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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/16/1966CITY COUNCIL TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILIS MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETID?G May 16, 1966 The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills was called to order Monday, May 16, 1966 by Mayor Albert T. Henley, at 7:52 P. M. at the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los .Altos Hills, California. ROLL CALL: FRESENT: Councilmen Aiken, Bowler, Davey, Fowls Mayor Henley ABSENT: None FLA:'NING COMMISSION RT;FRESE'TTATIVE: Commissioner Gertrude Sherlock APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 2, 1966. ACTION: Adopt Minutes of May 2, 1966 as submitted. MOTION: Fowle; SECOND: Bowler; VOTE: Passed unanimously. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1. Letter re: Grading - Mmes. Miller and Ronsieck - Councilman Davey. In compliance with instructions from the Deputy Mayor at the May 2, 1966 City Council meeting, Councilman Davey, as Chairman of Committee III on legal matters - 1.4m. Ross Aiken, Vice - Chairman - submitted and read in its entirety a written report dated May 16, 1966 re grading of lot at 26777 Elena Road -.- Councilman Davey`s report included exhibit D, a suggested form of reply to Mr. & Mrs. D. A. Miller and Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Ronsieck, subject report on file at Town Hall. ACTION: That the report of Councilman Davey, Chairman of Committee III, regarding the grading of lot at 26777 Elena Road, be accepted. MOTION: Bowler; SECOND: Fowle; VOTE: Passed unanimously. Mayor Henley stated that with this acceptance, it is under- stood the letter will be sent to the interested parties stated above, and that the matter of the apparent hiatus in the Town's L ) ordinances and other conditions which are apparent has been brought to its attention by the inquiry. He further stated the City Attorney has been requested to investigate the form COMMITTEE REPORTS: Councilman Davey, Committee III (Cont'd.): of grading ordinance adopted by Los Altos and considered to be a good one, and has asked that it be studied at an early date with a view toward adopting one like it or stronger, at which time the questions raised by the letters received from Mmes. Miller and Ronsieck and Mr. R. W. Towle will be dealt with. The following statement prepared by Councilman Aiken and at his request and without objection is incorporated in the Minutes at this point: "On Monday, the 2nd of May, the acting mayor appointed Mrs. Davey and me as a committee to look into the Salfen matter. On Wednesday Mrs. Davey and I agreed on two dates to meet and carry out the investigation. On Thursday, less than 24 hours later, Mrs. Davey and Mr. Fowle. met at Town Hall without my knowledge and started the investi- gation, questioning Mr. Salfen, telling him that I was not available so Mr. Fowle was taking my place. I reluctantly disclose this duplicity. I do so because, when I asked Mrs. Davey to refrain from again carrying on the committee's business in this manner, she refused and said she would do as she pleased. I submit, such action is not conducive to earning public confidence." Councilman Davey rebutted that no secret meeting was held at any time and that Councilman .Aiken had been informed of her intention to prepare herself as Chairman to properly conduct a committee hearing. Councilman Fowle attested to this statement. Mrs. M. Weisbart, 27709 Via Cerro Gordo, asked if the contents of the report "exonerated" Mr. Salfen and was told by the Chair that the issue of grading was raised by the inquiry and since Mr. Salfen was the owner and involved in the matter, his conduct was involved, but he is no more the center of inquiry than any other owner. Mr. A. H. Lachenbruch, 11820 Buena Vista Drive, suggested when the grading ordinance is studied that particular attention be given to the earthquake hazard problem. Mr. R. Farker, 27271 Moody Road, asked that the original letter of inquiry from Mmes. Miller and Ronsieck be read. Councilman Davey read this letter. Section VI, 6:20, Ordinance No. 69 - Councilman Bowler. Councilman Bowler requested Councilman Fowle, Vice -Chairman of Committee II, who wrote the report, to comment. Councilman Fowle submitted and read in its entirety a written report, proposing guidelines regarding amendment of the subdivision