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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-26-1968 Planning Commission Minutes SUMMARY OF MINUTES CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION TIME: Monday, 26 February 1968, 7:30 P.M. PLACE: .City Council Chambers, Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California TYPE: Regular Meeting I. ROUTINE ORGANIZATION A. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Crisp, Kasner, McFall, Norton, and Smith. Absent: Commissioners JohnsOn and O'Rorke. B. MINUTES Commissioner'Smith.moved, seconded by Commissioner McFall, that the reading of the minutes of the 13 February 1968 meeting be waived and that they be approved as distributed to the Commission; motion carried unanimously. C. RESIGNATION OF COMMISSIONER O'RORKE Chairman Norton 1) read a letter received from Commissioner O'Rorke stating his regrets at the necessity of submitting his resignation from the Planning Commission 2) stated that Commissioner O'Rorke will be missed by the entire Planning Commission since he contributed a great deal to all projects and 3) appointed Commissioner Kasner as Chairman of the Design Review Committee to 'f~ll the vacancy left by Commissioner O'Rorke. II. PUBLIC HEARINGS GENERAL PLAN REVIEW - Major Review for 1968 - Continued from 13 February 1968 The Chairman opened the public hearing at 7:34 P.M. The Secretary stated no new communications had been received. Chairman Norton explained that 1) a Study Session was held on 19 February 1968 to discuss the proposed General Plan 2) a new chart has been prepared (by Livingston and Blayney, Planning Consultant~.~) showing future traffic problems relative to the Saratoga-Fruitvale Avenues intersection and support- ::-.. ing the Herriman Avenue extension and 3) Mr. Livingston was present to · ." interpret the chart for the Planning Commission and the people in the audience. Mr. Livingston stated that 1) the chart shows in detail the figures produced by the traffic study 2) traffic movements into the civic center, college, future elementary school, high school:~ and the new residential street are shown since these all affect traffic volumes 3) traffic flow at Saratoga Avenue will be a directfresult of. the:college 4) 1,000 traffic movements are predicted on Saratoga Avenue-:.(in the vicinity of Fruitvale Avenue) at the peak hour in the mottling 5) the traffic will be generated by the college~ as it grows the traffic will grow 6) if another college is built traffic will decrease temporaril'y in this area and later when'the Saratoga campus reaches ; its full volume the traffic will increase again 7) if a traffic problem at the ,. Saratoga-Fruttvale Avenue intersection did not exist then the Herriman Avenue extension would not be necessary 8) a street that runs through without pass- ing an intersection represents very few:'problems but turning movements at an intersection reduce capacity 9) the chart indicates that without turning movements the Saratoga-Frutivale Avenue intersection would carry something like 10/12 of its full capacity 10) the chart shows no left-hand turns from Fruitvale Avenue to Saratoga Avenue since it was assumed that everyone would realize this to be a difficult turn and therefore use the Herriman Avenue extension 11) if Herriman is not extended a 3-way signal light will be necessary at the Saratoga-Fruitvale Avenue intersection which will cause traffic to back up and slow down 12) an Allendale Avenue extension would not be good because it would cause vehicles to make a critical turn at Saratoga Avenue '12) Allendale extended to a Herriman Avenue extension is not an impossibility; although, a'=full Herrinmn extension would be more ideal for school buses turning into the school 14) with the Herriman Avenue extension no signal light would be needed at Saratoga Avenue'~!.