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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/18/1987 `.. CITY COUNCIL TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills , California MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING Tuesday, August 18 , 1987 Mayor Tryon called the Special Meeting of the City Council to order at 7: 10 p.m. at the Fremont Hills Country Club, 12889 Viscaino Place, Los Altos Hills. A. ROLL CALL: Present: Mayor Tryon and Councilmembers Dronkert, Plummer and Siegel Absent: Councilmember van Tamelen Staff: City Manager George Scarborough, City Planner Nancy Lytle and City Clerk Pat Dowd Press : Mary Fortney, Peninsula Times Tribune; De Tran, San Jose ' kb, Mercury and Charles Halleck, Los Altos Town Crier B. PRESENTATION BY JOHN VIDOVICH - QUARRY HILLS DEVELOPMENT: The Town Planner presented a brief overview of the project, noting that the process would include the following: general plan amendment, prezoning, tentative map, urban service area and annexation. She further noted that EIP Associates had been contracted with to prepare an environmental impact report and there were three phases to this project: preparation of environmental assessment document, development of alternatives and preparation of environmental impact report. Public hearings would be held on both the draft and final environmental impact report levels. John Vidovich, DeAnza Properties, stated that his goal was to provide a first class development, consistent with the goals of the community. He was proposing to build eighty lots with a minimum each of one acre and to close the quarry and convert it into a lake or reservoir (not for recreational purposes) . While he realized that his proposal included excessive grading, he was requesting input from those involved as to what kind of grading would be acceptable. Mr. Vidovich also stated the following issues related to the proposed project: 250 acres of open space which would be controlled by the Town; private streets; new water system and preservation of trails. He stated that B. PRESENTATION BY JOHN VIDOVICH (CONTINUED) : Ihr he was willing to modify his plans but needed some direction to do this. Mr. Vidovich listed the following as possible positive aspects to this proposal : 1) quarry will be closed; 2) a lake will be in the quarry' s place; 3) if the property is annexed to the Town, the project will be under the control of the Town; 4) the water system for the Town will be better; and 5) property values will increase. Karl Tiefert, 10490 Albertsworth Lane, expressed his concerns about the proposed grading and stated his opinion that the trailer placed on the property by Mr. Vidovich was very offensive. Mr. David Anderson, 24696 Olive Tree Court, inquired about the visual impact of the houses proposed along the ridgetop. Mr . Ellis Catton, 11310 Magdalena, Mr. Russell Wilson, 11240 Magdalena Avenue and Dr. Howard Martin, 11666 Dawson Drive, each noted their concerns about the impact of this project on Hale Creek. Mr. Rein Luik, 10439 Lone Oak Lane, commented that it appeared that the open space referred to by Mr. Vidovich would be the steep areas while the development would take place on the flat areas of the property. Ms. Christine Cole, 23219 Ravensbury Avenue, expressed her concerns about the closing of High Meadow and the impact on trails and housing for horses. Mr. R.S. Cashman, 24925 Oneonta Drive, inquired whether Mr. Vidovich was owner/operator of quarry at this time and, if so, when did he plan to close it down. C. PRESENTATION BY EIP ASSOCIATES OF THE SITE ASSESSMENT FOR THE QUARRY HILLS DEVELOPMENT: Mr. Mark Trembley, Project Engineer, noted that the Environmental Assessment Study on the Quarry Hills Project had been completed and copies were on file at Town Hall . He noted that this document was an early warning tool ; it was not an environmental impact report. Mr. Trembley commented that each of the representatives present from EIP Associates would address the particular aspect of the report in which they were involved. After the presentation, a question and answer period would follow. Mr. Mark Trembley made the following comments concerning the geotechnical studies: no highly constrained areas, no massive landslide areas and no active faults. Regarding visual analysis , Mr. Trembley reported that there were high visual constraints regarding this project, especially south of the quarry. Mr. Don Dean reported on slope density stating that 71 of the proposed 80 lots do not meet the slope density formula. Mr. Dean further reported on noise and air quality by quoting from the summary sections of the report: ' . . .Before approval of the project, an acoustic survey should be performed to determine existing noise levels in the vicinity of the quarry. If the survey shows that existing noise -2- 8/18/87 C. PRESENTATION BY EIP ASSOCIATES (CONTINUED) : levels are incompatible with County and Town standards for residential land uses and that no noise abatement techniques can reduce noise to acceptable levels, the closing of the quarry should be made a condition of project approval . . . If the study shows excessive noise impacts which cannot be addressed by rerouting the proposed access roads, the only option available to control project-related traffic noise impacts may be reducing the number of units to be built. . . If air quality problems were shown to be probable (after certain testing) , mitigation measures such as redesigning project access roads or scaling down development density should be implemented. . . If after analysis of rock samples from the quarry, asbestos content was found to be large, project approval should be made contingent on the closing of the quarry. If asbestos content were small , mitigation measures such as watering crushing machinery and working surfaces during operation and wetting or covering departing quarry trucks should be adopted as mitigation measures. Mr. Brian Boxer reported on Land Use, Archaeological Resources and Vegetation and Wildlife. Regarding land use, he noted that city, county and State levels were all involved. The General Plan of the Town addressed the area as an open space preserve; the County gave it a hillside designation and at the State level it was in the Williamson Act. Presently there were four primary uses of the land under discussion: quarry ( legal non-conforming use) ; equestrian center, trailer to house security and recreational uses (joggers, equestrians, etc. ) . Mr. Boxer also commented that in conformance with the polices of LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commission) no county islands shall be allowed to be developed as a result of annexation. Regarding archaeological resources, no known prehistoric sites were known to be on the property. Concerning vegetation and wildlife, Mr. Boxer noted certain concerns related to some species. For example, a spring count may be needed regarding the wooly sunflower. The damsel fly and horned lizard also needed protection. He commented that grading along the ridgelines would be a problem for certain species. Ms. Jean Thompson reported on Traffic and Circulation. She noted the following: majority of the roads exceed the Town' s ordinances, the project exceeds the Town ' s ordinances regarding cul-de-sacs and the rural quality of the Town. Ms . Thompson further commented on the concerns relating to emergency vehicle access. Mr . Scott Edmondson addressed the issues of fiscal analysis and public services. The public services included police, fire, water , sewer, solid waste, schools and parks. Regarding development constraints concerning fiscal analysis , the following statement was included in the Environmental Assessment Study: ' The primary constraints which fiscal considerations would raise for the project would be whether the LaW anticipated costs incurred by public service providers would exceed the revenues anticipated by the project. ' -3- 8/18/87 C. PRESENTATION BY EIP ASSOCIATES (CONTINUED) : kir Mr. Mark Trembley summarized the Environmental Assessment Study for the Quarry Hills Project by stating that two-thirds to three-fourths of the property was highly constrained. However, he also noted that as stated in the Study, mitigation opportunities were available. During the Community Workshop scheduled after this Special Meeting, he would be distributing a questionnaire on project alternatives and would be discussing what these alternatives were for the property. Mr. Ellis Catton, 11310 Magdalena, commented that money received from change in Williamson Act status would not go to the Town and also noted that there were several wildlife species deserving of protection which were not included in the report. Mr. John Stabnow, 24877 Olive Tree Lane, reiterated what he had heard, specifically that 70 of the 80 proposed houses did not meet the Town' s slope density formula and that most the property was highly constrained. He expressed his concerns that Mr Vidovich would return with another proposal which may be better but still not appropriate for the area. Mr. Scott Overstreet, 23200 Encinal Court, expressed his concerns about the potential impact of this project on the easterly finger of Permanente Creek. He wanted assurance that this also would be addressed by EIP Associates. Mrs. Alma Wood, 12151 Stonebrook, inquired how deep the proposed lake was going to be and expressed her concerns about the safety factor. Mr . Ken Floyd, Sierra Club, also expressed concerns about the depth of the proposed lake and also the possible impact on Hale Creek. Mr. Charles Latady, 10933 Northcrest Lane, commented on Stonebrook Road, the stability of the soil to south and west of quarry and the reclamation plan. Mr. Brian Litt, representative from the County Planning Department, reported that the reclamation plan was currently under review and the County was working with Patton Brothers. Sara Byrne, 25562 Fernhill , discussed the historical background and signficance of the property under discussion. Cheryl Fike, 23170 Ravensbury Avenue, presented a petition signed by those in support of keeping the High Meadow Boarding Stable open at its present location. Mr . John Pavlovich, San Jose, representing Town property owners Jack and Pat Kava, inquired about the increase in truck activity if this project were to proceed. -4- 8/18/87 C. PRESENTATION BY EIP ASSOCITES (CONTINUED) : Ms. Christine Cole, 23219 Ravensbury, stated that she felt this project was a ridiculous violation of the Town' s ordinances . Mayor Tryon thanked the representatives from EIP Associates for their well presented and informative report on the Environmental Assessment Study. She noted that the Special Meeting would now be adjourned and the community workshop to discuss alternatives for the project would take place on an informal basis. F. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council adjourned at 9 : 15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Dowd, City Clerk 1111/ L -5- 8/18/87 COMMUNITY WORKSHOP - QUARRY HILLS DEVELOPMENT Tuesday, August 18, 1987 Fremont Hills Country Club Mr. Mark Trembley, Don Dean, Brian Boxer, Jean Thompson and Scott Edmondson, representatives from EIP Associates, commented on the following proposed project and four alternatives for the Quarry Hills Development: 1. Plan as it is now proposed. Eighty homes along the ridgetops , quarry reclaimed as a lake and homes around the lake. 2. Conforming alternative. As shown in the Town General Plan, open space along the ridgetops and low density residential , conforming to Town zoning and subdivision ordinances around the quarry. Quarry to be reclaimed. 3 . No project alternative. The County predicts the quarry to phase out in approximately 9 years. Very low density residential (approxi- mately one unit per 100 acres, maximum) or further quarrying on 1111/ other ridgelines would be allowed with use permit, according to County regulations. 4 . Open space or park alternative. Mid-Peninsula Open Space District has the property, minus the quarry, under study for potential acquisition. The County ' s Open Space Task Force 2020 has ranked the property ninth in their list of priorities for acquisition. 5. Mitigation alternative. A General Plan amendment to allow residen- tial development throughout the property, with fewer homes on the site, lots which comply with subdivision and zoning ordinance requirement, less roads , and a site plan which would mitigate the most significant impacts of the project as it is now. A discussion period followed during which several questions were raised regarding the various options. A questionnaire was distributed by EIP Associates asking those present to prioritize the alternatives and to include any comments on these or other possible alternatives for the project. These questionnaires would also be available at Town Hall if anyone wanted additional copies and should be returned to the Town Planner no later than August 21 , 1987. Notes prepared by Pat Dowd, City Clerk -- August 28 , 1987 Distribution: City Council , City Manager, Town Planner, EIP Associates and file