HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/06/1988 (2) `r
CITY COUNCIL
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, January 6 , 1988
cc: Reel 189 , Tr. I , Side I , 583-end, Tr. I , Side II , 001-719
Mayor Tryon called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at
7: 25 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall .
A. ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Present: Mayor Tryon and Councilmembers Dronkert, Plummer, Siegel
and van Tamelen (van Tamelen arrived at 7 : 30 p.m. )
Absent: None
Staff: City Manager George Scarborough, City Attorney Frank
Gillio, Director of Public Works Bill Ekern and City
Clerk Pat Dowd
Planning
Comm: Mary Stutz
Press: Mary Fortney, Peninsula Times Tribune; De Tran, San Jose
Mercury
B. CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION - PINEWOOD SCHOOL - TREE PLANING
PROJECT:
This item was continued to the next meeting to allow representa-
tives from the school to be present to accept the certificate.
C. APPOINTMENT TO FINANCE COMMITTEE:
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Plummer, seconded by Dronkert
and passed unanimously by all members present to appoint Frank Lloyd,
12824 Brendel Drive, to the Finance Committee for a term of two years.
D. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Items D. 4 .d) and D. 4 .e) (City Manager)
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel , seconded by Dronkert and
passed unanimously by all members present to approve the balance of
the Consent Calendar, specifically:
D. CONSENT CALENDAR: (continued) :
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1. Approval of Warrants: $31, 293 . 07 (12/31/87)
$40, 979 . 47 (1/6/88)
2. Monthly Financial Report: Informational Item
3. Actions of the Planning Commission: approved the following:
a) LANDS OF PAO, 27636 Briones Court, FILE VAR #32-87,
request for variance to exceed the maximum floor area
for the lot by 1, 149 square feet or to increase over
the current non-conforming level by 373 square feet in
order to retain the existing garage
4. Resolutions for Adoption:
a) Resolution #1-88 setting the time and place of hearing
on proposed changes and amendments to the text of Chapter
1 of Title 10 of Los Altos Hills Municipal Code entitled
' Zoning Law of the Town of Los Altos Hills and concerning
adoption of a proposed negative declaration (concerning
number of hoofed animals allowed on a property)
b) Resolution #2-88 approving and authorizing
execution of addendum to private sanitary sewer main-
tenance agreement between the Town of Los Altos Hills
and Tod Properties, Inc. , Bas Homes, Inc. , and Robert
Melkonoff and Katherine S. Melkonoff , and ordering
recordation thereof
c) Resolution #3-88 accepting a certain easement deed for
Three Forks Lane (Mr. and Mrs. Robert Melkonoff)
Items Removed:
1. Resolutions concerning proposed Sewer Assessment District No. 11
The City Clerk noted that Mr. Philip Assaf of the law firm Sturgis ,
Ness, Brunsell and Sperry had prepared amended documents for Council
review and adoption.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dronkert, seconded by Siegel and
passed unanimously to adopt Resolution #4-88 approving boundary map
(Sewer Assessment District No. 11) and Resolution #5-88 accepting
report and setting hearing of protests (Sewer Assessment District No.
11) .
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E. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR:
Betsy Bertram, 11854 Page Mill Road, commented that she understood
Council had given permission to the Peninsula French American School
to hold a party at Westwind Barn in the spring. As a former member of
the Board of Westwind, Mrs. Bertram stated that she did not think this
was appropriate action. The Board had not been advised of this
request or approval and the event itself did not comply with the
conditional use permit for the barn or the ordinances of the Town. The
City Manager noted that there had been some miscommunication which
would be corrected. The School had been advised that the Council
approved of the event if the Board of Westwind Barn concurred that
they wanted to do it. It was understood that the School was to contact
the Barn directly. Another letter would be sent to the School
clarifying the situation. Mrs . Bertram suggested that Council agendize
the review and definition of requests from outside organizations for
use of facilities within the Town.
Dr. Howard Martin, 11666 Dawson Drive, presented pictures and
newspaper articles to the Council giving them an update of the
situation with the Neary Quarry and Hale Creek. Dr. Martin wanted to
call the Council ' s attention to the fact that Hale Creek was now
completely dry. Council thanked Dr. Martin for his report and noted
that the documents would be kept on file at Town Hall .
