HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/19/1966CITY COUNCIL
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
I MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
December 19, 1966
The Regular Meeting of the City. Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills was
.called to order Monday, December 19, 1966 by Deputy Mayor Gordon E. Bowler
at.7:53 P. M. at the Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, Calif.
ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmen Aiken, Fowls, Deputy Mayor Bowler
ABSENT: Councilman Davey, Mayor Henley
PLANNING COMMISSION
REPRESENTATIVE: Chairman Don T. Hibner
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: December 5, 1966.
ACTION:
Adopt Minutes of December 5, 1966 as
submitted.
MOTION: Fowle; SECOND: Aiken;
C, VOTE: Passed unanimously.
COMMUNICATIONS:
1. George Seidman, 12690 Dianne Drive, Los Altos Hills, dated 12/19/66,
requesting extension of time to file Final Map for Tract #4111,
Foothill Meadows....,... Deferred to January 3rd Council Agenda.
2. Wilfred R. George, 12881 Viscaino Place, Los Altos Hills, expressing
the appreciation of the Fremont Hills Country Club neighborhood to the
Los Altos Hills Tree Planting Committee..... Council concurred this
expression of appreciation was well deserved.
3. Notice of Public Hearing before the Santa Clara County Local Agency
Formation Commission to consider proposed annexations to the City of
Los Altos designated as Grant -Portland 66-2 and Oak 66-4......... Council
had no objections, since both proposed annexations were within the
..normal planning jurisdiction of Los Altos.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: None.
UNSCHEDULED ITEMS:
1. App inents to County Planning Policy Committee....... Deputy Mayor
Bowletm
r appointed Councilman John M. Fowle and Planning Commissioner
Wilton F. Minckley to the County Planning Policy Committee.
UNSCHEDULED ITEMS Cont'd.:
2. Request to oppose expansion of Syntex Laboratories in City of Palo Alto.
r�
City Clerk read letter dated December 2, 1966 from Mrs. George Krieger,
26555 Aric Lane, Los Altos Hills, and Mrs. Krieger's letter to the City
of Palo Alto Planning Commission, opposing the request -of Syntex to
changing the zoning status from residential to light industrial.
Mrs. Krieger was present and stated the real problem is traffic control,
which will exist regardless of the tenant, and should be solved.
Mr. R. S. Riley, Manager of RealEstate and Development at Stanford
University, owners of the land who are leasing to Syntex Corporation,
presented an area map showing location of the triangular piece of property
in question, bordered by Arastradero, Foothill Blvd. and Hillview, and
explained the traffic pattern with access from Junipero Serra Freeway
via the newly aligned four -lane Page Mill Road under construction to
Foothill Blvd., thence to Hillview or Arastradero, and thereby avoiding
Fremont Road. Mr. Riley explained the present zoning is medium density
residential, which allows six homes per acre (approximately 300 homes)
and a neighborhood shopping center, and Syntex is requesting a change to
light industrial zorfng, M-5 (5 acres per building).
Mr. Frank Koch, Director of Public Relations for the Syntex Corporation
explained the expansion will consist of research and administration
' space, the total result being an international creative research center.
Map of proposed development was submitted showing a campus -like
environment, with 30% greenbelt area and 200' setback from Arastradero
with extensive landscaping to enhance the beauty of the Creek, and exist-
ing architecture retained.
Although Councilman Aiken was of the opinion the industrial park oi- this
calibre is far superior to a shopping center with gas station and 3CG
homes, he made clear that Stanford University and its tenants had not
lived up to its promises to the residents in the area to avoid traffic
problems, bright lights and noise; but that these situations exist
today with no apparent effort to cure. Councilman Aiken recuested
Mr. Riley to give some indication of action which would give the Counc`.-
confidence that the Syntex plan would be carried out.
Mr. Riley stated they were aware of the problems since the recent
Palo Alto Planning Commission meeting and are requesting old, as well
as new tenants, to shield and subdue the lights and have roof screens
for the noise; as to the Town's traffic worries, he believed the
pattern described above would avoid traffic problems.
Mrs. R. L. Jones, President of Los Altos Hills Association, stated a
communication had been received from the residents across from
Arastradero whose main concern was a buffer from noise.
