HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/16/197446 CITY COUNCIL
TONf•I OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
2379 Fremont Road
Los Altos Hills, California
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
October 16, 1974
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Hayor Stanley Grabowski called the regular meeting of the City Council to
order at 7:30 P.M. in the Board Room of the Foothill College District Offices,
12345 E1 Monte Road, Los Altos Hills:
A. ROLL CALL:
Present: Councilmen Cheney, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor
Grabowski.
Commissioner Carico for Planning Commission.
Absent: Councilman Helgesson
Staff: City Manager Robert Crowe, City Attorney Frank Gillio, City
Engineer Alex Russell, Deputy City Clerk Norma Hislop
B. CONSENT CALENDAR:
The following items were removed from the Consent Calendar for separate
consideration:
1. Minutes of October 3, 1974 - at the request of Mr. Steve McReynolds,
Foody Court.
3, b) - at the request of Councilwoman Miller
4. a) - at the request of Councilwoman Miller and Mr. Bahl, Developer.
4. b) - at the request of Councilman Cheney
MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilwoman Hiller moved, seconded by Councilman
Cheney and unanimously approved to adopt the remaining items on the Consent
Calendar, namely:
1. Approval of Minutes: September 24, 1974 (Joint Study Session)
2. Approval of Warrants: $32,237.74
3. Actions of the Variance 8 Permit Commission:
a) Approved variance for reduction of side yard, Lands of Vajta
(File #V7012-74)
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - October 16, 1974
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CONSENT CALENDAR (cont'd):
5. Resolutions for Adoption:
a) Resolution #824 ordering reduction on Assessment #370, S.A.D.#9.
b) Resolution #825 ordering reduction on Assessment #555, S.A.D. #9
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION:
1. Approval of Minutes: October 3, 1974 (Regular Meeting)
Mr. Steve McReynolds, Foody Court, requested that his statement on page
4 of the Minutes be clarified, in that he had requested that the name of
Moody Court be retained.
3. Actions of Variance & Permit Commission:
b) Approved variance for reduction of side yard, Lands of Manolakos,
(File #V7010-74).
Councilwoman Miller questioned the reason for a variance on this
home and why the owners were asking for a variance so soon after the
home was built.
6W Council questioned whether the State requirements for the granting of
a variance existed in this case. After discussion between Staff and
Council, consensus was to appeal this decision of the Planning
Commission and set the date for a public hearing for November 20, 1974.
4. Actions of Planning Commission:
a) Approved Tentative Subdivision Map, Lands of Stedman, Bahl Homes,
Developer, subject to conditions recommended in approved check
list (File #TM392-72).
Because the applicant had submitted an appeal to Council for the
amendment of certain conditions on the approved check listwhich,
had not been received in time for Council review, Mr. Bahl was asked
if he had any objections to scheduling this item for hearing on
November 6, 1974. The applicant so consented.
b) Recommended exemption from building moratorium, Stonebrook #2,
Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (File #2010-74).
Councilman Cheney questioned the logic behind the granting of this
exemption from the building moratorium when one that appeared to be of
a similar nature was refused by the Planning Commission several weeks
ago. Council consensus was to appeal the decision of the Planning
Commission and scheduled the item for hearing at their meeting of
r4► November 20, 1974.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - October 15, 1974
F'AITION SECONDED AND CARRIEC: Councilman Cheney moved, seconded by Councilwoman
Miller and unanimously carried to approve the Minutes of October 3, 1974 as
corrected.
Mayor Grabowski noted that the Adjournment time for this evening's meeting
should be corrected to 11:30 P.M.
The Mayor also noted an addition to the evening's Agenda under Item G, New
Business, to read: b), Consideration of Resolution opposing Southern Pacific
Railroad's request for a rate increase.
Mayor Grabowski also noted that the items brought up at the joint Study Session
of September 24, 1974 would be discussed further at the Council meeting of
November 20, 1974. He requested that members of the Planning Commission and
Standing Committees be requested to attend this meeting.
C. SPECIAL REPORTS:
a) Traffic and Public Safety Committee:
Mrs. Irma Goldsmith, Chairwoman, summarized the Minutes of the last Committee
meeting and noted the action items which had been listed separately for
action by Staff. She said if Council was agreeable, she would continue to
` list such action items separately.
