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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/17/1993�w Minutes of a Regular Meeting March 17,1993 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Meeting Wednesday, March 17, 1993, 6:00 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road 1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Tryon called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 6:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Mayor Tryon and Councilmembers Dauber, Hubbard and Siegel Absent: Mayor Pro Tern Johnson Staff: City Manager Les M. Jones, 11, City Attorney Sandy Sloan, Town Planner Linda Niles and City Clerk Pat Dowd Press: Bill Kisliuk, Los Altos Town Crier Council thanked Karen Jost and commended her for performing an outstanding job as Acting City Clerk during the past six weeks. 2. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS 3. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT Planning Commissioner Comiso commented that in addition to the items on the Council's consent calendar the Planning Commission had continued the public hearing on the Lands of Garrow, 13910 Mir Mirou Drive, request for a site development permit for a new residence, pool and spa for a redesign of the project. Council inquired about the pathway easement on the Lands of Norheim and it was agreed by Council that the Town Planner would clarify this condition of the site development permit. On the subject of the conditions Council noted that there appeared to be some confusion regarding incomplete conditions. The Town Planner noted that committee recommendations had been received too late to be �w March 17, 1993 Regular Meeting �kw incorporated in the staff recommendations. It was agreed that this issue would be resolved so that complete conditions would be available on a given project. Siegel raised the issue of the old house on the Clausen site and believed it was an attractive nuisance and should be removed. He further noted that the oak tree on that site was in terrible condition, the signal at Voorhees was not working and eucalyptus branches across El Monte needed to be removed. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR Items Removed: 4.1 (Dauber) and 4.5 (Siegel) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Siegel and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar, specifically: 4.2 Approved Warrants: $45,442.27 (2/26/93) $40,652.10 (3/08/93) 4.3 Decided Not To Review the following Planning Commission Actions at Its Meeting on March 10, 1993: 4.3a Lands of Maciag, 26335 Esperanza Drive; Approved request for a Site 060 Development Permit for a Second Story Addition 4.3b Lands of Zatpavar, 12813 Clausen Court; Approved request for a Site Development Permit for a New Residence and Pool. 4.4c Lands of Norheim, 27261 Sherlock Road; Approved request for a Site Development Permit for a Kitchen Remodel and Right -Of -Way 4.4 Accepted dedication of property for right of way, Lands of Takamoto, 13680 Robleda Road Reso#10-93 4.6 Issued Proclamation: Antioch Baptist Church Centennial Celebration 4.7 Issued Proclamation: United States Naval Air Station at Moffett Field 60th Anniversary Celebration --May 15, 1993 Items Removed: 4.1 Approval of Minutes: March 3,1993 Regular Meeting �w March 17, 1993 Regular Meeting MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Hubbard and �w passed unanimously by all members present to approve the minutes of the March 3, 1993 City Council Meeting with the following corrections: page two, fourth paragraph, delete William Stahl from the motion; page seven, sixth paragraph, motion should read: "Moved by Johnson, seconded by Hubbard and passed by the following roll call vote to adopt the following monthly rates effective March 1, 1993, as recommended by the Council Subcommittee: Baseline Service $15.95; Each additional 100' or part $2.50; One can service $24.05*1- two can service $32.15; three can service S40.25*,- four can service $48.35*. Mor each additional 100' or part $5.00). A complete Tate schedule will be attached to the Memorandum of Understanding. and page eight, delete the last two lines which are duplicated on the next page. 4.5 Approval of Award of Contract to M.B. Taaffe for Driveway Roughening Project -- Reso #_ Siegel noted that it was his understanding that this project involved twenty-five driveways and at approximately $272 per driveway this was a rather expensive project. The Chairman of the Pathways Recreation and Parks Committee reported that there were a few more driveways left to do and the City Manager noted that the unused portion of the materials used for this project could be used in the future. Hubbard suggested looking into asphalt as a less expensive alternative. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Hubbard and 6V passed unanimously by all members present to adopt Resolution #11-93 awarding contract to M. B. Taaffe for the driveway roughening project. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6. NEW BUSINESS 7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB -COMMITTEES, AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES 7.1 Quarry Sub -Committee Tryon reported that the City of Cupertino supported the Town in opposition to the County General Plan Amendment proposed by Mr. Vidovich. Dauber noted that the Sierra Club was also opposed. The hearing by the Board of Supervisors on this amendment was scheduled for April 6th but the request had been received by the Board for a delay. A decision had not been made on this request. Tryon commented that there was some preliminary discussion of the March 17, 1993 Regular Meeting �W formation of a joint powers agreement to protect hillside areas. Siegel commented on the County Planning Commission hearing on this amendment at which time Mr. Viclovich's attorney, Paul Hogan, stated that the property under discussion had been assessed by the County in the early 1970s and had thereby been given sewer rights. Siegel noted, however, that the sewer assessment district had been quite large and the County, in the late 1960s, had deleted the quarry area from the assessment district. Siegel further reported that the report on the reclamation plan due in December by Mr. Vidovich had not been filed and he had been sent a letter by the County on this issue. Dauber