Mrs. Lois Hogle, a citizen of Los Altos Hills and a Director at large
for the Committee for Green Foothills, commented on the traffic prcbiem
�- and rapid transit.
-2-
UNSCHEDULED ITEMS: Opposition to Svntx cont'd.:
�1 It was the personal opinion of Councilman Fowle (an immediate neighbor to
Syntex, as well as Chairman Hibner, that the land will be developed in
any event, and that expansion of Syntex Corporation was superior to the
development of 300 homes plus a shopping center, and would not generate
a great deal of difference in the traffic.
Deputy Mayor Dowler thanked Stanford University and Syntex Corporation
for their presentation and no ection was proposed.
SCHEDULED ITEMS:
1.. Sewer Assessment District No. 2 - Inception of Proceedings........
Deferred to Council meeting of January 16th; however, at the prerogative
of the City Attorney, it may beagendaed for the next meeting.
2. Proposal for Drainage Study - City Engineer.
In view of the study of the Engineering Budget and the uncertainty of
whether funds can be allocated right now for an overall drainage study
for the Town, Councilman Fowle suggested the immediate preparation
of a plan for the Barron Creek area in advance of the total area.
Engr. Nachtsheim concurred that a otudy of separate areas to delineate
the water sheds was feasible.
ACTION:
That the City Engineer be instructed prepare a
proposal for the Barron Creek water shed, and the
tine required for such a study.
MOTION: Fowle; SECOND: -Aiken; VOTE: Passed unanimously.
Councilman Aiken stated he voted for this study but urged this is the
time to take stock to see where the Town is going, since such an overall
drainage proposal night necessitate raising taxes and he was against
this. Councilman Aiken recommended that the Town review the sub-
dividers' requirements for drainage and per lot assessment.
3.Proposal to designate Junipero Serra Freeway a Scenic Highway - Committee
for Green Foothills.
Mrs. Lois Hogle, Director at Large to the Committee for Green Foothills,
verbally presented to the Council (in accordance with letter dated
December 7, 1966 and booklet) information regarding designation of
the Junipero Serra Freeway within the Town as a Scenic Highway, which
would require an act of the State Legislature, should the Council desire
this status. Mrs. Hogle also recommended the Council adopt a "scenic
corridor" plan within the Tonm's right of way of the Freeway in accord-
ance with the Town's zoning and protective devices to preserve the
areas surrounding the Freeway. Mrs. Hogla suggested that additional
L information on the corridor plan could be obtained from Mr. Lukkonen,
of the San Mateo County Planning Department, z:,d from the Sierra Club
(Skyline Scenic Parkway Booklet submitted).
-3-
SCHEDULED ITEMS: "Scenic Highway" cont'd.:
Mrs. Hogle also questioned whether the new link now under construction
to connect old Junipero Serra (new Foothill Expressway) with the
cloverleaf, should be a part of the County Scenic Roadway System.
Deputy Mayor Bowler suggested that it would be appropriate to refer
these three matters to the Planning Commission for their recommendations
as to what nature of commitments should be made and what these would
entail on the part of the Town.
Freeway Landscaping Plan of the State Division of Highways was discussed
and Chairman P. Burchard, Tree Planting Committee, submitted written
recommendations dated December 19th regarding maintenance building,
strengthening of screening effect and Freeway signs.
ACTION:
That the matter of making the Freeway a "Scenic Highway"
and the recommendations of Tree Planting Committee dated
December 19, 1966, be referred to the Planning Commission
for implementation.
MOTION: Fowle; SECOND: Aiken; MOTE: Passed unanimously.
UNSCHEDULED ITEMS Cont'd.:
At 9:38 P. M., Deputy Mayor Bowler adjourned the meeting for recess.
At 9:56 P. M., Deputy Mayor Bowler reconvened the meeting.
3. Town Traffic Sign Proposal .......Deferred to January 3rd meeting.
4. City Manager's Report....... In the absence of the City Manager, this
report was deterred to January 3rd.
