Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/06/1994`. Minutes of a Regular Meeting July 6,1994 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Meeting Wednesday, July 6,1994,6:00 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 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Mayor Dauber and Councilmembers Hubbard, Johnson, Siegel and Tryon Absent: None Staff: City Manager Les M. Jones, II, City Attorney Sandy Sloan, Director of Public Works Jeff Peterson and City Clerk Pat Dowd Press: Jan Shaw, Los Altos Town Crier The Mayor stated that two issues had been brought to the Council's attention after the preparation of the agenda for this meeting and they required immediate attention. She asked if Council would consider adding them to the agenda. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Siegel and passed unanimously to add the following to the agenda: Recommendation from the Pathways Recreation and Parks Committee on review of the Santa Clara County Bikeways Map as requested by the Santa Clara County Transportation Agency. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Tryon and passed unanimously to add the following to the agenda: Request for removal of property at 26005 Newbridge from the Driveway Roughening Project. 2. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS ` July 6, 1994 Regular City Council Meeting 2.1 Interviews and Appointments to Planning Commission Council had received applications from the following for appointment to the Planning Commission: Marshall Balfe, Shelley Doran, Carol Gottlieb and Ray Rooker. In addition Planning Commissioner Mary Stutz had submitted a letter requesting consideration of reappointment. Ray Rooker, 12819 Viscaino Road, referred to his application which Council had received as well as his comments on what he believed was good and bad about the Town and what could be done to make it a better place. He further commented on design concepts in general, the issue of 'rural' and ways which he believed would result in better designs such as use of more earth tones to soften stucco and use of rock rather than brick work. Mary Stutz, 25310 Elena Road, commented that she had enjoyed serving as a Planning Commissioner and would look forward to another term. She felt there were many projects to complete such as the review of the General Plan. Mrs. Stutz emphasized the importance of good communication between the Council and the Commission and urged the continuance of the joint meetings. Marshall Balfe, 12390 Hilltop Drive, noted that he had only lived in the Town for one year but he was eager to get involved and believed he had the experience and ability. Carol Gottlieb, 24290 Summerhill, commented that she had enjoyed working with the Town Government over the last seventeen years, particularly as a member of the Pathways Recreation and Parks Committee and would like to continue as a member of the Planning Commission. She further noted that she was particularly proud of her work on the Town Handbook and the Design Guidelines Brochure. Shelley Doran, 24920 La Loma Court, noted that she was continuing her participation as a member of the Environmental Design and Protection Committee and was also keeping up to date on current planning projects. Mrs. Doran stated that she believed site analysis was especially important and also keeping the applicants advised about Town procedures as an aid toward having their projects cost less. Council thanked all of the applicants and stated that it was an extremely difficult decison to make with so many very qualified applicants. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously to appoint Carol Gottlieb and Mary Stutz to the Planning Commission, each for a four-year term, ending on June 30, 1998. July 6, 1994 Regular City Council Meeting MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously to appoint Marshall Balfe, 12390 Hilltop Drive, to the Community Relations Committee for a two-year term. 3. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT (Commissioner Schreiner) Planning Commissioner Schreiner noted the following issues that were discussed at the 6/22/94 Planning Commission Meeting: Lands of Pahl, 27431 Black Mountain Road - request for a site development permit for a detached garage and a major addition to an existing residence - approved; Lands of Chang, 24712 Olive Tree Court - request for a site development permit for a second story addition - approved; Lands of Nguyen, 11632 Rebecca Lane - request for a site development permit for an addition and pool - continued; and Lands of Chan, 14295 Saddle Mountain Road - request for a site development permit for a new residence - continued. The Planning Commission also held a special meeting on June 29th to discuss the Fremont Hills Country Club application. Their request for a site development permit and conditional use permit for a major remodel and addition was approved with conditions and this item was on the Council's Consent Calendar for concurrence. Commissioner Schreiner reported that the Commission addressed the following issues: development area, parking, safety, bridge, horse allowance, height, caretaker's unit, undergrounding of utilities, parking attendants, signage, membership (limited to 500), annual review of conditional use permit and an Loperational