HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/19/1971it
CITY COUNCIL
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS RILLS
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MELTING
July 19, 1971
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Mayor Walter A. Benson called the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the
Town of Los Altos Hills to order at 7:50 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Town
Bell, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Rills, with the following members answering
roll call: Present: Councilmen Grabowski, Helgesson, Mayor Beason, Councilman Davey
arrived at 7:50 P.M. Absent: Councilman Corbett.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Minutes of June 7, 1971, June 21, 19711 and July 61 1971 were
not completed for approval.
COMMCNICATIO_NS:
1.V ABAG advised that nominations to the Citizen's Task Force will be accepted to
July 28, 1971.
2. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department advised of deputies assigned in the North
County area and their hours worked.
3. Communication from Senator Clark Bradley advised that except for AB 813, his
position is in agreement with that taken by the Council in their transmittal to him
on numerous bills before the legislature.
UNSCHEDULED ITEM NO. 1:
REQUEST FOR PERMISSION TO IMPROVE THE INTERSECTION OF PAGE MILL ROAD AND ARASTRAD.ERO
ROAD.
Staff reviewed their discussions with the Palo Alto Unified School District regarding
safety improvements that should be made at this corner. It was noted that presently
school buses coming East on Arastradero could not negotiate a right turn onto Page
Mill Road without crossing the double yellow line due to an inadequate turning radius
and the visual barrier created by the end three Eucalyptus trees in the existing grove
along Arastradero. The fact that Page Mill Road narrows abruptly at this point
compounds the hazard. Staff stated that the School District agreed to remove the
three trees on their property and dedicate sufficient right of way, it the Tows
would accomplish the roadway improvements at this intersection which consist of
engineering, construction, relocation of public utilities and repainting of pave-
ment markers. The cost to the Town for these improvements was estimated at
$4125.00 from the "road -in -lieu" fund.
Council discussion concurred with the Tom Engineer's recommendation.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Grabowski and
carried by unanimous roll call vote, that 84125.00 be allocated from the "Road -in -
Lieu -Feel? Fund for improvement of the Page Mill/Arastradero Road intersection.
UNSCHEDULED ITEM N0. 2:
REPORT Ofi SAERIF'F S RATES FOR 1971-72.
Staff reported that on July 20, 1971, the County Administrator will recommend to
the Board of Supervisors that the Sheriff's Patrol hourly rate be $21.26 starting
August 16, 1971 to take into consideration the anticipated wage increases for the
Sheriff's Department. It was noted that the Town's Budget for Sheriff Patrol for
the 1971-72 Fiscal Year was based on $21.00 per hour for the full twelve months.
Council discussion noted reluctantly that although it was a substantial increase
from the 1970-71 rate of $15.05, that no action would be required since the new
rate was comparatively close to the 1971-72 budget estimate of $21.00.
UNSCHEDULED _ITEM NO. 3:
REQiJEST FOR PE�iMIS8I0N TO ABATE FIRE HAZARD.
Staff reviewed a letter from the Fire Marshall regarding the failure of Mr. E.
Lepers to abate a fire hazard on his property after having received a written re-
quest to do so. The Town was requested to authorize discing of the property
located adjacent to 14465 Manuella Road and bill the owner. Staff noted that
Ordinance 105 states "......if the owner fails to correct such condition, the
governing authority may cause the same to be done and make the expense of such
correction a lien upon the property upon which such condition exists."
Council discussion concurred that the discing be accomplished and the owner billed.
ow MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Grabowski
and carried by unanimous roll call vote that Staff be directed to have the fire
hazard abated that exists on the property adjacent to 14465 Manuella Road, and that
the owner Mr. E. Lepers be billed for same.
SCHEDULED ITEM NO. 1:
NINETY DAY MORAPOR VM O17 THE ISSUANCE OF PERMITS FOR STABLES.
Mayor Benson reviewed that Ordinance No. 179 which became effective March 16, 1971
required that all commercial stables obtain Use Permits and that this Use Permit
specifies the number of horses that may be kept. He noted that in every application
submitted for a commercial stable Use Permit subsequent to this Ordinance, the
maximum number of horses to be allowed became a major consideration. This problem
has been further compounded by objections to the fly nuisance generated, manure
removal, and the extra burden placed upon the Town's roads and trails. As a result,
he stated that it had been suggested that a ninety -day moratorium be established
on the issuance of use permits for stables to allow time for a more detailed study
Of Ordinance No. 179 to better determine reasonable conditions for commercial
stable Use Permits.
