Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/01/1993Minutes of a Regular Meeting December 1, 1993 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Meeting Wednesday, December 1, 1993, 6:00 P.M. Council Chambers 26379 Fremont Road 1. CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Johnson called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 6:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Mayor Johnson and Councilmembers Dauber, Hubbard, Siegel and Tryon Absent: None Staff: City Manager Les M. Jones, II, City Attorney Sandy Sloan, Town Planner Linda Niles and City Clerk Pat Dowd Press: Jan Shaw, Los Altos Town Crier 2. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS 3. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT Planning Commissioner Schreiner reported that the following issues were discussed at the November 30th Planning Commission Meeting: Lands of Wolfe, 24650 Bella Ladera - site development permit approved for a major addition, remodel and landscape; effective demonstration of lighting for Lands of Carse at 27124 Taaffe - portion of lighting plan approved; review of Town Color Board with particular emphasis on reflective value. Planning Commissioner Schreiner also commented on the discussion of the ordinance amendments concerning basements. This had resulted in quite a bit of discussion as to various interpretations and also raised the issue of the slope density ordinance. Siegel asked that the Commission refer the elements of the General Plan back to Council as they are discussed and not wait until all of them have been reviewed. December 1, 1993 40 4. CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar, specificially: 4.1 Approved Minutes: 4.2 Approved Warrants: November 17, 1993 $215,919.10 (11/20/93) 4.3 Adopted Resolution designating two heritage trees in Byrne Preserve -- Reso #189-93 4.4 Adopted Resolution supporting NASA Ames Research Center as the location for planned new NASA wind tunnels -- Reso #190-93 4.5 Granted Easement for pathway, Lands of Liu, 26751 Almden Court -- Reso #191-93 4.6 Granted easement for pathway, Lands of Chown, 13822 Page Mill Road -- Reso #192-93 4.7 Adopted Resolution adding an appendix to the Conservation Element of the General Plan (mineral resources) -- Reso #193-93 4.8 Awarded Certificate of Appreciation -- Fran McIntyre, Community Relations Committee 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 5.1 Adoption of Ordinance requiring General Municipal Election to be consolidated with Statewide General Election (SECOND READING) Siegel inquired about the wording of the notice to all registered voters in the Town and stated that he thought it should include the vote of the Council on this issue. It was agreed that the City Attorney and City Clerk would provide a draft of the notice to Council at the next meeting for their review and comment. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Dauber and passed by the following roll call vote to waive further reading of the ordinance and to adopt Ordinance #365 requiring the General Municipal Election to be consolidated with the Statewide General Election. AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Dauber and Councilmembers Hubbard and Tryon NOES: Mayor Johnson and Councilmember Siegel December 1, 1993 6. NEW BUSINESS 6.1 Introduction of Ordinance repealing sections of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code regarding bicycles (FIRST READING) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously to waive further reading of the ordinance and to introduce the ordinance repealing sections of the Los Altos Hills Municipal Code regarding bicycles. Council thanked Les Earnest, member of the Pathways, Recreation and Parks Committee, for all of his work on this issue. 6.2 Introduction of Ordinance of the Town of Los Altos Hills regarding animals (FIRST READING) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Tryon and passed unanimously to waive further reading of the ordinance. Council reviewed the ordinance before them and suggested several revisions. These included increasing the allowed number of dogs and cats to three from two; deleting the section on slaughter of animals; amending the section on nuisances by animals to include only dogs; amending Section 6-1.405 on impounding to include an enclosed area as well as a vehicle; and amending the section on apiaries to state that apiaries must be 1,000 feet away from pools and the City Manager may require the relocation of apiaries if he receives complaints. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dauber, seconded by Tryon and passed unaniously to introduce ordinance regarding animals including amendments made by Council. 7. