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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/30/1985CITY COUNCIL TOM OF ILS ALTOS HTT,T S 26379 Fremont Iniad Los Altos Hills, California 9r • • J.4 lad . iC IN 1 JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AMID THE PLANNING COM•IISSION Wednesday, January 30, 1985 cc: Reel 163, Tr. I, Side I, 001 -end Mayor Allison called the Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. Planning Commission Chairman Kuranoff called the Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Planning Ccnvdssion to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Town Hall. The Chairman noted that the purpose of the meeting was to conduct a joint meeting with the City Council. A. %JIT. CALL: Present: Mayor Allison and Counoilmambers Dronkert, Fuhnman and Rydell Planning Crnmission Charman Kuranoff, and Commissioners Carico, ` Gottlieb, Lachenbruch, Siegel, Struthers and Yanez Absent: Council, enter van Tamelen Staff: City Manager George Scarborough, City Attorney Frank Gillio, City Engineer Michael Enright, Staff Planner Nancy Lytle and City Clerk Pat Dowd Planning Consultant: Jeff Goldman, Connerly & Associates Press: Sara Wykes, San Jose Mercury; Andrea Moore, Peninsula Times Tribune; Kim Bergheim, Los Altos Town Crier B. STUDY SESSION ON 'TOWN'S PLANNING REVIEW: Mayor Allison stated that the purpose of the joint meting was to present a clear, concise approach to the Planning Consultant regarding the Site Development Ordinance. Members of the Council and the Commission had before than a draft ordinance, as prepared by the Planning Consultant, and the recamnerded changes made at the 1/9/85 Planning Commission meeting. Staff Planner, Nancy Lytle, noted in her staff report dated 1/24/85 that 'while the Ccnmissioners did not reach consensus on each and every item in the 1/4/85 staff report, they approved the document conceptually and found it to provide an adequate franework for revising the draft ordinance.' The first item discussed was the reo m e dation of the formation of a major site development committee and a minor site development committee. The composition of a major site development cmmftittee was addressed. The difficulty of scheduling two or three Commissioners to attend the often lengthy Tuesday afternoon meetings was noted. Mayor Allison suggested that two Cammissioners be appointed to the Cc m ttee with an alternate Camussicner named in the event one of the appointed Camnissioners could not make the meeting. In line with this, the importance of continuity on the committee was eaphasized. Mayor Pro Tem Dronkert suggested CITY COUNCIL M NWES - January 30, 1985 B. STUDY SESSION ON TOWN'S PI.AMING REVIEW (continued): that the representatives from Environmental Design, Parks & Recreation and Pathways Committees be specifically named in the ordinance as advisory members of the Site Development Committee and Commissioner Siegel suggested that these representatives be named as alternates in the event the Connissimers could not attend the meeting. Concerning the formation of these two ccan ittees, it was discussed if two ommittees were necessary. If staff would be handling the minor site develop- ment issues, perhaps these matters could be handled as routine atninistrative setters rather than involving the formation of another coumittee which could prove to be confusing. Commissioner Yanez suggested that staff present a list to the Planning Co mission of those iters for which they would want discretionary powers. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To provide for a site development conmmittee to review major site development applications, rather than the recarzrerded formation of two committees. Cammissioner Lachenbruch noted the inportance of having a structured ordinance before then from which to make changes and it was noted that the Planning Consultant would be resubmitting another draft ordinance for review. Ccamissioner Lachenbruch commented on what he considered to be guidelines for architectural review:. 