noted that she had a meeting on April Ist with Supervisor Zoe LofgTen. If anyone would like to attend this meeting with her, she asked that they let her know. 7.2 Residential Design Guidelines Sub -Committee Dauber reported that the meeting held with the sub -committee and developers and architects had been an exciting, productive meeting. Everyone worked together well and there were good suggestions and ideas. It was agreed that the revision of the residential design guidelines handbook would go back to the committee before it came to Council for review. Tryon also asked for a copy of the report done a couple of years ago by the firm of Friedman, Tung and Bottomly. �W 7.3 Planning Issues Sub -Committee Tryon commented on the basement issue and noted that the sub -committee determined if the basement did not show at all then it should not be counted as development area but if it showed at all then it should be counted. The subcommittee also recommended that doors or windows for exits, vents for air flow and a single garage door be allowed. One should not be able to tell from the outside that it was a structure. The Town Planner would be preparing this report and it would be brought back to the Council at a later date. Tryon further reported that the following issues would be discussed by the subcommittee at a future date: turf block, front yard setbacks, height of houses and three-story facades. Dauber asked the City Attorney to check the Town Code on the issue of basements. Should basements which were not counted as floor area be counted as development area? 7.4 Environmental Design and Protection Committee 7.4a Heritage Trees March 17, 1993 Regular Meeting Council reviewed a letter received from the Environmental Design and #6V Protection Committee which addressed their concerns about their expertise at preparing plans of protection for heritage trees and requested guidance in selecting markers for such trees. It was noted that letters had been received from the Burnells and the Botsfords indicating that they had prepared plans of protection for their oaks and the committee endorsed these plans. The Chair of the Committee, Ruth Buneman, however, did inquire what would happen when these owners left. Would compliance with these plans of protections be required of future owners? jean Struthers, member of the Environmental Design and Protection Committee, referred to a recent article in the Town Crier on the preservation of trees in Los Altos and she also referred to the minutes of the January 11, 1993 Environmental Design and Protection Committee Meeting at which the designation of these heritage trees had been discussed. Council discussed the appropriateness of small plaques on redwood posts for such trees and also commented on designating oaks in Byrne Preserve Tryon suggested the oak at Elena and Robleda. Council further agreed that the designation of the oak trees on the Burnell and Botsford's properties should be agendized for a future Council Meeting. �w 7.4b Committee Appointment Council noted that they had been advised that Liz Dana, a former member of the Environmental Design and Protection Committee, had apparently not received her letter asking if she wanted to stay on the committee. Since Council had recently made appointments completing the membership of this committee the question was raised whether or not to increase the number of members on this committee as Mrs. Dana had stated she would like to continue serving on this committee. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Dauber and passed unanimously by all members present to increase the number of members on the Enviornmental Design and Protection Committee to eight on a temporary basis and to appoint Liz Dana as a member of this committee. 8. STAFF REPORTS 8.1 City Manager 8.2 City Attorney �w March 17, 1993 Regular Meeting �av 8.3 City Clerk 8.3a Report on Council Correspondence dated March 12, 1993 Dauber asked for a copy of the letter from Sun Country Cable and also urged everyone to attend the breakfast scheduled for Local Government Officials. She noted the library could lose a large amount of funding and lobbying was very important. It was agreed that the City Manager would look into the requests from Lorraine Hawkins and R. Zed. 9. COUNCIL -INITIATED ITEMS 9.1 Procedure at Planning Commission Meetings (Mayor Tryon) Tryon commented on procedure at Planning Commission Meetings concerning those addressing the Commission on a specific project. It was pointed out that everyone who wished to speak on a project should have the opportunity to do so. 9.2 Letter from Mrs. Moeller concerning fence issue (Mayor Tryon) Tryon asked if Council wished to agendize this issue but it was agreed that the more appropriate course of action would be for the Mayor to work with the Town Planner toward a solution and if that did not work then it could be discussed by the Council. 9.3 joint Powers Agreement (Mayor Tryon) Tryon reported that a draft proposal for a joint Powers Agreement between Palo Alto, Los Altos Hills, Cupertino, Saratoga and Santa Clara County to limit hillside growth was being discussed. She asked that Council receive a copy of the draft proposal and noted that additional information would be available on this at a later date. 9.4 Santa Clara Valley Water District (Mayor Tryon) Tryon reported that Johnson had advised her that he was unable to attend the 3/18 meeting of the Santa Clara Valley Water District. Since no one else was able to attend, she would try to make the meeting. 9.5 Project Fit America and Little League (Mayor Tryon) Tryon reported on the opening of the Little League season and also on the outstanding new program at Bullis School called Project Fit America. March 17, 1993 �w Regular Meeting 9.6 Palo Alto Development Projects (Councilmember Dauber) Dauber commented on neighboring proposed development projects in Palo Alto which would affect the Town particularly in the area of traffic. Siegel reminded everyone that Palo Alto was supposed to advise the Town of neighboring projects and it was agreed the Mayor would contact the Mayor of Palo Alto on this subject. 9.7 Town Handbook (Councilmember Dauber) Dauber stated that she was concerned about the delay in the handbook project and it was noted that a meeting was being scheduled for the week of March 22nd. It was further agreed that Tryon and Johnson would work with the committee on this project. 