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES. SUB -COMMITTEES. AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES 7.1 Pathways, Recreation and Parks Committee 7.1.1 Request for additions to Town Pathway Map for Handbook MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel, seconded by Tryon and passed unanimously to add Moon Lane and Almaden to Lucero Lane paths to the map being developed for the Town Handbook. December 1, 1993 Carol Gottlieb, Chairman - Pathways Recreation and Parks Committee, addressed the status of the pathways map. She explained that they had received a copy of the map but it was not as clear as it should have been in that you really could not tell which side of the roads the paths were on. They were in the process of making the map clearer and hoped to have it completed mid-January. The map will be dated and copyrighted. The Town will own the copyright. 7.2 Residential Design Guidelines Subcommittee Dauber reported that all changes had been sent to the consultant and a new page had been added on slope density. The document which will almost be complete when it comes back from the consultant will be sent at that time to the Council and the Planning Commission. 7.3 Town Handbook Subcommittee Tryon noted there were two issues she needed to discuss with Council. First, the picture to be used on the cover of the handbook. She had examples of the artist's renderings and also noted that photographs could be used. The other issue is the suggestion to use a small directory of phone numbers which could be inserted in the pocket with the flags and pathway map and which would be easily reprintable. Council agreed this was a good idea and also agreed that photographs should be used and they should stay with duo tone rather than four color. It was further agreed that the Griffin House would be used as a background picture. 7.4 Quarry Subcommittee Siegel reported that on November 30th a meeting had been held between staff and City and County representatives. The primary topic of conversation was the reclamation plan and its relation to the tentative subdivision map process. It was noted that once a tentative subdivision map was approved, the County would amend the reclamation plan to correspond with it so that there would be no conflict. 7.5 Water District Subcommittee The City Manager reported that the subcommittee had met to discuss options for the space needs issue. A request for proposals will be prepared to address space needs using the existing footprint (including the Heritage House). The Water District will also prepare a request for proposals and they will be sent to the December 1. 1993 same consultants. In response to an inquiry from Council, the City Manager noted that the lease with the Water District expires in June of 1994. Dauber believed the Town should let the Water District know what its plans were concerning the lease but it was agreed that additional information was needed before this could be done. 7.5 Packard Subcommittee There was no report from this subcommittee but Siegel did comment that he believed careful analysis should be given to the access issue from Altamont Road to this proposed project. 7.6 Composting Subcommittee Dauber reported that the price for the composters including tax, delivery to Town Hall and demonstration) would be $40. A questionnaire was being prepared and would be sent to those who have expressed an interest. The composters would probably be available for pick up at Town Hall the end of January and the pilot project should be completed about May. 8. STAFF REPORTS 8.1 City Manager 8.1.1 Solid Waste Franchise Agreement The City Manager reported that at the November 29th Special Meeting the contract with the Los Altos Garbage Company had been worked on by both parties and the agreement will be on the December 15th agenda for adoption. Prior to that the agreement will be reviewed by each attorney. 8.1.2 Data Base The City Manager reported that the Council subcommittee on the data base had met and interviewed representatives of the three companies who had submitted bids for this project. A recommendation will be on the December 15th agenda. Council then discussed what should be included in the data base. It should include the tax code, assessor parcel numbers, permit information, school district, water district, parcel history including such items as allowed development area, zoning violations, emergency December 1, 1993 neighborhoods. It was noted Council should agree on what fields of information would be included and Tryon suggested getting input from the Town's Standing Committee Chairmen. Dauber noted that local high school students were working on community service projects for school credit and perhaps some students could be hired to do the input once the program is in place. It was further noted that the City Manager would be the staff person with primary responsibility for this project. 8.1.3 Citizens Academy The City Manager noted that he had been advised by Captain Wilson of the Sheriff's Department that a new Citizens Academy was scheduled for January and Councilmembers were invited to attend. The academy was about twelve weeks long. 8.1.4 Library The City Manager reported that current and future funding of the libraries was being discussed. Several workshops were being scheduled to address the various concepts and options. 