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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/05/1975CITY COUNCIL fW TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS 26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING February 5, 1975 cc: Reel 74, Side 2, Tr. 1 - 230 -End Side 1, Tr. 2 - 001- 225— 3 " flayor Stanley Grabowski called the Regular fleeting of the City Council to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road: A. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski, Comm. Phillips for Planning Commission. Staff: City Manager Robert Crowe, City Attorney Frank Gillio, City Engineer Alex Russell, Deputy City Clerk Norma Hislop. Press: None B. CONSENT CALENDAR: At the request of Mrs. T. Schick, Weston Road, Item 1, Approval of Minutes, January 29, 1975, was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration. Councilwoman Miller requested that Item 5 be removed from the Consent Calendar. MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Councilman Cheney and unanimously carried to adopt the remaining items on the Consent Calendar, namely: 2. Approval of Warrants: $23,954.09 3. Resolution #864 accepting completion and directing Engineer to file Notice of Acceptance of Completion (S.A.D. #10). 4. Resolution #865 approving Williamson Act Contract between Town and Alan and Margaret Kinkead (47.32 acres located between Purissima and Page Mill Roads, APN 182-02-012.) ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION: 1. Approval of Minutes - January 29, 1975 (Regular fleeting): Mrs. Shick noted on page 4, b) -Proposed Street Program 1974-75 that the Minutes should be corrected to indicate that the Street Program was the one drawn up by the Public Works Committee and not the City Manager. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - February 5, 1975 >W ITEMS REMOVED FRON CONSENT CALENDAR (cont'dl: 5. a) Motion to amend status of Budget Review Committee from Ad Hoc to Standing Committee: Councilwoman Miller expressed her view to Council that the main job of any City Council was the budget. She thought the City Manager should be allowed to proceed with his budget and then Council should do their homework, rather than a Committee. She said she thought the Budget Review Committee did a fine job last year, but there were many serious items which were missed, both by Council and the Committee, such as the cost of living increase for Staff, etc. She did not feel that making the Committee a Standing Committee was a good thing at this time. Council discussion ensued, and the consensus was that a list of charges for such a standinq Committee should be prepared, o.n that they w,ul!' like to see tl!a cpinien n'r m -embers !•;::o served on the Comv,ittee last year. Councilman Cheney commented that it was his feeling that the more citizens who participated in the Town's government, the better it was, and he moved that the status of the Budget Review Committee be amended as proposed. Mayor Grabowski seconded the motion with the amendment that the status not be changed until a list of charges were prepared for Council review. Councilman Cheney agreed to the amendment. City Manager Robert Crowe was directed to prepare a list of charges together with the Chairman of the Committee. Mr. Crowe requested that he receive input from Council before the charges were drawn. Mayor Grabowski noted that there were already some charges prepared, and since Councilman Helgesson had proposed the Committee originally, the City Manager might work with him. C. SPECIAL REPORTS: 1. Presentations from the Floor: Fir. R. J. Hahn Es eranza Drive: Urged Council to seek a solution to the question of a corporation yard for Town owned equipment as soon as possible, and requested that this matter be placed on the Council's Agenda at the earliest possible time. He reminded Council that he had requested the re- formation of the Ad Hoc Corporation Yard Committee at an earlier meeting. Mayor Grabowski commented that the City Manager continued to seek solutions to the problem, and all alternatives were being studied. He noted that Council had already done quite a bit to alleviate the problem for the neighbors around Town Hall, and was quite hopeful that a solution would be found that would be satisfactory to all, but this would take time, since the Community as a whole must be considered. Councilman Cheney thought the matter should be placed on a future agenda so the residents would know of the Town's plan of action. Mr. Hahn also read the item relating to equipment from the founding principles of the Town. -2- CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - February 5, 1975 D. STAFF REPORTS, CORRESPONDENCE & ANNOUNCEMENTS: None 6W E. SPECIAL ORDERS: I. Re uest b John Pa as for modification of Item 9 of the A roved Check L st for the Pappas Su d vision, File #399-73: City Manager Robert Crowe explained that a letter had been received from Mr. John Pappas, owner of the subdivision in question, requesting a modi- fication of Item 9 of the Approved Check List, namely that an extension of time be granted for the installation of a new sewage disposal system for the existing residence on the proposed Lot 1. Council heard City Engineer Alex Russell's recommendations, and discussion ensued between Staff and Council concerning recommendations of the Health Department and the present use of the property. Councilman Helgesson moved to uphold the City Engineer's recommendation that the applicant's request be granted until the occupancy of the first new dwelling or six (6) months, whichever came first, on the condition that the applicant post a security deposit with the Town guaranteeing the work would be performed. If such work is not completed after six months or the occupancy of the first new dwelling, the Town will install the new system to be charged against the security deposit. The motion was seconded by Councilman Cheney and carried by the following roll call vote: AYE: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, fAr Piayor Grabowski NO: NONE ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE 2. Lands of Stedman/Bahl (File #393-72)- Final action on approval of Tentative Map: City Manager Robert Crowe summarized actions taken to date by Council, and said that, in accordance with Council's request at the last meeting, fir. Bahl had submitted an up -dated map indicating the check list items imposed. He pointed out that the new map still indicated "Country Olay" as *private", and by Council action on 1/29/75, this should be deleted. A view graph was presented to Council, and Mr. Crowe made certain recommend- ations for road and trail easements apart from those shown, should Council approve the tentative map. Mr. Don Bahl, applicant, responded-torthe.recomoendations made by the City Manager, and Councilman Cheney requested clarification from the City Attorney relative to path easements. Speaking from the Floor: Mr. John Ewin�19 ine Road: Regarding the proposed new water tank of the ` PurissEa Hi s'l1 Water District, he asked if the School District had been contacted regarding present plans to locate the tank on their lands. -3- CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - February 5, 1975 LANDS OF STEDMAN/BAHL (cont'd): Discussion ensued between Staff, Mr. Grover Cox, President of the Water District, the City Attorney and Council regarding this matter. Mrs. John Hettin er Priscilla Lane: Regarding easements for trails the Los Altos Horsemen sXs, oc at on would like to see approved by the Town relative to this subdivision. Mr. Peter Wallace Via ventana: Regarding certain check list items, the geo ogic ault ocated on this land, placement of the water tank, and the length of the cul-de-sac. Mr. Wallace Stegner, Three Forks Lane: Expressed concern over the cutting of any trails, where serious aamage might be done to his, and his neighbors' property. Mrs. Patricia Standrin Secretor for Pathwa Committee: Requested natural pat a ong conservat on easement an a connecting trail between lots 1 and 2 of the proposed subdivision to the School District's lands. Mr. George White, South Fork Lane: Expressed concern over deep cuts in side of hill for a fire road. Mr. Robert Stutz, Chairman, Pathway Committees Regarding Committee's requests L for path and trail easements. �r Mr. Jitze lou erous Pa a Mill Road: Reiterated problems with this proposed sub ivision an eq rueste that Council not approve it. At the request of Council, City Attorney Frank Gillio advised them of the issue being considered this evening and the State Map Act stipulations. Councilwoman Miller addressed the proposed design of the subdivision as presented and the length of Country 41ay. She moved that the tentative map be denied because the site was not suitable to the design of the subdivision. Mayor Grabowski seconded the motion. Councilman Helgesson commented on the length of the cul-de-sac, citing other properties within the Town where the length of the cul-de-sac had received a conditional exemption from the requirements of the Municipal Code. He thought that from all evidence before the Planning Commission and the City Council, the subdivider had made every effort to place the home sites in the best possible locations. He said the smallest lot in the subdivision was 1.01 acres. Councilman Helgesson spoke regarding the slopes of some of the lots, the fire path easement, and stated that he did not agree with the recommendation for a path between lots 5 and 6 because of the steepness of the slope. In response to the Mayor's inquiry as to when the applicant could renew his application if the motion to deny carried, City Attorney Frank Gillio -4- CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - February 5, 1975 stated that the motion as proposed would be a denial of the map before 4. Council. He said a new map could be submitted by the applicant any time after the moratorium on the subdivision of land had been resolved. Councilman Cheney addressed the cul-de-sac length, and expressed concern over the safety of future residents because of the type of terrain. He said he could not approve this subdivision because of this concern. Council- man Cheney also criticized the Town's Planning (or lack thereof), for he thought with the proper planning roads could be designed in such a way that only residents would want to use them. He urged residents to attend the public hearings on the proposed subdivision ordinance changes where they could do some good and express their suggestions and views in a more positive manner. Councilman McReynolds supported Councilman Cheney's statement relative to cul-de-sacs, and commented that it was time the Town quit granting conditional exceptions and upheld the General Plan and ordinances of the Town. He said he wished to amend Councilwoman Miller's motion to add that the proposed tentative map did not meet the tenets of the General Plan currently in force, and the density was not suitable to the topographic configuration and the geology of the land. Councilwoman Miller agreed. Mayor Grabowski spoke relative to some of the "plastic