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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-20-1960 Planning Commission Minutes CITY OF SAP~TOGA PLANNING COMMISSION TIME: June 20, 1960 - 7:30 P. M. PLACE: Fruitvale School, Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, Calif. TYPE: Second Public Hearing - Proposed General Plan I ORGANIZATION Webster A. Chairman Webster called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Webster polled those present to determine the necessity of repeating presentation of plan. It was de- cided to dispense with a detailed explanation. LivingSton Chairman Webster introduced Lawrence Livingston, Planning Consultant for the City of Saratoga, who gave new informa- tion on the location of the Lawrence Station Expressway which will affect the street and highway portion of the General Plan. He presented a drawing showing the schematic plan of' this expressway as adopted by the County Trafficways Committee, and indicating one clover leaf providing access for north bound Saratoga Avenue traffic and a ramp for southbound Saratoga Avenue traffic. The p]an calls for de- pressing Saratoga Avenue and constructing the expressway at grade. Proposed width of Quito Road and of Saratoga Avenue will not be changed from those shown on the proposed General Plan. Webster Chairman Webster asked for show of hands of those interested in speaking on the various phases of the Plan, and stated that they would be taken in the same order as at the pre- vious hearing. II QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION A. RESIDENTIAL 1. Kenneth Sanford - 18990 Saratoga Glen Place Sanford After evaluating the General Plan, he finds that many people Cox & are concerned about multi-family zoning shown on the Gen- Saratoga eral Plan for the northwest corner of Cox and Saratoga Avenue. Avenue Residential area adjoining (Saratoga Woods) would lose its present character of medium low density, and multiple dwell- ing zoning would decrease property value. Traffic congestion at intersection of Cox Avenue and Saratoga Avenue would be greatly increased if change were made from residential zoning. The Citizens of Saratoga do not want to commercialize the already established suburban atmosphere. Mr. Sanford pre- sented a petition with 98 signatures protesting this multi- ple dwelling zone. Webster Chairman Webster asked about the southwest corner of the in- tersection. Sanford Would like to remain low a~n~ity (medium), but I have not studied that are~. ,,as Mar. Sanfora'e ~n~=r. ; / Kozy 2. James Kozy - 4849 E1 Camino Real, Los Altos, California Prospect ~ Sara~ Mr. Kozy, representing Jedko Properties, presented a drawing toga Ave. showing a proposed developmenh of 6 acre parcel in extreme northeastern corner of Saratoga, bounded by Commercial Zon- ing in San Jose, a church and a ne~.; school. Not economi~ cally possible to develop as R-1 property. Access from in- tersection of Quito, Campbell. Prospect and Saratoga Avenue makes multiple dwelling or commercial zoning very desirable for this area. 3. ~.~s. Elsie S. P~trick - 185.o,6 Prospect Ave. Patrick Mrs. Patrick spoke about a residential lot on Prospect Avenue Comm. Zone surrounded by commercial zone of San Jose and school and a Saratoga church on three sides, and said she would submit a wTitten Prospect request for consideration of establishing zone commensurate Area with surrounding area and traffic conditions. Livingston Mr. Livingston stated that the public should not be concerned about particular de~-~].ls not shown on the General Plan Map, since they may well show up on Zoning Map later on. Chairman Webster adjourned the meeting for a 5 minute recess. Stark 4. Richard Stark - 18854 Casa Blanca Lane Resident West of Mr. Stark mentioned feasibility of buffer strip of one-half Hiway 9 acre zoning between the very low density and medium density areas west of Highway 9. Webster Chairman Webster stated that exact zone boundary lines not to be set at the time of these Public Hearings. Specific boundaries will be set at specific public hearings on each area. However, the General Plan when adopted should show general zoning boundaries. Stark Mr. Stark asked if City Council did not have final Say on zoning matters. When told this was true, he replied that was what he wanted to know. He agreed to submit his ideas in writing. B. STREETS AND HIGH~%~YS Dr. Cox 1. Dr. John Cox - Jacks Road Village By-Pass Dr. Cox indicated general accord with the General Plan de- signed to preserve the "Saratoga atmosphere". He presented a petition with 100 signatures objecting to the proposed by-pass of the Village along the creek. This location would destroy the Youth Center; damage Wildwood Park, a recommended city park, and destroy the natural beauty of the creek area. Dr. Cox suggested it might be feasible to route Highway 9 along Stelling Road, extending it to connect with Pierce Road and thence to Big Basin Way above the