4111/ F. REPORT FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION:
Planning Caanissioner Stutz reported that the following items were
discussed at the 12/30/87 Commission meeting: 1) Lands of Wong, File
Var #15-87 - continued; 2) Lands of Pao, File VAR #32-87 - approved;
3) Lands of Eyvazov, Lot #30 - Dawson Drive and Lands of Collinson,
27500 Edgerton Road -- both applications denied. The draft housing
element was also discussed and the Commission recommended that the
Council adopt the Housing Element as revised and amended by the
Commission during the public hearing.
G. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. LANDS OF VIDINSKY, 24250 Hillview Road, appeal of Planning
Commission ' s decision to request right-of-way dedication
(continued from the last meeting)
Council had before than a staff report dated 12/8/87 which included the
recommendation that the request for road right-of-way be maintained.
Mrs . Vidinsky, applicant, referred to the comments she made on this
appeal at the last Council meeting. She reiterated her opinion that
the Town documents stated ' may require ' and urged reason and good
judgment to prevail . Again Mrs. Vidinsky noted that the lots in the
neighborhood were non-conforming and the pathway under discussion
would be only on their lot and would not go any further.
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G. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) :
Jan Farnsworth, 24220 Hillview Road, supported the statements made by
Mrs . Vidinsky.
Jean Struthers , Planning Commissioner, stated that the Commission was
carrying out the Town' s policies and she urged the Council not make a
decision based on economics or personalities.
van Tamelen and Siegel supported the Commission' s follow through of
Town policies. Siegel suggested that clarification of this particular
issue be discussed during the General Plan Review. van Tamelen stated
that granting an exception in this case would be precedent setting --
when would granting such exceptions stop. Dronkert and Plummer did
not agree with the need for a sixty foot right of way in this
particular case and commented that the Vidinskys had not been given
sufficient information. Tryon supported the comments made by Siegel
and van Tamelen but did not agree that sixty foot road right of ways
were necessary in every situation.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Plummer, seconded by Dronkert
and passed by the following roll call vote to grant the appeal of the
Planning Commission' s decision to request the right-of-way dedication
for Lands of Vidinsky, 24250 Hillview Road.
AYES : Mayor Tryon and Councilmembers Dronkert and Plummer
NOES: Mayor Pro Tem Siegel and Councilmember van Tamelen
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To agendize for the next Council Meeting an item
on the Circulation Element of the General Plan for development of a
written policy on the dedication of road right of ways and to consider
preparation of a street by street analysis , if possible.
2. LANDS OF NAGPAL, 28555 Matadero Creek Lane, request for an
additional 264 square feet of maximum development area, beyond
the limit allowed per conditions of approval of the tentative
map, for purpose of installing 520 square feet of solar panels
(continued from last meeting)
Council had before them the Town Planner ' s staff report dated 12/31/87
which included the recommendation that the increase be allowed in
order to encourage the use of solar energy. It was also noted that
notices had been sent to all of the neighbors as part of the regular
public hearing process. No comments had been received from any of
those noticed nor was anyone present to address the subject at the
public hearing.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by van Tamelen, seconded by Plummer
and passed unanimously to grant the request for an additional 264
square feet of maximum development area for the purpose of installing
520 square feet of solar panels , based on the staff ' s recommendation
and the lack of visual impact on the neighbors.
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G. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) :
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3 . LANDS OF MONTGOMERY, 27855 Black Mountain Road, appeal by Mr . Boris
Petrovchich of administrative action - request that visitors '
parking be moved to the other side of the driveway and that the
current location be returned to the original condition
Council had before them the City Manager ' s report dated 1/ 6/88 which
included background information on the original application and the
appeal and also included the recommendation that the appeal be denied.
The report noted that the permit authorizing the work at 27855 Black
Mountain Road had been validly and correctly issued and the property
owner had performed the work in accordance with the permit.
