Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Siegel and passed unanimously to authorize the City Manager to sign a settlement agreement with the bonding company for the Bellucci Subdivision bond resolution and to adopt Resolution #22-95 ordering the performance of certain work 7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB -COMMITTEES, AN COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES %W 7.1 Report from Emergency Access Subcommittee 3 �W Ralph Vetterlein, Chairman of the Emergency Access Subcommittee, referred to the action plan dated 3/7/95 prepared by the subcommittee. The purpose of this subcommittee was to recommend policies and projects to the Council that would provide adequate access routes for emergency vehicles and evacuation routes for Town residents in the event of any type of disaster. To this end their plan included the following: an inventory of current emergency roads and pathways to be done on a district -by -district basis and an evaluation of these roads. One issue to be discussed is the use of gates blocking paths and the use of chains instead so that emergency vehicles can get through. This issue needs to be clarified. The subcommittee members (Bob Hall, Les Earnest, Bob Stutz and Ralph Vetterlein) had been assigned certain emergency roads and paths to evaluate. Council thanked Mr. Vetterlein for his report and asked that the subcommittee complete one district and bring a report back to Council at that time rather than doing all the emergency roads in Town. 8. STAFF REPORTS 8.1 City Manager 8.1.1 Mudslide at La Paloma %IV The City Manager presented an update on the mudslide at La Paloma which was caused by unengineered fill and discing. A letter would be forthcoming regarding remedial actions which a contracter estimated would cost a couple of thousand dollars. 8.1.2 Mailboxes The City Manager reported that the Hazardous Materials Division had been called out to investigate containers of sulphuric acid found in mailboxes. The Sheriff's Department was investigating. 8.1.3 PG&E The City Manager reported that the response from PG&E during the recent storm had been much better than earlier this year. He further commented that the power along Fremont Road continued to be sporadic due to tree branches hitting the lines. Tree trimmers would be working on Fremont to correct this situation. 8.1.4 Recruitment �W The City Manager reported that recruitment for both the Planning Director and the Public Works Manager was progressing. 8.2 City Attorney 8.2.1 Quarry Subdivision The City Attorney reported that the draft FIR was being printed and there was a 45 day review period. The Planning Commission would be meeting during that time and comments could be received from Council. The draft FIR would not be agenclized for a Council Meeting during this period of time and the consultant would address all comments made on the FIR. The final FIR would be brought to Council for hearing. A question was raised about the preliminary title report and it was noted that the casements needed to be carefully checked. One example noted was that Stonebrook was a private drive and not publicly maintained. 8.2.2 Francement Subdivision The City Attorney noted that two bonding companies were involved and discussions were taking place. 8.2.3 Frampton Court Pathway The City Attorney reported that the attorneys had held discussions on this issue but to date there had been no resolution. 8.2.4 Spangenberg The City Attorney reported that it would be approximately three to four months before the hearing by the Court of Appeals. 8.3 City Clerk 8.3.1 Report on Council Correspondence dated March 9, 1995 9. COUNCIL -INITIATED ITEMS 9.1 Recommendation for requests for easement donations (Mayor Dauber) Mayor Dauber had a sample letter for Council review concerning the donation of desired pathway easements by residents. Council agreed that the letter should clearly state that the donation is voluntary not obligatory and it should also clearly state the exact location of the path. It was agreed the letter would be brought back to Council before it went out. �w 9.2 Cellular Tower Zoning Preemption -- Request for Council Action �W (Mayor Dauber) PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To request Councilmember Johnson to send a letter on behalf of the Council to the Federal Communications Commission stating the Council's concerns about the actions taken by the cellular telephone industry to preempt local zoning over the placement and siting of cellular towers. 9.3 Fire at Olive Tree Court (Mayor Pro Tern Siegel) Siegel referred to the recent fire on Olive Tree Court and the response coordination of the fire department. Traffic concerns on narrow Town roads were raised and evaluation of what equipment was immediately necessary. Siegel commented that there had been three major fires in the Town during the last year and these issues should be addressed. 9.4 Major Remodels (Councilmember Casey) Casey raised the issue of major remodels and who makes the decision regarding pathway requirements of the applicants. She referred to recent legal decisions about the legality of requiring such paths. It was agreed that this would be discussed when the pathway element of the General Plan was discussed. �W 9.5 Circular Driveways (Councilmember Casey) Casey asked that the issue of circular driveways be agenclized for Council discussion. 