~:v~L. -1- Plannin~ Commission Minutes - 26 February 1968 - Continued II. GENERAL PLAN REVIEW - CONTINUED Mr. HogendiJk, 14010 Shadow Oaks Way, stated that 1) he disagreed with Mr. Livingston's statement that the Saratoga-Fruitvale Avenue intersection will be overloaded if the Nerriman Avenue extension is not realized and 2) he would like to point out that the Westgate intersection carries a lot of traffic and manages very well with an 8-way signal light. Mr. Van der Toorren stated that'l) he was glad that an Allendale Avenue extension has recieved some attention 2) the cars goin~ into the college : must come out and the students will probably realize that going down Herriman would be easier 3) ~e met w~th some residents of Allendale Avenue and they are very concerned about the affect the college will have on their street and 4) in his opinion three individual charts should be drawn to give a clear picture a) one showing traffic with the Herriman Avenue extension b) another .showing traffic flow without the Herriman Avenue extension and c) showing.traffic with an Allendale Avenue extension. Mr. Van der Toorren, in answer to an inquiry from Chairman Norton, explained that Douglas Lane is a pleasant kind of street that one does not find any- more and it would be too costly.to straighten it for use as a Collector Street. Chairman Norton, in answer to an inquiry from Mr. Charles Merlet, stated that 1) the number of cars quoted on the chart would be going one way in the morning peak traffic hour and another way during the evening peak traffic hour 2) when the time comes that traffic backs up for one-half mile the need for a Herriman Avenue extension will become obvious 3) the bulk of the students attending the college will not be from Saratoga. He then explained that 1) the need for pathways in the Saratoga-Fruitvale and Allendale-Fruitvale area is.obvious and they will be provided along with a signal light (eventually) at these intersections and 2) more traffic and pedestrian control would involve more police and crossing guards and Saratoga is not prepared to supply these additional services at this time. Mr. Melbourne E. Rabedeau, 18631Harleigh Drive, stated that 1) the hill on Allendale near the Harleigh Drive intersection represents a serious traffic hazard and then suggested that it be cut down to avoid a serious accident and 2) he was in favor of the statements Mr. Van der Toorren intended to present concerning Allendale Avenue. Mr. Van der Toorren stated that 1) Visitor Con~nercial does not mean the City is modifying an existing zone, but it does indicate a new zoning category 2) he would like to know if it would be possible to have Visitor Commercial in the Village 3) he was not opposed to providing bowling alleys and skating rinks; however when you put them all together in groups a situation is created which is very difficult to police 4) he would like to know on what basis the Planning Consultant based his opinion that Saratoga has enough Multi zoning 5) the residential area around the college has lost a lot and it will have to face more changes in the future 6) the homes on Allendale will face 'deterioration in the future due'to rentals and absentee ownerships 7) he predicts there will probably be a change from "R-i" to high rise apartments in this area in the near future 8) fifty-foot ~r~de lots are inadequate for the constr. uction of homes. He then presented a petition with 150 ~ignatures filed in support of the City undertaking a full and detailed etudy into the possibility of eliminating or minimizing the increase of traffic on Allendale Avenue. .... 2- " Planning Commission Minutes - 26 February 1968 - Continued II. GENERAL PLAN REVIEW - CONTINUED Chairman Norton stated the reason for the recorf~iendation against more Multi zoning is that the City is awaiting the development of the property already zoned for "R-~'. Mrs. Mary Hansen, Dolphin Drive,'stated that a lot of people who signed the petition were present at this meeting to show their support of same. Mr. A1Hansen, 13761 Dolphin Drive, stated that 1) as far as the college is concerned he feels safety should be the first consideration 2) Harleigh Drive-Allendale Avenue and the Quito Road-Allendale Avenue intersection are going to be problems in the future 3) it has been proposed that a sixty-foot right~of-way be provided by eliminating parking along Allendale 4) Allendale serves as access road for a number of schools and churches 5) the further increase in traffic will decrease property values and people will either rent or sell their property 6) a lot of consideration should be given to development of Allendale and if the City does not strive to make this an attractive residential area they will see Commercial Development or Multi- Residential zoning in this area. Chairman Norton agreed that it would be bad enough without having Commercial or Multi-Residential development in this area but a run-down residential area would be just as bad. Mr. Hansen suggested that something be done on Allendale while there is some raw land left to develop. The Secretary, in answer to'an inquiry from