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Home My WebLink About08-12-1963 Planning Commission Minutes S. Un~ARY 0F NINUTES .CITY ~F SARATOGA PLANNING CO~TSSION Time: 7:00 P. M., Monday, August 12, 1963 Place: Saratoga High School, Herr{m~n Avenues Saratoga, California Type: Regular Meeting !, ROUTINE ORGANIZATIO}: The meeting ~as called to order by Vice Chairman Johnson at 7:02 P, M. A. ROLL CALL Present: CommiSsioners Cowleys Crisps Glenn, Johnson, Kellum, and Norton, Commissioner Webster arrived at approximately 7:12 P. M, Absent: None B. MINUTES A ~orrectio~ ~as noted in the Minutes under Section IIsD, that "C-53" shoUld read "UP-53" and Co-..'..issioner Glenn moved, seconded by sioner Crisps that the readinE of the minutes of July 22, 1963s be ~aived and that the minutes be approved as submitted, correction noted. Motlob carried uoanimously. P_usuc The Vice Chairman. declared public hearings open for the evening at 7:04 P. M. A. C-59 - k. & G. Investment Corporation, Prospect Avenue - Change of Zoning from "Agricultural" to "R-PI-4,000-X" - Continued from hJ.uly 22~ 1963 No one ~as present to speak either for or against this matter, The Secretary read the Staff Report. Co.'.....ies{bner Crisp moved~ seconded by Cormnissioner Kellums that the public h~aring on C-59 be closedl motion carried unanimously and the hearing ~as closed at 7:07 P. M, Conu~lssioner Crisp moved that the report regarding C-59 krlth respect to changing of zoning from "Agricultural" to "R-PI-40OO-X" be accepted and that the C~u~ission rec~aend to the City Council that the appli- cation be denied, Counissioner Kellum seconded the motion, The motion carried unanimously, At this poin.~s Cl~.miesioner Websters at the request of Vice-Chairman Johnsons assumed the Chair. B. LrP-53 - Los Gatos Unitarian Fellowships Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road - Use Permit for Church and Sunday School - Continued from July 1963 The hearing on UP-53 was opened at 7:13 P. H. Plamnin~ Commission Minutes - AuSust 12~ 1963 - Continued B. UP-53-.L, qs Gates Unitarian Fellowship The Secretary then read a Staff Report pertaining to this matter. Re I~o HITCHIIAN, Saratoga,~Sunnyvale Road, related the present diffi- culty of gaining access to Highway 9 f~'om the property and stated it would be worse if this Use Permit were approveds particularly on Sundays, He mentioned the property recently purchased on Verde Vista where access directly to and from Highway 9 was not permitted, There- fo~e he felt that this subject Use Permit would compound the problem rather than solve it, He said he was speaking for himself, his sisters, and for those who plan to build there, Co~tulssioner Crisp stated that the City cannot, under law, refuse access to this property, MRS, R. I~, HITCH~A~I~ felt that the Use Permit is being granted oh the basis of a small church without allowing parking space for present members end ~row~h of the membership° She felt that there is nothing to prevent the church from becemlu~ or selling to a larger church, The Secretary pointed out that the Use Permit does not go with the land and therefore any new o'slet would have to apply to the Planning Co~ission for a Use PermirA Co~r, issioner Glenn asked what the time limit would be on building if a Use Pel'mit was. ~ranted and was told it would be for one year, with possible extension for one yea'&-, after which time they would have to take out a buildlng permit° Com-,~ssioner Kellum pointed out that one of the conditions under xahich this permit may be ~ranted is that an encroachment permit be obtained from the State Division of Highways for right of access to Highway 9, C~u~lsSioner Johnson moved, seconded by C~missioner Kellum T_hat the public hearing on UP-53 be ciosed; motion carried unanimously and the Chairman declared the heariD~ closed at 7.~19 Pc M° Cer~missioner C~_'fep moved, seconded by Cornrot safenet Kellum, that UP-53, Los Gates Unitarian Felio-~ships application for Church and Sunday Schools be granted subject to the five conditions cutlined in the Staff Rape'r= of August 12, 1963~ Roll call vote: Ayes: Co,--,issioners Cowlay, Cz-isp, Glenn, Johnson, Kellum: }!.or'_o~, end IJebster, Noes: None, Absent= None° Motion carried unanimously. Connnissioner I4ebster pointed ou~ to Fur° Hitchman that the Commiss.~.en retains control over Use Permits so that it may ~ake action should any undesirable condition develop, Chairman 14ebster declared public hearings closed for the evening at 7'-'21 P. M. Pl:mnin~ C~=~,isston Hinutes - August 12~ 1963 - Contt~x~d III, SUBDIVISIOIqS AND BUILDI.NG SITES A. SDP.-435 - Clarence Toy, St. Charles Street - BuLlcling Site Approval - i Lot - Continued from July 22, 1963 The applicant was not present. C~,,issioner Crisp stated that the application ~as for three buildings, two of which exist, to provide a total of five d~elling units. He said that the conditions of the zoning ordinance have been met and a list of conditions prepared by the Building Site CubAtree, as shown in the report. C<.