HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/06/1978CITY COUNCIL
i TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
w' 26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, September 6, 1978
cc: Reel 112, Side 11, Tr. I, 001 -End; Side 1, Tr. II, 001-C96
Mayor Lucile Hillestad called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order at 7:36 PM
In the Council Chambers of Town Hall.
A. ROLL CALL 8 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Present: Mayor Hlllestad, Councilmembers McReynolds, Nystrom, Perkins and Proft.
Absent: None.
Staff: City Manager Robert Crowe, Consulting Engineer/Planner John Markt, Commissioner
Mary vanTamelen for the Planning Commission and Deputy City Clerk Susan Buttler.
Press: Florence Pallakoff, Los Altos Town Crier and Bill Shireman, Mercury -News.
B. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Mr. Nowack, Engineer for Mr. Avenl, requested the removal of Item 4. a) for separate con-
sideration.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman Perkins, seconded by Councilman Proft
and carried unanimously to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar, specifically:
I. Approval of Minutes: August 23, 1978.
2. Approval of Warrants: $20,006.47.
3. Motions for Adoption:
a) LANDS OF HIGHTOWER, File TM #2089-78, setting September 20, 1978 as the Public
Hearing date for request for Tentative Map Approval.
5. Resolutions for Adoption:
a) Resolution #1150 approving the application for 1974 State Grant Moneys.
b) Resolution #1151 approving the application for 1976 State Grant Moneys.
Council consideration returned to the following Item, as removed:
4. Actions of the Planning Commission: Recommended denial of the following Variance:
a) LANDS OF AVENI, File VAR #7051-78.
Mr. Nowack Eng sneer for the Applicant, Introduced a photo exhibit of the property showing
the already constructed tennis court for which a variance was being requested. He spoke
for the neighbor approval, with the exception of one, and the aesthetics of the court
placement as enhanced by dense plantings.
Council members questioned Mr. Nowack as to the specifics of the encroachment, the Infringe-
ments being experienced by one neighbor and the proposed additional plantings. Commis-
sioner vanTamelen advised of the unanimous vote of the Planning Commission to deny the
Variance request on the grounds of the Inability to meet the six conditions as set forth
In Section 9-5.1107 of the Municipal Code.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - September 6, 1978
B. CONSENT CALENDAR: (Continued)
4, a) LANDS OF AVENI (Continued)
Councllmembers stressed their concerns as to the Applicant's flagrant violation of Town
Ordinances In constructing this tennis court without the necessary Variance and permits,
and the legal ramifications posed by approval at this time.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman Perkins, seconded by Councilman
McReynolds and passed by the following roll call vote to continue LANDS OF AVENI, File
VAR #7051-78 to the first Council meeting In October.
AYES: Councllmembers McReynolds, Nystrom, Perkins and Proft.
NOES: Mayor Hillestad.
C. SPECIAL REPORTS:
1. Reports of Standing Committees:
Mrs Yeend Chairman/Traffic d Public Safety Committee, offered an update to previous
correspondence regarding the serious loitering problem on Sunset Drive.
Mayor Hlliestad questioned Mrs. Yeend as to the full Committee Input on this problem and
requested that it be brought back to Council after complete consideration of the dangers
posed by eliminating the turn -out areas used for parking along Sunset Drive.
2. Reports of Ad Hoc Committees: None
3. Presentations from the Floor:
Mrs. Goldsmith, Historical Society, advised of the many activities undertaken by the
Society recently and their need for two four drawer file cabinets to maintain accurate
and easier to find records.
D. STAFF - REPORTS CORRESPONDENCE 8 ANNOUNCEMENTS:
None.
E. SPECIAL ORDERS:
1. Request for Final Map Approval, LANDS OF GERARD INVESTMENT, LTD. File FM #3063-78.
Following introduction by the City Manager of the proposed five lot subdivision just off
Moody Road, Councllmembers discussed easements as shown on the map before them and the
undergrounding of utilities as called for In the Approved Checklist of Conditions.
Mr. lambert Applicant, told Council of his problems In complying with this condition due
to lack of cooperation by Pacific Gas 8 Electricand the prohibitive expense Involved.
