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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-11-1957 Planning Commission Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION TIME: Monday, March ll, 1957, 7:30 P.M- PLACE: Flreman's Hall, Oak Street, Saratoga, Calif. TYRE: Regular meeting I. ROUTINE ORGANIZATION A. ROLL CALL Present: Anderson, Bennett, Cameron, Crisp, Higgins, Pasetta, Webster Absent: None B. MINUTES Commissioner Bennett moved that the reading of the minutes be waived and that said minutes of the previous meeting be approved. Carried unanimously. II N~L1W BUSINESS A. NEW ZONING PETITIONS None B. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS 1. Saratoga Chamber of Commerce letter dated Chamber of January 25, 1957 from Richard W. Rhodes, President Commerce of the Chamber of Commerce was read by the Secretary. Chairman Crisp asked that it be filed. 2. A letter from W. Lloyd Strickland, 1557 Oramas Road, Santa Barbara was read by the Secretary. W. Lloyd Strickland Chairman Crisp directed the Secretary to file said letter. At 7:40 P.M., Chairman Orisp called a recess of five minutes. Meeting was reconvened at 7:45 P.M. III PUBLIC HEARING A. REZONING 1. #C1 - George B. 01dham #C 1 The Secretary read the petition and also a petition Geo. B. 01dham -1- in which the petitioners agreed that they were not opposed to the construction and placement of a building on the South~est corner of La Paloms Avenue and Saratoga Avenue for Professional use. Said petition was signed by 14 residents of La Paloma Avenue and Orchard Road. George 01dham, from the floor, stated that he would be willing to answer any questions in connection with his petition. Dr. Kilbourne, Saratoga Avenue, Saratoga, stated, from the floor, along with Dr. Otto, he was a.prospective tenant for this proposed Professional Office Building. He stated that he had been practicing for 18 years in Saratoga and felt that he should have a more adequate place to practice. Commissioner Anderson'~ated that in his opinion, there should be no extension of commercial zoning of any type and felt that the petition should be denied. Commissioner Cameron stated that he felt any such petitions for change of zoning involving commercial or professional office use should wait until the general alan for the City was clarified so that it could be known where the best locations for such zoning should be placed. Commissioner Anderson moved for a denial of the petition. Seconded by Commissioner Webster. The motion was carried unanimously. The Secretary indicated that a resolution (Form #C 6) would be prepared for the signature of the Chairman of the Planning Commission. -2- B. VARIANCES NON~ C. USE PERMITS 1. #V 10 - Willis Rodoni The Secretary read the petition in which the Sarmtoga Gravel inc. applied for a use permit on 2/27/57- Arguing for the proponents of this Use Permit was Boris Stanley of CupertinO who stressed that Mr. Rodoni wanted to cooperate with the City of Saratoga and was willing to listen to any reasonable solution which would satisfy all parties concerned. Chairman Crisp questioned Attorney Stanley as to whether the Saratoga Gravel Company would be acceptable to a regulation of hours and days; re- #V 10 Rodoni Quarry seeding of blighted areas; traffic regulation; elimination of noise through an electric crusher and control of dust and dirt. Attorney Stanley felt that his client would cooperate in an effort to correct the conditions listed by the Chairman. Patrick Creegan, of Creegan and D'Ap~elo, Saratoga, spoke briefly in connection with the traffic problem throughout town created by the Rodonl and other possible quarries. The oppohents were represented by Marshall Hall and Wade Hoyer of San Jose who represented specifically H. E. Bailey and Dr. and Mrs. Wayland. Mr. Hall requested the Chairman to make Mr. Johnston, the City Attorney's letter of 2/6/57, a part of the Use Permit file. He also, at the same time, read parts of Mr. Johnston's letter of that date. He called to the attention of the Commission, that the metes and bounds description included with the use permit petition of Mr. Rodoni consisted, in part, of County property, of which the City of Saratoga had no Jurisdiction. Mr. H. E. Bailey, of Mt. Eden Road, stated from the floor, that he owns 55 acres next to the Paul Masson property and felt that continued operation of the Quarry would cause a loss in value of his property as well as other adjoining property. Mrs. Wayland, of Bierce Road, Saratoga, complained that the operations started at about 6:00 A.M. ~nd during the summer operate from 6:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. and complained further that the carepillars used on the quarry were parked down on the road at night and made a great deal of noise, particularly in the morning when they were starting them up. Mr. Stanley, in rebuttal for the proponents, stated that he felt the discussion should be limited to what can be done to effect a reasonable cooperation or adjustment. Mrs. Robert Keller, of Pierce Road, stated, from the floor, that there is another very small quarry operation near her home and she is fearful that if the Rodoni quarry is allowed to continue, the other quarry operation will increase its size and thereby cause heavy truck traffic which endangers the life of the children in this area. -4- Commissioner Bennett raised the question as to whether