HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/3/1957CI T`1 COUNCIL
TOWIX OF ?SOS ALTOS HILLS
MINUTES OF REGULAR HEFTING
June 3, 1957
V.ie meeti.nS was called to order at 8:00 P.M- at the Town
Hall. 2Z-13:770 West Fnemont, Los Altos Hills, by Acting Mayor,
C. r_�astcli Rot1ree Ll, on June 3, 1957-
ROLL
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ROLL CALL: FRESENT: Acting Mayor Rothwell, Councilmen
hoefler, Fowle.
ABSENT: Councilmen Bledsoe, Mayor Treat.
MINUTES: M 2.7 , 195?
Page 2, first line, delete "approval" and add:
'modifying.the Planning Commission's action'.
Minutes stand as amended.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Howe, Neilson, & Prentice, Real Estate and
Tnsurance-_RIa 28, 1957. Signed: Ruth E.
Kastenas. Returning premium in amount of
$148.54 as the insurance rate has been
established and the Town over -paid.
2. State of California, Disaster Office - May 21, 1957
Sj_Gnedc R:S: �roVan, Sector Coordinator. An
office has been established and the Disaster
Office wanted to check certain information
pertaining to the Town of Los Altos Hills.
Referred to Clerk for action.
3. No. California Civil Defense and Disaster
Association - May ?,1957• An organization is
U-3 ing formed in Northern California for develop -
Tent of civil defense and disaster plans.
Organizational meeting in Richmond, June 19, 19571
10:00 A.M., at Bermuda Room of Richmond Memorial
Auditorium, 27th St. and Nevin Ave. A repre-
sentative will be chosen to represent the Town
of Los Altos Hills.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Junipero Serra Freewa .
Acting Mayor Rothwell summarized the sequence of
events taking place the past two weeks in regard
to the Freeway.
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Meetj,ne Ma.7 M.L 1 - Hearin on Resolution ACR 184.
,, Hearings on this ResolutioA which was sponsored by the
four legislators of Santa Clara and Sau Mateo Countys,
recommended the Purissima Valley route for the Freeway.
The Town of Los Altos dills was represented at this
meeting by Councilman Fowle and Commissioner Tantau,
who went prepared with a statement. In essence this
reply was to request that the Resolution be tabled.
(reply read in its entirety at Council meeting.) However,
at the hea=ino the Resolution had been amended, deleting
the original map submitted with the Resolution, asking
for abandonment of Route A, and requesting further study
of other proposed routes. Sponsors of the Resolution
sent it to the Interim -Committee, which essentially
tables it.
Resolution by Cites Council of Town of Los Altos Hills.
Acting Mayor Rothwell further summarized the references
from which the Resolution was formed. (Resolution read
in its entirety). This Resolution recommends that the
ultimate determination for the location of the freeway
rests with the Highway Commission of the State of Cali-
fornia. And secondly, that the City Council points out
that a combination of Route A & B will cause a minimum
amount of disruption to the Town. Specifically, the
recommended route is to begin at approximately the
intersection of Arastradero Road with the Southern Pacific
right-of-way and continuing on or along the Southern
Pacific right-of-way to Simla Station.
Before voting on this Resolution, Acting Mayor Rothwell
requested that the various City Officials be allowed to
express their opinions, and then opened the discussion to
those in attendance at the meeting.
Councilman Fowle - Presentation of Petition:
This petition, signed by 93 residents of Los Altos Hills,
introductory letter by D.L. Berger, requested that the'
City Council eapport Route A for the Freeway. (Letter
and petition read in their entirety).
Richard S. Bullis - Chairman of Planning Commission.
Chairman Bullis pointed out that the Commission had long
ago begun study on the question of the Freeway, and at
their meeting of May 22, 1957, recommended the railroad
route. Speaking for the Commission, Mr. Bullis endorsed
the proposed Resolution.
Don Hibner - Road Commissioner:
As Chairman of the Road Commission, Mr. Hibner stated
that he believed the members would concur in endorsing
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this Resolution, and particularly because it follows the
recommendations of the State highway Engineers. Mr.