Discussion followed on alternate locations for the utilities and resultant cost factors.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman McReynolds, seconded by Councilman
Nystrom and carried by the following roll call vote to adopt Resolution #1152 approving
Final Subdivision Map and approving and authorizing execution of Subdivision Agreement,
LANDS OF GERARD INVESTMENT, LTD., File FM #3063-78, subject to a Public Utility Easement
being shown on the Final Map along the boundary of Lot #1 and between Lots 3 and 4. This
approval was also contingent upon approval by the Planning Commission of the Improvement
Plans as outlined In the Conditions.
AYES: Councllmembers McReynolds, Nystrom, Perkins and Proft.
NOES: Mayor Hfllestad.
-2-
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - September 6, 1978
E. SPECIAL ORDERS: (Continued)
%W 2. Request for Final Parcel Map Approval, LANDS OF ARMES 'C', File FM #3056-78.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman Nystrom, seconded by Mayor Hillestad
and passed unanimously to adopt Resolution #1153 approving Parcel Map and accepting
pedestrian and equestrian easements, LANDS OF ARMES 'C', Fl le FM #3056-78.
3. Request for Variance, LANDS OF JONES, File VAR #7053-78 (returned at Council request).
Mr. Jones, Applicant, reiterated the steps followed In obtaining Planning Commission recom-
mendation for approval, the exceptional circumstances prompting this request and the
adaptation of this pool plan to the unique features of this property.
Council members talked with the Applicant and Commissioner vanTamelen regarding compliance
of this request with the provisions of the Municipal Code and the aesthetic qualities
stressed by the planning of the pool location.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman Perkins, seconded by Councilman Nystrom
and passed by the following roll call vote to approve the request for Variance, LANDS OF
JONES, File VAR #7053-78, subject to conditions as recommended by the Planning Commission.
AYES: Mayor Hillestad, Councllmembers McReynolds, Perkins and Nystrom.
NOES: Councilman Proft.
4. Public Hearings:
a) Request for Tentative Map Approval, LANDS OF BERRY HILL, File TM #2086-78.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman Perkins, seconded by Councilman Nystrom
and carried unanimously to adopt a Negative Declaration, LANDS OF BERRY HILL, File TM
#2086-78.
Mr. Lambert, Applicant, provided Introduction of the parcel map and answered Councilman
Perkins' question relative to noise abatement plantings being provided for lots adjacent
to IS280.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman McReynolds, seconded by Councilman
Perkins and passed unanimously to amend Condition 10 to read: The Final Map shall bear
the Inscription that the development of Lots 1, 2 and 3 shall be subject to the mitiga-
tion of noise levels greater than 55 db. This will serve as a notice to future buyers.
Mrs. Gottlieb Chairman/Pathway Committee, requested that the pathways remain open during
construction activities on this subdivision.
Discussion followed with the Applicant stating they would endeavor to do this within the
confines of precautions needed for safety and theft.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman Proft, seconded by Councilman Nystrom
and carried unanimously to approve the Tentative Map request, LANDS OF BERRY HILL, File
TM #2086-78, subject to conditions as recommended by the Planning Commission and, as
amended above.
b) Request for Tentative Map Approval, LANDS OF TAYLOR, File TM #2077-78.
Mrs. Martell,Cypress Drlye, Introduced a letter and attached documents from the Robinwood
Neighborhood Assoc latlon In Los Altos, stating their objections to the proposed methods
of subdividing this adjacent property. She further requested, for the Association, that
officials of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills meet together to consider the many options
available for the subdivision and access thereto.
-3-
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - September 6, 1978
E. SPECIAL ORDERS: (Continued)
4. b) LANDS OF TAYLOR (Continued)
Councilmembers questioned the merits of this discussion while only the Negative Declaration
for the proposed subdivision was being considered.
Mrs. Martell, Cypress Drive, reiterated the Information covered In their correspondence to
the Town relative to guidelines and the necessity of an Environmental Impact Report being
requested for this property.
Mr. Lemp, Cypress Drive, stated that, out of thirty-one families on Cypress Drive, twenty-
one supported the actions as outlined by the Association.
