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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/01/1992 Minutes of a Regular Meeting April 1, 1992 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council Meeting Wednesday, April 1, 7:15 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road 1. CALL TO ORDER,ROLL CALL, AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Hubbard called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 7:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Mayor Hubbard and Councilmembers Casey, Johnson and Tryon Absent: Councilmember Siegel Staff: City Manager, Les M. Jones II; City Attorney, Sandy Sloan; Town Planner, Linda Niles; Director of Public Works, Jeff Peterson and City Clerk, Pat Dowd. Press: None 2. APPOINTMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS 3. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT Planning Commissioner Comiso reported on the Planning Commission's decision to approve the four planning items on the Consent Calendar and also noted that the joint meeting scheduled for the 29th was agreed to by the Commission and they would be submitting items for discussion to Linda. On this subject, the Mayor asked Councilmembers to give him any items they wished to be discussed at the meeting. 4. CONSENT CALENDAR Items Removed: 4.1 - minutes of March 4 and March 18 Regular Meetings (Tryon) MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Hubbard, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar, specifically: April 1, 1992 1 4.1 Approved Minutes: March 11, 1992 (Special Meeting) March 18, 1992 (Adjourned Regular) 4.2 Approved Warrants: $45,354.50 (3/18/92) 4.3 Declined To Review the following Planning Commission Actions at Its Meeting on March 25, 1992 : 4.3a Lands of Io, 13831 La Paloma Road: request for a Site Development Permit for an attached second unit, addition and landscape/ hardscape 4.3b Lands of Pering, 27744 Via Ventana: request for a Site Development Permit for a garage addition, driveway, decking and hot tub 4.3c Lands of Sandman, 26545 Purissima Road: request for a Site Development Permit for an addition/remodel 4.3d Lands of Yung, 13880 Campo Vista Lane: request for a Site Development Permit for a major addition 4.4 Adopted Resolution #5-92 Designating the City Manager as being !, Responsible for Administering the Town's Weed Abatement Procedures 4.5 Adopted Resolution #6-92 Designating Santa Clara County as Local Enforcement Agency for the Town (for Solid Waste) 4.6 Authorized Pathways Recreation and Parks Committee to send a letter to the Palo Alto Planning Department asking to be advised when Esther Clark Property comes in for subdivision 4.7 Adopted Resolution #7-92 electing to continue to be subject to Meyers- Geddes State Employees' Medical and Hospital Care Act and fixing the employer's contribution at an amount greater than that prescribed by Section 22825 of the Government Code 4.8 Proclaimed: Foster Parent Recognition Week: May 10-16, 1992 Foster Care Awareness Month, May 1992 4.9 Introduced Ordinance #351 Regarding Noticing for Public Hearings 4.10 Approved Change Order ($17,049.99) for Completion of the Taaffe Road Construction Improvements Project April 1, 1992 2 It was agreed that the items removed would be discussed at the end of the meeting. 5. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Elayne Dauber, 27930 Roble Alto, reported that at the corner of Page Mill and Arastradero there were several real estate signs which were in violation of the Town's sign ordinance. It was agreed staff would look into this and have the situation corrected. Derek Van Alstine, referred to the possibility of a new ordinance on eaves and inquired whether one might be in place by the time the project he was working on in Town (the Sandman project) would be in the construction phase. Tryon reported that the sub-committee on this subject had met but the process would probably take some time. She suggested the applicant apply for a variance. It was further agreed that the issue of eaves would be considered before other matters the sub-committee would be addressing. Ed Emling, representing the Los Altos Hills Horsemens' Association, invited all Councilmembers to their opening show on April 26th at the Town Ring. He further noted that they were working closely with the Little League. There was a common calendar between the two groups and a positive atmosphere. He also commented that he would be bringing a letter to the Council for their 4/15/92 meeting asking ` them to address the parking issue at the Ring, the removal of a stump, and the `• design for a horse warm-up area. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7.1 Amended EIR Contract for Budget Augment with STA, Inc. for Completion of EIR, Lands of Eshner (HCW and Associates, Inc.), Altamont Road -- Reso # MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously by all members present to adopt Resolution #8-92 approving an amendment to the agreement for consultant services among the Town of Los Altos Hills, HW & Associates Investment Company and STA, Inc 8. NEW BUSINESS 8.1 Review of Draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for Preparation of a Town of Los Altos Hills Handbook of Residential Design Guidelines April 1, 1992 3 Elayne Dauber, 27930 Roble Alto, referred to a study done earlier by the firm of Friedman Tung and Bottomly and asked if there was any connection between that study and this project. Mrs. Dauber was advised that the information obtained in that study would be one of several materials used in the preparation of this handout. Hubbard noted that the City of Saratoga had a similar handbook in use and he suggested attaching a copy of it to the RFP. Tryon noted that there were several examples available and she suggested attaching more than one example so a bidder did not believe there was only one format being requested. Casey referred to the section on product, timing and cost on page three and believed that the document should make it as clear as possible what an applicant could do in the Town. She believed there had been too many cases in the last six months where applicants had gotten mixed signals. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To approve the following changes to the draft RFP dated 3/18/92 on the handbook of residential design guidelines: page 1, first paragraph change "housing turn over" to "rebuilding of older homes"; page 1, second paragraph delete "and expensive"; page 2, first paragraph add "General Plan" before"Zoning"; page 3, section on product, timing and cost: insert the following after the first sentence: "Consultants will also attend committee meetings as necessary. (The committee will include two Councilmembers, two Planning `, Commissioners, staff and the consultant.); change the words "do's and don't? to "preferred and not preferred"; and change the word "prepared" on line four to "that can be read and processed". Edwina Comiso, Planning Commissioner, asked if two Commissioners had been appointed to the committee and was advised that no appointments had been made to the committee as of this date. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the draft RFP for preparation of a Town Handbook of Residential Design Guidelines including the changes approved by Council at this meeting and to direct staff to go to bid on the project. 8.2 Review of Standard Conditions of Approval for Site Development Projects Council had before them the Town Planner's staff report requesting review, comment and possible modification to the standard conditions of approval for site development projects. fir April 1, 1992 4 Edwina Comiso, Planning Commissioner, referred to the Council's suggestion of amending condition #9 to include repair of damage to public and private roads and driveways. She commented that it could be difficult to determine who did the damage. She also noted that she had asked that the issue of landscape maintenance agreements be agendized for the joint meeting on the 29th. Johnson stated that he believed it should be incumbent upon the owner to advise the Town of damage done to their property. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously by all members present to make the following modifications to the Standard Conditions of Approval for Site Development Permits: condition #3, change 'approved by staff' to 'chosen by the applicant'; condition #4 should read: "Prior to final inspection and release of occupancy permits a landscape planting plan must be submitted to and approved by the Site Development Committee. If a tree was removed to accommodate construction or if a tree is damaged or destroyed during construction, it may be required to be replaced. The replaced tree shall be equal in size to the removed or damaged tree up to a maximum 24" box size tree. The Committee may require a bond, landscape maintenance agreement or other security to assure that the approved landscape is planted and maintained."; condition #5 should read: "Prior to beginning any grading operation, all significant trees are to be fenced at the dripline. The fencing shall be of a material and structure to clearly delineate the dripline. Town staff must inspect the fencing and the trees to be fenced prior to commencement of grading. The fence must remain throughout the course of construction. No storage of equipment, vehicles or debris shall be allowed within the driplines of these trees."; and condition #9, should read "Repair any pathway damage and damage to public or private roads or driveways prior to the final inspection and release of occupancy permits." 8.3 Consideration of a Policy Regarding Extension Requests on Site Development Approvals The Town Planner, in her staff report dated 3/18/92, asked for direction from Council on the issue of granting extensions on site development approvals. She noted that in the last several months she had received approximately eight requests for extensions and the reasons being given were economic and based on the recession. The Planner asked Council what they considered a reasonable extension for approved projects. April 1, 1992 5 Council discussed the pros and cons of extensions being granted for longer than `, two year periods. Concerns were expressed about such extensions as ordinances often changed. Understanding was also expressed about the economy and it was agreed that allowing an applicant the option of requesting another extension from Council was appropriate. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Johnson and passed unanimously to provide staff with the following direction regarding extension requests on site development approvals: Staff can grant a one-year extension. Beyond two years (the original permit plus one extension), the applicant would have to go to the Council for approval. Within a two to three month period after expiration of an approved site development permit, staff can grant an extension. Extensions would be given for one year from date of expiration. Mr. Noghrey, 27870 Fawn Creek Court, inquired about his request for an extension. He noted that he had a lot in New York which had not sold and had already received one extension. Council noted that since this was beyond the two-year period, he would have to request a further extension from Council. Since Mr. Noghrey had stated that he was unavailable for the next Council Meeting, Council agreed this request could be heard at the May 6th Council Meeting. 9. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES, AND COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES 9.1 Pathways Recreation and Parks Committee 9.1.1 Request for a Council Policy Statement on Spraying for Poison Oak in Byrne Preserve Council had before them a request from the Pathways Recreation and Parks Committee for the Town to adopt a responsible spraying program for the Preserve so that the trails in the Preserve could be kept in a usable condition. Dot Schreiner, Chairman - Pathways Recreation and Parks Committee, explained their request and also gave some background information to the Council on the issue. Memorandums on this subject had been prepared by Bill Ekern and Tom Frutchey in August and December of 1990. Work at (kW April 1, 1992 6 lir one time had been done by the California Conservation Corps and efforts had been made to kill the star thistle. Mrs. Schreiner noted that Jim Stout had been in charge of the spraying project in Town for a long time and she suggested a responsible professional program be implemented in the Preserve. Tryon stated that it was necessary to spray but hand cutting needed to be done first. The area must be cleared and then sprayed; the roots must be kept intact. She believed it was an issue of public safety to make the Preserve safe. Johnson did not believe the Council was in a position to develop a program at this meeting. He suggested staff meet with Jim Stout and work together on formulating a policy for approval by the Council. Casey was concerned that this might be a controversial issue and believed those against spraying the Preserve should have the opportunity to be heard. She was advised that there had been very few comments against the proposal to spray. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously to authorize the City Manager to institute a responsible program for the removal of poison oak in Byrne Preserve including the use of spraying. 9.1.2 Slippery Driveways in Town PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To continue this item to the next Council Meeting. 10. STAFF REPORTS 10.1 City Manager 10.2 City Attorney 10.3 City Clerk 10.3a Reports on Council Correspondence dated 3/13/92 and 3/27/92 PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To agendize the letter from Avi Meyers for the Joint Meeting on 4/29/92 and to agendize the letter from Supervisor Dianne McKenna for the 4/15/92 Council Meeting. April 1, 1992 7 Concerning the letter from Christine Cole, the Town Planner reported that she was working with Ms. Cole on resolving the issue raised by her neighbor. 11. COUNCIL-INITIATED ITEMS 11.1 Request for Appointment of a Council Sub-Committee on Architectural Control (Councilmember Casey) PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To continue this item to the next meeting for discussion by the full Council. Casey also asked that the title be changed from "Architectural Control" to "Design Review Board". 11.2 Request for a Joint Meeting with the City Council and the Los Altos County Fire Protection District Commission on Thursday, May 14th (Hubbard) PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To schedule a joint meeting with the City Council and the Los Altos County Fire Protection District Commission for Thursday, May 14th at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall to discuss items of mutual interest. 11.3 Debate on Regional Government Tryon commented that she had asked by the Santa Clara County Manufacturing Group to join a debate on the issue of regional government. Tryon asked Council if they had any objections to this. Council discussed this matter, noting that the Town had taken a position on this issue and Councilmember Tryon would be speaking for herself on the issue although it would be recognized that she was a member of the Los Altos Hills City Council. 11.4 ABAG Hubbard reported on the ABAG meeting he recently attended. The controversial issue of regional government was discussed. Hubbard noted that they did not reject the bill entirely but sent it back to committee for more review. He would provide a recap of the meeting to Council. 11.5 Items Removed from Consent Calendar: 11.5.1 Approval of Minutes: March 4, 1992 Regular Meeting bar April 1, 1992 8 (1111, MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the minutes of the March 4, 1992 Regular City Council Meeting with the following corrections: page 7, Item 9.1.1, third paragraph should read: "Councilmembers discussed the committee's recommendation of $250 per month as opposed to the possible $300 per month ($150 month salary plus up to $150 per month expenses.) Some of the issues raised were the amount of salary per month, what expenses could be reimbursed and payment ($20 per meeting) for attendance at certain meetings at outside agencies. A discussion also followed on the reimbursement policy regarding Planning Commissioners." and page 8, insert the following after the roll call vote on the motion: "Casey voted no because the increase in salary was not all inclusive of local expenses. Casey felt that the raise should include all local expenses." MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Tryon, seconded by Hubbard and passed unanimously by all members present to approve the minutes of the March 18, 1992 Regular City Council Meeting with the following correction: page 7 roll call vote should read: AYES: Mayor Hubbard and Councilmembers Johnson and Siegel and NOES: Mayor Pro Tem Tryon and Councilmember Casey 12. ADJOURNMENT There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectful cmitted, Patricia Dowd City Clerk The minutes of the April 1, 1992 City Council Meeting were approved at the April 15, 1992 Regular City Council Meeting. April 1, 1992 9