Village. They believe that the natural beauty and character of the area should not be endangered solely on the basis of cost. -2- Metzger 2. Artus Metzger - 14599 Big B~].n Wa~ By-Pass ~. Meteget ebJects to the location of the Big Basin Way by-pass along the bank of Saratoga Creek because it is un- necessary an~! because it would destro~j much natural scenic beauty of rocks, trees, ferns, shrubbery; disrupt the priv- acy of those who h~¢e creek frontage; interfere with valu- able riparian rights o2 owners; require relocation or de- struction of many houses. There are several alternate routes available. His suggestions are contained in a letter previously submitted to the City Office. Frey- 3. O~car Freyschlag - 15124 Quito Road schlag Quito Mr. Freyschlag presented petition protesting widening of Road Quito Road containing 150 signatures, because of danger to large trees and rural setting. AS an alternate, he suggest- ed that the speed limit of 25 miles be posted for the entire length, that warning signs be placed where necessary and that the road be patrolled until the public becomes educated. Miss 4. Miss Florence Cunningham - 14065 Saratoga Avenue Cunningham Saratoga Miss Cunningham, speaking only for herself, but expressing Avenue views of ethers, said there should be a positive attitude to prevent widening of Saratoga Avenue. She suggested di- verting traffic somewhere else, since no amount of land- scaping can replace natural beauty of Saratoga Avenue. It is finest approach to the Village, and one of the few re- maining rural drives in the entire valley. She stated that she agrees with Dr. Cox that the City must spend money if necessary to save natural beauty of Saratoga. A real rarity which must be preserved at all cost. Golden 5. William Golden - 20571 Kirkwood Lane By-Pass It is not necessary to re-route Big Basin Way for the con- venience of the residents of other areas. If they don't like the congestion, let them find another route. Breeding 6. Lester Breeding - 2450 Paseo Presado Bye_ass Mr. Breeding agrees with Dr. Cox that Stelling should go through for access to mountains and divert traffic from the Village. Ryder 7. Bob Ryder - 20610 Lomita By-Pass Mr. Ryder endorses Dr. Cox's views on the proposed extension of the Highway around the village. He took a trip through Pierce Road and up to where Stelling crosses Prospect and suggests that Stelling Road be extended West of present Pierce Road to near Paul Masson Winery and then back to Big Basin Way, by-passing Saratoga completely. State might underwrite such an undertaking. III GENERAL CO~'4ENTS Rosen- 1. Theodore Rosenfe!d - 19441 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road feld Owner of Clift House. Wanted to verify rumor that property was to be "dumped" to m~e room for paEklng area. Suggested possibility of tunnelling under Blayney Plaza from creek crossing and to other side of Villa of Our Lady of Fatima. Chairman l~ebster ascertained that no one else from the audience wisl~ed to speak. Commissioner Bennett moved that the Public Hearing be closed. Commissioner diggins seconded. Carried Unanimously. Chairman Webster declared hhe Public Hearing closed at 9:00 P.M. and stated that written communications would be accept- ed at the City Office through the balance of the week. Chairman Webster appointed a committee, composed of Bennett, Chairman, Anderson and Crisp, to study the written communications received and the reports of the Public Hearings and to submit a report at the July 11, 1960 regular Planning Commission Meeting. The basic questions ~o be considered by the Committee are: 1. Density of development west of Highway 9. 2. Quito Road. 3. Zoning Of triangle, Prospect and Saratoga Avenue area, (Patrick and Jedko). 4. Omitting Big Basin Wayby-pass on Saratoga Creek or designating alternate route, such as Stelling Road. 5. La%~rence Expressway co~nection. 6. Widening Saratoga Avenue (Don't). 7. Northwest corner of Cox and Saratoga Highway (change zone). A preliminary committee meeting will be held June 24, 1960 and a meeting will be held on July 6, at 10:00 A.M. in the City Office with Lawrence Livingston attending. Commissioner Bennett moved that the Secretary be directed to notify the City Council that the Planning Commission Public Hearings had been closed and that the report of the Planning Commission would be received by the City Council by July 13, 1960. Commissioner Higgins second- ed. Carried unanimously. Any changes or rejections of portions of the Proposed General Plan must have an alternate suggestion with an explanation. All Commissioners present stated that they definitely would be present at the July 11, 1960 meeting. Chairman Webster adjourned the meeting at 9:40 P.M. Present: 45 Press: 3 City Representatives present~ Commissioners Anderson, Bennett, Crisp, Higgins, Webster - Lawrence Livingston, Planning Consultant - Gordon H. Howe, City Administrator and James R. Huff, Director of Public Works -4-