Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/03/1995Minutes of a Regular Meeting May 3, 1995 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Meeting Wednesday, May 3,1995,6:00 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road 1. CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL, AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Dauber called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 6:10 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Mayor Dauber and Councilmemers Casey, Hubbard, Johnson and Siegel Absent: None Staff: City Manager Jeff Peterson, City Attorney Sandy Sloan, Planning Assistant, Susan Manca and City Clerk Pat Dowd Press: Clyde Noel, Los Altos Town Crier 3. CONSENT CALENDAR Item Removed: 3.6 (Peggy Esher) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar, specifically: 3.1 Decided Not To Review the following Planning Commission Action at Its Meeting on April 12,1994: 3.1a Lands of Jabbour, 12800 Clausen Court: approved request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence and pool 3.2 Adopted Ordinance #375 to repeal and amend certain sections of Los Altos Hills Municipal Code May 3, 1995 Regular City Council Meeting `r. 3.3 Approved selection of firm (Clyde W. Brown Associates) for audit services 3.4 Approved findings for denial of appeal of Planning Commission denial of site development permit to allow grading and retaining wall for a grass play area, Lands of Hwong, 12813 Clausen Court 3.5 Issued Proclamation: Water Awareness Month, May 1995 3.7 Stated support of Measure D for the repair and renovation of Los Altos and Mountain View High Schools -- Reso #31-95 3.8 Identified three standby Councilmembers for the Emergency Handbook -- Reso #32-95 Item Removed: 3.6 Endorsement of the Palo Alto Unified School District's Issuance of General Obligation Bonds Caroline Tucher thanked Council for their support and introduced Superintendent Jim Brown. Superintendent Jim Brown presented background information to the Council on the schools' needs and requested support for the Palo Alto Unified School District's Issuance of General Obligation Bonds. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Casey and passed unanimously to adopt Resolution #30-95 supporting the Palo Alto Unified School District's Issuance of General Obligation Bonds 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 4.1 Denial of Claim: Mr. and Mrs. Scarampi This item was continued to the next meeting at the request of the applicant. 4.2 Proposed interpretation of code sections relating to tennis court development area, grasscrete development area/use, etc. from Council Subcommittee 7 May 3, 1995 Regular City Council Meeting One of the charges of this subcommittee was to study the calculation of maximum development area of unusually sloped lots. The report noted that there were situations where a parcel that had one lot unit factor may allow greater development and floor area than a parcel with greater than 1 lot unit factor, but one that had a portion of steep terrain. Four lots were analyzed using current formulas and also using proposed formulas which would eliminate areas of excessive slope. Johnson and Siegel thought this process could be much too complicated and take up too much staff time. Casey and Hubbard thought it a question of fairness and Casey did not think it was any more complicated than the current slope density ordinance. Dauber commented that this really would not affect too many lots but it would be a more equitable solution. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously to refer the following ordinance change to the City Attorney and to request the Planning Commission to schedule a public hearing on the proposed change: "On a parcel with a lot unit factor greater than 1, the allowable development and floor area will be at least equal to the development and floor area that can be obtained on any portion of the parcel that is equal to or greater than 1 lot unit factor as long as that portion constitutes a legal lot as described in 9-6.03-4. Any existing home and development must be located on the lot and conform to ordinances, and that portion of the property not used for calculating the allowable development area must be dedicated as a conservation easement.' The report from the subcommittee also addressed the following: the purpose of maximum development area with respect to permeability and the appearance of development; a rationale for determining the development area exemptions for permeable surfaces; and a recommendation on the clay tennis court material. Casey did not agree with the statement if it looked like a structure it was a structure. She believed drainage was a large issue and commented that while a horse ring was not counted, tennis courts were. She further commented that only approximately 5% of the Town's residents had horses and she did not think it fair to single out certain amenities. Casey supported conducting another Town survey to obtain input from the residents. Siegel noted that this was only an issue for those who had reached maximum development on their property. The Town was not against tennis courts. Dr. Larry Hwong, 12813 Clausen Court, agreed with Casey that a survey should be conducted to get input from residents. He commented on when a structure was considered a structure and further stated that he supported the use of grass Crete. Peggy Esber, 13430 Country Way, commented that there were different points of view and a tennis court whether done in grasscrete or concrete looked like a tennis court. May 3, 1995 Regular City Council Meeting MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Hubbard and passed by the following roll call vote to approve the following recommendations of the committee and to direct Planning to prepare a page with this information to be included in the Design Guidelines Booklet: 1) Credit should not be given for any surface that looks like development nor for any required surface.; 2) If a surface is both permeable, invisible and requires little grading it should not count as development area.; and 3) Grasscrete on driveways or required parking areas is a required surface and should count 100% as development area. AYES: Mayor Dauber and Coumcilmembers Hubbard and Siegel NOES: Councilmembers Casey and Johnson 5. NEW BUSINESS 5.1 Development Area Subcommittee Report It was noted that this was the same item as 4.2 and had incorrectly been duplicated on the agenda. 5.2 Update on Fire District Building Hubbard reported that the ground breaking ceremony had taken place at Foothill College and the new fire station should be completed the end of the year. Siegel commented that the cities in the Fire District had agreed to hire a consultant regarding the consolidation issue. 