5. Agreement for Existing Street Lights - Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
Discussion revealed that a general survey by the Los Altos Hills
Association in December of 1965 was against street lighting within the
Town; since a partial opening of the Expressway, this one lighting
district could not be justified on the basis of a traffic problem, and
that the problems remaining were one of safety, whether the citizens
affected would like a street lighting district, and an up -dated survey
by the Los Altos Hills Association regarding the desires of the citizens
as to the basic concept of street lighting within the Town. The
Association offered to up -date their survey.
Deputy Mayor Bowler instructed the Law Enforcement Committee to report
on this matter at the meeting of January 3rd.
PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR: None
RESOLUTIONS• None.
i
CL
ORDINANCES•
1. Ordinance No.
117
- Second
Reading.
City Attorney read the title of Ordinance No. 117, an ordinance
of the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills amending Ordinance
No. 116 of said Town by amending the provisions of said ordinance
relating to the amount of land to be dedicated and the amount of fee
to be paid in lieu of land dedication.
ACTION:
That further reading of Ordinance No.. 117 be waived.
MOTION: Fowle; SECOND: Aiken
ROLL CALL: AYES: Aiken; Fowls, Deputy Mayor Bowler
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilman Davey, Mayor Henley
ACTION:
That Ordinance No. 117 be adopted as read.
MOTION: Fowle; SECOND: Aiken
Mrs, R. Towle, of the Los Altos Hills Association, posed several
questions: money is being collected, but what for? no definition of
the type of park they collect money for; what type do the citizens want;
( I no consideration of the time to accumulate funds.
Councilman Aiken agreed that the Town should know where it is going
and stated for the record "I feel very strongly the only parks we
should have, with the exception of Little League, should be small and
scattered, unimproved wild, natural park areas accessible only by
horses and hikers, to retain the natural character of the hills."
Although Deputy Mayor Bowleragreed the point was well taken that the
Town should know where it is going and a plan is needed for these monies,
he emphasized that public land cannot be owned without maintenance.
-
In the meantime, there would be no harm to collect these fees, authorized
by State legislation, since a productive use can be found for recreation
if it is available.
At the request of Councilman Fowle, City Attorney summarized the Ordinance
in that the object of State Legislation in 1965 provided a clear cut way
to enable the cities to do something about recreational space and that the
recreation element of the general plan is a prerequisite of Ordinance
No. 116, which spells out in broad terms what the recreation may be in
the future; that legislation at the State level was not written for Los
Altos Hills but for Los Angeles. The Council did not intend that this
would be a complete and ready answer to the complete recreation of the
Town and would have to find other means; however, this ordinance would
not regulate the type of park and the monies could be used for improvement
of a site dedicated to the Town.
ORDINANCES: No. 117 cont'd.:
Councilman Aiken recommended that the requirements of Ordinance Nos.
116 and 117 be a matter of discussion at all levels and made a part
z6fthe Planning Commission Check List. The Deputy Mayor pointed out
this will be a routine matter, except in unusual dases, since Sec. 9 (b)
requires only the payment of fees in subdivisions involving 50 lots
or less. Since the Amendment (#117) is in accordance with the
recommendations of the Los Altos Hills Association, the Deputy Mayor
asked the audience if this correction were acceptable. There were no
objections.
The Question was called: ROLL CALL: AYES: Aiken, Bowle, Dep.Mayox Bowler
NOES: None
ABSENT: Davey, Mayor Henley
WARRANTS:
1, Bills, in the amount of FOURTEEN THOUSAND, EIGHT HUNDRED FIFTY-EIGHT
and Nine Cents ($14,858.09) for the period November 16, 1966 to
December 15, 1966, 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: Fowle; SECOND: Aiken
ROLL CALL: AYES: Aiken, Fowle, Deputy Mayor Bowler
NOES: None
ABSENT: Davey, Mayor Henley
ADJOURNMENT: MOTION: Fowle; SECOND: Aiken
MEETING ADJOURNED: 10:40 P. M. TO:
NEXT ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING: TUESDAY, January 3, 1967 at 7:45 P. M.
at the Town Hall.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Monday, January 2, 1967.
12/19/66-mam
Respectfully submitted,
CLAYTON J. SMITH
City Clerk pro tem
Town of Los Altos Hills