-.-.{ssioner Crisp moved, seconded by Co~issioner Kellum, that the tentative map for SDR-435 (Exhibit "A-I" filed July 12, 1963) be approved subject to the conditions outlined in the Building Site Cou~,dttee Report of July 22, 19631 motion carried unanimously. SDR-364 - Russell Mo Batem Verde Vista Lane - Revised Tentative Hap - I Lbt It was the reco~nendation of the Building Site C~-~iMttee that this matter be continued to. allow the applicant to submit a revised tentative map~ for the meeting on August 26, 1963. C. SDR-/+37 2 Lot. s It was the reco~m~ndation of the Building Site Connittee that this matter be conhinued since the requested site development plan had not been Sdbmttted in t{r,~ to allow the City Eng{neer adequate time to check On the basis of the foregoing, Chairman ~ebster directed SDR-437 continued until the meeting of August 26~ 1963. D. SDR-438 - George Russ~ SiBal Drive - BuildinH Site Approval - I Lot 1~. GEORGE RUSS ~ras present and stated that after meeting vtth the Bu.{.lding Site Committee earlier in the afternoon, he £e1~ that he understood the General and Specific Conditions set forth by the Comndttee regarding the building site approval on his lot. Connisstoner Crisp moved, seconded by Co,uudssioner Kellum, that the tentative map for SDR-438 (Exhibit "A"s filed July 25, 1963) be approved subject to the conditions contained in the Building Site Committee Report of August 12, 1963~ motion carried unanimously. Planning Cou~lssien Ninutes- August 12~ 1963 - Continued III. E. SD -439 - W. Co Carcia and Asao.~ Prospect Road - Subdivision - 48 Lots. EI2eR D~ANGEIa and JOE ROGERS appeared for the app!icant. They re- quested a review of Item 14 of the Subdivision Committee Report which called for underground utilities, They set forth the fact that this would be unfair and would work a real hardship for them since it would necessarily raise the cost of their homes and that homes of equal quality across the road in San Jose and in bordering subdivisions in Saratogas ~here underground utilities are not or were not mandatory~ would sell for $650 tb $800 less than they could afford to sell theirs if they were forced to install underground utilities. The matter of the most expeditions way to handle this request ~as dis- cussed. It was pointed out that if a formal petition of protest ~ere filed w~th the Co~issions it could be considered a( the next meetings thereby s~ving t~o to three months over the usual channels. ~R. DsANGELO s~id that a protest would be ffledL C~u~issfoner Glenn moveds seconded by Commissioner Crisps that the tentative map for SD-439 (Exhibit '~'s filed August 1i 1963) be approved subject to the conditions contained in the Subdivision C~un~ittee Report of August 12, 1963; motion carried unanimously. Chairman Webster stated that the applicant would have 30 days in which to file a protest on Item 14. F. ~DR-4~0 - Shannon Lightfoot, Springer Avenue - Building Site Approval - 2 Lots. It was the recommendation of the Buildin~ Site C~lttee that this matter be continued to allow the applicant to submit a revised tentative map. On this basiss Chairman ~ebster directed SDR-.440 continued until the meetin~ of August 26, 1963. IV, DESIGN REVIEW A, A-114 - Eichler Homes Inc.~ Cox Avenue - Preliminary Design Review - Subdivision Hemas Commissioner Cowley~ Chairman of the Design Review Connnit~ee read a co-~ttee report pertaining to this matter. The report stated that architecturally the homes were of excellent design per sea but ~ere inharmonious in appearance with other developments in Saratoga~ par- ticularly in regard to roof and variation of masondry faces on the models presented which gave them a stereotyped Eichler appearance not in keeping with Saratoga~s rural residential character. EDWARD EICHIaRs representing the applicant questioned the Commission as to the definition of Saratoga~s rural residential character. Com- missioner Cowley stated that the applicant ~as informed previously by ~4~ Plannin~ Commission Minutes - August 12~ 1963 - Continued IV. A. A-114 - Eichler Homes Inc. the Desi~nReview Coukuittee to tour the various residential sub- divisions of Saratoga, such as Glenbrook, Argov~ut~ Prides Crossing and Arroyo de Saratogas and he would learn what constitutes rural residential homes in Saratoga. After further discussion C~l~-,~ssiomer Cowlay suggested that the Secretary he directed to contact between three and five architects who work or reside in Saratoga to review the designs submitted under A-114 by the applicant, together with the report of the DesiSn Review Committee of August 12s 1963s and submit a report stating whether they ~bncur or dissent to the DesiSn Review Cc~,natteess. report. Chairman Webster, on the basis of the