Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/01/1965-� CITY COUNCIL TO'vIN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING March 1, 1965 The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the Town of Los .Altos Hills was called to order by Mayor Wm. B. Clayton, Monday, March 1, 1965 at 7:59 P. M. at the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmen Aiken, Bowler, Fowle, Henley, Mayor Clayton ABSENT: None PLANNING COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE: Commissioner Don T. Hibner APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 15, 1965. ACTION: Adopt Minutes of February 15, 1965 as submitted. COMr9UNI CATIONS: - 1 Undc gr oo_und Utilities - Letter dated February 25, 1965 from ---) Commissioner M. L. Eawley. Deferred to end of Agenda for discussion. ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. Inter -City Meeting, Thursday, March 4, 1965, 7:30 P. F., Holiday nn,I Sunnyvale. Civil Defense and Disaster Personnel are especially invited to this meeting. 2. Peninsula Divion, League of California Cities - Dinner Neeting.Thursda7is, March 25u", 7:30 P. M., Sakura Gardens, Mountain View. Guest Speaker: Thomas J. Cahill, Chief of Iolice, City and County of San Francisco. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Planning Commission Appointments. .ACTION: That Don T. Hibner and Melvin L. Hawley be reappointed to the Planning Commission for a term of four years, terminating January 14, 1969• MOTION: Aiken; SECOND: Henley; VOTE: Passed unanimously. The Mayor expressed the appreciation of the Council for the Commissioners' past services faithfully performed. ..OLD BUSINESS: (Cont'd.) 2. quarry - Page Mill Road. Councilman Fowle,requested the City Attorney to report on the status of the Rage Mill Quarry. The City Attorney reported an extensive investigation was made and in close cooperation with the sons of the former owner, Mrs. E. Taa£fe, it was determined the quarry had been abandoned. On the strength of this information, the present owners were advised the previously existing non -conforming use'was not entitled to continue at this time. The present owners immedi- ately discontinued the operation voluntarily, and since that same day, to the Attorney's knowledge, there has been no further operation of the quarry. In line with the Council action of February 15th to oppose this quarry with all legal means and so this Council might go on record as making every effort possible to protect the interests of the Town, Councilman Fowls proposed the following Motion: :,CTI ON: That the City Attorney be directed to demand from the owners of the former Taaffe property on Page Mill Road a recordable document stating that they acknowledge the validity of our Zoning Ordinance No. 98, which states that there shall be only one zone, namely, single family residential, one acre, and that it applies to said property and also that they renounce any claimed rights for any other zoning or uses of said property under present zoning limitations. MOTIOW: Fowls; SECOND: Bowler; VOTE: Passed unanimously Councilman Henley requested the City Attorney to submit, at his leisure and at some future meeting, a report on the feasibility of criminal prosecution. NEW BUSINESS: 1. The City Manager advised the Council of damage claim from William Samuels, 10800 Magdalena Road, transmitted through S. R. Morley, attorney-at-law. ACTION: ' That the claim of William Samuels be referred to the Staff for study. MOTION: Henley; SECOND; Bowler; VOTE: Passed unanimously. -2- NEW BUSINESS (Cont'd.): 2. Tracey, Walter - Request for Approval of In Lieu Payment, Tract No. 2934. The City Manager read letter dated February 18, 1965 from Walter Tracy requesting approval of his engineer's proposed inlieu-payment for the improvements of Tract No. 2934, rather than the City Engineer's estimate. Councilman Aiken investigated the matter and felt the Town's interest could be best served by accepting the in lieu payment but recommended the amount be the City Engineer's estimate; however, it was Councilman Aiken's personal. opinion a 10% reduction would be acceptable. The City Engineer reported the difference in the estimated costs stemmed from additional work called for on the Check List and Improvement Plans, which were not covered by Engr. Riley's estimate. - ACTION: - That the City'Engineer`s estimate of in lieu payment for improvements of Tract No. 2934 be -) accepted and approved. MOTION: Henley; SECOND: Aiken Since the Town will be contracting for the improvements on an "in lieu" basis, it was discussed that, in this case, it might be possible to omit the 10% contingency fee. Motion and Second were withdrawn. LOTION: That the City Engineer's estimate, less the 10% contingency factor, be taken as an in lieu payment for improvements of Tract No. 2934. MOTION: Henley; SECOND: Aiken; VOTE: Passed unanimously. 