HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/29/1986 CITY COUNCIL
TOVNN OF IAS ALTOS HUTS
26379 Fremont Road
Ins Altos Hills, California
MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGUTAR MEETING
Wednesday, January 29, 1986
cc: Reel 174, Tr. II, Side II, 123-end
Mayor Dronkert called the Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council to order
at 7:35 p.m. in the Council Chatters at Town Hall.
A. POLL CALL AMID PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Present: Mayor Dronkert and Councilmamhers Allison, Fuhrman and Rydell
Absent: Councilor van Tclmmelen
Staff: City Manager George Scarborough, City Attorney Frank Gillio, City
Engineer Michael Enright, City Planner Nancy Lytle and City Clerk
Pat Dad
Planning
Comm Arthur Iachenbnich
Press: Jon Baker, San Jose Mercury; Mike McDevitt, Los Altos Town Crier
B. APPOINTMENTS TO THE PLANNING Ct4ISSION, ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN AND PROTECTION
NMIITTEE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE:
Mr. James Flack, 13070 Alta Lane South, camentei that he had the time to devote
to working on the Camussron and would also be interested in serving on other
committees as he wanted to becnne more involved in mmunity activities.
POTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Allison, seconded by Rydell and passed
unanimously by all members present to appoint Marc Kaufman to the Planning
Camnission for a term of four years.
Mayor Dronkert thanked all of those who had applied for the Planning Commission.
She noted that there were four openings on the Environtntal Design and Protection
Committee and, with Mr. Kaufman's appointment to the Commission, there were now
two openings on the Safety Camni.ttee. Regarding the Envimrarental Design and
Protection Committee, Mayor Dronkert noted that two former cnTnittees had been
merged to form this oaanittee, sf.V.ifically Environmental Design Parks & Recreation
and Pollution Control. Due to different priorities of the two oannittees, the
Mayor suggested forming a Pollution Control.Task Force and the appointment ut of a
representative from this task force to serve on the Environmental Design and
Protection Committee. Regarding Safety, the Mayor noted that an additional
application had been received; however, due to a meting conflict the applicant
was unable to attend this meeting.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: 1b direct the Mayor to write a letter to the manbers of
the former Pollution Control Committee advising than of the formation of a Pollution
Control Task Force and requesting their selection of a representative to serve on
46, the Ehviromanutal Design and Protection Cimmnittee.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTE'S - January 29, 1986
B. APPOINI'MEN1S TO THE PLANNING CoOMMISS1ON, ENVIROMENPAL DESIGN AND MuinTION
( coE mvala AND SAFETY OONBUTTEE: (continued) :
t/ M7rION SELUtIDID AND CARRIED: Moved by Rydell, seconded by Allison and passed
unanin usly by all members present to appoint the following four residents to
the Environmental Design and Protection Committee for two year terms: James
Flack, Janes Jenson, Betsy Leight and Leda Patmore.
Elizabeth Bertram, 11854 Pare Mill Road, reiterated her interest in serving
on the Safety Caimittee and- asked that Council not postpone this decision
until the next meeting. She noted that she would be attending emergency
nanagarent classes in the near future and would very much like to go as the
representative of the Town.
M7PION SECOND D AND CARRIED: Moved by Flihrman, seconded by Rydell and passed
unanimously by all matters present to appoint Elizabeth Bertram and Ruth
Bunman to the Safety Committee for two year terms.
C. SPECIAL ORDERS:
1. Consideration of proposed height and bulk guidelines for urgency Ordinance
#300 of the City of the Town of Ins Altos Hills adopting as an urgency
matter the second extension of Ordinance #292 as previously extended by
Ordinance #295.
The Staff Planner reviewed the formua options for the urgency ordinance
guidelines as presented in the City Manager's staff iepirt dated 1/24/86.
