Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/16/1971CITY COUNCIL TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS 4W MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING February 16, 1971 REEL 34 - SIDE 1, TRACT 1 -- FOOTAGE 00 - 1390 REEL 34 - SIDE 2, TRACT 1 -- FOOTAGE 00 - 140 Mayor Walter A. Benson called the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 7:48 P. M. in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, with the following members answering foll call: Present: Councilmen Corbett, Davey, Grabowski and Mayor Benson. Absent: Councilmen Relgesson. PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE: Chairman Weisbart APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 18, 1971. Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Corbett and carried unanimously that the minutes of January 18, 1971 be approved with the following correction: Page 5, under "Other Business by Councilmen". Item 2, delete the last sentence of this paragraph and substitute "Councilman Davey stated that multiple dwelling zoning coupled with an agressive program of open space preservation and acquisition would not increase Town demaity." APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 1, 1971 Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Corbett and carried unanimously that the minutes of February 1, 1971 be approved as written. COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Letter from San Jose Mercury requested Council rescind their decision to withhold file copies of court briefs relating to the zoning Suit. Council concurred to override the attorney's advice. Motion, seconded and carried: Councilman Corbett moved, seconded by Grabowski and carried unanimously that any publicly filed document be made public information. 2. Anyone desiring to comment on the Bayland Study Assimilation is requested to submit their remarks by February 19, 1971 to PPC. 3. Santa Clara County LAFCO will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed regional park district on March 3, 1971 at 2:00 P.M. City Manager will attend. 4. Santa Clara County Social Planning Council meets February 17, 1971. 5. Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce requests support of legislation proposed, that requires election candidates pass certain minimum requirements. 6. FAA letter expressed thanks for information on sound abatement procedures and 4W extended invitation to visit air traffic control facilities. 7. Inter -City Council meets in Sacramento on March 3, 1971. 8. County Public Works advised, dependent upon the weather, Foothill Expressway -1- resurfacing will be accomplished prior to end of February. 9. San Mateo, Cupertino, Palo Alto, Woodside and San Francisco Board of Supervisors have sent FAA resolutions requesting a public hearing before initiating changes to 4W inbound and outbound flight patterns. ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. City Manager reported on new light signal system installed on the council bench. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS: 1. Powell, Wm. T. (V-349-71) Appeal of Action by Planning Commission re: variance request for reduction in side setback from 30' to 15' for residence addition at 25386 La Loma Drive. Staff noted that this appeal resulted from the Planning Commission's denial of Mr. Powell's request for variance. Letters from neighbors endorsing Mr. Powell's request were read from Mr. R. G. Grey, 25044 La Loma Drive, Mrs. H. G. Wilson, 24920 La Loma Court, Mr. C. Peters, 25136 La Loma Drive, Mr. Seth Strachan, 25320 La Loma Drive. Council discussion with floor participation from the applicant and his architect, Mr. Larry Madsen,ensued. Council majority indicated criteria had been satisfied coupled with neighbors endorsement. Motion seconded and carried: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Davey and carried by majority vote Corbett voting No) that the variance request for Mr. Wm. T. Powell (V-349-71) be granted to allow a reduction in side setback from 30' to 15' for an addition to a residence at 25386 La Loma Drive. to 2. Request for Council action to control T. V. and "Ham" radio antennae. Staff read a letter from Mrs. Edward J. Georgia requesting: either that the zoning ordinance be amended so that ham radio antennas be handled separately from T. V. antennas, or that an immediate Stop be put into effect to prohibit installation of any new ham radio antennas pending adoption of procedures for handling applications for such installations. This request was an outgrowth of continuing complaints related to their neighbor, Mr. Jack Forbes, 12866 La Cresta Drive, due to their erection of numerous ham radio towers and antennas. Discussion included floor participation from -fire. Georgia, Mr. Charles K. Epps, a ham operator at the Forbes residence, and Mr. Winn -_-____, 12841 La Cresta Drive. Mayor Benson requested that this matter be agended for the next meeting to allow staff an opportunity to investigate alleged ordinance violations at the Forbes residence and so that he could appoint a representative committee, as proposed by Councilman Corbett, to review the overall radio antenna problem. 3. Study Cash Flow of Palo Alto Sewer Basin. Staff reviewed the financial crisis that faces the Town in order to meet the Palo Alto Sewer Basin obligations over the next few years. Unless a solution is found, the Town will be unable to pay the $80,000 due July 1, 1972, and again July 1, 1973. Discussion noted that this debt is further encumbered by an additional initial payment of $30,000 plus eleven annual follow-on payments of $20,000+ for the Town's share of the Tri -City Treatment Plant. Council discussed the cash flow projection prepared by the City Manager, which recommended $300,000 be obtained by establishing either a voluntary or compulsory assessment district for the entire Palo Alto Basin. Due to the magnitude of this -2- indebtedness, Council concurred that all property owners must be apprised of this crisis. Motion, seconded and carried: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Corbett and carried unanimously C at i mailing be prepared to advise property owners of the financial obligations faced by the Town and to invite them to attend a public hearing tentatively set for the March 15, 1971 meeting. 4. Presentation of Six Month Expenditure Report. Staff reviewed expenditures through December, 1970 noting no significant budget overruns were incurred to that date. It was noted that litigation expenses have significantly increased since January 1 and an overrun in this area be anticipated. 5. Work on Adobe Creek by Flood Control. Staff reported that the Flood Control District would have their plans regarding Adobe Creek from Tepa Way to Foothill College fairly well defined in about 5 or 6 weeks. At that time, if desired, they wouldhold a public hearing to inform resi- dents as to what is required and difficulties they have encountered. 