HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/15/1974TOFM OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
May 15, 1974
cc: Reel 63, Side 1, Tr. 1: 001-1298
Mayor Stanley Grabowski called the regular meeting of the City Council of
the Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 7:50 PH in the Council Chambers of
Town Hall, 26179 Fremont Road:
A. ROLL CALL:
Present: Councilmen Cheney, Heigesson, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller,
Mayor Grabowski
Staff: City Manager Bruce Lawson, City Attorney Frank Gillio, City
Engineer Alex Russell, Building Official Richard Wolfinger,
Deputy City Clerk Norma Hislop
B. CONSENT CALENDAR:
At the request of Councilman Cheney, Items 1, 2, and 4a) were removed
from the CONSENT CALENDAR, for separate consideration.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION:
1. Approval of Minutes: April 29, 1974 (Regular Fleeting)
May 8, 1974 (Special Meeting)
Councilman Cheney r,u)stioned the brevity of the Minutes of the Special
Fleeting of May 8, 19/4. City Manager Bruce Lawson responded that since
this meeting was considered a Study Session, complete Minutes were not
taken, as was the policy of the Town.
Mayor Grabowski noted that because of trouble with the tape recorder, this
was the only record of that meeting, but if it was desired by Council, he
would instruct the City Manager to reconstruct the meeting in more detail.
After discussion, the matter was not pursued.
2. Approval of Warrants: $9,364.44
Councilman Cheney and Mayor Grabowski directed questions to the City
Manager relating to specific warrants.
4. Actions of Planning Commission:
a) Approved renewal of business license and amendment to Use Permit
as requested by Shalom Acres Stable, O'Keefe Lane, File #UP8003-74).
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - May 15, 1974
Councilman Cheney inquired as to what crnnpellinq reason existed that
changed the Planning Commission's view that fourteen horses were the
maximum number to be permitted under the former use permit.
Commissioner Spencer addressed Council regarding improvements which had
been made to the property by the new owner.
Discussion ensued regarding the hardships on the road as a result of
increa3ed veAcular traffic, the ability of the land to accommodate more
horses, the vagueness of the words in some of the conditions, and the
concern that not all property owners in the area were notified of the
Public Hearing. Several motions were made by Council that were declared
moot when they failed to get appropriate consent.
After further discussion, Councilman McReynolds moved that the matter be
referred back to the Picnning Commission for further study, that all
neighbors on Nermandy Court, O'Keefe Lane, and La Rena Drive be notified,
and that the Planninc Commission report back to Council with their
findings. Cuuircilman Cheney seconded the motion, which was unanimously
approved by Ccuncil.
ITEMS REMAINING ON CONSENT CALENDAR:
3. Motions for Adoption:
a) Motion setting June 5, 19?4 as date for Public Hearing on
Division of Asse:scant #235, S.A.D. #9, H. Broekhoff.
4, b) Approved building site request, Lands of Woodward (Robleda Road),
with conditions r3cwaended by Staff and amended by the Commission.
John Riley, Engineer, File #BSA 6016-74.
c) Approved Variance request of W. Warren, Triangle Assoc. for five
foot reduction for construction of a family room, File #V-7007-74.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARkIED: Councilwoman Miller moved, seconded by Counc'amran
McReynolds and unanimously carried to adopt the Items on the CONSEMT CALENDAR
as amended.
C. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR:
1. Mr. Jack Beiove, Elise Court: Spoke regarding building site approval
on property owned by Mr. Azavedo. His primary concern was his water line
which went across this property. He also stated that there was a barn
located within ten feet of his property line in violation of the Municipal
Code. Mr. Belove had discussed these problems with the City Manager and
two members of the City Council prior to the meeting, and discussion ensued
regarding questions raised previously as to the expiration date of the
building site approval, the recorded map for the Azevedo property which did
not show the water line easement, nor the existence of a structure on the
property.
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Mr. Lawson explained the background of the building site approval and
his conversations with the City Attorney regarding this matter. Mayor
Grabowski commented that he would like to see more input from Staff,
and if it met with Mr. Belove's approval, he would agenda this matter
to the next Council meeting when additional information would be
available.
After further discussion regarding prescriptive rights on the water line,
the matter was agendad until next meeting with Mr. Belove's consent.