Mr. Feak, Allendale Avenue, explained that 1) the assessment district involves Fruitvale and Saratoga Avenu~ to the south boundary of the college and 2) it involves only ~he'.cOllege and the City for the cost. Mr. Rabedeau, stated 1) he was Opposed to an Allendale to Saratoga Avenue extension and 2) Pollard could be developed as a through route since'the students will be coming from that direction. Mr. Hansen stated that 1) it should be relatively simple to extend Pollard since the raw land is still available for this use 2) if Pollard were extended to the college parking lot then Allendale could handle the other traffic created by the college students and 3) a study should be made to determine how the traffic on Allendale can be eliminated or reduced. Mr. Feak stated that he felt an Allendale extension to Saratoga Avenue would only worsen"the traffic problem on Allendale. Mrs. Ottenberg, Pierce Road, stated that Pierce Road should be brought up to a standard Collector Street since it carried heavy traffic which will increasewhen the proposed subdivision is developed. The Secretary stated that with continuous stimulus from people in the Pierce Road area some improvements could take place with City funds. Commissioner Crisp, at the request of Chairman Norton, read a portion of the General Plan Committee Report dated 26 February 1968 and then the Secretary (in view of the absence of Commissioners O'Rorke and Johnson- members of the General Plan Committee) at the request of Commissioner Crisp read the remaining portion of the report. Commissioner Crisp pointed out.that this report could be amended and was not necessarily final. -3- Planning Commission Minutes - 26 February 1968 - Continued II. GENERAL PLAN REVIEW - CONTINUED Mr. Galeb, Sr., stated that 1) it seemed nothing relative to the problem.: areas was mentioned in the General Plan Committee Report 2) his problem area has been greatly improved 3) he has started a development'that will be a credit to the whole conmunity and 4) he expected some recommendation to be made in the subject report relative to the Multi-Residential zoning he requested in a letter submitted to the Planning Commission. Chairman Norton explained that the general proposal is to wait and see what happens to the existing Multi-Residential zoning. Mr. Tracy Tumlin, attorney for the merchants in the Azule Crossing area, stated that 1) he felt strongly about the property at the railroad tracks since it seems to be a blighted area and 2) he could not see how waiting for other areas to develop could help this area and 3) it was hoped that someone would study the proposal for Multi-Residential zoning. for the sub- Ject property. Chairman Norton stated that Visitor Commercial had been considered for some of this area.: FAr. Livingston, Planning Consultant, stated that 1) a suggestion was made recommending that Allendale Avenue be extended and come close to Herriman but not connect 2) it is safe street-design that intersections be off-set at least three hundred feet (300-feet) and this should be increased to one thousand'feet (1,000-feet) in this area because of the Saratoga-Fruitvale Avenue intersection situation 3) it is not a question of the amount of traffic but rather the movement of traffic 4) Saratoga is not being planned to copy some congested intersection in San Jose 5) bowling alleys and skating' rinks are not necessarily sources of evil if properly located in a Visitor Commercial district along Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road along the railroad tracks but not in the Village or in Neale's Hollow 6) panic (relative to depreciation of property) has been unjustif!ably created since the property on Allendale is not going to depreciate 7) the College of Marin has a comparable traffic pattern situation only the traffic is far worse than it will ever be on Allendale Avenue but the people living on this street in Marin have made up their minds not to let their property depreciate 8) the street in Marin remains a beautiful two-lane street and some day it will get relief because the State will build another road for the traffic 9) the fastest way to depreciation is to give up the present zoning and permit those high rise apartments 10) the point made relative to fifty-foot lots is not true 1!) House and Home Magazine points out that fifty, forty, and thirty-five-foot lots provide enough width to build an attractive home 12) the reason the traffic will use the Fruitvale-Allendale entrance