HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/21/1977CITY COUNCIL
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
26379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED MEETING
Tuesday, June 21, 1977
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Mayor Keith Brown called the Adjourned Meeting of the City Council to order at
4:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall:
A. ROLL CALL:
Present: Council Members Cheney (5:04 PM), Hillestad, McReynolds, Proft,
Mayor Brown
Staff: City Manager Robert Crowe, City Attorney Frank Gillio, City Engineer
Alec Russell, City Planner John Markl, Commissioner Stewart for
Planning Commission, City Clerk Norma Hislop
B. CURRENT BUSINESS:
1. Request for Tentative Map Approval - LANDS OF BERGER, File HTM2058-77
(Cont'd. from 6/15/77):
Planning Commission Representative, Mr. Michael Stewart, related discussions
held by the Commission with regard to paths and trails within this proposed
subdivision and reasons why no pathway easement had been requested for Fremont
Road. City Manager Robert Crowe pointed out that a path existed on both sides
of Fremont Road, the path on the Berger property being within the existing
right-of-way. Mr. Crowe also summarized a letter from Pathway Committee
Chairman, Mrs. Betsy Fiksdahl, regarding the reasons the Committee felt the
paths they recommended were necessary; specifically, to preclude the excessive
use of automobiles to visit neighbors, the safety and convenience of school
children, and the fact that some of the paths would tie in to Kingsley Avenue
and provide a shorter route to Esther Clark Park.
Mrs. Carol Gottlieb, member of the Pathway Committee, suggested the use of
some type of barrier on those paths where there were concerns that they would be
used by motorcyclists. Discussion also concerned the designation of pathways
for pedestrian and equestrian users only; recommended paths between lots which
might infringe on the owner's privacy, and other routes which provided access
to Esther Clark Park.
Mr. Charles Reed, Osterlund Enterprises, stated that the developer of the
proposed subdivision had no objections to the pathway requirements, and, if
given some guidelines, they would be happy to install the barriers on trails
to prevent their use by vehicular traffic.
After City Engineer Alec Russell demonstrated how the drainage would be handled
within the subdivision by pointing out the undergrounding pipe system proposed,
Councilman McReynolds noted that the General Plan of the Town specifically
stated that natural swales and drainage channels should be left undisturbed.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - June 21, 1977
4W LANDS OF BERGER, File #TM2058-77 (Cont'd):
Councilman McReynolds also noted the lack of open space within the subdivision,
and thought the tenor of the map was for a suburban, rather than a rural -type
subdivision. He stated he felt that paths between adjacent parcels should be
opened up more to accommodate the homeowner's privacy.
During the discussions, it was also pointed out that the property in question
was zoned "Open Space Preserve" on the General Plan diagram. Councilman
McReynolds cited both the "Land Use" element and the "Circulation" element of
the General Plan, stating that adequate trails and paths had not been provided
in keeping with the Plan, nor its precepts for maintaining the rural
atmosphere of the Town. Councilman Proft and Councilwoman Hillestad expressed
concern for the proposed map'slack of conformance with the various elements
of the General Plan; that pathways and trails were not adequately addressed;
and Councilwoman Hillestad felt that the drainage concerns of neighbors on the
other side of Fremont Road should also be taken into consideration at this
time.
In response to Councilman Cheney's nuns+i^ ^--'-
_ " - Councilwoman Hillestad noted that
d) June 21, 1977 (Adjourned Meeting):
the summary of discussions
ussions held durindid g threferencg the concernasheehadp of
Land$ of Berger, )an, for Altadena Road. She requested that
expressed with regard to future a uestion addressed when the
see this q
to the Planning Colalssion.
the record reflect her request t0
developer submits a new map eyarding drainage and how it would
gyne density of the subdivision, and his fear that a wall
might be constructed around the property which would obstruct the view of the
land. He also felt that there were too many pan -handle lots within the proposed
subdivision.
City Attorney Frank Gillio outlined the conditions under which the City Council
could deny a tentative map under the Subdivision Map Act of the State of
California.
Councilman McReynolds moved, seconded by Councilman Proft, to deny the tentative
map, LANDS OF BERGER, File #TM2058-77, without prejudice, on the basis that
the density of the proposed subdivision was too intense; that the drainage was
not handled in a way that was in keeping with the General Plan, and the
Internal circulation of the subdivision was not in conformance with the
requirements of the General Plan. Motion carried by the following roll call
vote:
AYE: Council Members Hillestad, McReynolds, Proft, Mayor Brown
NO: Councilman Cheney
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Mr. Gillio also related the procedures which were necessary under the law to
consider possible revisions or amendment to the General Plan Diagram with
regard to the designation of this property presently being zoned "Open Space
Preserve."
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - June 21, 1977
LANDS OF BERGER, File #142058-77 (Cont'd):
Councilman McReynolds moved, seconded by Councilwoman Hillestad, to request
the Planning Commission to review the General Plan Diagram as it specifically
addresses the Lands of Berger's present zoning designation, and hold whatever
Public Hearings are necessary if an amendment to the General Plan's Map
is deemed appropriate. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
To clarify the action taken by Council for the developer of this property,
Mayor Brown stated that, in denying the proposed map without prejudice, the
owners could submit a new tentative map without paying any additional fees;
however, the map would be subject to the same review and planning process as
the map before Council now. He also stated that a new tentative map could be
filed prior to any Planning Commission/Council action on possible amendments
to the General Plan's Map Diagram.
C. NEW BUSINESS:
City Manager Robert Crowe noted a letter received by the Los Altos Chamber
of Commerce concerning possible financial support for the activities and
services provided by them. He also stated that the Town had participated
in such support in the past, but for some reason, the service had been dropped.
After questions and a short discussion regarding this proposal, Councilwoman
Hillestad moved, seconded by Councilman McReynolds, to invite the President of
the Chamber of Commerce to a future Council meeting to discuss the nature of
the Chamber's request. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Mr. Larry Giller, Vinedo Lane, agreed that such a request should be placed
on an Agenda of the City Council to notify interested residents that such a
request was going to be considered.
D. EXECUTIVE (PERSONNEL) SESSION:
There being no further business, Council adjourned at 6:10 P.M. to an Executive
(Personnel) Session.
E. ADJOURNEMENT:
Council returned from Executive Session at 7:30 PM, and adjourned to their
next Regular Meeting on July 6, 1977.
Respectfully submitted,
Norma J. Hislop
City Clerk
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