Hibner also pointed out that the Commiosion is primarily
concerned with access roads, and with this route access
roads would be kept at a minimum.
Mr. Fowle - Report from Freeway Committee:
Mr. Fowle summarized the Freeway report submitted previously
and pointed out that this report recommended that the
route be kept as far to the East as possible to avoid
the disruption of any community. The report was not
specific on purpose to allow for further clarification of
the Town's opinion, but Mr. Fowle believed the majority
of the Freeway Committee would endorse the Council's
Resolution. However, there is a faction in the Committee
which is opposed to the Resolution as they represent
those property owners whose land. is in the path of
the recommended route.
Councilman Fowle, speaking in his official capacity as
GUouncilman, endorses this Resolution principally because
the Town has to take a stand immediately. He clarified
one point: that Los Altos Hills was the first Town
actively engaged in study of the Freeway, and the last
Town to take an official stand. He also felt the Town
would be in a stronger negotiating possition having
an official stand as a starting point.
Councilman Hoefler_ stated that the best -route seems to be
the one along the railroad tracks as it is the logical
division between Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.
Discussion from Interested Parties:
Morris Fiksdal, 11271 Magdalena, suggested that a
copy of the Council's Resolution be sent to the Board
of Supervisors of Santa Clara County in view of the
latter's publicly announced recommendation.
George Pfeiffer, Robleda, stated that he endorses
the Council's Resolution. Mr. Pfeiffer reported on a
letter which he sent the President of Southern Pacific,
Mr. Donald J. Russell, on May 18, 1957. In this letter,
he questioned whether the S.P. would be interested in
selling its right-of-way through the Los Altos Area if
the local population were amenable to the idea. The
California State Highway Engineers have stated that at
least $3,000,000 could be saved and many less homes
removed if the tracks could be eliminated.
In reply to this letter, Mr. Russell on May 31, 1957,
stated that the S.F. has already been approached with the
idea of selling some of its property through the "bottleneck"
area of Los Altos, which would necessitate some relocation
of railroad facilities. The S.P. informed the Highway
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Department that they were open to any reasonable proposi-
tion. As far as abandonning a portion of the tracks is
concerned, Mr. Russell stated that the Company could not
give a definite answer as an application would have to be
filed with the Interstate Commerce Commission, and an
order issued authorizing the discontinuance of the line.
(Letter given to Clerk for filing and reference).
William Geer, President of Los Altos Hills Association,
pointed out teat the poll recertly undertaken by the
Association reported that 75016 were for the A -B route, and
that in his opinion the Association would endorse the
Council's Resolution as such has been the majority
opinion expressed at the meetings.
Mr. Wright, West Fremont, suggested that the Council
should clarify that it is not the Town's concern which
route brings the Freeway to the North Boundary of Los
Altos Hills, and that the Council should be concerned
with the route only as it crosses the Town's limits. Mr.
Wright also pointed out that the Veteran's Hospital in
the Stanford Industrial Park will be under construction
in January, 1958, and the increase in population and
traffic will cause less difficulty if served by the route
as proposed by the Council.
Mr. McCaffert 14410 Moranda, stated that there
are approxima.te.y 3 omes which will be seriously
damaged by the Council's proposed route that are along a
strip adjacent to the railroad tracks. Mr. McCafferty,
questioned why it was not possible for the Freeway to
bypass this area completely.
Councilman Fowle, in answer to Mr. McCafferty,
clarified that route A crosses throughh5, 00 feet of
Los Altos Hills, route B - 8,500 feet, and route C -
21,000 feet. The Resolution as proposed by the Council
will cause the least amount of disruption to Los Altos
Hills, althrough necessarily, some Town residents will
be seriously inconvenienced. He also stated that on
several occassions residents from the effected area had
spoken and the Council was well aware of their feelings.