is because Saratoga Avenue is.already improved to take care of this traffic and Quito is not 13) if there has to be a three-phase signal then it will be more difficult to gain entrance by this route; .therefore the Herriman Avenue extension is recommended 14) a Pollard Road extension would simply transfer traffic problems from one place to another and 15) Pierce Road is not on the improvement program because the traffic volumes did not warrant widening of Pierce Road in the next ten (10) years. .. Mr. Livingston, at this time, offered the following comments relative to the General Plan Committee Report: APARTMENTS Recommended against lowering of any'zoning standards by maintaining tight controls. Plannin~ Commission Minutes - 26 Febr'uary 1968 - Continued II. GENERAL PLAN REVIEW - CONTINUED COMMERCIAL Pointed out that allowing Visitor Commercial Uses to be added to the list of Commercial Service Uses would not solve any problems since a prudent investor would not develop a nice shopping complex knowing that under the Zoning Ordinance some incompatible business could be developed right next door. ANNEXATION Recommended against the Westbrook annexation since a) this has happened in other areas and has been a continuous pain in the neck b) Saratoga is the only City in the area with any logical boundary lines and c) two other areas have been found that may want to annex if Westbrook is annexed and then the City map will look like a formless blob like some others in the County. Commissioner Crisp pointed out that the..Westbrook annexation!'~has'the ~ appro~al'.:of.,the"Planntng Commission and is now before the City Council. Chairman Norton, in answer to an inquiry from Mr. Sam Hernandez, Big Basin Way, explained there were no significant advantages or disadVantages'to'~c. annexing-'WeStbrook ~but the residents of this area are very involved in the community of Saratoga as far as church, schools, and civic groups, etc. are concerned and now request recognition as official residents of Saratoga. Mr. Rocky Garcia, property owner on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road, stated that a) he agreed with Mr. Livingston concerning the elimination of as many C-S Uses as possible in the Visitor Commercial and b) he felt the whole northwest area of Saratoga will be completely rehabilitated. A representative of the Kirkorian Construction Company requested consider- ation of R-M zoning for the rear of Commercial areas where entry from the street can be provided. At 9:15 P.M. Commissioner Crisp moved, seconded by Commissioner Smith, to close the hearing relative to the General Plan Review; motion carried unanimously. RECESS AND RECONVENE GENERAL PLAN COMMITTEE REPORT ./ Commissioner Crisp stated that any amendments to the subject report should be made at this time. Chairman Norton recommended the following amendment to the subject report Section III-d....delete the last three sentences Section V. .after paragraph (e) add the following: "(f~ Traffic and safety problems on Allendale Avenue should be. studied by the City." Chairman Norton, in answer to an inquiry from Commissioner Smith, explained that a) since the City is going to become involved in park. proposals some agency should be made available to work'with the citizens and b) he was prepared to go along with' the .report. as written by the General Plan Committee. -5'- Plannin~ Commission Minutes - 26 Februar7 1968 - Continued II. GENERAL PLAN REVIEW - CONTINUED " General Plan Committee Report - Continued ' ""'; Commissioner Crisp pointed out that the proposal for the appointment of a Park Commission was discussed by the City Council at the Study Session. Chairman Norton stated that if he understood correctlythis repor~ was, in effect, in support of parks. Commissioner Kasner stated that Section III-b is misleading and not clear since he did not feel it was really meant as a rec~mmendation for future expansion of the Quito Shopping Center. Chairman Norton stated he was not averse to indicating that some expansion may take place at the Center some day. Commissioner Kasner stated he was opposed to further expansion of the Quito Shopping Center. Chairman Norton, in accord with the recommendation made by Co{muissioner Kasner, directed that Section III-b of the General Plan Committee Report be amended to read.as:follows: "(b) Expansion of the Quito Shopping Area is not recommended at this time; while expansion maybe desirable in the 'future, the entire .,.' development plan requires further study." Commissioner Kasner stated that a) in his opinion the result of the statements made by the residents of Herriman Avenue seems to be that they don't want the cars in front of their homes b) he.could not see how any- one can deny the necessity for a Herriman Avenue extension since the traffic problems will not go away and he has doubts about postponing this matter and c) the subdividers that will be coming into this area could be requested.