HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/01/1978t CITY COUNCIL
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, November 1, 1978
cc: Reel 113, Side II, Tr. II, 001 -End; Reel 115, Side II, Tr. I, 001-083
Mayor Lucile Hillestad called the Regular Meeting of the City Council to order
at 7:40 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall.
A. ROLL CALL & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Present: Mayor Hillestad, Councilmembers McReynolds, Perkins and Proft.
Absent: Councilman Nystrom.
Staff: City Manager Robert Crowe, City Attorney Frank Gillio, City
Engineer John Carlson, Consulting Engineer/Planner John Markl,
Commissioner Joseph Dochnahl for the Planning Commission and
Deputy City Clerk Susan Buttler.
Press: Florence Pallakoff, Los Altos Town Crier.
B. CONSENT CALENDAR:
L Mrs. Wood Stonebrook, requested removal of the Warrants for separate con-
ic' si eration.
Councilman McReynolds asked for removal of Item 4. b) and Councilman Proft
advised of a name change on Page 2 of the October 23, 1978 Minutes of the
Attorney's name from "Brillo" to "Grillo" which was approved by consensus.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman Proft, seconded by Council-
man Perkins and passed unanimously to approve the balance of the Consent
Calendar, specifically:
1. Approval of Minutes: October 10 - 23 & 25, 1978.
3. Motions for Adoption:
a) LANDS OF BOSTON, File TM #2090-78, 2 Lots, granting time extension
to 12/20/78 for Planning Commission consideration.
b) LANDS OF LENZEN, File TM #2092-78, 2 Lots, granting time extension
to 12/20/78 for Planning Commission consideration.
c) LANDS OF MILLER, File TM #2093-78, 2 Lots, granting time extension
to 12/20/78 for Planning Commission consideration.
4. Resolutions for Adoption:
a) Resolution #1160 approving and authorizing execution of Agreement
for performance of services as City Attorney between the Town of
Los Altos Hills and Frank Gillio.
CITY•COUNCIL MINUTES - November 1, 1978
B. CONSENT CALENDAR: (continued)
4. c) Resolution #1162 approving and authorizing execution of mutual
release of all claims between the City of the Town of Los Altos
Hills and Karl Fovenyessy, Merton Downing as administrator and
Arad Construction.
d) Resolution #1163 setting the Public Hearing date for the revision
of the Scenic Highways Element of the General Plan.
Mrs. Wood, Stonebrook, questioned Warrants Nos. 3981, 3989 and 3997.
The City Manager responded, in order, of his travel expense to Cincinnati
for the International City Manager's Meeting, the need to purchase tires
for the loader and the extra time required as well as billing procedures
for the Consulting Engineer/Planner.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman Proft, seconded by Mayor
Hillestad and carried unanimously to approve:
2. Approval of Warrants: $38,011.91.
As per Councilman McReynolds' request, the City Manager provided an update
on Lot 2 access problems resolved and inspections of improvements for
"Rancho Manuella", Tract No. 5914.
Mr. Pastrof, Applicant's Representative, advised of Mr. Russell's inspections
and the developer's endeavoring to comply with all requirements.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman McReynolds, seconded by
Councilman Proft and passed unanimously to approve:
4W 4. b) Resolution #1161 accepting certain improvements, "Rancho Manuella",
Tract No. 5914.
C. SPECIAL REPORTS:
The City Manager gave a brief report on his trip to Cincinnati, offering
information on discussions with City Managers from similar communities
and their concerns as to the impact of the passage of Proposition 13.
1. Reports of Standing Committees: None
2. Reports of Ad Hoc Committees: None
3. Presentations from the Floor:
Mrs. Goldsmith, Elena Road, brought to Council's attention the recent des-
truction of a local historical site and the shock with which the Historical
Society had learned of this unauthorized action.
Council discussion followed on the background of this site, an order of the
Town in 1967 to destroy the barn, failure to obtain a demolition permit from
the Town for this activity and proposed development for the subject property.
Mrs. Meyerott, Historian, referenced ordinance #213 as providing for Town
enforcement of all historical landmarks.
Mrs. Stutz, Elena Road, advised that the demolition work had begun on the
previous Friday and that the City Manager was immediately notified.
Mrs. Gottlieb, Summerhill, said that, to her recollection, the tract map
files for this area showed "not a building site" at the barn/silo location.