2. Mr. Peter Hall 12117 Foothill Lane: Referred Council to his letter
of Mayes rega— n3 gatttac son is children's animals by packs of
dogs. He said he was informed by Staff that the Town had increased patrol
by the County Animal Control Department, and stated that his purpose in
appearing before Council this evening was to appeal to the residents of the
Town to heed their responsibility to their neighbors by controlling their
dogs. Mr. Hall exhibited the ears of his child's goat which had been
torn from the animal, acd commented on the numerous Veteranary bills he
was obliged to pay over two years because of attacks on animals by roaming
dogs. He also questioned whether the Town was becoming a suburban
community as opposed to a rural community.
t Councilman McReynolds resernded that a look at the activities of the
4r Planning Commission, the various Committees, and the Council actions of
the past four years would show that the Town is striving with every means
at hand to retain the Town as a rural community, and that each Ordinance,
revision to the Ordinances, and the revised General Plan, addressed itself
to that issue. He said that the General Plan very specifically states
that the goals and objectives of the Town are those of a rural environment.
Councilman Cheney said that he supported Councilman McReynolds remarks.
Speaking from the Floor:
Mrs. Irme Goldsmith, Chairwoman, Traffic and Public Safety Committee:
Suggested that since Portola Valley was having the same problem regarding
stray dogs running in packs, that perhaps the Towns could work together
tcxard a solution.
3. Mr. rardner Bullis, Manuella Road: Asked that Council consider taking
action io support F r-opesifion 1 on the June 4th ballot. After a short
discussion, Council agreed to discuss this matter at the Adjourned meeting
scheduled for May 22, 1974.
4. Mr. A. M. yaws, Hooper Lane: Said he had come to the meeting this
even6rg ur2parcj to aucuss t� dog problem. He said that packs of dogs
are constantly running through his property chasing and killing doer. He
f=1t the leash law should either be strictly enforced or recinded.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - May 15, 1974
5. Mrs. Lucilla, Goulti, Ortega 9rive: Spoke regarding the Minutes of
the City Council fo ,:ri-D-TITd, Page J, regarding the Ad Hoc
Corporation Yard Committee. She commented that there were seven members
on the Environmental Design Committee, and the subject of having a
Corporation Yard on the Town property at the corner of Edith and Fremont
had never been discussed by the Committee.
Councilwoman Miller responded that nothing was definite concerning the
corporation yard, and the matter was only mentioned to several Committee
members as an informal inquiry.
Mayor Grabowski assured Mrs. Gould that no decision had been made, and that
the Committee on the Corporation Yard had not yet submitted their report
to Ccuncil.
5. D. Spencer Shglor_k !.oath Speaking as a citizen regarding the Matadcro
Oaks Subd vision, a suggested that Council have a positive statement from
Staff as to whether Matadero Oaks was beinn, developed in terms of the
site plan, so that if Council felt any action was necessary, they could
proceed accordingly. He spoke on the possibility of specific lots sharing
a common drivewav so more grading would not be needed,
After a short discussion, Mayor Grabowski asked if Mr. Spencer was asking
for an intarim staff Report, and if so, what time frame he would like to
see. Mr. Spencer said he thought Staff should work with the Developer as
soon as Possible, and that the Develoner seemed agreeable to working
toward such an agreement.
Mayor Grabowski said he thought that both the Council and the Planning
Commission would like to see an agreement reduced to writing as to exactly
what is possible to eliminate the Town's concern over some of the lots in
the subdivision.
Councilwoman Miller also requested that Mr. Spencer carry a thought back
to the Planning Commission about the possibility of a moratorium of
further subdivisions and perhaps draft a proposed moratorium because of
this problem and the possibility of others like it.
7. Mrs. L. Cox, Cane b,7 Court: Asked Council if there would be any dis-
cussion t. is evem nq on. the Corporation Yard.
Mayor Grabowski responded that the item was not scheduled on the evening's
agenda, and that all of the background material was not available. He
said he would like to discuss this matter at the next meeting in June
w6ien all the material would be ready.
Mrs. Cox also commented that the Garbage Company was still making early
pickups at Town Hall. Mr. Lawson responded that he had telephoned and
had written letters to the Company concerning this matter. He said he
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was meeting with the Company this week regardinc their oroposed rate
increase, and woul'. amain brinn un the matter.