Mrs. Goldsmith also noted the Committee recommended that the Town's Security
Officer be allowed to attend a course on Traffic Operations Problems and
Procedures in Stockton on November 15-16. After discussion, Council consensus
was that Mrs. Goldsmith should attend the conference for the Committee,
since Officer Penfold was already well -versed in such matters. Mrs.
Goldsmith will inform the City Manager if she is able to attend.
In response to a question by Mrs. Goldsmith relative to the Committee's
responsibility regarding dangerous intersections, City Attorney Frank
Gillio said the Town has the responsibility to make intersections safe if
it is brought to their attention that an unsafe condition existed.
b) Presentations from the Floor:
Mr. Murl Fritschle, SilentF'i11s Development Company: Regarding the Alta-
mont Heights Subdivision, Mr. Fritschle requested Council clarification
on the requirement to remove or relocate the water easement on one building
site. Mr. Fritschle consented to the matter being placed on the Agenda
of November 6, 1974.
D. STAFF REPORTS:
1. City Attorney:
e Mr. Gillio informed Council that after researching the question of whether
the Council vote on a Resolution to support Proposition #1 on the November
ballot was sufficient to pass the resolution, his conclusion was that, in
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES - October 16, 1974
CITY ATTORNEY (cont'!):
this instance, the vote was sufficient. However, Mr. Gillio noted
that a report from him would be forthcoming to clarify Council's
questions relative to voting.
E. SPECIAL ORDERS:
1. Petition for clarification of Item 2 a), amended Check List, Mr. H.
Reiser (File #330-71).
After explaining the background of discussion held before the Planning
Commission regarding the loop road condition of the check list for this
subdivision, Mr. Reiser petitioned Council to allow this specific item
to read the same as the original check list requirement for the Wheeler
Subdivision (File #377-71), Item 2 - Roads: a) Red Rock Road is to be
developed to a 14' wide roadbed, where possible (12' minimum).
After discussion, Councilman Cheney moved to uphold Mr. Reiser's request
that Item 2 a) of the check list for his subdivision (File #380-71) be
the same as the approved check list of the Wheeler Subdivision check list
dated April 12, 1971, specifically: "Red Rock Road is to be developed
to a 14' wide roadbed, where possible (12' minimum)" providing that Mr.
L Reiser enters into an agreement with the Town to participate in the develop-
`/ ment of a loop road at the time the adjacent lands come before the Town
for subdivision, if required. The motion was seconded by Councilwoman
Miller and passed by the following roll call vote:
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AYE: Councilmen Cheney, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski.
NO: NONE
ABSENT: Councilman Helgesson.
2. Public Hearings:
a) Abandonment of a portion of Elena Road Right -of -Way:
City Attorney Frank Gillio stated that notices of the proposed abandonment
had been posted along that portion of Elena Road in question.
Mayor Grabowski declared the public hearing open. There being no comments
or objections from the floor, Councilman Cheney moved, seconded by
Councilman McReynolds and unanimously carried to close the public hearing
on this matter.
Mr. Gillio conmiented that a report had been received from the Planning
Commission, but because the Relinquishment of Access had not been received
from Mr. Re, the Resolution regarding this abandonment should be postponed
until such relinquishment was received. Council agreed.
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CITY COUNCIL MFIUTES - October 16; 1974
F. GENERAL ORDERS AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
a) Council: action on Traffic and Public Safety Committee recommendations
(cont'd from 9/18/74.)
Regarding the Traffic and Public Safety Committee's recommendations con-
cerning the utility poles along Taaffe, the City Manager was directed to
contact PG&E and Pacific Telephone to ascertain whether they were agreeable
to moving those poles creating a hazard.
Discussion ensued regarding Staff input on the recommendations of the
Committee. Mr. Crowe agreed to furnish Council with a report regarding
the feasibility of implementing recommendations made by the Committee for
the first meeting of November.
Speaking from the Floor:
Mrs. Basle Ti al t0 Court: Expressed concern over the intersection of
Page Piili Roa and tamont because of the site distance problem, and the
many accidents that occur at this intersection.
Mrs. Goldsmith also stated that a letter had been received from Mrs. Joan
Miller opposing the Committee's recommendation for a stop sign on Page
` Mill Road.