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CITY'COUNCIL MINUTES - November 1, 1978
C. SPECIAL REPORTS: (continued)
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman McReynolds, seconded by
Councilman Perkins and passed unanimously to direct the City Manager to
report back at the next Council Meeting, November 15, 1978, relative to
restoring the Hill Barn and, that the Stop Work Order not be lifted until
Council findings are complete.
D. STAFF - REPORTS, CORRESPONDENCE & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. City Manager:
a) Accident Claim, Ray Winskus.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman McReynolds, seconded by
Councilman Prot and carried unanimously to deny the accident claim of Ray
Winskus and refer it to the Town's insurance carrier for processing.
b) Administrative Structure for Solid Waste Management in Santa Clara
County.
The City Manager outlined the contemplated changes and answered Council
questions about input to be gained by the inclusion of private sector
representatives from recycling agencies.
PASSED BY CONSENSUS: To direct the City Manager to send a letter stating
Council's agreement with the Administrative Structure for Solid Waste
Management.
46. SPECIAL ORDERS:
1. Public Hearings:
a) Conditional Use Permit review, LANDS OF WESTWIND FARMS, File
C.U.P. #8022-77.
After a brief review, the City Manager asked for a representative of the
Friends of Westwind to provide information to the Council.
Mr. Davis, President/Bd. of Directors, stated that no changes in the Use
Permit were being requested, formation problems had been weathered by the
co-operative, a financially sound operation was currently being run and
many exciting, new programs were planned for the future. He added that a
rent reduction may be necessitated shortly in order for upgrading and ex-
pansion of the riding ring.
In response to Mayor Hillestad's. question, Mr. Davis said that the current
Board consisted of Nancy Stuart, Bob Stutz, Ann Youngman and himself. At
this time, it was also determined that remodeling of the existing riding
ring would not be cause for any changes in the Use Permit conditions.
Mr. Flett, Manager/Westwind Barn, advised of drainage and ground surface
problems at the ring.
Mrs. Goldsmith, Elena Road, told of the expenses involved in maintaining
a riding ring in good condition.
4W Mrs. Wood, Stonebrook, reminded Council of her original contention of the
unsuitability of this ring and urged against any rent reduction.
Mr. Sobel, Christopher's Lane, also spoke against the rent reduction.
Mrs. Goldsmith, Elena Road, stated that money should not be the only issue
addressed, praising the many accomplishments of the co-operative to date.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - November 1, 1978
E. SPECIAL ORDERS: (Continued)
t 1. a) LANDS OF WESTWIND FARMS (Continued)
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman McReynolds, seconded by
Councilman Perkins and passed unanimously to approve the Annual Review of
LANDS OF WESTWIND FARMS, File C.U.P. #8022-77 as it stands.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman Perkins, seconded by
Councilman McReynolds and carried unanimously to extend a vote of thanks
and confidence to the Friends of Westwind Farm.
b) Request for Tentative Map Approval, LANDS OF HORTON, File
TM #2066-77, 6 Lots.
Councilman Proft excused himself from consideration of this matter due
to possible conflict of interest.
Review of the Negative Declaration began with the Consulting Engineer/
Planner going through the Environmental Impact Study step by step. Areas
of concern cited were: (1) Alteration of contours by development; (2)
Absorption changes; (3) Disruption of plant/animal life; (4) Erosion
problems which would result from excessive grading (not allowed by current
Town standards); (5) The need to keep tree removal to a minimum; and (6)
Drainage and traffic considerations. He referred to the recommendations
for a Negative Declaration with proposed mitigating measures as well as
certain conditions as methods of resolving these problems.
Councilman Perkins questioned whether this Study addressed the access as
a roadway or, simply, as a driveway and was advised that the former had
been considered with the elimination of the pathway to mitigate traffic
hazards.
Mr. Proft, Moody Road, felt that soils stability and drainage problems had
not been thoroughly covered, especially, runoff from Lots 4, 5, 6 and,
possibly, 3. He further reminded Council of recent slide problems in this
area and old, inadequate culverts to catch the drainage from the proposed
development.
Mr. LambertAlicant's Representative, spoke for the subdivision design,
the deletion, pp
of one lot, the Open Space dedication and the proposed miti-
gating measures to resolve these problems.
Councilmembers discussed with Mr. Lambert the lack of a soils report made
since September, 1977, and their feeling that a more complete, updated
report is needed.