Mr . Boris Petrovchich, applicant, stated that the work done by the
Montgomerys on their property impacted him in the following areas:
aesthetics , quality of life and safety. Mr . Petrovchich described his
concerns about the ongoing drainage problem on the Montgomerys ' lot,
his concerns about erosion and his willingness to participate in a
solution to the problem. He stated that he had not been advised of
the plans the Montgomerys had for their property and now he had a view
of their parking lot out of his bedroom window.
Mr. James Dozier, attorney representing Mr. and Mrs . Montgomery,
stated that according to his clients they had attempted to show Mr.
Petrovchich their plans on several occasion and he had not appeared
kir interested. Mr . Dozier also questioned the concerns stated about
drainage in that the Montgomerys ' lot was below Mr. Petrovchich' s and
water did not flow uphill .
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Montgomery, owners of property at 27855 Black
Mountain Road, each addressed the Council expressing their dismay at
what was taking place. On several occasions they had attempted to talk
to Mr. Petrovchich regarding their plans and as stated before he did
not appear to be very interested in their project. They also outlined
some of the drainage problems they had experienced with their lot and
how they had corrected the situation. For Council ' s information they
had prepared a photo display of their property and had made copies of
a questionnaire they had distributed to their neighbors .
Mr. Ray Whitley, 26944 Elena, noted that part of his property was
contiguous to Mr. Petrovchich' s. He presented background information
to the Council on previous owners of the properties in question and
also commented on his concerns relating the drainage problems in the
area.
Mary Stutz , Planning Commissioner, stated that the drainage issue had
been discussed when the Montgomery property came before the Site
Development Committee. No objections had been raised at that time by
the neighbors of the Montgomery property.
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G. PUBLIC HEARINGS: (continued) :
Rosemary Meyerott, 27100 Elena Road, also commented on earlier owners
of the house under discussion and noted that they had had water
problems but had put in a drainage system around the house.
Dronkert commented that in her opinion the Montgomerys had addressed
the concerns raised by Mr . Petrovchich and they had undertaken a
tasteful , modest remodel .
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Dronkert, seconded by van
Tamelen and passed unanimously to deny the appeal by Mr. Boris
Petrovchich of the administrative action concerning 27855 Black
Mountain Road and his request that the visitors ' parking lot be moved
to the other side of the driveway and that the current location be
returned to the original condition.
*Mayor Tryon stated that the Montgomerys had worked with Mr. Petrovchich on the drainage
H. OLD BUSINESS: (AMENDED BY WUNCIL 1/20/88) issue.
i. Ordinance #319 amending Chapter 5 of Title 5 of the Los Altos Hills
Municipal Code concerning solicitation of posted premised (SECOND
READING)
PASSED BY CONSENSUS : To refer this item to the Safety Committee for
their review and recommendation to agendize for the first Council
Meeting in February.
Is, 2. Resolution # approving and authorizing execution of an agree-
ment for Town Engineer services between the Town of Los Altos Hills
and Wilsey and Ham
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Plummer, seconded by Dronkert
and passed unanimously to adopt Resolution #6-88 approving and
authorizing execution of an agreement for Town Engineer services
between the Town of Los Altos Hills and Wilsey 6 Ham with the
modification that the term of the contract be corrected to January 1,
1988 to December 31, 1988.
3 . Resolution # initiating the requested annexation of San Antonio
Hills (West)
The City Attorney explained that this item on the agenda needed to be
corrected. Rather than the above stated resolution, it was necessary
at this time to set a public hearing on the proposed resolution of
application to the Local Agency Formation Commission for the
annexation under discussion.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel , seconded by Plummer and
passed unanimously to amend the agenda by changing Item H. 3 to a
resolution setting a public hearing as recommended by the City
Attorney.
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H. OLD BUSINESS: (continued) :
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Siegel , seconded by Plummer and
passed unanimously to adopt Resolution #7-88 setting the time and
place of public hearing on the proposed resolution of application to
the Local Agency Formation Commission of Santa Clara County for the
annexation of contiguous inhabited territory commonly known as San
Antonio Hills (West) to the Town of Los Altos Hills.
4 . Letter from Barrie Freeman regarding barking dog public nuisance
Council had before them the City Manager ' s report dated 12/16/87 which
gave background information on the situation between Barrie Freeman
and his neighbors relating to their barking dogs.