Both Fbimula 1 and 2 included guidelines for height, maxi,mmt development area
and adjusted floor area. Each also included a definition of floor area. Each
formula eliminates the site circle slope and is more restrictive from the
existing ordinance for non-conforming lots since it eliminates the "Grandfather
Clause". The definition of floor area and adjusted floor area for Formula 1
is as follows: The term "Floor Area" shall mean the horizontal area of the
several floors of all buildings, including garage space, treasured frau the
exterior of the outside walls. That portion of attics, basements and similar
areas are considered floor area when the distance frau floor to ceiling is
6 feet or greater. Floor area where the verticle clearance frau floor to
ceiling is 16 feet or greater is counted twice. The term "Adjusted Floor Area"
shall mean any floor area as defined above. In addition that floor area which
overlays any other floor area shall be counted twice. The definition of floor
area for Formula 2 is as follows: The term "floor area" shall mean the horizontal
area of the several floors of all buildings, including garage space, measured
frau the exterior of the outside walls. That portion of attics, basements
and similar areas are considered floor area when the distance frau floor to
ceiling is 6 feet or greater. Floor area where the verticle clearance frau floor
to ceiling is 16 feet or greater is taunted twice. (For reference complete
copies of both Formulas are on file at Town Hall.)
Loren Nelson, Gerard Development Corporation, commented on the impact each
formula would have on two lots they own in Tann. He suggested that both formulas
be given more consideration and not acted on by the Council tonight.
icen Pastrof, Bob Owen Hares, questioned the 6' attic space in Formula 2 and also
�r wondered if this formula would not promote an architectural syle much like business
parks. Relative to the properties they owned in Town, they supported Formula 1.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - January 29, 1986
C. SPECIAL ORDERS: Prcqused Guidelines for urgency ordinance (continued) :
it Mr. Garth Pickett, 24555 Bella-Laden, rated that on his lot there Has a
dramatic decrease of maxi = development area with the elimination of the
site circle, svecifically a decrease of 1,800 square feet) . Mr. Garth was
in favor of a maximal development area for aesthetic reasons and to prevent
over development. Hbuever, he did not feel that the formulas before Council
treated all residents in a fair and equiteh1 a manner and he asked that the
present guidelines remain in place.
Betsy Leight, 14200 Sholes Court, expressed concerns about the time frame
involved in changing the Town's ordinances. She was concerned about people
uho moved into lbwn with plans for certain allowable developrents and then
were subjected to a change in the ordinances. The Mayor cemented on the
procedure involved for adoption of an ordinance, including the public hearing
phase.
The Council, staff and Camassioner Labhenbruch discussed the proposed formulas
i and considered certain examples. Particular emphasis and clarification was
placed on the issue of floor area. It was agreed that a staff report would be
prepared for the 2/19/86 Council meeting clarifying the matter of floor area'
as it related for Formula 2.
Fuhrman requested a decision on these guidelines be postponed to the next
Council meeting to allow for more tune to review the many cements that had
been made during the nte*iTg. Dronkert noted however that these were 'guidelines'
and in her opinion, after hearing additional input from the public and the staff
lir and Commissioner Lachenbruch, it was appropriate for Council to take action.
MITION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Allison, seconded by Rydell and passed
unanimously by all members present to accept the staff's recommendation and
adopt Fbrmila 2 as the guidelines for reviewing projects under the Urgency
Ordinance with the provision that staff prepare a r.epairt clarifying the issue
of attics. (A copy of Formula 2, as adopted, is on file at Tbwn Hall.)
M FlON SECONDED AFD CARRIED: Mewed by Dronkert, seconded by Allison and passed
-unanimously by all members present to amend the definition of floor area for
Formula 2 to state that the distance from floor to ceiling is 8' instead of 6' .
D. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Report on Secondary Dwellings - Simplification of Procedures
The City Manager referred to a revised administrative definition of secondary
dwelling units for Council's consideration. Commissioner Lachenbruch asked if
the definition was in line with the present ordinance on secondary dwellings.
It was agreed the City Attorney Hould review the definition and ordinance and
report back at a later meeting.
Marc Kaufman, 14100 Donelson Place, asked if the concept of a separate entrance
had been considered.
lir Ms. Millie Saviano, 12620 Corte Madera Lane, stated that she thought the two
kitchens would be difficult to enforce; many homes in the Hills had 'fccd
preparation centers' .
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - January 29, 1986
D. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Secondary Dwellings (continued) :
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To adopt the following as an administrative definition
for secondary dwelling units: Secondary dwelling units shall include any building
detached from the primary residence which has a roan vthich could reasonably be
used as a bedroom, plumbing for a toilet (i.e. 3" waste pipe) and a sink.