Richard Dawson. PlanninE Commissioner, pointed out
that the Council's endorsement of this particular route
is in agreement with the recommendation of the State
Division of Highways, and that the route as outlined
in the Resolution is not an original proposal. This
route, in the opinion of Mr: Dawson, will served the
needs of the immediate communities as well as Los Altos
Hills to the fullest advantage.
ACTION:
Move the adoption of this Resolution as amended.
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AMENDMENT: The Resolution was changed so as to
refer only to the area within or immediately contiguous
to Los Altos Hills and so as to delete ar,7 reference to
Routes A or B specifically by letter designation.
Motion: Hoefler; Second: Rothwell; Vote: Passed.
(Copies of the Resolution in its entirety available at
the Town Hall. Copies sent to: Santa Clara County
Planning Commission; Santa Clara County Board of Super-
visors; Senator Jack Thompson; Assemblyman Clark Bradley;
Assemblyman Bruce Allen; Mr. Booker, Mr. Hyler, and Mr.
Green, Engineers with the State Division of Highways.)
2, Planning Commission Referrals:
a. J.G. Inness Engineer: Nolte
Planning Commission at meeting of May 22, 1957,
recommended approval of one building site, with a
30' dedication for road improvement. Councilman
Fowle questioned Commissioner Bullis on the background
of this particular request for'a building permit and
asked for clarification on thb steps being taken'to
prevent further confusions. -:Mr. Bullis replied that
the Planning Commission is asking the Title Companies
and the engineers to notify them of any land divisions.
ACTION:
Approve the building site of J.G. Inness with the
recommendations as outlined by the Planning Commission.
Motion: Hoefler; Second: Fowle; Vote: Passed.
b. _L_l_o_ydd Copenhaver 03-57) Engineer : Mark Thomas
R presented by Attorney, Paul Myers.
At Planning Commission meeting of May 18, 1957, it
was recommended that the map be resubmitted to the
Council in the present form, but show 100' reservation
for drain field as per Health Department stipulation.
ACTION:
Approve the Lloyd Copenhaver record of survey subject
to the requirements as outlined by the Planning
Commission and Town Engineer• Access road E1 Monte
ust be brought to Town Standards either by the
creation of an assessment district or the charging of
a flat fee by the Town per lot.
c. Colin Peters (70-57) Engineer: George Nolte
The Planning Commission recommended approval of
this Subdivision at its meeting of April 24, 1957-
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ACTION:
Approve the Colin Peters record of survey subject to
the recommendations of the Planning Commission and
he Town Engineer,,that the access road E1 Monte be
brought to Town Standards either by the creation of
an assessment district or the charging of a flat fe
by the Town per lot,
3. Approval of Bills_: Total = $7,144.29
ACTION:
Move the approval of these bills and direct the City
Clerk to issue the appropriate warrants for payment.
Motion: Fowle; Second: Hoefler; Vote: Passed
ROLL CALL: AYES: Acting Mayor Rothwell, Councilmen
Fowle, Hoefler.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Treat, Councilman Bledsoe
4. Second Reading - Ordinance #36 - Regulating the Cutting
Pavement.
ACTION:
Ordinance #36, introduced on the 27th day of May, 1957,
was presented for consideration and to reading; after
title had been read, on motion duly made by Councilman
Hoefler, seconded by Councilman Fowle, and unanimously
carried, further reading of the Ordinance was waived.
ROLL CALL: AYES: Acting Mayor Nothwell, Councilmen
Fowle, Hoefler
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mayor Treat, Councilman Bledsoe
Further action was postponed pending posting and dis-
tribution of mimeographed copies of Ordinance #36•
MEETING ADJOURNED: 10:45 P.M.
STUDY SESSION on Ordinance #35 - Subdivision Ordinance:
Thursday, June 6, 1957, Town Hall, 26379 West
Fremont, Los Altos Hills, 7:45 P.M.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING:
Monday, June 10, 1957, Town Hall, 2637914est t "
Los Altos Hills, ?:45 P.M.
Tru Co
Respectfully submitted,
C.. ROTHWELL PAUL W. SALFEN City Clerk
cting Mayor Deputy City Clerk ity Council
db -6- June 3, 1957