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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-10-1967 Planning Commission Minutes SIDt.~ARY OF MINUTES CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING CO~M!SSiON TDEE: Monday, 10 July 1967, 7:30 P.M. PLACE: City Council Chambers, Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California TYPE: Regular Meeting I. ROUTINE ORGANIZATION A. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Crisp,' Johnson, McFall, Norton, and O'Rorke. Absent: Commissioners Kasner and Smith. SELECTION OF ACTING CHAIRMAN Commissioner McFall inquired of the Chairman if there was not a formal procedure to be followed in selecting an Acting Chairman? After a brief discussion, Chairman Norton directed the Secretary to check with the City Administrator and City Attorney to ascertain the proper procedure to be followed in appointing an Acting Chairman in the absence of both the Chairnan and the Vice,Chairman. B. MINUTES Com~n~issioner McFall moved, seconded by Commissioner Crisp, that the reading of the minutes of the 26 June 1967 meeting be waived and that they be approved as distributed to the Commission; motion carried unanimously. II. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. PLAYHOUSE (DRAmaTIC THF~TER) -B. T. Ga!eb, Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road and Seagull Way -. ,Informal Hearing for Request to Add Playhouse (Dramatic Theater) to the List of Uses Permitte'~ Under the "C-N" (Neighborhood Commercial) Zoning District - ContinUed from 26 June 1967 The Chairman announced that this was an informal hearing and asked if anyone wished to comraent. }~. Menard, architect, present to represent the applicant stated that, after meeting with the Subdivision Committee to discuss this request, he concurred with their recommendations. No' one else present wished to comment. Comaissioner McFail read .the report of the Subdivision Comanittee recommendinE that Playhouse (Dramatic Theater) be added as a'.Conditional Use permitted under "C-N" (N~ighborhood Cormr, ercial) Zonin~ District. Commissioner McFall pointed .out that F~r. Menard had informed the Subdivision Committee that the Do Do Players would occupy the premises about ten months out of the year with garden groups active in the building for the remain- ing two (2) months. Chairman Norton then directed that the discussion on this request be closed. Co.~nissioner McFall moved that the Subdivision ConL~nittee Report of 10 July 1967 be approved and that Playhouse (Dramatic Theater) be added as a Conditional Use permitted in the "C-N" (Neighborhood Commercial) Zoning District since the find- ings required by Section 14.1 of the Zoning Ordinance can be mde. Commissioner Crisp seconded the motion which carried unanimously. -i- PlanninS Commission Minutes of 10 july 1967 - 6ontinued II. B. UP-135 - Beatrice T~ Broun,'Vessing Road - Request for Use Permit for the Keeping of One (1) Horse - Continued from 26 june 1967 Chairman Norton re-comenced the continued hearing on UP-!35 at 7:50 P.I,[. The Secretary stated there was nothing new in the file. Mr. Broun stated he had no further con~nents. No one else present wished to remark on this subject. The Secretary read the Staff Report of 10 July 1967 recommending, with concurrence of the SubdiVision Committee, that the request for UP-135 be granted. Commissioner McFall moved, seconded by Commissioner JOhnson, that the public hearing on UP-135 be closed; motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Commissioner McFall, seconded by Commissioner Crisp, that the Staff Report of lO-July 1967 in connection with UP-135 be approved and that the Use Permit be granted as described in said report; motion carried unanimously. C. REED'S CARPETS - Russell R. Reed, Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road - Request to Add · Floor Coverings and Draperies to the List of Uses Permitted Under the "C-S" (Conm~ercial Service) Zoning District Chairman Norton declared the inforn~l hearing opened. The Secretary explained that 1) this business is located in Dr. Oliver's development and 2) it is a service use.of the .type permitted in this area. No one was present to represent the applicant and no one in the audience wished to comment. Chairmn Norton then closed the. discussion for the evening, directed this matter continued to the next regular meeting and referred same to the Sub- division Committee for stddy. D. C-104 - Roy Kosich, Saratoga