1) to minimize the impact of development on the natural zemaA gw#j!tj f 2) to avoid unnecessary obstruction of view; and 3) to preserve the rural quality where possible. In line with this, Mayor Pro Ten Dronkert suggested the name C be changed from 'architectural' review to 'design' review. *environment (Ab WED BY fir' OXNCIL 2/6/85) Commissioner Lachenbruch further commented that an overall clarification of language in the ordinance was needed. Por example, the definition of site development should include structures. Also the issue of driveways needed to be addressed, i.e., definition, use, etc. Mayor Pm Ten Dronkert concurred that the discrepancies in the draft ordinance should be corrected by the Planning Consultant. Mayor Allison stated that all references in the draft ordinance to 'should' shall be changed to 'shall'. Mayor Pro Tem Dronkert expressed concern over 'quantifying' landscaping, par- ticularly in view of the unique lots in Los Altos Hills and the visual immgaacts from a variety of angles, other members of the study group expressed concern over the enforcement of landscaping. Commissioner Struthers particularly noted 'spec' houses which often had landscaping plans approved, as submitted by the developer, but which were not oampleted by the future owners. Regarding Section 9-3.403 in the draft ordinance concerning limitations on grading operations, the phrase ' not to occur during rainy season' should be clearly defined in the ordinance. The logistics of administratively working this limitation out also needed to be addressed, i.e., when world the permit become effective, extension of time due to weather, etc. Ken Pastrof, 13015 Robleda, commented that these really were not any more 'spec' houses in Los Altos Hills. Unlike the past, developers now had buyers for their homes and the landscaping plans being presented at Site Development reflected `. what the buyers wnated for their homes. Mr. Pastmf also noted that it might be worthwhile to contact other cities for imfoxmation on administratively dealing with limitations on grading. -2- CITY ODONCIL MINUTES - January 30, 1985 B. S1UDY SESSION ON TOWN'S PIANNING REVIEW (continued): Mayor Pro Ten Dronkert pointed out that in Section 9-3.503 of the draft ordinance, it should be specifically stated that drainage will go to a place where it will continue to flow. Mayor Pro Ten Dronkert also expressed concern over the reference to development above ore -third of the hill. If the purpose of this was to preserve the ridge lines, then it should be more specifically addressed in the ordinance. Camnissioner Siegel commented on the issue of 'siting', noting that by the time the Site Development Committee reviewed a piece of property, the applicant had spent a considerable amount of money on detailed plans. To correct this problem it was suggested that a preliminary site review take place. It was agreed that staff would review this suggestion and make a recommendation to the Planning Cmvdssion. Several members of the study group expressed concern over the issue of enforce- ment in all areas of the Town's planning function. Commissioner Gottlieb cemented that if the penalties were harsh enough, it would tend to ensure compliance with the ordinances. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: Tb aannd Section 9-3.1202(d) of the draft ordinance to read as follows: 'Fees. In each case in which work for which a peunit is required by the provisions of this chapter is started without obtaining such permit, the fee for such permit thereafter granted shall be ten (10) tines the normal fee for such permit.' L Mayor Allison commented that he thought the study session had been quite worth- ` while and he expressed the lope that the Planning Consultant had a clearer understanding of the primary concerns of the Council and the Cmudssion. Mr. Goldman, Connerly & Associates, indicated he understood the eomcents which had been made during the meeting. PASSED BY CONSENSUS: It was agreed that a meeting would be scheduled in approxi- mately two weeks including the Mayor, the Planning Commission Chaim , the City Manager and the Planning Consultant to discuss the feedback frau the study session and the resubmittal of the draft site development ordinance. C. CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDIIW= ADOPTING AS AN URMUY MEASURE INTERIM ZONING The City Manager reported that during recent months there had been a high frequency of buildings in the Town in excess of fifteen feet which resulted in structures out of character with the existing cauunity The urgency ordinance before Council would be in effect for forty-five (45) days. At the end of that period, it could be continued, subject to a public hearing, for a specified period of time. MDTION SECONDED AMID CARRIED: Moved by Dronkert, seconded by Fuhrman and passed unaninously by all Coucilmenhers percent to adopt Ordinance #292 adopting as an urgency measure interim zoning regulations re=quiring a special lard use permt for construction or conversion of structures exceeding a height of fifteen (15) feet in an R -A residential -agricultural district. mm CITY COUNCIL KDRTIM - January 30, 1965 D. A XIOURMENr: kw There being no further new or old business to discuss, the Planning Ccx[mission adjourned at 10:40 p.m. `7 There being no further new or old husiness to discuss, the City Council adjourned at 10:40 p.m. ae Respectfully submitted, Patricia Dodd, City Clerk