Floor participants voicing opposition to a moratorium included: Mr. A. M. Laws,
11210 Hooper Lane; Mr. Morris Grupp, representing the prospective purchaser of
the Melton Stable; Mr. S. G. Whittelsey, Director of Los Altos Horsemen's Associa-
tion; Mrs. Irma Goldsmith, 27330 Elena Road; Mrs. June menwraith, 13431 Wildcrest
Drive; Mr. Dan Alexander, 27200 Elena Road; Mr. W. D. Sauers, 26450 Anacapa Drive;
Mrs. Gerry Clement, 26590 Snell Lane; Mrs. Diana Miller, 13076 Vista del Valle
i/ Court; Mfr. Larry Dawson, 13835 Page Mill Road; Mr. Morgan McGilvray, 12823 Nor-
mandy Lane; Mrs. Diane Strobele, 26450 Ascension Drive; Mr. Larry Watkins, 27200
Altamont Road; Ms. Jennifer Sundahl, Los Altos; and Me, Thelma Stutz, 25310 Elena
Road.
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Speaking in favor of the moratorium were: Mrs, Millie Savinno, Chairman of the
Pathway Committee; Mr. & Mrs. M. J. Brown, 12670 Diane Drive; Mrs. Judy Carico,
25311 O'Keefe Lane; Mr, Bill Downey, President of Los Altos Hills Association;
Mrs, Fay Baumgarten, 25000 O'Keefe Lane and Mr, Keith Prichard, legal counsel for
neighbors opposing the Melton Stable.
Council discussion with participation by the City Attorney ensued. Mr. Faisant
noted that the proposed moratorium was not an emergency ordinance and that it
could not be effected until 30 days following the second reading and also that
adoption would not affect pending applications.
Councilman Davey argued against the proposed moratorium, stating Ordinance No. 179
had resulted from lengthy study, and that a moratorium would not add any new
input. She felt this would be "the first brick in the wall to outlaw horses in
the Town." Councilmen Grabowski, Helgesson and Mayor Benson emphatically stated
that it definitely was not suggested or intended to remove horses from the Town,
but that the moratorium was warranted to allow further study of Ordinance No. 179.
The majority of the Council concurred that the City Attorney prepare Ordinance
No. 188, and have the First Reading under "Ordinances".
SCHEDULED ITEM NO. 2:
MELTON, RICHARD B. �(UP-355-71) - Request for Use Permit for Boarding Stable at
24970 O'Keefe Lane (E. GrUPP/Melton, Co -Applicants.)
Staff stated that this item had been continued from the last meeting to allow the
Council to consult with the City Attorney. Staff reviewed that the Planning
Commission had recommended approval to permit eighteen horses on the property.
Council discussion clarified that this was a joint application filed by so-
anplicants --- Mr. IIdon Grupp (prospective buyer) and Mr. Richard Melton (seller).
Floor participation included: Mr. Keith Prichard; Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Brown; Mrs.
Lewis Wilson, 25102 O'Keefe Lane; Mr. Larry Watkins; Mrs. Millie Saviaao; Mr.
& Mrs. Robert Carico; Mr. Morris Grupp (representing the buyer); Dr. Kay Bewley
13470 Burke Lane; Mr. William Sauers; Mr. Eldon Grupp; Mr, Richard Thomas, Los
Altos; and Commissioner William Perkins.
ei� '<o nb ,ecb�ons erpre -ei cnfl entertained the selectioi:
of a committee to mediate with the appiicant and the-aLghbors. Mr. Morris Grupp
stated he would be willing to meet with the neighbors at any time regarding the
operation but under no circumstances would the Grupps accept the neighbors terms
for the number of horses to be allowed on this property. He noted the sale to the
Grupps was announced on June 7, 1971, and is to be consummated August 2, 1971.
He stated that if the Council further delayed this application, that the Grupp's
would withdraw their participation in the application for this Use Permit.