Avenue and Radoyka Drive - Request for Change of Zoning from "R-i-10,O00" (Single Family Residential)to "C-N" (Neighbor- hood Commercial) and from "R-l-10,000" (Single Family Residential) to · "R-M-4~000" (Multi-Family Residential) - Continued from 12 June 1967 The continued hearing on C-104 was re-opened at 7:59 P.M. The Secretary read a conm~unication from the Saratoga Park Woods Homeowners Association '(signed by Robert G. Mensor, President of the Board of Directors) filed in opposition to this proposed Change of Zoning. Mr. Mensor was present and stated that he had no further comments. Commissioner johnson stated that 1) the General Plan Conunittee held two meetings to which all interested parties were invited but only the Conm.~ittee members attended 2) at the second meeting the Executive Co~nittee Report of the Citizen's Comraittee was discussed, but no decision was reached with regard to C-104 3) Mayor Glennon has requested a meeting for 25 July 1967 with the General Plan Co~nmittee, the Planning Comanittee of the City Council and Larry Livingston (the Planning Consultant). He then pointed out that until the aforementioned meeting is held and this matter is discussed further with the Planning Consultant the General Plan Committee is not prepared to make a formal report. -2-' .Plannin~ Commission Minutes of 10 July 1967 - Continued II. D. C-104 - Continued M~. Kosich was present and agreed that F~. Livingston should be consulted before a decision is made. Chairman Norton (8:07 P.M.) declared the hearing closed and directed C-104 continued to the meeting on 14 August 1967 and referred same back to the General Plan Com~mittee. E. qUITO ROAD Pb~N LINE - Request to Consider the Proposed Quito Road Plan Line - Continued from 12 june 1967 Commissioner Johnson e~plain~d that 1) "specific recommendations were made to the City Council by the Planning Cormmission with regard to precise plan lines 2) after revie~ing the proposed plan line it appeared the plan lines that were recommended did not show up on the map and 3) this matter should be continued until such time as the recommended revisions are made. In view of the foregoing, the hearing on the Quito Road Plan Line was not opened and Chairman Norton directed the matter continued to the meeting on 24 July 1967. F. V-300 - George Britt, Sa~atoga-Sunnyvale Road and Seagull ~y - Request for Variance in Connection with Si$n Requirements The public hearing on V-300 was re-opened at 8:09 P.M. The Secretary stated that Notices of Hearing had been mailed and briefly reviewed this application. }~.. Ted Davis representing the applicant explained that the proposed sign was the type used on all "7-11" Stores. Mr. Don Bush, Blue Hills Liquor, stated that he would have to ask for the same type of variance as V-300.sho~ld it be granted. After discussion, Chairman Norton (8:16 P.M.) closed the hearing on V-300 and directed this application continued to the next regular meeting and referred same to the Variance Committee. Commissioner Johnson arranged for an appointment with the applicant for 10:00A.M., 15 July 1967 for an on-site inspection by the Variance Co~-nnittee. G. V-301 ~ William C. Becker, Glen Brae Drive - Request for Variance in Connec- tion with Fence HeiSht Limitation The Chairman opened the hearing on V-301 at 8:17 P.M. The Secretary briefly reviewed this file and stated that the Notices of Hearing had been nmiled. ~. Rig!ey was present to represent the applicant and explained that the fence was desirable in order to provide a screen between Lots. 21 ~and 22 and the Fire Station. No one in the audience wished to co~T~ent. M~. Rigley, in answer to an inquiry from Commissioner Johnson, advised that the property between Lots 21 and 22 was an easement deeded to both owners. Commissioner Johnson, on behalf of the Variance Committee arranged for an appointment with I~. Rigley for 10:30 A.M., 15 July 1967 for an on-site inspection. He then suggested that the owner of Lot 22 be invited to attend the aforementioned appointment in order to discuss this matter. At (8:21 P.M.) Chairman Norton closed the hearing and directed that V-301 be continued to the next regular meeting and referred same to the Variance Committee for study and a report at that time. -3- Planning Commission Minutes of 10 July 1967 - Continued II. H. PROFESSIONAL VILLAGE OF SA~{ATOGA - Saratoga Avenue - Inforra! Hearing - Request for Modification of Condition of ChanSe of Zoning The Secretary advised there