8.2 City Attorney 8.3 City Clerk 8.3.1 Report on Council Correspondence dated November 24, 1993 9. COUNCIL -INITIATED ITEMS 9.1 Caltrans Property on Arastradero (Councilmember Tryon) Tryon asked the City Attorney for a report on the development options for the recently sold Caltrans property on Arastradero. 9.2 Council Correspondence Policy (Councilmember Tryon) Tryon referred to the Council correspondence policy and asked if it was being followed. Johnson explained recent communications he had had with a committee member and noted that Council had received copies of the letters. Tryon noted that correspondence to Councilmembers whether sent to their homes or to Town Hall should be copied to all Councilmembers. December 1, 1993 %W 9.3 Work Crews (Councilmember Siegel) Siegel suggested the use of furlough work crews on certain projects in the Town and believed it was an appropriate use of Solid Waste Funds if supervision of such crews was necessary. Tryon commented that this had been discussed in the past and the use of such crews was thought to be permissible on major roads such as El Monte but not on the neighborhood streets. It was agreed to direct the City Manager and Director of Public Works to prepare a report on this issue addressing the types of labor available including juveniles, costs, supervision needed, etc. 9.4 Community Services Agency (Mayor Pro Tem Dauber) Dauber noted that she had been asked by Donna Bartelink to serve on the Community Services Committee. 10. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR 11. PUBLIC HEARINGS 11.1 Request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence, Lands of Yanez, 26879 Moody Road Luis Yanez, applicant, noted that he concurred with the staff's recommendation on this application but did ask that condition number three be deleted. This condition required the submittal and approval of a landscape planting plan prior to final inspection and release of occupancy permits. Mr. Yanez stated that there were already so many trees on the property that actually some may have to be removed as recommended by Wilsey and Ham. Council discussed this request but noted that in keeping with the approved process for all, Mr. Yanez could simply submit what existed on his property as his landscape plan. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously to approve the request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence at 26879 Moody Road, Lands of Yanez, subject to the conditions of approval as recommended by the Planning Commission. 11.2 Request for a Site Development Permit for a new residence, pool, spa and tennis court, Lands of Lohr, 24001 Oak Knoll Circle December 1, 1993 Steve Lohr, applicant, commented on the application before Council. Their clients preferred having both a pool and a tennis court and the style of the proposed house was Frank Lloyd Wright. They had designed the home so that the ridge line did not impact the neighbors and the visual impact was reduced. Mr. Lohr also addressed the issue of using the trees for screening. They believed if the house was moved down the hill they would lose the ability to tuck the house into the hill and the oak trees. Siegel addressed the issue of visual impact from Prospect. He believed it was an imposing two story structure and the option seemed to be whether the project would impact the two neighboring houses in the subdivision or the traffic on Prospect. Dauber and Tryon commented on lack of planning for needed development areas such as landings from french doors. They noted that there were doors from which there was no place to step except on dirt and inadequate access to usable recreational areas. Tryon commented that if everything went in they would be over allowed development area and she believed the allowed numbers were being pushed to the limit. She further believed that lowering the house vertically would solve the problem of the present design. Dauber suggested that the applicant bring in proof that they could fit in all of the hardscape. Hubbard commented on the alignment coming down Prospect. He also noted that Propsect got a lot of traffic and lights would constantly be going into the home. Steve Lohr, applicant, believed there was enough square footage that they could make the development work. He also addressed the siting of the tennis court, noting that it was now orientated north -south which was ideal so players did not face the sun. However, if moved it would be an east -west orientation which made the tennis court unusable. Steve Lohr and Jerry Lohr both agreed that they could lower the house a couple of feet and asked if Council would consider a continuance to allow them the opportunity to discuss this with their clients. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To concur with the applicant's request for a continuance of this hearing to the December 15th Council Meeting to allow them the opportunity to discuss redesign with their clients. kw December 1, 1993 %r 12. ADJOURNMENT MJ There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council Meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Dowd City Clerk The minutes of the December 1, 1993 City Council Meeting were approved at the December 15, 1993 City Council Meeting. December 1. 1993