plan which would include an emergency plan 4. CONSENT CALENDAR Items Removed: 4.1 - 6/14/94 Adjourned Regular Meeting Minutes (Dauber) and 4.8a (Siegel) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Siegel and passed unanimously to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar, specifically: 4.1 Approved Minutes: June 15, 1994 (Adjourned Regular Mtg.) June 15, 1994 (Regular Meeting) 4.2 Approved Warrants: $52,898.36 (6/15/94) 4.3 Adopted Ordinance #371 amending the Municipal Code relating to a Transportation Management Program 4.4 Acknowledged but rejected at this time irrevocable offer of dedication for street right of way along Gerth Lane at 2240 Old Page Mill Road, Lands of Helliwell -- Reso #45-94 t July 6, 1994 �w Regular City Council Meeting 4.5 Acknowledged but rejected at this time irrevocable offer of dedication for street right of way along Quail Lane; acknowledged but rejected at this time irrevocable offer of dedication of one third interest in right of way along Quail Lane, Lands of Gilmartin, 25980 Quail Lane -- Resolutions #46-94 and #47-94 4.6 Dedicated easement for storm drain purposes, Lands of Bleisch, 12640 Robleda Road -- Reso #48-94 4.7 Accepted Town Generator Project -- Reso #49-94 4.9 Issued Proclamation: Commending the Town Crew Items Removed: 4.1 Approval of Minutes: June 14, 1994 (Adjourned Regular Meeting) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Tryon and passed unanimously to approve the minutes of the July 14, 1994 Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting with the following correction: Page 2, first paragraph, last sentence should read: "....it would not be distributed until after mid -year budget ` review. 4.8 Consideration of Whether To Review the following Planning Commission Action at Its Meeting on June 29, 1994: 4.8a Lands of Fremont Hills Country Club, 12889 Viscaino Place: approved request for a Site Development Permit and Conditional Use Permit for major remodel and addition Council decided to review the request for a Site Development Permit, Variance and Conditional Use Permit for major remodel and addition for Lands of Fremont Hills Country Club, 12889 Viscaino Place. Council asked that the proposed conditions be reviewed by the City Attorney prior to the July 20th hearing by the Council and also that the minutes from the Commission Meeting at which this application was discussed be available. A. Richard Jones, 12660 LaCresta Drive, noted that he had distributed some handouts on the Fremont Hills Country Club application and he asked Council to review these graphs prior to their hearing on this application. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS July 6, 1994 Regular City Council Meeting 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.1 Request for a one year extension for a site development permit for landscape/hardscape and retaining wall at 12390 Gigli Court, Lands of Salazar Council referred to the staff report which noted that this site development permit was originally approved in 1990. Since then it had been extended three times by staff and Council. The applicant was at this time requesting another extension due to financial constraints. Council concurred that four years was more than enough time to complete the conditions of this site development permit. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously to deny the request for a one year extension for a site development permit for landscape/hardscape and retaining wall at 12390 Gigli Court, Lands of Salazar and to require that the approved mitigating landscaping be planted within 60 days. 6.2 Review of grading and original subdivision requirements and restrictions for Lot 5 Finn Subdivision, 12005 Finn Lane Siegel stepped down from consideration of this item due to a possible confict of interest. Council had before them the Planning Director's staff report which explained this request for review of grading. As a required condition of the approved Finn Subdivision the house on lot 5 had been designed to meet the 590 elevation limitation. The developer had proposed large amounts of grading to be done to accommodate the proposed house on lot 5 and he was also proposing grading across the lot lines of lots 5 and 6 which was not allowed by code as Town standards do not allow grading within ten feet of a property line. Planning Commission had held a preliminary review of this grading and because of the Code issues which were raised they were requesting that Council review this application. The City Engineer noted that this was not an approval of the plan but rather of the concept. Ken Olcott, representing Mr. Cosa - 24915 La Loma Court, commented on the issue of grading in the Finn Subdivision. He supported allowing the grading but strongly urged keeping the imposed height restrictions. Mr. Olcott questioned the stability of the lot and recommended engineering the two to one slope so that other properties would not be affected. He also commented on the possibility of a retaining wall. Pam Schwartz, 24941 Prospect, expressed her concerns about the drainage issue. Already water ran down the side of their property and she wondered what changes July 6, 1994 Regular City Council Meeting in drainage would occur with the additional grading. Ms. Schwartz also asked for ibr clarification of