Garages and stables containing toilets and sinks shall not be considered
secondary dwellings provided they have no other characteristics of a living unit.
Secondary dwelling units attached to the primary dwelling shall continue to be
defined by the presence, within the total building, of at least two kitchens
and a separate entrance.
E. SPECIAL REPORTS:
1. Reports frau Standing CO mittees:
2. Reports from AS Hoc Committees:
3. Comments frau the COuncil:
a) Dronkert - Ins Altos Hills' 30th Anniversary
Mayor Dronkert thanked the local newspapers for the lucent coverage on the
Town's 30th Anniversary, especially the excellent articles in the Tann Crier.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To request the Community Relations Cannittee to plan a
7 reception concurrent with the Heritage House opening to celebrate the Town's
30th Anniversary.
b) Dronkert - 'Initiative Information Campaign'•
Dronkert reported that she had received a communication frau Mayor O'Tcole of
Sunnyvale requesting the Town's participation in an 'initiative information
campaign' whidi would, in part, provide information to the media about the lora)
initiatives and their affect on the local cities.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To direct the Mayor to represent the Tom on the 'initiative
information campaign'.
c) van Tamelen - Camunity Calendar
Dronkert, reporting for Councilmedter van Tamelen who was out of Tum, referred
to a community calendar which was being formulated by the Parks and Recreation
Department of Los Altos. It was suggested this world be a worthwhile endeavor
for the 1trwn to participate in and it was agreed that the Mayor would call
Ins Altos Recreation Director Bob Rayl for additional information.
d) van Taml.en - Community Service Agency
Allison, reporting for Councilnanber van Tamelen who was out of Town, reported
that at a recent meeting of the Agency the issue of retaining race management
( services in lroa) areas was discussed.
tor MITION SECONDEDAbd) CARRIED: Moved by Allison, seconded by Euhlmvn and passed unani-
mously by all members present to retain the case management services for the
Carrunity Services Agency in local areas.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - January 29, 1986
E. SPECIAL REPORTS: 3. Garments from the Council (continued) :
e) Dronkert - League of California Cities Peninsula Division
Dronkert reported that she and Mayor Pro Ten F1,hrman had attended the recent
Peninsula Division nesting of the Tom in Foster City. The program focused
on volunteerism and was quite interesting although it was a Huth more structured
volunteer program than was possible in the lbwn.
f) Dronkert - Cities Schools Ad Hoc Camuttee
Dronkert n.eivrted that she had attended the 1/24/86 meeting of the Cities
Schools Ad Hoc Cam,ittee meeting which included representatives fran the
school districts and the cities and was quite informative.
g) Dronkert - Transportation/Housing Issues
Dronkert referred to recent articles in the 1/28/86 issue of the San Jose
Mercury which addressed the option of building more housing closer to employment
rather than focusing on mass transportation.
F. STAFF - REPORTS, CORFOISPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. City Manager:
a) 1984-85 Audit Report
`, MY1'ION SEMNDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Allison, searded by Fuhnnan and passed
unanisrusly by all members present to accept the 1984-85 Audit Report.
b) Political Signs
Council and staff discussed the Town's political sign ordinance and the difficulties
involved in administering said ordinance. The City Attorney further noted that
due to legislation and the first anerdnent rights it was very difficult to enforce
a political sign ordinance; however, he recnme ded keeping the ordinance mw in
place.
MIrION SECONDED ADD CARRIED: Moved by Dronkert, seconded by Allison and passed
unanimously by all members present to stipulate that the size of political signs
shall be in oonfoncance with the Town's ordinance covering signs in general.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To direct the City Attorney to prepare appropriate
language nulifying the political sign ordinance to address the issue of political
signs which present a hazard and their subsequent removal by the Town based on
this safety issue.
2. City Attorney:
3. City Clerk: Report on Council Correspondence
Council accepted the report on Council correspondence dated 1/10/86.
4. Other:
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - January 29, 1986
G. NEW T BUSINEES:
4111111, 1. Appointment of Representative on Solid Waste Issues
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: lb appoint Ren Phillips as the Town's representative
on solid waste issues.
H. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council adjourned
at 10:30 p.m.
Respectfully sulmitted,
Patricia Dowd, City Clerk
41,
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