3. ;abandonment of General Public Easement - Lot #Fl, Tract No. 1926, Fremont Rills Unit #2. The City, Manager explained the abandonment is being requested since the easement has never been used nor is it needed for present or prospective public use. The. City Manager introduced and read, in its entirety, Resolution No. 296, a Resolution of the City Councilof the Town of Los,Altos Hills abandoning certain general public easements. -3- \ NFT.d BUSINESS: Abandonment of Easement (Cont'd.): :CTION: That Resolution No. 296 be adopted as read. MOTION: Henley; SECOND: Aiken ROLL: CALL: LYES: Aiken, Bowler, Fowls, Henley Mayor Clayton ' .. NOES: - None ABSENT: None 4. Tree. Plantings. The Mayor reported he had been contacted by Mr. W. R. George, President of the Los 2,ltos Hills P.ssociation, regarding a plan for organized tree planting throughout the Town. Mr. George explained the stumbling block in this plan was the maintenance of the trees and requested an expression of support from the Council that the Town will water the trees so it will be an effective program. Commissioner Alter, at the request of Mr. George, told of a plan wherein he and his neighbors plan to supply the proper variety of trees and plant them along a portion of Magdalena Road, if the Town would assume maintenance of these trees for a period of 2 to 3 years. Commissioner Alter said tree planting was discussed by the Planning Commission wherein the subdivider would provide an in lieu payment for trees and the Town would supply and maintain them; however, on Magdalena, and in many sections of Town where there have been no new subdivisions or never will be, there is. a real absence of tree planting and with the support of the Council, Magdalena could be used as a trial street to inspire the Hills Associa- tion Committee and the Citizenry as to what a community can do. The Council went on record as being agreeable to give as much support as possible, but in order to stay within the Town's resources, cost estimates were requested. ,:CTI ON: That the Staff be asked to report at the March 150 meeting suggested means, with cost estimates, toward accomplishing the result of taking over the maintenance of tree plantings by volunteer groups as well as by subdividers and, in the latter case, with some fee adopted to bear the cost. `�. MOTION: I:enley; SECOND: Bowler; VOTE: Passed unanimously. 4- NEW BUSINESS (Cont'd.): Green Foothills Planning Committee - Councilman Fowle. As a member of the Citizens I_dvisory Committee of the Green Foothills Planning Committee, Councilman Fowle requested this report be referred to the Planning Commission for their general study and comments, if any. G few items pertain to the Town, regarding inter -city problems, particularly Page 14, Page Mill Road. The Mayor will direct a letter to the Planning Commission to this effect. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Cluster. Use Permit - Page Mill Road i'irs. H. Moeller advised the Council she had attended the Santa Clara County Planning Commission meeting regarding the above use permit and, in spite of the numerous protests, the permit was approved without trails and setbacks which could allow houses to be as little as 20' apart. Mrs. Moeller again appealed to the Council to take a stronger stand at the Board of Supervisors Meeting on Tuesday, March 9m at 9:30 '...5"s. contending this development was a threat to their rural way of life and violated the intent of the cluster ordinance as to the integrity and character of the neighborhood. Messrs. Moeller, Inness, Towle, Cowie and f'`rs. Andrews com- mented on their objections to the cluster development, also appealing to the Council to take a stronger stand. Considerable discussion followed as to whether the density, leeching fields, trails and intent of the County Ordinance was in keeping with the character of this neighborhood. It was stated for the record that the Council had not given pre- vious approval to this permit. The