what the development area would be on these lots. Bob Owen, developer, reviewed the height restrictions on both lot 5 (590 elevation) and lot 6 (580). Mr. Owen noted that the height restriction on lot 6 was the actual height of the knoll and ten feet lower than that on lot 5. In view of these height restrictions he was proposing the grading on both lots 5 and 6 and the removal of 10' off the top of lot 5. Mr. Owen suggested a site visit so that Council could clearly understand the constraints of these lots. He also commented in response to Ms. Schwartz' comments about drainage that the drainage would not change whether or not this grading was done. Council discussed this issue of grading noting that the grading should fit the lot not the proposed house. In other words they were open to a certain amount of grading but not to change the lot for the house the developer wanted to build. Council also noted that per the subdivision conditions the height of houses on lots 5 and 6 was 10' which was not what the intention was of the Council at the time of approval. Since there was considerable grading proposed, Council suggested the developer review the proposed siting of the house. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: Council agreed that the maximum development area and the maximum floor area for Lots 5 and 6 of the Finn Subdivision were previously established. Council further gave the following guidance to the developer of Lot 5: keep the height restriction, use creative grading with good judgment, pay attention to the drainage issue and be aware that a variance would be required for grading done within ten feet of the property line. 6.3 Discussion regarding required setbacks from emergency fire access roads Council discussed the staff report which addressed some confusion regarding setbacks from fire access roads. Some applicants had not understood that current ordinances require 30' and 40' setbacks from all access roadways and easements including fire access roads. Council commented that they did not see a problem with accessory structures and perhaps even primary dwellings being within these setbacks of fire access roads which were rarely used. They also did not see a necessity to amending the code at this time. Steve Lohr, developer, commented that between Lots 15 and 16 on Lands of McCullough there was a fire access road and he addressed their concerns about the excessive setbacks if required for the fire access road. July 6, 1994 Regular City Council Meeting MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Dauber and passed unanimously to waive any variance fees if Steve Lohr applied for a variance for structures in the fire access road setback for Lands of McCullough. 6.4 Request from the Bay Area Economic Forum for a $500 contribution in support of the new proposed National Wind Tunnel Complex in the Bay Area at the NASA Ames Research Center MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Siegel and passed unanimously to request the Mayor to send a letter to the Bay Area Economic Forum stating that while the Town supported the wind tunnel complex, due to budgetary constraints it was unable to provide financial support for this project. 6.5 Appointments of Council liaisons to Standing Committees, of Council- members on outside agencies and of Council sub-committees PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To approve the following appointments of Council liaisons to Standing Committees, of Councilmembers on outside agencies and of Council sub-committees Committee Liaison Community Relations Elayne Dauber Environmental Design and Protection Bob Johnson Finance Sid Hubbard Pathways, Recreation and Parks William Siegel Safety Barbara Tryon Youth Commissioner Mayor Exhibit Curator Mayor Town Historian Mayor Appointments to Outside Agencies ABAG Barbara Tryon Sid Hubbard (alternate) Community Health Awareness Council Rory Kaplan (CHAC) Emergency Preparedness Council Barbara Tryon Intergovernmental Council (IGC) Mayor City Selection Mayor League of California Cities - Peninsula Elayne Dauber Division William Siegel (alternate) July 6, 1994 Itaw Regular City Council Meeting Los Altos Senior Coordinating Council (to be appointed) North County Library Authority Elayne Dauber Santa Clara County Transportation Barbara Tryon Commission Traffic Authority Policy Advisory Board Sid Hubbard Santa Clara Valley Water Commission Bob Johnson Santa Clara Valley Water District Jeff Peterson (staff) Northwest Flood Control Advisory William Siegel (alternate) Committee Santa Clara County Cities Bob Johnson Association Barbara Tryon (alternate) Santa Clara County Local Transportation Authority Policy Advisory Board Barbara Tryon Congestion Management Agency - Policy Advisory Committee Sid Hubbard Congestion Management Agency Barbara Tryon Palo Alto Unified School District Community Advisory Committee (to be appointed) Council Subcommittees (The asterisk indicates the lead Councilmember on the subcommittee.) Town Newsletter Quarry Hills Project Cable TV Solid Waste Franchise Agreement Rate Review Employee Personnel Regulations N, Elayne Dauber William Siegel* Elayne Dauber William Siegel* William Siegel Bob Johnson Bob Johnson* William Siegel Sid Hubbard July 6, 1994 Regular City Council Meeting Packard Foundation Sid Hubbard* Barbara Tryon Town Composting Elayne Dauber Housing Element Elayne Dauber Bob Johnson Planning Issues: Remodels, Sid Hubbard Non -conforming structures, and William Siegel* defacto subdivisions Han Property Sid Hubbard Barbara Tryon* Maximum Development Area Elayne Dauber* Sid Hubbard It was agreed that for each subcommittee a form would be completed stating the purpose of each committee, members, and other pertinent information. These forms would be kept on file with the City Clerk. 