After further discussion, Council consensus was to adopt Resolution #827,
an emergency petition to the County Board of Supervisors for the erection
of a stop sign on the southwest corner of Page Mill Road at Altamont.
Staff was also requested to look into the possibilities of alternative
actions which could be taken to improve the site distance at this corner.
b) Approval of Landscape Design - Town Hall:
N'.r. Wilton Minckley addressed Council regarding the landscaping design for
Town Hall, and said the basic premise of the design was for the partici-
pation of citizens of the Town in the donation of plants and in the
planting, with assistance of the Maintenance Crew for the installation of
a retaining wall and the grading for better drainage.
Council discussion revolved around the questions of how such a program
could be implemented, who would be involved, and who would coordinate the
community effort. Councilwoman Miller noted that the Los Altos Hills
Homeowner's Association had expressed interest in participating in the
program, as well as many residents who took part in the planting project
along 15280 last winter. She also said the Hills Association would request
volunteers in their next newsletter, and suggested that a meeting be held
with the City Manager, the Landscape Architect, and Mr. Minckley, to begin
Q coordinating the project. Mr. Minckley was requested to submit an in-
�/ ventory of plants needed to the City Manager. Mr. Crowe was directed to
work with the maintenance crew on the grading of the area to be planted,
and Council named Mr. Crowe Coordinator of the Project.
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CITY COUNi:IL MINUTES - October 15, 1974
06 G. NEW BUSINESS:
a) consideration of endorsement of Ballot Propositions (League of
California Cities:
comicilman McReynolds objected to the content of Proposition 15, and
moved that Council adopt a Resolution opposing this measure on the
November ballot. Mayor Grabowski seconded the motion, and Resolution
#829 was adopted by the following roll call vote:
AYE: Councilmen Cheney, McReynolds, Councilwoman Miller, Mayor Grabowski
MO: NONE
ABSENT: Councilman Helgesson
Staff was instructed to send copies of the adopted Resolution to the League
of California Cities and to the news media.
b) Consideration of Resolution opposing Southern Pacific Railroad rate
increase:
Mayor Grabowski commented that a letter had been received from Mr. L.
Dawson, Page Mill Road, referencing the proposed fare increase for
Peninsula commuters, and urging Council to oppose such an action by the
Public Utilities Commission.
NOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Cheney moved, seconded by Mayor
Grabowski and unanimously carried to adopt Resolution #830 opposing the
proposed rate increase by Southern Pacific Railroad.
C) Councilwoman Miller:
Councilwoman Miller directed Council's attention to the last Planning
Commission meeting during which Commissioner Perkins pointed out the
dissolution of open space within the community, and that the Town had no
real plan as to how this problem should be handled. Councilwoman Miller
proposed the formation of an Open Space Committee to deal with this
problem in a timely manner. After a short discussion, Council agreed to
consider the formation of such a Committee at their next meeting.
Councilwoman Miller also stated that she bad been informed that the City
of Los Altos was considering tearing down the redwood grove for Senior
Citizen housing. She said that it was her understanding that this grove
was to be purchased for open space, and, since the land abuts the Torn,
she was asked to bring the matter to Council's attention.
Staff was requested to contact the City of Los Altos to ascertain what
plans were being made for the possible development of the property in
question.
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E CITY COUNCIL MIdUTES - October 16, 1974
UNSCHEDULED ITEMS:
1. Building Moratorium:
Mr. Gillio advised Council that a Resolution was in order to set a time
and place for a public hearing to consider the extension of the building
moratorium.
NOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman McReynolds moved, seconded by Council-
man Cheney and unanimously carried to adopt Resolution #828 setting the time
and place for a public hearing to consider the extension of the existing
moratorium upon acceptance of land division applications.
2. Liability Insurance:
Mr. Crowe summarized his memo to Council regarding the proposals received
on the Town's liability insurance. Council unanimously approved the
proposal made by Flamer & Company, Los Altos, and approved the purchase of
additional coverage.
H. ADJOURNMENT:
The City Council adjourned to an Executive (Personnel) Session at 11:05 P.N.
C and returned to adjourn the meeting at 11:26 P.M.
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I Respectfully submitted,
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Norma J. Hislop
Deputy City Clerk