was nothing new in the file and then explained· the substance of this request. Dr. Abrams, representing the applicant, 1) stated that he would like this matter continued 2) advised an error had been made in copying the conditions 3) submitted a revised plan and 4) inquired if it would be possible for him to proceed with this development especially the construction of the one building. The Secretary explained that this is Conditional Zoning and in order for Dr. Abrams to proceed with a comprehensive plan he would need to know whether more than one building is going to be approved. Corca-nissioner O'Rorke pointed out that this development should progress under a Master Plan. Corm~issioner McFall, on behalf of the Subdivision Committee, advised that after the plans submitted by Dr. Abrams are studied a report will be prepared ~ Dr. Abrams stated that the completion of the entire development would be part of a long.-term plan. Chairman clarified by stating that under the present plan each building will be considered individually (by the Design Review Committee) as it becomes ready for construction. Fl'. Norris, resident of the area, stated that 1) in his opinion Dr. Abrams was asking for a Variance and 2) although objections have previously been voiced they have gone unheeded. Commissioner Johnson advised that the present requirement would allow only one building on three acres and this could result in the construction of a large building. Chairman Norton explained that 'the matter under discussion would have to be considered a technicality since a policy change is not required and the final decision regarding this request will be up to the City Council.. At this time, Chairman Norton closed the discussion and directed this request continued to the next meeting and referred same to the Subdivision Committee for study and a report. I. MEDICAL VILLAGE OF SARATOGA - Saratoga Avenue - Informal Hearing - Request for Modification of Condition of Change of Zonin.~ The Secretary explained that the request of the applicant ~as to locate· three (3) buildings on one lot. Dr. Abrams stated that 1) Dr. Sturla was a farmer at heart and his desire to have a building with a garden court would be an ideal situation especially since Dr. Sturla is a children's dentistand 2) he (Dr. Abrams) had attempted to modify the buildings to meet the technicalities allowing only one building pe~ lot..· -4- 'n Plannin$ Comnission M1 ~ 10 July 1967 - Continued II. I. MEDICAL VIL~IGE OF SARATOGA - Continued Chairman 'Norton stated that he found the elevations presented quite attractive and invited the other Co~nissioners to express their opinion. Commissioner Johnson declared that 1) he objected to any modification of conditions since the strength of the Medical Village lies' in their strict regulations 2) one of the.arguments against the Dr. Meieyco development was the Multi-Unit ~roposal and 3) in order for the Plan- ning Commission to be fair to everyone it was necessary for them to be consistent. No one else present wished to comment. After discussion, Chairman Norton closed the discussion and directed the nmtter continued to the next regular meeting and re~erred same to the Sub- division Committee for study and a report. RECESS AND RECONVENE IIi. BUILDING SITES A~ SUBDIVISIONS A. SDR-700 - Frances B. Anderson, Big Basin I~y and Fourth Street - Buildin5 Site Approval - 1 Lot - Continued from 26 june 1967 Commissioner'McFall advised that the Building Site Committee Report reco~.~anendiBg approval of SDR-700 and stating the proposed conditions of ~'approval was ready. The applicant's representative,'}~. WarrenHeid, was present and !) explain- ed the proposed building and 2) 'expressed satisfaction with the proposed conditions of approval. After discussion, Co~r~nissioner McFall moved, seconded by Commissioner Crisp, that the Building Site Connnittee Report of 10 July 1967 relative to SDR-700 be adopted and that the tentative map (Exhibit "A", filed 16 June 1967) be approved subject to the conditions set forth in said report; motion carried unanimously. B. SDR-701 - George R. Thayer, Pierce Road - Building Site Approval 4 Lots - Continued from 26 june 1967 The Secretary stated that the applicant had reviewed the proposed conditions of approval and expressed satisfaction with same. Commissioner McFall moved, seconded .by Commissioner Crisp, that the Building Site Committee Report of 10 July 1967 relative to SDR-701 be adopted and that the tentative