Mr. Martell, Cypress Drive, advised Council of the Environmental Impact Report required by
Los Altos of the Applicant during the process of proposed subdivision of his adjacent
property within their corporate limits.
Mr. Moll, Cypress Court, stated that there would be a dangerous traffic problem In pro-
viding access to Taylor's Los Altos property via Cypress Drive and suggested alternate
access over the Adobe Creek and Into Los Altos Hills.
Council determined from the City Manager that all Environmental Impact Review work had
been completed for this project and that access to Los Altos property through Los Altos
Hills did not offer an equitable solution to the problems expressed. Thereafter, many
members of the Robinwood Neighborhood Association reiterated objections as shown above
and stressed their opposition to the approval of this Tentative Map application.
Mr. Nowack Engineer for the Applicant, stated that LAFCO was not In favor of annexation
across a natural water course, namely, Adobe Creek.
Mr. Hern. Miranda, advised of his concern relative to the proposals presented for access
through Los Altos Hills which would have to utilize Miranda.
Mrs. Struthers, Robieda, felt that the Town should explore annexation In order to maintain
low density of this adjacent property.
Councilman McReynolds Interjected that, because of the concerns expressed, a formal meeting
be arranged with the City Managers of the two cities, the Applicant and other interested
parties to discuss these various environmental problems. He felt that a public meeting
would express to all concerned that both cities were considering every aspect of this
issue and make the Applicant aware of the limitations he Is Imposing upon his Los Altos
property by developing the Los Altos Hills property with the consideration of annexation
as one of the options available.
Mrs Gallo LaLanne Court, spoke against the consideration of problems with Los Altos
property by Town officials, stating that annexation would have an Impact on her access.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman McReynolds, seconded by Councilman
Perkins and passed by the following roll call vote to direct the City Manager to set
a Public Meeting with the City Manager and/or Planning Directors of Los Altos with notlf-
Ication to Interested parties and residents within a 500' radius of the subject property
to discuss environmental problems relating to this subdivision.
AYES: Mayor Hlllestad, Councilmembers McReynolds, Perkins and Proft.
NOES: Councilman Nystrom.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman McReynolds, seconded by Councilman
Perkins and carried unanimously to continue consideration of a Negative Declaration
and Tentative Map application, LANDS OF TAYLOR, file TM $2077-78, to the September 20,
1978 Council meeting.
-4-
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - September 6, 1978
F. GENERAL ORDERS 8 UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
I. Request for re-consideratlon of withdrawal from Williamson Act Contracts, LANDS
OF PERRETT.
Continued to the September 20, 1978 meeting at the request of the Applicant.
2. Request for Council endorsement of continuation of County funding for animal
trapping services.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman McReynolds, seconded by Councilman
Nystrom and passed unanimously to endorse the continuation of County funding for
animal trapping services.
3. Request for encroachment Into Open Space easement, Lot 25, Tr. #6112.
The City Manager outlined the details of the request for a circular drive In addition
to the driveway already completed. Discussion followed on this and work that had been
done In the conservation easement to date.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman Proft, seconded by Councilman McReynolds
and carried by the following roll call vote to deny the request for encroachment into
the Open Space easement, Lot 25, Tr. #6112, with a request that the area be restored to
Its original condition.
AYES: Mayor Hlllestad, Counclimembers McReynolds, Perkins and Proft.
NOES: None.
ABSTAIN: Councilman Nystrom
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman Profit, seconded by Councilman McReynolds
and carried unanimously to direct the City Manager to review the improvement plans, Tr.
#6112, to see that they are being compiled with (no encroachments permitted) and to report
back to the City Council.
4. Request for 18 month time extension, LANDS OF GIGLI, File TM 02059-77.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman Perkins, seconded by Councilman McReynold
and passed unanimously to grant a time extension to February 6, 1980 for Tentative Map
application, LANDS OF GIGLI, File TM #2059-77.
E. NEW BUSINESS:
None.
F. ADJOURNMENT:
Aw
There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council adjourned at
11:40 PM to a Budget Study Session, September 7, 1978 at 3:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Buttler
Deputy City Clerk
-5-