5.3 Request for elimination of H.O.V Lane on northbound 280 between 85 to its westerly termination Council discussed a request they had received from Cupertino for support in asking for the elimination of H.ON Lane on northbound 280 between 85 to its westerly termination. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by Casey and passed unanimously to support the request to the Department of Transportation for the elimination of the H.O.V Lane on northbound 280 between 85 to its westerly termination with the statement included in the letter that this option must be considered a viable solution by Caltrans. 6. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB -COMMITTEES, AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES May 3, 1995 Regular City Council Meeting ` 6.1 Final Report on Compost Offering Dauber reported that the compost project had been completed with 128 composters ordered. 6.2 Report on Library JPA Dauber reported that the first meeting of the Joint Powers Authority had taken place on April 20th. Dianne McKenna had been chosen Chairman and Barbara Koppel had been selected as Vice Chairman. 6.3 Request from Pathway Committee to also become a Bicvcle Advisory Committee MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Casey and passed unanimously to concur with the request from Pathway Committee to also become a Bicycle Advisory Committee and to direct the City Attorney to amend the resolution on Town Committees to reflect this change. 6.3 Santa Clara Valley Water Commission Dauber commented that the Santa Clara Valley Water Commission was recommending to the Board of Supervisors that the wholesale water rate stay the same as last year. 7.1 City Manager 7.1.1 Report on Quarry Activity The City Manager reported that Mr. Vidovich had put in a retaining wall along the northside of the lake. This wall was approximately 400' long, 8' high and was not shown on the tentative map nor was it addressed in the Environmental Impact Report. The County had put a stop work order on the retaining wall. Mr. Vidovich would be asked to keep the. Town apprised of his activities at the project. 7.1.2 Public Works Manager The City Manager introduced Ed Taylor, the Town's new Public Works Manager. Mr. Taylor came from Redwood City. 7.1.3 Planning Director May 3, 1995 Regular City Council Meeting The City Manager noted that the new Planning Director for the Town was Curtis Williams who would be coming to the Town from Woodside the first week of June. 7.1.4 Receptionist The City Manager reported that the newly -hired part-time receptionist had resigned stating stress and the noise in the front office as part of her reasons for leaving. The City Manager commented that the use of dividers and the use of Council Chambers were being considered to reduce the noise level. 7.1.5 Telephone System The City Manager asked for Council comments on the telephone system including voice mail. Did the system work or were changes requested. 7.2 City Attorney 7.3 City Clerk 8. COUNCIL -INITIATED ITEMS �w 8.1 Nuisance Complaints (Councilmember Casey) Casey inquired about the status of nuisance complaints specifically the one on Fremont and Moody Court. She was advised that a letter had been sent to the owners of the Fremont Road property and the Planning Consultant was also handling the issues on Moody Court of a car repair business and illegal structure. 8.2 Francemont and Bellucci Subdivisions (Mayor Pro Tem Siegel) Siegel asked the status of each of these subdivsions. The City Manager advised that the Francemont Subdivision was going to be discussed in closed session. The Bellucci Subdivision was, in the near future, going out to bid for the improvements. 8.3 Exhibit Curator (Mayor Dauber) Dauber commented that the new Exhibit Curator, Ethel Blank, had been very busy getting historical pictures framed for the May 21st Town Party and some of these pictures were on display in the Council Chambers. 8.4 Craig Murray -- Garden at Robelda/Dori Lane (Councilmember Casey) May 3, 1995 Regular City Council Meeting Casey asked why Craig Murray had been required to get a permit for his garden when others in Town doing the same thing were not. Staff advised Casey that because this garden had received a complaint and was somewhat a controversial issue, staff had approached Mr. Murray and it was agreed that by putting the conditions in an approved permit form, it would show that he was in compliance with the Town's regulations. 9. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Dr. Hwong, 12813 Clausen Court, addressed the Council concerning his request for a grass play area on his property. He had received the findings for denial and once again reiterated that he found this difficult to understand. He had complied with all of the Town's ordinances and in his opinion the only reason for denial was one of subjectivity. Mrs. Hwong, 12813 Clausen Court, repeated her comments from their public hearing on honesty. She believed that they were in compliance with the Town's codes and had honestly brought forth their plans to the Town for approval. She referred to others who simply put in their projects with little regard for the regulations. Dr. Mack, Dawson Drive, addressed the Council on the subject of garbage services. She did not agree with having to pay for services which she did not want and had not used for seven years. She believed exceptions should be made and not everyone in Town should have to pay for these services. Dauber noted that Dr. Mack was one of the few residents who had received an exception for garbage services- but was required to pay for the basic service. Siegel in support of this basic charge referred to the hazardous waste issue and Hubbard commented on the clean up days. Casey stated that this issue would be addressed when rate negotiations were next discussed with the Los Altos Garbage Company. 10. PUBLIC HEARINGS The City Council adjourned at 8:45 p.m. to a Closed Session and reconvened at 10:00 p.m. 11. CLOSED SESSION: Conference with Legal Counsel -- Anticipated Litigation Initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (c) -- four potential cases 12. Report on Closed Session (Item #11). May 3, 1995 Regular City Council Meeting `r 13. ADJOURNMENT There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council Meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Dowd City Clerk The minutes of the May 3, 1995 Regular City Council Meeting were approved at the May 17, 1995 City Council Meeting. May 3, 1995 Regular City Council Meeting