map (Exhibit "A-i", filed 10 July 1967) be approved subject to the conditions Set forth in said report; motion carried unanimously. IV. DESIGN REVIEW A. A-258 - Frances B. Anderson, Big Basin Way and Fourth Street - Preliminary Design Review - Restaurant - Continued from 26 July. 1967 Commissioner O'Rorke explained that since Conmissioners Kasner and Smith were not available to meet and examine the exhibits Comanissioners johnson and Crisp reviewed the plans (along with Con~issioner O'Rorke) and as a result recommend that Preliminary Design Review be granted for A-258. Commissioner O'Rorke moved, seconded by Com~.issioner Crisp that Preliminary Design approval be granted in connection with A-258, Frances B. Anderson, as shown on Exhibit "A"; motion carried unanimously. -5- Planning Commission Minutes of 10 July 1967 - Continued IV. B. A-259 -.john H. Powers'(Quito'Merchants Association), Cox Avenue - Final Design Review - Directional Signs Commissioner O'Rorke advised that 1) the plans submitted were not in keeping with what the Design Review Committee had in mind and 2) these plans were submitted with encouragement from the Planning Staff; there- fore, the applicant should be'directed back to the Staff for further clarification. M~. John Powers, applicant, stated that the subject plans were proposed in compliance with an outline suggested by the Planning Department and then requested the name of a firm able to erect signs to conform with the ones desired by the'Committee.. Conmissioner O'Rorke recommended that the Secretary obtain the name of the company that constructs the City signs and relay same to b~. Powers. After discussion, Commissioner O'Rorke suggested that A-259 be continued to the next regular meeting to allow the applicant time to revise his plans. Chairman Norton so directed. V. CITY COUNCIL REPORT Commissioner Johnson gave a report on discussion and action at the City Council meeting of 5 July 1967, with emphasis on items of particular interest to the Planning Commission. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. AMENDMENT TO THE SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE - Relative to Offers and Rejections of Dedications on Final Commissioner McFall recommended that t) this amendment be referred to each individual member for study and 2) this matter be scheduled for discussion at the next regular meeting. The Secretary explained that 1) this amendment to the Ordinance occurred as a result of meetings between the City Attorney and the City Administrator and 2) it would be necessary to discuss this proposal with the City Attorney in order to obtain clarification. Chairman Norton then directed the matter continued to the next regular meeting for discussion under Old Business and suggested that each Commissioner read the proposed amendment to the Subdivision Ordinance and present any questions at that time. B. REVIEW OF ZONING SYI~BOLS The Secretary introduced the Standardized Zoning Symbols proposed for all communities in Santa Clara County including the. County itself. Chairman Norton explained that seventeen (17) cities and the county have their own zoning symbols, but are now (according to the Secretary) working toward a uniform symbol system. -6- Planning Cormnission Minutes of 10 July 1967 - Continued VI. B. REVIEW OF ZONING SI~MBOLS - Continued The Secretary stated that the zoning symbols used by Saratoga present no problems locally, but if changed, might result in some confusion. After discussion,.Chairman Norton directed the matter continued and referred it to the Subidvision Committee for study and a repprt at their convenience. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. SD-694 - George W. Day,' Via Monte Drive and Saratoga Avenue - Request for Reconsideration of Conditions - Continued from 26 June 1967 Commissioner McFall advised that 1) the Con~nission at the meeting of 12 June 1967 approvdd the Subdivision Committee Report relative to SD-694 2) the applicant, at that time, protested Conditions 4 and 16 and 3) the Subdivision Committee, Planning Director and Director of Public Works met and discussed the necessity of the proposed conditions and. now recommend, after meeting with the applicant and his attorney, that no change be made except with regard to word'ingin Conditions 4 and 16. After further discussion, Commissioner McFall moved, seconded by Commissioner Crisp, to change' the wording in Condition 4 of the Subdivision Committee Report of 