0. Irs Irma goldsmith Chairwoman, Traffic and Public Safety Committee:
Thanked Council for their recent appointments to the Committee and
reported on the last Committee meetino and the actions taken:
Ric cla Ordinance - Proposed: Stated that the Committee had worked
c ose 4 w1,1 ,or on en o , the Town's Security Patrol Officer, in
reviesinq the bicycle ordinance. She said that the County did have'
a bicycle ordinance, but that each individual city had their own. If
the Town adopted this ordinance, it would give our Security Officer
the authority to enforce violations. The Committee therefore recommended
approval of this ordinance with the exception of the licensing, which they
felt should be left in the hands of the Foothill Fire Station.
Abandondod Vehicle Ordinance - Proposed: The Committee had studied this
o�inance anTannrov�ec �t wit specie c exceptions which were:
1. Vintene vehicles
?. Girls and boys actively working on vehicles as a school or
[, or personal project.
`•✓ The Committee recommended that the ordinance be re-sutmited to Council,
after the annropriate local re -wording, for passage.
Mrs. Goldsmith also pointed out that the stop signs and safety island along
Altamont Road had not been installed yet, and the Committee urged that the
matter he niven early attention.
Traffic Problems - Horseshoe Lane: On letter to Council by Mrs. roodrich,
mm
Tplttee recommen ec a _a�ian'r sinn now on Arastradero Road near
Purissima be chanced to "Slow", and that a richt turn lane be installed
on Purissima to avoid accidents.
Possible Use of Radar: The Committee had discussed radar as a means of
centro ing t e spec inq problem within the Town and repuested that Staff
detemine the costs of a traffic survey necessary for the use of radar by
the Sheriff's Department. Staff was directed to report hack to the Traffic
and Public Safety Committee with these costs.
9. f'rs. 0 Callo LaLanne Court: Asked status on the chairs to be
rc ase or Cunci
nuoambers. Mr. Lawson explained the reasons for
not purchasing the chairs at this time due to the possible expansion of
Tovm Hall, and the determination to be made of the best color for the
chairs.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - May I5. 1g74
D. CONTINUING BUSINESS:
1. A peal b Iona Consultants for reconsideration of PlanningCommission
action Dawn Riage Estates).
City Manager Bruce Lawson explained Planning Commission and City Council
actiors to date on this proposed subdivision, and the present status:
The Planning Commission, at its meeting of April 10, 1974, had denied
the tentative mao without prejudice, and the Developers were here to appeal
this recision.
Mr. Hetzel, representing the Developers, addressed Council and reviewed
actions of the past fourteen months. He spoke on problems with the property
experienced by former owners and the reasons the property had not been
developed, namely, the swamp areas, improper fill of the land, and drainage.
He said the present developer had invested heavily in the property to make
the necessary improvements,,, that all the conditions imposed by Staff had
been accepted by the developer, even though some members of the Planning
Commission considered some of the conditions as too refining; that after a
field trip made by the City Council to the proposed site of the development
when questions had been raised regarding the ability of the lots to
accommodate the normal amenities, the developer had submitted plans showing
how horses, pool and an over -sized house could be accommodated on these lots.
Mr. Hetzel admitted that Lot 4 could acconenodate the same, but not without
considerable expense. He petitioned Council, in the sense of fairness, to
reconsider this matter.
Discussion ensued between Council members, City Attorney and City Engineer
regarding drainage on the property and the underground water problem.
Councilman McReynolds addressed himself to the findings made by Council
orior to sending this subdivision back to the Planning Commission, especially
the potential owners coming before the Town with applications for variances
because of the nature of the subdivision.
A motion to accept the subdivision made by Councilman Helgesson was
rejected by Council.
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman McReynolds moved to sustain the action
of the Planning Commission to deny the tentative map of Dawn Ridge Estates
without prejudice. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Miller, and passed
by the following roll call vote:
AYE: Councilmen Cheney, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor
Grabowski.
NO: Councilman Heigesson
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - Hay 15, 1974
2. Discussion of Re ort from Path Committee re Pedestrian and
Equestr an tra c on over Rhus R qe R52d:
Because Mr. Stutz, Chairman of the Pathway Committee, could not be present
for this evening's discussion, the matter was agendad to the June 5th
meeting.