~:,-, to finance this extension. Mr. Livingston explained that the Planning Commission will have to make their opinion clear for the benefit of the City Council and the facts show that the money for the Herriman extension will be available in the next ten (10) years. Chairman Norton stated that he agreed some road link will be necessary between Saratoga and Fruitvale and then directed (with concurrence of Planning Commission).the following amendments to the General Plan Report: SectionV.. .change paragraph a).. .line 1.. . to read as follows: "Widening Saratoga Avenue from Herriman Avenue to the Village be postponed." and / Section V.. .paragraph c).. .add the following: "Some road link between Saratoga Avenue and Fruitvale Avenue will be necessary." Commissioner McFall moved, seconded by Commissioner Kasner, that the General Plan Committee'Report dated 26 February 1968 be adopted, as amended, and forwarded to the City Council as the recommendation of the< Planning Commission; motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Crisp recommended that the Final General Plan Committee Report and accompanying resolution be authorized for signature by at least the Chairman of the Planning Commission and the Secretary. Plannin~ Commission Minutes - 26 February 1968 - Continued III. BUILDING SITES AND SUBDIVISIONS A. SDR-732 - Franklin Homes Company, Fourth Street and Saratoga Creek - Building Site Approval - 1 Lot - Continued from 13 February 1968 There was no one present to represent the applicant. Commissioner Smith advised that the applicant met with the Subdivision Committee and then recommended that this application be continued to await Change of Zoning approval (or denial) by the City Council for C-110. Chairman Norton so directed. B. SD-733 - John Rodriguez, Jr~ Big Basin Way - Subdivision Approval - 128 Lots - Continued from 13 February 1968 Commissioner Smith stated that the Subdivision Committee Report relative to SD-733 was ready. Mr.. Rodriguez, the applicant, was present and stated that he and his architect had reviewed the proposed conditions of approval and then expressed satisfaction of same. Chairman Norton called the applicant's attention to proposed Condition-23 of the Subdivision Comitte Report in order to be sure that the applicant fully Understood its meaning. After discussion, Commissioner Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner McFall, that the Subdivision Committee Report of 26 February 1968 relative to SD-733 be adopted and that the tentative map (Exhibits "A-2", "B", and "C", filed 26 February 1968) be approved subject to the conditions set forth in said report; motion carried unanimously. IV.. DESIGN REVIEW ~ . A. A-271 - John Rodriguez, Jr., Big Basin Way - Preliminary Design Review - Townhouses - Continued from 13 February 1968 ':': The Secretary introe~tced the Staff Report dated 26 February 1968 recommending that Preliminary Design Approval be granted for A-271 subject to the conditions stated in said report. Mr. Rodriguez and his architect, in answer to an inquiry from' Chairman Norton, stated that the bridge proposed for this development will be a gradual traverse type and will be about about 10-feet above the creek and the plan is to keep the bridge low for appearance sake. Commissioner Crisp stated 1) he preferred a pedestrian bridge since only about 10% of the residents will use this bridge to get to the golf course while 100% of the residents will use it to get to the Village and 2) aesthet'ically the pedestrian 'bridge won't make that much difference and...flooding is a factor that must be seriously considered. .: Bill Baine, applicant."e engineer, stated that because of the work that ha~ ~akeu place down stream on this development any possibility of flooding hazards have been very minimized. Planning Commission Minutes - 26 February 1968 - Continued IV. A. A-271 - Continued Mr. Rodriguez stated that 1) a vehicle bridge was proposed at one time but then it was for single residents and not this type of a complex