9.6 Road Edges (Mayor Dauber) Dauber commented on road edges in Town and asked Council to be aware of them -- were they rural? were they maintained? did they look good or not? 9.7 Letter from the Santa Clara County Cities Association regarding the March 27th meeting of the Senate Housing and Land Use Committee MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Casey and passed unanimously to authorize Mayor Dauber and Councilmember Johnson to provide a written reponse to the Santa Clara County Cities Association on the Town's concerns and issues with the State housing laws. 10. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR 11. PUBLIC HEARING %W 11.1 Request for a Site Development Permit to rebuild fire damaged residence with a major addition and a variance to exceed the allowable maximum floor area and maximum development area, Lands of Roley, 12200 Winton Way (continued from March 1, 1995 City Council Meeting) Mr. Roley, the applicant, stated that he had redesigned his plans and had met with Mr. and Mrs. Bailey and the issues between them were resolved. He did have several concerns about the proposed conditions which he wished to address with Council. One issue was landscaping and he did not agree with the request by his neighbors, the Baileys, that they remove trees. He also did not agree with the shading of the skylights. He stated that he did not intend to put direct lighting in the skylight and may use shading. However, he did not agree the shading should be a required condition. Mr. Roley further did not agree with the condition requiring soils reports on the front of the house from William Cotton and Associates. He believed this was an unfair, costly and time-consuming exercise. Mr. Bailey, 23670 Camino Hermoso, questioned the placement of the story poles for this project and asked that the following statement be included in the record (letter dated 3/15/95 and picture on file at Town Hall): "The pole in the center (the proposed maximum height) was not set by a professional nor was it measured by a professional. It is my understanding that the two poles on the left are to be reduced by six inches. Even though the poles have not been lowered yet, I would like the photo made a part of the record as a guideline in the event there is future dispute." �w On the subject of tree removal, Mr. Bailey agreed that the trees did not have to be removed. Mrs. Roley, applicant, also stated that she did not agree with the cutting down of the trees. She also questioned the need for a condition concerning the color of the house noting that it would be in conformance with the Town's color board. She also questioned the condition requiring a deed restriction, noting that disclosure laws would require that such information be shared. Mr. Bruch, 12186 Winton Way, commented that he had lived in the neighborhood longer than either the Baileys or the Roleys and the trees under discussion were about 27 years old. He believed the building of the home would destroy the planting around the house and the only planting which would survive would be the trees. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Casey and passed unanimously to amend Condition #1 by adding the decking and to delete Condition #8 "The pool and decking shall be removed prior to final inspection." PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To amend Condition #4 to read: "Prior to final inspection a landscape planting plan or a plan of existing landscaping shall be reviewed by the Planning Director. If the Planning Director determined that the L "M existing landscaping is sufficient this condition can be withdrawn. If the Planning Director cannot make such a determination, the landscape planting plan shall be �Aw reviewed by the Site Development Committee. Particular attention shall be given to ....... MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Casey, seconded by Hubbard and passed by the following roll call vote to delete the reference to shading in condition #7. Condition #7 shall read as follows: "Skylights shall be designed and constructed to reduce emitted light. No lighting may be placed within skylight wells." AYES: Councilmembers Casey, Hubbard and Johnson NOES: Mayor Dauber and Mayor Pro Tern Siegel MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by Siegel and passed unanimously to add the following to Condition #11 "If the Director of Public Works, upon review, determines this condition to be redundant, this condition can be waived." MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Johnson and passed by the following roll call vote to approve the request for a Site Development Permit to rebuild fire damaged residence with a major addition and a variance to exceed the allowable maximum floor area and maximum development area for Lands of Roley at 12200 Winton Way subject to the conditions of approval as �Aw recommended by the Planning Commission and amended by Council AYES: Mayor Pro Tern Siegel and Councilmembers Casey and Johnson NOES: Mayor Dauber and Councilmember Hubbard 12. ADJOURNMENT There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council Meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Dowd City Clerk The minutes of the March 15, 1995 Regular City Council Meeting were approved at the April 19, 1995 Regular City Council Meeting. 1%W