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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/01/1990 Minutes of an Adjourned Regular Meeting November 1, 1990 Town of Los Altos Hills City Council and Planning Commission Meeting Wednesday, November 1, 1990, 7:00 P.M. Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Mayor Siegel called the Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council and the Planning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Present: Mayor Siegel and Councilmembers Casey, Hubbard and Tryon and Planning Commissioners Carico, Comiso, Jones, Noel (arrived at 7:30 p.m.) and Pahl Absent: Councilmember Johnson and Commissioners Ellinger and Stutz Staff: City Manager Thomas Frutchey; Director of Public Works Bill Ekern; Planning Director Ann Jamison; and City Clerk Pat Dowd Press: None Hubbard reported on the sub-committee meeting held on rebuilding/building out. The committee decided that they would look at fees for major remodels, at what other cities did in cases of fire or earthquake, and maximum floor areas and maximum development areas. The concept of a maximum build out was a low priority of the committee. The modification of the site development committee, neighborhood compatibility and non-conforming structures were issues that the committee did not plan to address at this time. The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, November 27th. November 1, 1990 1 it 2. Planning Commission Work Program Siegel raised the issue of the Town's housing element and noted that the Town was not in compliance with the State on this issue. Tryon stated that she believed the revision of some of the other portions of the Town's General Plan were a higher priority than the Housing Element, since the Housing Element had been revised more recently. It was suggested that the Planning Commission appoint a sub- committee to work on the Housing Element. Another issue raised was the agreement with John Vidovich regarding the Quarry Project which included a mining element in the General Plan. Tryon stated that she would really like to see a schedule of the Commission's work program and she would like to receive input from the City Attorney regarding the Housing Element. Mr. Ken Pasuof, Boulder Creek, stated that he did not believe the elements of the General Plan could be looked at separately. They should all be reviewed together. He also suggested Santa Cruz as a good source for an example of a mining element. IIIW PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To establish the following schedule for the Planning Commission's work program: housing element, Quarry Hills and General Plan Review. On the subject of handouts, it was noted that the Commission had reviewed several handouts and they were now being worked on by staff. They will be brought to Council in the near future. 3. A Review of Selected Houses Constructed in Town Over the Past Several Years Councilmembers and Commissioners had received a list of several houses which had been constructed over the past several years and discussed what lessons could be learned to help improve decision- making in the future. Tryon commented that she believed the opportunity to condition projects was at the time of site development and subdivision. She did not believe the General Plan and ordinances were being adhered to. Tryon specifically brought up the Beeson project on Page Mill as an example. November 1, 1990 2 The issue of increasing setbacks was discussed and it was noted that it depended on the size of the lot and the house. Also discussed was the issue of requiring models of a project. The Planning Director explained the process of photo montages which were quite beneficial in that they could show a project from all views. Whether or not to require such photo montages at site analysis was discussed. Mr. Ken Pastrof, Boulder Creek, believed that incentives to applicants should be considered with the goal of getting the best projects for everyone concerned. Mrs. Denise Quattrone, San Carlos, did not agree with requiring models as they would not show the impact on the neighborhood. For their home in the Town they had used balloons. She believed a house should be looked at more globally and its visual impact should be addressed. Siegel raised the issue of color and landscaping. He noted that color approval did not always turn out as hoped because an applicant could repaint the house. Regarding landscaping, when an applicant should be required to landscape was also discussed. Tryon stated that she thought there should be watering programs to save the trees and also suggested that trees be planted on Dawson. Hubbard commented that the Fire Commission encouraged residents not to have foliage too close to the house for fire safety. Pahl suggested maps be plotted to show `sensitive lots' as it seemed difficult to define hilltop/ridgeline lots. Siegel noted that at site development a house could be limited to one story. Comiso addressed site analysis and recommended it be done by the Planning Commission. Other issues discussed were large homes on large lots with no visual impact; impact of projects on neighborhoods; and importance of sense of community. 4. A Review of the Current Development Review and Approval Process and Possible Improvements Councilmembers and Commissioners discussed the process of site analysis and whether or not it should be mandatory and whether it November 1, 1990 3 should be done by staff or by the Planning Commission. It was noted that it was important to get to owners early and that site analysis should be a positive first step for someone approaching the Town with a project. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To appoint Hubbard and Tryon to a sub- committee of the Council to develop a proposed site analysis policy for Council review. Councilmembers and Commissioners also discussed the composition of the Site Development Committee and the suggestion that it be composed of two Councilmembers and two Commissioners. One other suggestion was that this new Site Development Committee would conduct the site analysis on a project. 5. Presentations from the Floor 6. Adjournment There being no further new or old business, the meeting was adjourned at 411/ 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Dowd City Clerk The minutes of the November 1, 1990 Adjourned Regular Meeting were approved at the December 5, 1990 Council Meeting. November 1, 1990 4