Mr. Sandis, Applicant's Engineer, stated that a soils report for this
property would not address land sliding of another area and the develop-
ment, as proposed, should not require an Environmental Impact Report.
Discussion followed as to the requirement of plantings to protect the
adjacent property of the Daughters of Charity, the inconclusive nature of
test borings made in stable areas, revised map of roadway access versus
driveway access and methods of best dealing with all concerns before taking
any action on the proposed Negative Declaration.
4W Mr. Lambert, Applicant's Representative, offered compliance in returning
with whatever specific information Councilmembers felt was needed for their
consideration of this matter.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - November 1, 1978
E. SPECIAL ORDERS: (Continued)
1. b) LANDS OF HORTON (Continued)
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Councilman McReynolds, seconded by
Councilman Perkins and passed by the following roll call vote to continue
consideration of the Negative Declaration, LANDS OF HORTON, File TM #2066-
77, in order that the Applicant might provide additional detailed soils
and geotechnical data to identify problems and required mitigating mea-
sures. This information is to be reviewed by the Town .Geologist and soils
engineer with their presence encouraged at the meeting when this Item is
agendaed to answer any questions.
AYES: Mayor Hillestad, Councilmembers McReynolds and Perkins.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilman Nystrom.
ABSTAIN: Councilman Proft.
F. GENERAL ORDERS & UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Variance request, LANDS OF AVENI, File VAR #7051-78.
Following introduction by the City Manager, the City Attorney outlined
the steps involved in consideration of a Variance for an existing tennis
court.
Mr. Naegele, Applicant's Engineer, stated that the pad for the tennis
court was there when the Applicant purchased the property and landscaping
would be installed for screening.
Discussion ensued on the value impact on adjacent properties, violation
requirements of ten times the building fees versus removal of the tennis
court, Planning Commission (per Commissioner Dochnahl) consideration of
non-compliance of this request with the six Municipal Code conditions for
granting of a Variance and legal ramifications of alternative decisions.
Councilman Perkins suggested that alternate approaches be examined which
might not entail a Variance request and, to strengthen the Applicant's
position, a letter from his neighbor against removal of the tennis court
be submitted to Council.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mayor Hillestad, seconded by
Councilman McReynolds to continue consideration of LANDS OF AVENI, File
VAR #7051-78, to the Regular Meeting of November 15, 1978, to address
further the six Code conditions and Councilman Perkins' suggestions.
G. NEW BUSINESS•
1. Recommended revisions to Ordinances Nos. 232 and 239 as submitted by
the Planning Commission.
2. Recommended revisions to Section 9-5.503, HEIGHT, Los Altos Hills
Municipal Code, as submitted by the Planning Commission.
3. Recommended revisions to Ordinance No. 232, FENCES, as submitted
by the Planning Commission.
Due to their nature, the above Items were considered simultaneously.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - November 1, 1976
G. NEW BUSINESS: (Continued)
`. The City Attorney advised of the methods required for holding hearings
on proposed zoning changes, while subdivision changes could go directly
to Council following his formatting them as prescribed by law. The
need for prompt action to remove ambiguity within the Town's ordinances
and definition clarifications were then covered.
In reference to Item G.3., Mayor Hillestad requested Staff update of
problems that may arise from the current installation of fencing at the
( intersection of Summerhill and E1 Monte. Discussion followed on the
emergency need for a fencing ordinance due to this and other similar
problem areas.
Thereafter, Councilmembers McReynolds and Perkins offered wording
suggestions to the City Attorney for inclusion in a fencing ordinance.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Moved by Mayor Hillestad, seconded by
Counci man MCReyno s an carried unanimously to direct the City Attorney
to take legally prescribed action to bring these ordinance changes back
for Council as quickly as possible.
The City Manager then described briefly the beginning of work at Saddle
Mountain Estates, i.e., temporary drainage and hydroseeding.
Councilman Proft stated that there were pathway and drainageproblems
in the Koo Subdivision which should be resolved before approval of
improvements.
Mrs. Ginzton, Natoma Road, advised of recent meetings and upcoming funding
for County pathways, strongly urging for input from Los Altos Hills in
order to provide vital path links adjacent to and through our Town.
There being no further new or old business to discuss, the City Council
adjourned at 11:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Buttler
Deputy City Clerk
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