formulas" contained in in the Municipal Code, and that the Planning Commission and City Council needed a Code that allows the exercise of judgment, citing an example of a 6' cut that would work on one site, but not on another. Ile agreed that t precidents were beginning to snow ball and it was routine to grant exceptions. fir' He said he could not support the tentative map as it appears because the site was not amenable to the proposed design. Mr. Bahl was asked if he had any further comments to add before Council voted. Mr. Bahl stated that it was not ordinances that developed good properties, but people. He stated that the Planning Commission and he had worked together, not as opponents, and that this development was similar to many already within the Town. He said that if the same principles were applied to properties already developed within the Town, there would be no houses within the Town of Los Altos Hills. He took exception to the state- ment that there were excessive cuts and fills on his property;there were not. He said that every effort had been made to place the houses where privacy would he preserved. He spoke regarding the principles of incorporation and the preservation of the environment. He commented that if it was the Council's intention to discourage further subdivision within the Town, then that statement should be made; otherwise it was unfair to himself, as a developer, and the Planning Commission, to put in long hours to try to bring in a development that would be in harmony with the environment and the surrounding community, as well as conforming to the objectives of the Town, if Council was not interested in more housing. The secretary read back Councilman McReynolds amendment to the motion to Council. Councilman Cheney seconded the amendment, which was approved by the following roll call vote: =5- CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - February 5, 1975 LANDS OF STEDMAN/BAHL (cont'd): AYE: Councilmen Cheney, McReynolds. rnuncilwoman Miller, flavor Grabowski NO: Councilman Haln0000n ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE Councilman Helgesson objected to Councilman McReynolds' amendment and cited the geologic reports made and submitted to the Town. He felt fir. Bahl's statement was applicable here; that the developer had conformed to all the constraints imposed by the Planning Commission. He stated that he could not support the amendment or the original motion because he did not think they were valid arguments. Councilwoman Miller's motion was then called, and approved by the following roll call vote: AYE: Councilmen Cheney, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski NO: Councilman Helgesson ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE For the record, the motion and amendment acted on by Council as stated above read: L� The Tentative Map is denied because the site is not suitable to tile design of the subdivision, does not meet the tenets of the General Plan currently in force, and the density is not suitable to the topographic configuration and geology of the land. F. GENERAL ORDERS AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 1. Appointments: a) Planning Commission: (Unexpired term of A. Lachenbruch to 6/30/77) Mayor Grabowski announced that Council had interviewed three candidates for the vacancy existing on the Planning Commission. He requested Council consent to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of further dis- cussion. Council agreed. Upon returning to the Council Chambers, Council voted by ballot, and Mayor Grabowski announced that fir. Keith Brown had received the majority of votes, and was declared the new Planning Commissioner. The Mayor also commented that all three candidates had been highly qualified, and encouraged those applicants who had not won the appoint- ment at this time to continue in their interest in the Town and to seek appointment as vacancies occurred, either on the Planning Commission or the Standing Committees. -6- CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - February 5, 1975 GENERAL ORDERS (cont'd): b) Pathway Committee: (unexpired term of R. Koon to 6/30/76.) Mayor Grabowski moved for a white ballot, and Mrs. Elizabeth Fiksdal, 11271 Magdalena Avenue, was appointed to the Pathway Committee to fill the unexpired term of Mr. R. Koon to June 30, 1976 by unanimous consent of Council. 2. Review of ro osed ballot measures for artici ation in County -wide e ect ono 5 cont rom 12 4 7 Mayor Grabowski said the proposed ballot measures were before Council this evening for possible inclusion on the ballot for the County -wide election in flay: a) Shall the Town of Los Altos Hills create its own Police Department in lieu of the contract Sheriff's service and Security Patrol. (Mayor Grabowski) The Mayor announced that he was withdrawing this proposed ballot measure based on the results of the recent poll of residents sent out by the Los Altos Hills Homeowner's Association. He said the results indicated that residents were pleased with the services of the Sheriff's Department and the Security Patrol. ` b) Shall the Town of Los Altos Hills continue to acquire open space through General or Special Fund expenditures without a referendum (Mayor Grabowski). Mayor Grabowski moved that this item be placed on the ballot, and Councilman Cheney seconded the motion. City Attorney rendered his legal opinion of the ballot measure proposed, commenting that, even if the proposition were not approved by the voters, the City Council still would have the prerogative to purchase