foregoing, directed A-114, Ei~hler Homes Inc., continued until the meeting on AuSuSt 26~ 1963. B. A-115 - Sacred Heart Church~ Saratoga Avenue - Preliminary Design Review - School Addition The Design RoYlow CoEmtttee had no objections to A-l!5> but felt that a landscapin~ strip not loss than 5 feet wide should be pro- vided on the boundaries of ~he p~oper~y especially around the parking dreas prior to final approval C~u~lssioner Cowlay moved, seconded by Commissioner Crisp, that preliminary design approval be ~ranted to A-115, Sacred Heart Church, for a school addition, as sho~n on Exhibit '~", dated July 26, 1963; motion carried unanimously. C. A-116 - Food Service System, Argonaut Shopping Center - Design Review - Sign After discussion~ Commissioner Cowlay moveds seconded by Co=mis- sioner Glenu~ that A-116s sign for Food Service System in the Argonaut Shopping Con=e=s be approved as sho~n on Exhibits and "B", dated July 13, 1963; motion carried uuanimously. D, A-117 - Joseph P. Lon~, Bi~ Basin Ya~ - Final Desi~rn Approval The Design Review Cou~ittee reported that they had reviewed this request and found no objections to C~.-~.Issioner Cowlay moveds seconded by Cou=uissioner Johnson~ that final design approval be granted to A-117, Joseph P. Long~ as sho~n on Exhibits "A", "B", and "C", dated August 1, 1963; motion carried unanimously. -5- P~nuiu8 Commission Mi_~utes - August 12s 1953 - Continued IV. E. A-118 - George J. Kocher, Big Basin Way - Final Deaign Review - Crafts Display and Acce~so~..ies C~,lssioner Cowley reported that the Design Review Connnittee had reviewed this application and had made a reco~u~endation. Commissioner Cowley~moved, seconded by C~u,uissioner Glens that preliminary design approval be given as shown on Exhibits "B", and "C", dated August 2s 1963, subject to the follow~n~ conditions: 1) provide evidence of right of my from street to parkin~ area at rear of building; 2) Submit a landscape plan; 3) Submit a color scheme; and 4) Submit a parkinE layout with type of surfacing. TEN MINUTE RECESS V. CITY COUNCIL REPORT Ca~t&sioner Norton who artended the last Council meetings reported the resignation of Councilman Ri~chie and the appointment of Larry Tyler to replace Councilman Ritchie. Ceaauissioner Norton stated that Council- man Tyler has been very active since his appointment as a Council member. Commissioner Norton alsb stated discussion took place on underSround utilities policy, requirement of grading plans of subdivisions, and leasing of the proposed libr~ry~ VI. NEW BUSINESS Note ~as taken of the fact that Gordon Hunter, of the Good Government Group was present~ Commissioner Crisp reported that Andy Anderson is hospitalized at OeConnors Hospital, but that the nature of his illness nor its severity is not known. Commissioner Glenn voiced a complaint about the signs Dut u~ bY ~he contractors at Our Lady of Fatima and S~, ~.-d~ewes Episcopal Church and moved, seconded by Ceam~ssioner Crisp that the various construction signs at these locations be ordered removed. The motion carried by a vote of 5-2. The Secretary was asked to see to the removal and to report back at the August 26, 1963~ meeting. Commissioner Crisp reported a hazardous traffic condition at the north- east corner of Saratoga Glen Place and Saratoga Avenue~ x~here heavy foliaEe end bamboo fencing obstruct the view for people making a turn into Saratoga Glen Place. Plannin~ Commission Miuutes- August 12~ 1963 - Continued VI. Secretary ~alker said he had spoken to Mr. ~andell and he said that he ~s in I:~ p~csss of sellihg his house. He stated that when he checked hack later he ~as informed that Mro Mandell had sold the house and that the hey o~ner had taken over, The Secretary was directed to take action to abate the traffic hazards at Saratoga Glen Place, Bruno Avenue, and Thelma Avenue and to give a report on these ltems at the August 26, 1963 meeting, VXI, OLD BUSINESS C~mnissioner Cooley moved, seconded by C~,issioner Crisp, that the Con~nission approve the design of the directions1 signs relating to public installations, as submitted to the Planning Conauission, the colors to be the same as our regular street s~us, and the size not to exceed 13x20~ motion carried unanimously, VIII, COI~ICATIONS A, %~RITEE~ 1, UP-41 - First Church of Christ, Scientist, Lomita Avenue - Request for extension Co-~nissioner Cooley moved, seconded by Conwnlssione= Crisps that a one-year extension from expiration of present permit be granted on UP-41~ motion carried unanimously. 2° SDR-42~ - Earl Jo Peter~ June ~ay - Letter of Protest from Eiss Florence Cunningham The letter from ~iss Cunningham was discussed and it was ordered ~lled. The Secretary ~as directed to keep Miss ~mnin~ham informed of developments, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:50 P° Ho Respect[ully submitted, Stanley ~. ~aiker, Secretary Saratoga Plauning Co~n~issicn m -7-