12 June 1967 from: "Dedicate and construct complete improvements for Saratoga Avenue including concrete curb'and gutter, sidewalk, and parking lane along entire frontage of property from railroad to Via Monte." to: "Dedicate and con'stru~t complete improvements for Saratoga Avenue including conrete curb and gutter, sidewalk, and parking lane along entire frontage of property." and Change Condition 16 in line 1. . .to delete the word "dedicated" and instead insert the word "reserved" and to otherwise leave the conditions as originally approved; motion carried unanimously. B. FRAN]( DRIDING, Cox Avenue - Re.quest for ExceSs Property The Commissioners, individually, read the Staff Report of 10 July 1967 · recommending, with concurrence of the Subdivision Con~mittee, that the excess property be conveyed to }~. Druding. Commissioner McFall moved, seconded by Commissioner Crisp, that the Staff Report of 10 July 1967 be adopted and that the Planning Commission recomrmned to the City Council that the excess property be conveyed to Mr. Druding subject to the conditions stated in said report; motion carried unanimously. -7- Plannin~ Commission Minutes of 10 July 1967 Continued VII. C. SDR-698 - Ernest G. Chilton, Wardell Road - Buildin$ Site Approval - 3 Lots Co~n~issioner McFall explained tha~ 1) the Building Site Committee Report of 26 June 1967, relative to SDR-69B, ~s approved at the last meeting 2) the applicant was opposed to Condition "A" at that time and has since made an appeal and 3) subsequent to that time a conference was held with the Director of Public Works and it was decided, with concurrence of the Sub- division Committee, that Condition "A" was not'justified. After discussion, Commissioner McFall moved, seconded by Con~issioner Crisp, to delete and rescind the action taken on the Building Site Committee Report of 26 June t967 and in.lieu .of that approve the Building Site Committee Report of 10 July 1967; motion carried unanimoasly. D. CONSULTING ARCHITECTS Commissioner O'Rorke advised i) that at the last General Plan Committee meeting it was brought to his attention that at one time a group of local architects were availabe for consultation with the Design Review Coma~ittee and 2) that with anticipated extensive development in the village and elsewhere there is a need for more than just three Co~.~ittee members to make all the necessary recommendations. Chairman Norton stated he could see no problem in the Chairman of the Design Review Committee requesting the advise of local architects. E. DESIGN REVIEW APPLICATIONS Com~missioner O'Rorke explained the proposal of the Secretary to permit the Staff to determine if plans and inforFation submitted are adequate for an item to be placed on the agenda for action by the Commission. After discussion, Chairman Norton directed that the Secretary be given the prerogative to determine if items are ready to be placed on the agenda. VIIi. COb~[~ICATIONS A. WRITTEN 1. SD-610 ~ Saratoga Foothills' Development Corp.,· Miljevich Drive - Request for Extension The Secretary read a letter from the applicant's representative requesting an extension of one year for SD-610. Commissioner McFall moved, seconded by Commissioner Crisp, that an exten- sion of one (1) year be granted in connection with SD-610; motion carried unanimously. B. ORAL 1. LYNGSO PROPERTY Chairnmn Norton 1) requested the Secretary to check the status of the Lyngso property with regard to clean-Up and landscaping and 2) explained that since improvements are being made in the area around this property something should be accompiish'ed to improve the appearance of the Lyngso parcel. -8- Planning Com~mission Min~]tes of 10 july 1967 - Continued VIII. B. 2. PARKING DISTRICT Conm~issioner O'Rorke requested that the Parking District be placed on the agenda for review by the Planning Commission. Chairman Norton directed the Secretary to arrange with the City Administrator to present the plans to the Planning Con~ission. v at the ncxt regular meeting. 3. Chairm~an NOrton e~pressed regret that a City Councilman was not in attendance at this meeting and then acknowledged with pleasure, the pre, sence of ~[rs. Ruth Owen of the Good Govern- ment Group, Mrs. Ottenberg, League of Women Voters. He, also, e~pressed appreciation to ~Lrs. Owen for the coffee served at recess. IX ADJO'JRD'EEN~f The Chairman declared the meeting adjourned at 10:05 P.M. Respectfully submitted, ~Wall<er, Secretary Saratoga Planning Con~ission j