ordinance, No. 69, regarding private roads. -2- OLD BUSINESS: 1. William T. Newman - Request for Electric Pole, Lot Tract 3487. Upon inspection, the records showed the Tentative Map was approved on October 21, 1961 and that Ordinance No. 84 became effective June 20, 1963; therefore it was deemed appropriate to grant Mr. Newman's request. ACTION: That the request of Wm. T. Newman be granted, upon the condition that the pole be a maximum of fourteen feet (14') in height. MOTION: Davey; SECOND: Bowler; VOTE: sassed unanimously. NEK,S BUSINESS: 1. Pathways - Page Mill Road at Junipero Serra Freeway. Mayor Henley announced a meeting of the State Highway Commission on Wednesday, May 18, 1966, in Los Angeles at which time the matter of the pathway for non -vehicular traffic at above intersection will be considered. He asked Councilman Davey to attend this meeting (ex -Commissioner Garbett represented the Town at the Sacramento meeting) and that it would be appropriate for the Council to move that her necessary expenses be paid by the Town. ACTION: That Councilman Davey be authorized to represent the Town and that her necessary expenses for the trip be reimbursed by the Town. MOTION: Bowler; SECOND: Fowle; ROLL CALL: AYES: Aiken, Bowler, Davey, Fowls, Mayor Henley NOES: None ABSMTT: None VARIANCES: 1. Bridgewater, Ernest (V-256-66) - Reqguest for Reduction in Setback Requirement to Eleven Feet (11') for Storage Shed and to Twenty Feet (20') for addition of garage. ACTION: That the request of Ernest Bridgewater (V-256-66) for reduction of setback requirements be approved, in accordance with the recommendations of the Planning Commission. TfOTION: Aiken; SECOND: Fowle; VOTE: Passed unanimously. -4- VARIANCES (Cont'd.): 'J 2. Cowden, Ralph A. (V-257-66) - Request for Reduction in Setback Requirement to Seven Peet (7') for Garage. Mrs. D. A. Miller, 13076 Vista Del Valle Court, said she was within 300 feet of the subject property and was not notified. The Mayor regretted the oversite and City Manager reported that all property owners had been properly notified as shown on the application. Sirs. Miller had no objection to the granting of the variance. ACTION: That the request of Ralph A. Cowden (V-257-66) be approved, in accordance with the recommenda- tions of the Planning Commission. MOTION: Bowler; SECOND: Davey; VOTE: Passed unanimously. USE PERMITS: 1. Los Altos Hills Country Club (Ur -220-66) - Request for Swimming Fool and Locker Rooms. It was requested by the applicant, Mr. D. Bellucci, that this item be withheld and considered at the June 20'tb meeting. DIVISIONS Or LAND: Tentative claps: 1. Kirkpatrick, George R. (321-66) 3 lots - Engr. Riley. Engr. Riley, representing Mr. Kirkpatrick, requested the improvements be waived until further subdivision of the Lee and Kirkpatrick parcels, which request conforms to the City Engineer's recommendation but is contrary to Planning Commission recommendation of April 25, 1966. ACTION: That the Tentative Map of George R. Kirkpatrick (321-66) be approved, subject to the conditions that an in lieu payment for improvements is made for the frontage of lot A'2 and the frontage of twenty feet (20') on lot ;'1, and in accordance with the conditions imposed by the Planning Commission. MOTION: Bowler; SECOND: Fowls Ensuant discussion made clear that the path is to be built after the road is reconstructed by the County and that there be dedications for lots 1 and 2. l The Question was called. VOTE: Passed unanimously. WE CONFUNICATIONS: 1� i. 1. Donald E. Spencer, 27490 Sherlock Road - Re: Infringement o£ Property Rights. City Manager r --ad subject letter, dated May 3rd. Although in s�npathy with Mr. Spencer, there was discussion that since this is a private matter, the Council could not take any action. Letter was ordered filed. A Mrs. Valentino commented she had experienced the same situation on two occasions. Letter dated May 10, 1966 addressed to City Council from Frank J. Jean, 26625 Snell Lane, containing a petition of ten signatures (five families), bringing to Council attention the storm drainage problem on Snell Lane. Mayor acknowledged the letter and directed the City Engineer to consult with the signatories to define the problem and report what the public responsibility is and what the future action of the Council should be. At the request of Councilman Fowle, Engineer Nachtsheim made a preliminary report. Messrs. LJ-.. Perkins