6. Report of Noise Abatement Committee. Former Chairman Don Miller reported on the committee's study of sports car rallies at Foothill College; their investigation of sources for procuring an adequate sound measuring meter; and presented a draft of a proposed ordinance for control of noise within the Town. Council discussion ensued, commending the in-depth study of the committee in preparation of the proposed ordinance. 4Motion, seconded and carried: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Mayor Benson and carried unanimously that the draft ordinance be accepted as amended and that a public hearing and First Reading be scheduled for the March 1, 1971 agenda. Motion, seconded and carried: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Davey and carried unanimously that $365.00 be allocated for purchase of a sound meter. 7. Appoint Planning Commissioner to fill unexpired term of Don T. Hibner. Due to Councilman Helgesson's absence, Mayor Benson deferred this item to the next meeting. 8. Report from Planning Commission re: "The Williamson Act". Staff reported that the Planning Commission had requested that the council determine whether they should continue study of the Williamson Act. Consideration of the revenue loss to the Town and other taxing jurisdictions was the major point in question but the designation of the area to which it should be applied was also in question. Motion seconded and carried: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Davey and carried unanimous y that the Planning Commission be directed to continue its study with the view to embracing the entire Town within the provisions of the Williamson Act and further to return to the Council prior to March 15, 1971 with its finding and recommendation in accordance with Section 51232 and other applicable sections of such act. 9. Report from Planning Commission re: Need for money to prepare an 'Open Space Element" and to review the Town's Zoning Ordinance. -3- Staff reported that the Planning Commission feels that if a proposed moratorium on further subdivision is to be considered by them that two studies should be made: E (1) An open apace element to our General Plan should be prepared `, immediately and (2) the zoning ordinance #78 should be reviewed and changed, if necessary, to require either larger lots in the steep hillside areas or to prohibit any structures on lands steeper than a certain elope. Council discussion ensued with floor participation from'Mr. A. M. Laws, 11210 Hooper Lane and Mrs. Lois Bogle, 2000 Page Mill Road. Council majority consurred that in view of the estimated cost of $3,000 to $4,000 for the open space element and $500 estimated to review the zoning ordinance and the Town's already critical financial stature that this major expenditure could not be justified at this time. Motion, seconded and carried: Councilman Corbett moved, seconded by Grabowski and carried by majority vote (Davey voting No) that the Planning Commission be instructed to operate within the present budget. 10. Approval of Addendum to Palo Alto Sewer Contract No. 2876 re: Tri -City Regional Treatment Plant. Mayor Benson requested that this item be continued to allow him an opportunity to discuss the 25% surcharge with Mayor Wheatley. 11. Report on Unfinished Items on Rosehill Estates No. 1. City Engineer reported on subdivision improvements not yet accomplished and the City Attorney stated he would demand immediate action under the subdivision agreement and bond. 12. Request for authorization to contract with Charles S. McCandless and Co. for engineering work on current Gas Tax Projects (Altamont and Elena). Staff noted McCandless had done a great deal of the preliminary surveying on Altamont, between Mt. Helen and Natoma and the entire length of Elena and that this field work had not been paid for by the Town. In view of this, the City Manager recommended that the Town contract with'rcCandless 6 Co yy for the Gas Tax Projects covering the rebui,Yding of these two roads. He notedM r. Marvin iachtsheim had agreed to obmplete the field work, design, preparation of the plans and specifications, the call for bide and the general supervision of the construc- tion for 911% of the total coat of construction. Motion, seconded and carried: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Corbett and carried by unanimous roll call vote (Helgesson absent) that the Town contract McCandless and Co. for the rebuilding of Altamont between Mt. Helen and Natoma and the entire length of Elena. STAFF REPORTS 1. City Attorney reported on the Campbell and Oliver suits. He noted that a condemnation of the Galli property required for the "Twister" path might be cheaper than confirmation of the grant deed through probate. He further noted that Hugh F. JacksonIll, 28011 Purissima Road was challenging our zoning ordinance. -4- [•r•,rrn•,r:�arw�y Ordinance No. 179 - (Second Reading) - Establishing requirements for the keeping of horses. Staff reviewed suggested amendments submitted and council concurred that they be included. A request from Mr. Stu Whittelsey was referred to the Trails Club to come up with an acceptable revision to the ordinance to be considered at a later date. The City Attorney read the title of Ordinance No. 179, A Comprehensive Ordinance ' of the Town of Los Altos Hills Establishing Requirements for the Keeping of Horses: Prescribing Regulations for Animal Maintenance, Corrals, Pastures, etc., and for the General Maintenance and Operation of Private and Commercial and Riding Stables within the Limits of the Town of Los Altos Hills. ::otion, seconded and carried: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Corbett and carried y unanimous ro call vote(Helgesson absent) that further reading of Ordinance No. 179 be waived. Motion, seconded and carried: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Corbett and carried y unanimous roll call vote (Helgesson absent) that Ordinance No. 179 be adopted as read. WARRANTS Motion seconded and carried: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Corbett and carrie by unanimous roll call vote, that the warrants as presented in the amount of SEVEN THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED THIRTY-SEVEN DOLLARS and Sixty Cents ($7,337.60) be approved and the City Clerk authorized to draw the appropriate warrants. ADJOURNMENT mere Seirg no furter business, !payor Denaon adjourned the meeting at 12:01 A. M. TO: NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, March 1, 1971 at 7:45 P. M. at Town Hall. Respectfully submitted, TED J. KLUZEK City Clerk Town of Los Altos Hills TJK/lp 2/16/71 4W -5-