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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/27/1958CITY COUNCIL TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING rQ 9 June 99,1958 The Special Meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor John M. Fowle at 7:50 P. M, at the Town Hall, 263?9 West Fremont Avenue, Los Altos Hills. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmen Bledsoe, Clayton, Treat, Sherloc, Mayor Fowle ABSENT: None The Mayor announced that this meeting was called for the special pur- pose of acting on the Congregation Beth Am Variance (V-25-58) due to the time limit on the option on the property held by the Congregation. OLD BUSINESS; Congregation Beth Am (V-25-58) - Request for Use Permit for Church. Members of the Council were called upon for comments. Councilman Treat read a proposed resolution relative to the establish- ment of a policy regarding churches which would be used a guide in granting variances or uses permits. The proposed resolution contained eleven major points relative to location, acceptance by neighbors, size, building area, building design, screen planting, parking, com- munity service, zoning limitations, and off -tract road and drainage ipprovements. The adoption of the proposed resolution was moved by Councilman Treat and seconded by Mayor Fowle. The question of drainage was raised by Mr. Gus Christensen. Mr. Ray Hoefler stated the Santa Clara Health Department had approved the Werle property for eight residences, and further stated a church on the site would not require the same amount of drainage facilities. The Mayor stated that he was personally in favor of granting the variance, feeling that the Council could not refuse the variance on the grounds of the loss of taxable property. He further stated that he felt that the Town should bear the burden of problems arising. Regarding Councilman Treat's resolution, the Mayor stated that this application is so nearly in line with the proposed resolution. Asked for his comments, Councilman Sherlock stated that he did not _ wish to comment but was prepared to state a motion combining approval A..; of the variance and the resolution. Councilman Treat rescinded his notion, and the Mayor his second. The proposed resolution will be filed. 6-30-58 -2- ACTION That the City Council of the Town of Los Altos hills approve the granting of the variance of the Congregation Beth Am (V-25-58) to permit the use of this parcel of land for religious purposes with the stipulation that all development detailed use plans of this par- cel be approved by the Planning Commission and the Town Council and that a general policy of such development be established before con- sideration of said plans, this policy to be approved by the Planning Commission. and Council before any construction activity occurs on the site being approved. MOTION: Sherlock; SECOND: Treat; Mr. Gardner Bullis stated that the motion was too restrictive and was unfair, and would permit the Council to restrict the applicant's pro- ceeding pending the Council's establishment of a policy. Councilman Sherlock stated that it is not the Council's intent to hold the applicant back, but that the Council's action regarding pol- icy should not be hurried. He stated further that the plans of the Congregation would set the policy. The Mayor stated that in this case, where there is no established policy, the Council has to have certain control. Mr. Gerald D. Marcus, representing the Congregation Beth An, stated that he understood the intent, and that he felt that the motion was in good faith. The question was moved. ROLL --G=L: AYES: Councilmen Treat, Sherlock, Mayor Fowle NOES: Qouncilmen Bledsoe, Clayton ABSENT: None Councilman Bledsoe stated that he did'not question the good faith of the group, but that if the Town is sincere in its desire to keep a one -family residential community, this action is the first breakdown, and that the Council will find it difficult, in the future, to refuse other non -conforming uses, and difficult to require amortization of other non -conforming uses now existing in the Town. The Mayor stated that no other business was to be taken up at this meeting. MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:34 P. M. to: NEXT ADJOURNED MEETING: Monday, June 300, 1958 at 7:45 P. M. at the Town Hall, 26379 West Fremont Avenue, Los Altos Hills. j lm 6y30-58 Respectfully submitted, CLAYTON J. SMITH Deputy City Clerk