and S. E. Case, of Snell Lane, spoke on the complicated and critical nature of the problem. Lc^ague of California Cities Meeting, Thursday, May 26, 1966 at Val's Cafe, Alviso. Proclamation - Christian Leadership Week. Mayor Henley introduced and read in its entirety a Frocla.mation, proclaiming the week commencing fray 22 - 28, 1966 as Christian Leadership Week. In this connection, there will be a breakfast on May 26m at 7:00 A. 11. at Rickey's, Palo Alto. The affair is not confined to Christians and all are welcome, and the Never extended the invitation to all Councilmen. Mayor Henley reported that Councilman Davey has suggested a proposal by which a permanent item would be added to each Council .Agenda to provide for unscheduled presentations from the Floor. Although it has been the rule of the Council that items not on the Agenda may be discussed so that the opposition may be heard but no action taken, with the following arrange- ment this rule can be retained while entertaining questions raised by the Floor and. any Town's person can make it possible for his subject to be placed on the Agenda for the next Council meeting. In this way, there will be no possibility of a citizen not being heard. -6- AS'NOUNCE°ENTS: New Item for Agenda (Cont'd.): Therefore, hereafter, there will be a regularly agendaed item entitled "PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR*" following Communications. The asterisk represents the following notation, which will be placed at the bottom of the Agenda: "*This time is reserved for any citizen to bring any matter of Town business before the Council and, if desired, to secure a place on the Agenda for same at the next regular meeting." - Since "OTHER BUSINESS" is for Councilmen, it will be amended to read "OTHER BUSINESS BY COUNCILMEN" and will precede Adjournment. WARRANTS: 1. Bills, in the amount of THREE TiOUSCND, NINE HUNDRED THIRTY- SEVE7 DOLTARS and Three Cents (1$3,937.03), were presented for payment by Councilman Fowle. ACTION: That the bills, as presented, be approved and the City Clerk be authorized to draw the appropriate warrants. MOTION: Fowls; SECOND: Bowler -- ROLL CALL: AYE'-;: Aiken, Bowler, Davey, Fowle Mayor Henley NOES: None ABSENT: None OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Councilman Fowle reported there was a situation wherein a. certain redwood tree was close to being damaged by a sub- divider and although this has been taken care of by the City Engineer and the subdivider, it is probably not altogether to the satisfaction of the immediate neighbor. Councilman Fowle would appreciate a letter to Dr. & Mrs. Edward Liston over the :layer's signature issuing a statement that every- thing possible has been done; that the Town has the assurance of a tree surgeon that the tree is not in mortal danger; and, that the subdivider will be required to place a suitable brace to prevent any possible wind damage. COMI'UNIC^.TION FROM THE FLOOR: Letter from Mrs. R. L. Jones, 10791 Magdalena Road, enclosing a newspaper clip_ring, and objecting to certain comments therein and asked that the Town get together and go along with its business. �_1 -7- There being no further business, Mayor Henley adjourned the meeting to an Executive Session at 10:00 F. TI. and announced since no further business will be taken up after the Session, the meeting will be adjourned to the next regular meeting. YEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, June 6, 1966 at .7:45 P. M. at the Town Hall. COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE AT PLFNNING COMMISSION I°P]ETING OF MAY 23rd: Councilman John M. Fowls. Respectfully submitted, PAUL V. S4LFEN City Clerk 5/16/66-mam Town of Los Altos Hills C ERT I F I C AT E May 21, 1966 This is to certify that I, Paul W. Salfan, City Clerk of the Town of Los Altos Hills, California, did,on behalf of the City Council, notify the following news- popers,or their representatives, of the call of a Special Meeting of the City Council to be held on Monday, May 23, 1966, at the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Rd., Los Altos Hills, Calif.,at the hour -of 8:30 AM and further notify- ingsaid individuals the item to be considered to be; "Trucking Violations on Magdalena Road" to wit: Opia Tucker, Publisher, Los Altos News Keith Hearn, Reporter, Palo Alto Times Mr. Robertson, City Desk, San Jose Mercury- News PAUL W r .,y City C eri .� I