Councilman Davey stated previous permits had been granted without the delays en-
countered by the Melton and that since there did not appear to be any resolution
forthcoming between the parties through further delays, that the Council should
either approve or deny the application based upon the Planning Commission's re-
commendation. Councilmen Grabowski, Helgecson and Mayor Benson stated that they
could not proceed without attempting further to resolve the differences between
4 the Parties concerned.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Helgesson,
and carried by majority vote (Davey voting No) that the Melton/Grupp application
for a Commercial Stable Use Permit (UP 355-71) be continued for 30 days pending
a recommendation from a enmmittee of three, composed of one from the applicants,
one from the protestors, with a third member selected by these two.
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`, SCHEDULED ITEM N0_-_3:
ACTION ON PENDING LEGISLATIVE MATTERS . . . . . Councilman Grabowski.
Due to the late hour, Council concurred to defer this discussion to the August
2, 1971 meeting.
UNSCHEDULED ITEM No. 4:
APPLICATION FOR LEAVE TO PRESENT LATE CLAIM ON BEHALF OF CLAIMANT.
Staff stated Mr. Jack P. Kilburn had requested permission to file a late claim
against the Town for alleged damage to his property located between La Cresta and
Anacapa Drives, in the amount of $16,792.76.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesso:. moved, seconded by Grabowski
and carried by unanimous roll call vote, that permission to file a late claim
against the Town of Los Altos Hills by Mr. Jack P. Kilburn in the amount of
$16,792.76 be denied.
Presentations From the Floor:
Mr, Glen Taylor, 1229 Forest Ave, Palo Alto, protested adoption of Ordinance No.
180 (Sub -Division Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 69) and requested its effectivity
be postponed pending further public hearings. He enumerated various sections of
the ordinance to which he objected.
ov City Attorney noted the Ordinance had been duly posted and that in addition, over
the past two years, numerous public discussions were held regarding this revision
to the Sub -Division Ordinance. He stated that during the posting period anyone
objecting had recourse to file a law suit if they felt the ordinance was adopted
capriciously. The alternative for a citizen would have been to attend the public
hearings and voice their objections along with those others heard.
Ordinances
1. Ordinance N. 188 - First Reading - Moratorium on Issuance of Use Permits for
Commercial Stables.
City Attorney introduced and read in entirety Ordinance No. 188, An Ordinance of
the Town of Los Altos Hills Amending ordinance No. 179 of said Town by Temporarily
Delaying Application and Enforcement of the Requirement for Use Permits for
Legally Existing Stables.
2. Ordinance No.. 187 - 2nd Reading - Amending Drainage Ordinance No. 141.
City Attorney introduced and read the title of Ordinance No. 187, An Ordinance of
the Town of Los Altos Hills Amending Ordinance No. 141 of Said Town by Changing
the Charge Imposed on Subdivided Building Sites.
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Helgesson
and carried unanimously by roll call vote that further reading of Ordinance No.
187 be waived.
L MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Mayor Benson
4/ that Ordinance No. 187 be adopted was carried by the following roll call vote:
Ayes: Councilmen Davey, Helgesson and Mayor Benson. Noes: Councilman Grabowski.
Absent: Councilman Corbett.
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MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Helgesson moved, seconded by Grabowski,
and carried by unanimous roll call vote, that the warrants as presented in the
amount of ONE HUNDRED SIXTEEN THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED EIGHTY EIGHT DOLLARS and
Forty-nine Cents ($116,688.49) be approved and the City Clerk authorized to draw
the appropriate warrants.
OTHER BUSINESS HY COUNCILMEN:
City Attorney noted that he had prepared a draft ordinance in response to some
Councilmen who had suggested the possibility of amending the Zoning Ordinance
with respect to commercial stables by removing them from "agriculture" and
make them a "Conditional Use".
MOTION, SECONDED AND CARRIED: Councilman Grabowski moved, seconded by Helgesson,
and carried by majority vote (Davey voting No) that proposed Ordinance No. 189 be
transmitted to the Planning Commission for their recommendations.
�r
Mayor Benson
adjourned
the meeting at
12:15 A.M.
to:
NEXT REGULAR
MEETING:
Monday August
2, 1971 at
7:45 P.M. at Town Hall.
TJX/dq
7/19/71
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Respectfully submitted,
��
TED J. UZEK
City Clerk
Town of Los Altos Hills