Council's concern for a decrease in density is to preserve the hillside cover for. view and prevention of floods. The concern for trails is to pre- vent any interruption of a planned trail from Bayshore to Skyline, with the basic objection being to any development which would be in conflict with the general rural area. ACTION: That the Council go on record as opposing this subdivision and that it make a strong representation to the County authorities, stressing this body has never approved the cluster plan; That it be stressed the land is so steep as not to .fit well within the one acre requirement; That the houses allowed would be so close together as to appear incongruous with this area; and That no paths or equestrian trails will be provided for in an area which is generally set aside and acknowledged to be rural. MOTION: Aiken; SECOND: Henley; VOTE; Passed unanimously. -5- OTHER BUSINESS: Cluster Use Permit (Cont'd.)': At the direction of the Council, the Staff will represent the Town at the Board of Supervisors Meeting March 9t. In addition, the Mayor will forward a written communication to' the Board. - 2. Underground Utilities - Commissioner Hawley. City Manager read letter dated February 25t from Commissioner Hawley concerning the ultimate elimination of all overhead facilities. - The Mayor was receptive to the 31an and said he would be very happy to discuss this with Mr. Carpenter of the League of. California Cities. The Council was in complete agreement that this matter be pursued. The City .ttorney said that for three years the League has been very. actively interested in this matter and he had taken part in discussions during the Los Angeles Conference and felt sure that any further overtures by the Town would be appreciated by the League. The Player will proceed with this inquiry. ORDINANCES: 1. Ordinance No. 104, an Ordinance of the Town of Los iatos Hills amending Ur cc No. 29 of said Town by adding thereto certain sections dealing with placement of certain utilities underground. Second Reading. The City .'attorney explained this was an amendment to Ordinance No. 29 setting forth the exceptions wherein over- head utilities may be permitted. The City Attorney read the title of Ordinance No. 104. ACTION: That the balance of the reading of Ordinance No. 104 be waived. MOTION: Henley; SECOND: Aiken POLL C;',LL: ,YES; Liken, Bowler, Fowle, Henley Mayor Clayton NOES: None ABSENT: None ACTION: That Ordinance No. 104 be adopted as read. MOTION: Fowls; SECOND: Bowler ROLL CALL: '.YES: Aiken, Bowler, Fowle, Henley, Mayor Clayton NOES: None ABSENT: None -6- WARRA.NTS� 1. Bills, in the amount of EIGHT THOUS"ND EIGHT HUNDRED FORTY- EIGHT DOLLARS and Thirteen Cents (N,8,848.13), were presented y 1 by Councilman Fowls. ACTION: That the bills, as presented, be approved; that the City Clerk be authorized to draw the - appropriate warrants. 190TION: Fowls; SECOND: Henley ROLL CALL: AYES: Liken, Bowler, Fowls, Henley Mayor Clayton NOES: None ABSENT: None OTHER,BUSINESS (Cont'd.): 3. "F'er Lot f.ssessment"Study - City l:ttorney. The City .Attorney reported an insufficient number of replies to his questionaire prevented any completion of a survey on what other Cities are doing on "per lot assessment". The City Attorney did feel there was a great deal ofmerit in Commissioner Hibner s formula, as well as the Council, and Councilman Aiken requested the City Attorney to submit a report on its probable legality. 4. Trafficways Committee, County of Santa Clara. The Mayor referred to letter dated February 18, 1965 from Thos. B. Inglis, Chairman of the Trafficways Committee, enclosing recommendations on Highway Frojects and Trafficways General Flan Map - 1985• The Mayor asked that the Council review these recommendations and refer any comments to Councilman Bowler, Trafficways Committee Delegate, who will attend the March 10, 1965 meeting, at which time these two matters will be acted upon. 5. County Sheriff's Office - Contract Increases. The City Manager reported he had attended a meeting regarding increased cost for police protection to contract Cities. Action by the Board of Supervisors was withheld pending further study. '_DJOURNMENT: MOTION: Fowle; SECOND: Henley MEETING :0JOURNED: 10:15 P. M. NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, March 15, 1965 at 7:45 T. M. at the TownHall. Respectfully submitted, PAUI: ld. S.'.LFEN City Clerk 3/1/65 -mar Town of Los_.ltos Hills