9.8 Association of Bay Area Governments (Councilmember Dauber) Dauber noted that the General Assembly Meeting was scheduled for March 25th and she asked if anyone was planning to attend. Tryon stated that she would try to make the meeting. 9.9 Town's Solicitation Policy (Councilmember Dauber) Dauber asked for clarification on the solicitation regulations in the Town and it was agreed the City Attorney would report on this subject at the next meeting. 9.10 Los Altos Board of Realtors (Councilmember Dauber) Dauber inquired about the request from the Los Altos Board of Realtors for nominations for volunteer of the year award. Since these nominations were confidential it was agreed that individual Councilmembers could make nominations or let the City Clerk know and she would relay the information to the Board of Realtors. 10. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR 11. PUBLIC HEARINGS 11.1 Griffin House, 12345 El Monte Road (Foothill College) Consideration to designate site as a Town Landmark Reso # Mary Mason, Trustee - Foothill-DeAnza Community College District, stated that the college had not taken a formal position on the issue of designating the Griffin March 17, 1993 Regular Meeting �W House as a Town landmark. They were concerned about the fiscal responsibility which would be incurred by such a designation. The college was in difficult financial times and could not justify spending educational funds on non- educational projects. She hoped the college and the Town could work together productively on a solution to this issue. Mrs. Mason apologized for any misunderstanding that the college was not concerned about the Griffin House and noted that there had been several changes in the College District recently. Steve Aced, Committee for Green Foothills, reported that they had a meeting scheduled with the Interim Chancellor of the College on April 12th and at that time the final report would go to the Board of Trustees. Linda Swan, President - Los Altos Hills Historical Society, commented that the College had owned the Griffin House since 1959 and while the budget difficulties were recent, they had not done anything to the house in thirty years. She referred to the letter from the State stipulating that the College was responsible for maintaining the Griffin House as an historical site. She also commented on funds which had been raised to maintain the Griffin House but the College had declined to use these funds because, in her opinion, they had not wanted to commit to the project. Terry McDaniel, 10417 Lone Oak Lane, commented that two years ago the College was considering building housing for foreign students and they seemed to have money for that project. Rosemary Meyerott, Town Historian, noted that they had been working on this project for three years and it had been an unending battle. She referred to the letters of support for the preservation of the Griffin House and also concurred with Linda Swan's comments about the funds received for the project but not used by the College. Tryon stated that this issue had been going on for twenty years and she did not think there had been any misunderstanding. It seemed clear that the college had refused to take a position on this issue. She had sent a letter to the Board of Trustees on behalf of the Town on February 18th requesting the College's response to this issue. In her opinion the Board had had ample opportunity to respond. Several letters of support had been received for the preservation of the Griffin House and over the years the Council had sent resolutions and letters to the College stating their concerns about the state of the Griffin House and the College's responsibility in March 17, 1993 Regular Meeting maintaining it as an historical structure. Tryon believed it was important that the Council make a decision at this time on the designation of the Griffin House as a Town landmark. Hubbard believed it was very important that the College have the opportunity to present a formal policy to the Council on the Griffin House. While it was true that the Mayor had sent a letter to the Board he did not believe that it formally requested a policy statement from the College on this matter. He concurred that there had been many changes in the appointment of new Boardmembers at the College and he would like to afford them the opportunity to make a policy statement and present it to the Council. Siegel commented that everyone was going through difficult financial times and he would like to see all interested parties work together on this issue. He believed there was the impression that the College wanted to get rid of the Griffin House but if the College took the position that they wanted to save it then everyone could work together to find ways to fund its maintenance, Dauber did not want to delete the requirement that if the Griffin House was designated a Town Landmark that the College would be required to maintain it but she would be willing to compromise on how exactly this was achieved. She believed a good faith statement from the College was important as well as an effort kw made into looking for alternate sources of funding for the project. Dauber strongly believed that the vandalism of the Griffin House was wrong and should have been handled by the College. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To continue the public hearing on the consideration of whether to designate the Griffin House as a Town Landmark to the April 7, 1993 Council Meeting and to request Mrs. Mason to ask the Board of Trustees for a policy statement on this issue to be available at the April 7th meeting. 12. CLOSED SESSION: PERSONNEL PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6 The City Council aclourned at 8:15 p.m. to a Closed Session for purposes of personnel and reconvened at 8:35 p.m. 46V March 17, 1993 Regular Meeting 4W 13. ADIOURNMENT The City Council adjourned at 8:40 p.m. in memory of Katherine Dowd who passed away on February 18,1993. Mrs. Dowd was the mother of City Clerk Pat Dowd. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Dowd City Clerk The minutes of the March 17, 1993 City Council Meeting were approved at the April 7,1993 City Council Meeting. �Aw March 17, 1993 Regular Meeting to