7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES. SUB -COMMITTEES. AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES 7.1 Recommendation from the Pathways Recreation and Parks Committee on the review of the Santa Clara County Bikeways Map as requested by the Santa Clara County Transportation Agency. Les Earnest, Chairman - Pathways Recreation and Parks Committee, explained to the Council the request received from the Transportation Agency for comments on the County's Bikeways Map by July 11th. For that reason he was requesting Council's consideration of the committee's recommendations at this meeting. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously to approve the following recommendations from the Pathways Recreation and Parks Committee on the review of the Santa Clara County Bikeways Map as requested by the Santa Clara County Transportation Agency: July 6, 1994 Regular City Council Meeting 1. Inasmuch as all the bikeways currently shown on the county map are, 6W or soon will be, good routes that have already been recognized by the Town as bikeways (though some were designated as Major Bikeways rather than Regional Bikeways in the earlier review), allow them to stand. �h. 2. Given that the Town had earlier designated three Regional Bikeways that do not appear on the county map, request that the following be added to the county map: a) Arastradero from Page Mill Road to Purissima; b) Page Mill Road from Arastradero southward to Via Ventana then via Briones, Altamont and Page Mill Road to the Town boundary; and c) the Purissima- Robleda-Elena-Foothill College -El Monte -Summerhill route. 3. Request that the Lupine Bikeway be accurately depicted as part bike path and part bike route. 4. Given that both the Lupine and Purissima bikeways are to be shown on the county map, include also the small bike route along Elena that links them. 5. Request that the county add the Old Page Mill bikeway. 8. STAFF REPORTS 8.1 City Manager 8.2 City Attorney 8.2.1 Supreme Court Decision on Lands of Dolan The City Attorney noted that she would be preparing a report on the recent Supreme Court decision concerning Lands of Dolan (Oregon) on private property rights. 8.3 City Clerk 8.3.1 Report on Council Correspondence dated June 29, 1994 9. COUNCIL -INITIATED ITEMS 9.1 Establishment of policy regarding notifying neighbors on land applications 10 July 6, 1994 Regular City Council Meeting MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously to approve the following policy statement regarding notification of neighbors on land applications: Noting that Council reviews on general planning issues may result in decisions which affect the neighboring properties, it shall be the Town's policy that neighbors within 500 feet of a property being discussed for a planning review shall be notified that the issue will be discussed by the Council. 9.2 Housing and Community Development Council discussed the importance of an active representative from the Town on the Housing and Community Development Citizens' Advisory Committee. Siegel believed it was important for the Town to be kept up to date on grant funds available and on current activities of this committee. He suggested appointing the Planning Director to represent the Town rather than a Planning Commissioner but other Councilmembers thought this was much too costly for the Town. It was agreed that the Planning Commission would make an appointment. (Currently Commissioner Takamoto was the representative but his schedule had prevented him from attending most of the meetings.) 9.3 Policy Manual Council discussed the updating of the Policy Manual and it was agreed that the City `, Clerk would review the manual and remove outdated policies. These outdated policies would be brought back to Council for official purging at a regular Council Meeting. 9.4 Request for removal of property at 26005 Newbridge from the Driveway Roughening Project. 7 Council had received a request from Mr. and Mrs. Berry at 26005 Newbridge that their driveway be deleted from inclusion in the Town's approved driveway roughening project. In their letter Mr. and Mrs. Berry explain their concerns about the safety of their children and the proximity of the horses using the path along the driveway. They note that the Town approved their landscaping plans and they believed that the horses, pedestrians and children were safer using the cul-de-sac to access passage to Orchard Hill. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously to remove 26005 Newbridge from the list of driveways to be included in the driveway roughening project. Council further noted that the notices to residents involved in this project should be sent from the Town and not the contractor. 11 July 6, 1994 Regular City Council Meeting {, 10. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Ir Sharyn Brown, Vice -President - Westwind Barn, noted that according to their lease it was necessary to have an audit performed. Carol Gottlieb had offered to do the audit at no charge but apparently concerns had been raised because she was a member of the Board of Directors of Westwind. Council stated the importance of having an audit done by someone not involved directly with Westwind. Ms. Brown also commented that Westwind was working with Fremont Hills Country Club on an emergency plan for horses. Council asked Westwind to include an article in the next newsletter about what activities were available at Westwind. Ruth Buneman, 12655 LaCresta Drive, commented on the parking problem at the Little League Fields and also referred to the letter from the Chairman of the Safety Committee stating that the fields were also being used by the Los Altos Little League and this could be adding to the traffic congestion. Mrs. Buneman recommended that Council look into this situation. Ed Emling, 11666 Murietta Lane, reiterated the concerns he had raised at previous Council Meetings about the safety issue at Adobe Creek. The four wheel drive vehicles were still going onto the property and he was very concerned about the potential of fire. Mr. Emling believed this was an emergency situation and needed to be addressed. He further commented that trash was being dumped on the Adobe Creek property. David Proft, 26721 Moody Road, concurred with Mr. Emling. They live across the street from the property under discussion and were well aware of this safety situation. He noted that he had extra telephone poles which he was willing to donate to the Town if they could use them to block the property from trespassers. Mr. Proft also stated that he would meet with staff to discuss this situation if they thought this might be of assistance. Council agreed that the Adobe Creek safety issue would be agendized for the July 20th Council Meeting. For that meeting documents should be available from the Fire Department, Sheriff's Department, Ed Emling and Town Staff establishing the findings for an emergency situation at Adobe Creek. Mr. Emling questioned the delay but was notified that the owners had to be contacted as it was private property. Staff also raised concerns about blocking off the access in case the Fire Department had to enter the property. Stephen Hays, President - Los Altos Hills Horsemens' Association, referred to the Town's budget and inquired about the budgeted amount for the Town Ring. He noted that future plans for the ring hoped to achieve a more equestrian setting. July 6, 1994 Regular City Council Meeting 12 This would include tree planting, picnic table, storage containers (to shield equipment), notice board for events, reestablishment of swale, and replacement of railing. The City Manager noted that closure needed to be reached on the agreement between the Town and the Horsemens' Association. Council commented that any proposed budget changes could be considered at the mid -year budget review. 11. PUBLIC HEARINGS 11.1 Adoption of a proposed Town Budget for the fiscal year 1994-95 and the appropriations limit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1995 -- Reso # Tryon inquired about the median work at entrances to the Town and was advised that this project would be included in the capital improvements budget which would be brought to Council in October. It was noted that in the present budget there were funds for the crew to trim the trees and clean up the medians and this work would proceed. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Johnson, seconded by Tryon and passed unanimously to adopt Resolution #50-94 adopting the Town Budget for fiscal year 1994-95. 11.2 Introduction of Ordinance revising Section 10-1.1106 (actions of Planning Commission), Sectionit)-1.1107(i) (amendment to add: Conditional Use Permits Approval; Conditions), Section 10-1.1108 (effective dates of actions of the Planning Commission), Section 10-1.1109 (appeals from decisions of the Planning Commission and staff committee), Section 10-1.1110 (Council review of actions) and Section 10-2.1212 (effective date; appeals) of the Zoning and Site Development Ordinances in the Town's Municipal Code (FIRST READING) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously to waive further reading of ordinance regarding zoning and site development procedures. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously to introduce ordinance regarding zoning and site development procedures. July 6, 1994 Regular City Council Meeting 13 12. CLOSED SESSION: CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR -- GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.8 Property: 25561 Fremont Road Negotiating Parties: Town and Dr. Jonathan Hau Under Negotiation: Possible Purchase Price and Terms and Payments The City Council adjourned at 10:30 p.m. to a Closed Session for a Conference with Real Property Negotiator and reconvened at 11:15 p.m 13. ADJOURNMENT There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council Meeting was adjourned at 11:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Dowd City Clerk The minutes of the July 6, 1994 City Council Meeting were approved at the July 20, 1994 Regular City Council Meeting. July 6, 1994 Regular City Council Meeting 14