Barrie Freeman, 26922 Dezahara, referred to the Town' s ordinances and
the CC&Rs of his subdivision. The constant barking of the neighbors '
dogs was in violation of these regulations. Mr. Freeman had contacted
the District Attorney' s office concerning this matter but they
declined to take any action on the situation.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS : To request the Mayor to write a letter to William
Lear, owner of the dog in question, asking that he meet with Barrie
Freeman and the City Manager in the hope of reaching a solution to the
problem.
L I . NEW BUSINESS:
�r 1. Adobe Creek Lodge Initiative Petition
a) Presentation, certification and consideration of initiative
petition regarding the Adobe Creek Lodge Initiative
Petition
The City Clerk read the certification received from the Registrar of
Voters which stated that the Adobe Creek Lodge Initiative Petition
contained 614 signatures of which 587 were found to be those of
registered voters in the Town. The City Clerk noted that at the time
the notice of intent to circulate the petition was filed, there were
5 , 393 registered voters in the Town. Therefore, the petition
contained valid signatures of at least 10% of the registered voters of
the Town.
The City Attorney stated that the Council had the options of adopting
the proposed ordinance or of submitting the proposed ordinance to the
voters at the April 12, 1988. He further stated that the proposed
ordinance before Council would amend the General Plan and the Housing
Element, would create a new zoning district and would rezone Adobe
Creek Lodge and the neighboring property. Once in place the proposed
ordinance would also allow any other property to get into the new
district.
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I . NEW BUSINESS: (continued) :
The Council discussed the initiative petition that had been
circulated, expressed serious concerns relating to how it actually did
relate to ' senior ' housing, how the stated requirements for senior
housing would indeed be enforced and how the proposed ordinance did
change the Town ' s zoning ordinance.
Dr. Howard Martin, 11666 Dawson Drive, stated that he thought the
title of the initiative was misleading. The title should say it was a
petition to change the zoning of the Town as it could not be
restricted to Adobe Creek. The City Attorney responded that the title
of the initiative could not legally be changed.
Sheri Emling, 11853 Murietta Lane, concurred with the opinions
expressed by Councilmembers that the initiative would indeed break the
Town' s zoning.
Judy Zurbriggen, 11800 Murietta Lane, stated that it was a Town-wide
issue, not just related to Adobe Creek. She also seriously questioned
the legal requirements to having ' senior ' housing on the property and
queried what would happen if the required 62 year old person living in
the ' senior' housing died or moved out. Who would see that the
requirements were enforced.
Stephen Gaither, 26200 Moody Road, discussed the issue of density as
thr addressed in his petition. He also referred to the Unruh Civil Rights
Act and his proposal for senior housing. Regarding the enforcement
issue which had been raised, he stated that the CC&Rs (conditions ,
covenants and restrictions) of the senior housing would be the vehicle
for enforcement of the requirements for senior housing. The City
Attorney, in response to this last comment, stated that the Town did
not enforce the CC&Rs of any subdivision in the Town.
b) Resolution # ordering an initiative ordinance sub-
mitted to the voters at the next regular municipal
election
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by van Tamelen, seconded by Siegel
and passed unanimously to adopt Resolution #8-88 ordering an
initiative ordinance submitted to the voters at the next regular
municipal election.
c) Resolution # amending Resolution #135-87 calling a
General Municipal Election
The City Attorney noted that since the initiative petition qualified,
it would be necessary to amend the resolution calling a General
Municipal Election by adding the Measure to be voted on to the ballot.
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I . NEW BUSINESS: (continued) :
L
Council discussed the wording of the Measure as prepared by the City
Attorney and also as prepared in a draft form by the Mayor.