open space. Council discussion ensued regarding the possible wording of such a measure. Councilwoman Miller said there were funds available through the State for the purchase of Open Space, and she did not like to think that open space within the Town might go by without the Town's being able to buy lands that might become available. Commissioner Phillips commented that this issue had been before the Planning Commission many times, and he felt the Town needed a policy regarding open space acquisition. He felt the commitment to purchase open space should be examined at the policy level. After further discussion, the question was called, and the nation to place this proposition on the ballot of May 27th failed by the following roll call vote: AYE: Mayor Grabowski NO: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE -7- CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - February 5, 1975 `, GENERAL ORDERS (cont'd): Proposed Ballot Measures (cont'd): c) Shall the Town of Los Altos Hills condemn and acquire the Purissima Hills County Water District (Councilman McReynolds). Councilman McReynolds withdrew this proposed measure under consideration, stating that he hoped that more cooperation between the Town and the District would be forthcoming, and that extensive effort would be put forth by the District to provide better service for the money of the people within the District. He stated that both bodies should work toward cooperative programs that will reduce the cost of the District and streamline the manage- ment and make it work. d) Shall the Town enter into a general obligation bond to upgrade streets and storm drainage. (Councilwoman Miller) Councilwoman Miller stated that she withdrew this measure for consideration. 3) Shall the Town levy an additional one -time -only municipal tax to raise funds in order to participate with other agencies in the restoration and preservation of the Willard Griffin Home. (Mayor Grabowski) ` The Mayor noted that meetings had been held with the Foothill College District Board and the City Council, and that the facts of the matter were known to all members. He said that the preservation of the Home would require a substantial expenditure of funds. Councilman Helgesson moved that this proposition be placed on the ballot for May 27th. Mayor Grabowski seconded the motion. Councilwoman Miller noted that the Willard Griffin Home had been designated a Historical Site by the State, and she felt this changed matters entirely, since the Home could not be destroyed now under State laws. She also said that funds were available from the Government for the preservation of historical sites, and based on this information, she suggested that this matter not be considered at this time. Mr. Gillio rendered his opinion, commenting that funds were available through the State, but there were limits, and applications for grants would depend on the availability of these limited funds. He said that if this measure were placed on the ballot, a specified amount should be added. Discussion ensued between Council members regarding an exact amount that might be proposed, and the exact wording of the measure. Mayor Grabowski requested Councilman Helgesson's consent to amend the motion by inserting "the amount not to exceed $.02k per $100 valuation." Councilman Helgesson agreed, and the motion to place this item on the ballot of flay 27th was approved by the following roll call vote: -3- CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - February 5, 1975 Proposed Ballot Measures (cont'd. AYE: Councilmen Helgesson, McReynolds, Mayor Grabowski NO: Councilman Cheney, Councilwoman Miller ABSENT: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE G. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Councilman McReynolds: Councilman McReynolds said there was an item in the General Plan that came up last year for clarification which was, in part, clarified by the City Attorney, but which was still not quite clear; that is, the zoning of Adobe Creek Lodge property. He said that prior to the adoption of the General Plan the Lodge existed as a private recreational zoning or a residential zoning area, and that the Town had entertained several proposals by the owner in the past for residential subdivision. Councilman McReynolds commented that the Town was facing a controversial problem next year on the Town's 20th Anniversary, with the non- conforming use of that property, and in order to maximize the number of options open to both the Town and the owner at that point in time, he was now proposing a Resolution which would ask for the Planning Commission and the City Council to hold public hearings to consider clarifying the zoning on that property. Discussion ensued between Council members, and the City Manager was requested to read the proposed Resolution. Councilman Helgesson seconded the motion, and Resolution #866, a Resolution of the City Council declaring intention to consider changes and amendments to the Los Altos Hills General Plan, referring proposed changes and amendments to the Planning Commission, and setting the time and place of hearings thereon before the Planning Commission and the City Council respectively, was adopted by the following roll call vote: AYE: Councilmen Cheney, Helgesson, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski NO: NONE ABSTAIN: NONE ABSENT: NONE H. ADJOURNMENT: Council adjourned at 11:40 to the next Regular Meeting on February 19, 1975, at 7:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Norma J. Hislop Deputy City Clerk -9-