3. Discussion of Willard M. Griffin Home, Foothill College:
At the request of Mrs. Gould, Ortega Drive, this matter was agendad to
the next Council meeting on June 5th, in deference to the hour.
E. CURRENT BUSINESS:
I.
Request b_ My r Bernard Marcus for assistance in resolving drainage
problem at intersection of nac��cens on.
Mr. Lawson gave the background of the request of Mr. Marcus for assistance
from the Town relating to slide problems on his property in the area of
Anacapa and Ascension. Slides of the " . area were shown to the Council
by Mr. Marcus, who noted the areas of concern.
At the request of Mayor Grabowski for additional Staff input, Mr. Alex
Russell, City Engineer, commented that Staff had met with Mr. Marcus on
this matter, and that Mr. Marcus had had a soils report done on his
property in 1969. Mr. Russell said he agreed with that report that there
was an underground seepage problem which was partially responsible for the
slide conditions, and that until this matter had been taken care of, nothing
much could be done in the way of a solution.
Discussion followed between Council and City Attorney relative to the
responsibility of the Town. Mr. Gillio stated that public monies could rot
be used to improve private property.
Councilman Heigesson noted that at the time of the soils report there were
only two borings made, and he thought further investigations should be
made to determine from where the water was coming. He also noted that Mr.
Marcus had not proceeded with any of the recommendations made by the Soils
Engineer in his report. He felt that nothing should be done without Mr.
Marcus seeking expert advice relating to the problem.
Council also clarified the storm drainage fund monies and how they must be
spent, and Staff explained why Mr. Marcus was not eligible for mudslide
insurance.
The consensus of Council was that they were in complete sympathy with the
problems of Mr. Marcus, but at this point, they did not feel that the Town
could assist him.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - May 15, 1974
2. Resolution 8 awarding bid on Town Hall remodeling:
Mr. Lawson summarized the bids that had been received on the project
of remodeling Town Hall. The lowest bid received was from Gearhart and
Spivey. The City Engineer, City Manager, Building Official, and
Architect had reviewed the bid, and they all felt it to be reasonable and
fair. On this basis, Staff recommended that the bid be awarded to
Gearhart and Spivey.
The City (tanager also explained that the funds to be used for this project
were Federal Revenue Sharing funds set aside from 1971-72, and if this
money is not committed by June 30, 1974, it would revert back to the
Federal Government.
After discussion, Council agreed to agenda this item to their meeting on
May 22nd so the new Council members could review the plans and the
financial aspects of this project could be discussed in depth.
3. Discussion of letter from Mrs. Shirley Smith regarding Adobe Creek
Lodge property.
Councilman McReynolds suggested that since the Planning Commission was in
the process of reviewing and studying this property, that Mrs. Smith's
letter be referred to them for their consideration. Councilwoman Miller
seconded the motion, and Council unanimously concurred.
4. Presentation of Proposed Budget FY 1974-75:
City Manager Bruce Lawson noted that copies of the proposed Budget had beer
given to members of the Council in their Packet, and at the same time,
copies had been delivered to members of the Ad Hoc Budget Review Committee.
F. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS BY COUNCILMEN:
1. Councilman Cheney:
Nominated Patricia Stranding to fill vacancy existing on Pathway Committee.
This matter was agendad to the June 5th meeting in compliance with
Resolution 11696 relating to Standing Committees.
2. Mayor Grabowski:
Appointed Mrs. R. Nelson, 26005 Todd Lane, to fill the vacancy on the Ad
Hod Budget Review Committee since the appointment of Mrs. T. Schick to
the Planning Commission. Council concurred.
"s. Councilman Helgesson:
t Wished to state, for the record, that the rumors about his resigning from
`r the City Council were not true; that he ran for a term of four years, and
would serve the full four years.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - May 15, 1574
4. Councilwoman Miller:
Asked that a discussion of Proposition 1 be placed on the Agenda for
discussion at the May 22nd meeting,of Council. The majority of Council
concurred.
G. STAFF REPORTS:
Mr. Lawson said there were no Staff Reports other than the correspondence
Council had received on their packets.
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H. ADJOURNMENT:
The Council adjourned at 11:30 PM to an Adjourned Meeting at 4:00 PM
on Wednesday, May 22, 1974 in the Council Chambers.
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Respectfully submitted,
Norma J. Hislop
Deputy City Clerk