Dr. and Mrs. Howard Martin, 11666 Dawson Drive; Lee Patmore, 27650
Central Drive and Betsy Bertram, 11854 Page Mill Road, each addressed
the Council with suggested word changes to the measure to be placed on
the ballot. Mrs. Bertram also offered to transcribe the tape of the
Council Meeting and suggested the transcription be placed in a Town
newsletter as a vehicle to inform all of the residents of this issue
before the Town.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Plummer, seconded by van Tamelen
and passed unanimously to adopt Resolution #9-88 amending Resolution
#135-87 calling a General Municipal Election with the following
wording for Measure B, the Adobe Creek Lodge Initiative:
Shall the Initiative Ordinance Amending the Zoning Law and General
Plan Housing Element of the Town of Los Altos Hills, creating a Senior
Residential Community (SRC) District, rezoning the parcels known as
Lands of Bellucci and Lands of Gaither (approximately 85 acres) to
this District, increasing the presently allowed housing density for
such parcels , allowing attached and clustered housing, reducing off-
street parking requirements, and permitting accessory uses and
structures , including non-commerical dining and social/recreational
activities , and allowing the rezoning of other properties to such a
Zoning District, be approved?
d) Notice in the matter of fixing time for submission of
arguments and rebuttal arguments on a city initiative
measure to be submitted at the General Municipal Election
to be held on Tuesday, April 12 , 1988 , in the Town of Los
Altos Hills
According to the Registrar of Voters Office, the deadline for receipt
of arguments with the City Clerk was 5 : 00 p.m. on Friday, January 15,
1988 and the deadline for receipt of rebuttal arguments was 5: 00 p.m.
on Monday, January 25 , 1988 .
The City Attorney stated that the City Council was responsible for the
argument against Measure B. While they could delegate the writing of
the argument to someone else, it would be their responsibilty to
approve it for the ballot. Should the Council not wish to write an
argument, there would not be one placed in the ballot.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To schedule an Adjourned Regular Meeting of the
City Council for 4 : 00 p.m. on Monday, January 11 , 1988 in the Council
Chambers at Town Hall to write the ballot argument against Measure B.
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I . NEW BUSINESS: (continued) :
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2 . Request from Pinewood School to keep activity board sign in their
parking lot
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To allow the request to keep the activity board
sign but to require that additional landscape screening be required in
the circular planter in front of the sign to obscure the billboard
from Fremont Road, while maintaining adequate and safe sight distance.
3 . Consideration of final draft contract with Sheriff ' s Department -
adopt Resolution
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To continue this item to the next Council
meeting.
J. OTHER BUSINESS :
1 . Reports from Standing Committees :
a) Community Relations Committee and Environmental
Design and Protection Committee
Dronkert asked that both of the above mentioned committees be advised
of the gift received from Mr. and Mrs. Ley for trees at the Heritage
House.
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2. Reports from Ad Hoc Committees:
a) General Plan Steering Committee
It was noted that the first meeting of the General Plan Steering
Committee was scheduled for Thursday, January 14, 1988 at 5: 00 p.m. in
the Council Chambers at Town Hall .
b) Ballot Argument -- April 12 , 1988 Election
PASSED BY CONSENUS : To appoint Siegel and van Tamelen to a Council
sub-committee to write the ballot argument against the Adobe Creek
Lodge Initiative.
K. STAFF REPORTS :
1. City Manager:
a) Acceptance of 1986-87 Audit
Council had received the 1986-87 audit and had before them the City
Manager ' s staff report dated 1/6/88 on the audit and the management
letter.
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K. STAFF REPORTS: (continued) :
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To accept the 1986-87 audit and to request that
the statement made on page nine of the audit that this was the first
year in the Town' s history that an unqualified auditor ' s opinion had
been received be placed in the Town ' s newsletter and sent to the
newspapers as a press release.
b) Report on City Contracts
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To continue this item to the next meeting.
2 . City Attorney:
a) Report on Williamson Act
Council accepted the City Attorney ' s report dated 12/22/87 on the
Williamson Act.
3 . Council Business :
a) Mayor:
b) Councilmembers :
1) van Tamelen: Nancy Lytle ' s Dinner
Ii/ van Tamelen noted that a pot luck party had been planned for Nancy
Lytle for Friday, January 15, 1988 at the Heritage House.
Councilmembers were asked to let her know if they could attend and
what they could bring.
L. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City
Council adjourned at 11: 00 p.m. to an Adjourned Regular Meeting
scheduled for Monday, January 11 , 1988 at 4 : 00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers at Town Hall .
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Dowd, City Clerk
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