or not, in view of the metes and bounds description, the Rodoni people were applying to the correct body. Mr. Stanley, in replying to Mr. Bennett, stated that he felt the incorrect description was a minor point and that all that would be needed would be to amend the description and asked for another hearing. Commissioner Webster asked Mr. Stanley whether his client would submit, for the consideration of the Planning Commission, all leases that he has in his possession, covering his occupancy of the property on which he operates. Mr. Stanley replied that he would recommend such a procedure to his client. Attorney Hall introduced as Exhibit "X" a report of findings of the County of Santa Clara Planning Commission dated 12/15/54, said findings being as follows: At its regularly scheduled meeting of 12/1/5~, the County of Santa Clara Board of Zoning Adjustment adopted a resolution expressing intention to deny use permit application of Roscoe C. Page (Edit. - the present Rodoni operation) for commercial leveling of natural materials, outcropping and maintaining a rock crusher in connection therewith lying to the West of Pierce Road, 1/4 mile northerly of Congress Springs Rcad. Commissioner Webster moved that the entire matter be taken under advisement. Chairman Crisp indicated the end of the public hearing section of the meeting. IV MATTERS HELD UNDER ADVISEMENT 1. #C 2 - C. E. Glass - Zoning Change Commissioner Webster moved that a band of 20,000 sq. ft. lots, 150' deep, fronting on Allendale Avenue be created and in back of this band the balance be #C 2 C. E. Glass in'10,000 sq. ft. lots, on conditiom that the applicant (Co E. Glass) of record make the necessary change in his petition. The motion was carried unanimously. 2. #V 2 - John Brown - Variance The opinion of Assistant City Attorney, William G. Clark, dated March 6, 1957, was read by Chairman Crisp. #V 2 John Brown Mr. Robert Davies, of Los Gatos, representing the proponents spoke briefly in defense of the Variance. request. He stated that his client, a short time ago, wanted to sell but because of the zoning restrictions, could not, and in consulting with Mr. Haas, of the County Planning Department, he was told to apply for a Variance. Commissioner Bennett moved that the Variance be denied without prejudice. Carried unanimously. 3. #V 9 - Mrs. H. R. Ramsdell - Variance Mrs. Ramsdell spoke at length.regarding her request and indicated that she felt that she was bein~ penalized #V 9 for h~ving an acre when everyone else in the area had Mrs. H. R. Ramsdell one-half acre lots. Mrs. Leavonell, of Pepper Lane, stated that she lived directly across the way from Mrs. Ramsdell and had one and one-half acres and felt -6- that Mrs. Ramsdell should be allowed to divide her property. A Mr. Phillips, who owns property on Park Drive but who resides in Santa Clara, felt that the entire area should be fezcried to smaller lots and indicated that he owned over an acre on Park Drive. Chairman Crisp stated that it would probably be better if the entire area got together and asked for re- Zoning. Commissioner Cameron stated that the situation involved would undoubtedly be considered lu making the Master Plan and that this area should be given top priority in such considerations. Commissioner Cameron moved that the Variance be denied without prejudice pending a study of this area. Carried Unanimously. 4. #V 8 - Rene Bourdet - Variance After some discussion, Commissioner Webster made a motion to deny the variance request for a 3' set back, but to at the same time, waive the necessity #V8 Rene Bourdet for securing a Use Permit to use a 4' set back, which was in conformance with the old zoning regulations. Unanimously carried. Chairman Crisp called for an adjournment of the public hearings portion of this meeting. V COMMITTEE ~EPORTS A. ARCHITECTURAL AND SITE CONTROL None -7- B. SUBDIVISIONS 1. SD #5 - Stewart Mc Cormack After considerable discussion among the members of the Subdivision Committee, Commissioner Pasetta moved that the matter be deferred for a legal opinion so #5 Stewart as to the proper wording-and describing the right of Mc CoPmack way which would be limited to thirty feet on the subject property. Unanimously carried. 2. SD #12 - Charles Cox Commissioner Bennett moved for approval of the tentative SD #12 Charles Cox maps subject to the conditions set forth. Unanimously carried. 3- SD #9 - Robert Swift This case was deferred until the Committee w~s furnished SD ~9 with a location map so that the area surrounding the Robert Swift proposed division of property could be properly observed. 4. SD #17 - J. S. Moucressy This matter was deferred for two weeks and SD #17 Commissioners Bennett and Pasetta agreed to meet with J. S. Moucressy the Subdivider at ll:00 A.M. on 3/12/57 to look over the property. 5. SD #16 - Sevrens and Detrick Although not on the agenda, Subdividers Sevrens and Detrick appeared at the meeting and asked as to the SD #16 Sevrens & disposal of their case. They were informed that at the Detrick Subdivision Committee of the County Planning Commission on 3/5/57, the County Engineers were not ready to report so that we do not h~ve the conditions as yet. The case was set up for the City of Saratoga Planning -8- Commission meeting of 3/25/57. Commissioner Anderson moved for adjournment at 11:25 P.M. Motion carried unanimously. Approximately 60 people prssent, plus 3 press.