and 2) he felt the appearance of this beautiful area would be ruined ':.: with a big vehicular bridge. Commissioner McFall moved, seconded by Commissioner Kasner, to adopt the rendering (Exhibit"'E") showing the low level bridge; motion carried with Commissioner Crisp abstaining. Commissioner Kasner-moved, Seconded..by Commissioner Smith, to adopt' the Staff Report of 26 February 1968. recommending that Preliminary Desig~ Approval be granted A-271 as shown on Exhibit "A-2" through "E" and subject to the conditions stated in said report; motion carried unanimously. B.. A-273 - Franklin Homes Company, Fourth Street and Saratoga Creek - Preliminary Design Review - Apartment Complex - Continued from 13 February 1968 Commissioner Smith recommended that this matter be continued to the next regular meeting to await the submittal of further plans. Chairman Norton so directed. C. A-253 - L. B. Nelson, Prospect Road - Final DesiMn Review - Car Wash The Secretary-explained that 1)_ this matter is brought before the Planni'ng Commission again because in submittal of the final plans when making application for a building permit it was found that there were significant changes and this makes it necessary for the plans. to be reviewed again.and 2) the applicant has now submitted amended plans which have been reviewed by the the Design Review Committee. Commissioner Smith stated that he was not completely satisfied with the amended plans. Commissioner Kasner stated that the representatives of the church adjacent to this property were opposed to this car wash earlier and they are not now aware of the proposed extension of this structures The Secretary 1) explained that the applicant will provide a 6-foot fence to serve as a buffer between the church'. and the car wash and 2) read the Staff Report recommending that Final Design Approval be granted for the modified plans. After discussion, Commissioner Kasner moved, seconded by Commissioner Smith,. to adopt the Staff Report of 26 February 1968 recommending that Final Design Approval be granted A-253 as shown on Exhibit "A-3"; motion carried unanimously. D. 8S-56 - Faber L. Johnston, Pierce Road and Old Oak Way - Final Design Review - Temporary Identification Sign for Subdivision The Secretary explained that this was a standard type sign with a more elaborate frame than usual and then read the Staff Report recommending that Final Design Approval for SS-56 be granted. Chairman Norton directed that t~e condition stated in the report should be changed to read as follows: "Permit for said sign shall not exceed one(l) year.after date of approval by the Planning C~,n~ission." -8- Planning Contaission Minutes - 26 February 1968 - Continued IV..:~'D.L .:SS-56 - Continued :' '.' Commissioner Kasner moved, seconded by Commissioner Smith, to adopt, as amended, the Staff Report dated 26 February 1968 recommending that Final Design Review be granted SS-56 as shown on Exhibits "A" and "B" Subject to the condition.- stated in said report; motion carried unanimously.... E. SS-57 - Kent Kirkorian, Juniper Lane and Saratoga Avenue - Final Desinn Review - Temporary Identification Sign for Subdivision Commissioner Kasner briefly reviewed the contents of the Staff Report recommending Final Design Approval for SS-57 and then recommended that the condition stated in the report be amended to read as follows: "Pe ' rmlt for said sign shall not exceed one (1) year after date of approval by the Planning Commission." After discussion, Commissioner Kasner moved, seconded by Commissioner Smith, to adopt, as amended, the Staff Report dated 26 February 1968 .recommending that Final Design Review be granted SS-57 as shown on Exhibit "A" subject to the condition stated in said report; motion carried unanimously. V. CITY COUNCIL REPORT Commissioner Kasner stated that the minutes of the 21 February 1968 meeting of the City Council were distributed and he has no further comments to offer relative to same. VI. OLD BUSINESS UP-121 - West Valley Baptist ChUrch, Fruitvale and Allendale Avenues - Request for Extension - Continued from 13 February 1968 At'the request of Con~nissioner Smith, it ms directed by Chairman Norton that UP-121 be continued to the next regular meeting. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. SMALL PET ORDI/qANCE Chairman Norton directed the Secretary to set a public'hearing relative to the Small Pet'Ordinance for the meeting of 25 March 1968. B. ~ERNER STERN ~ ~uito Park Business Center The Secretary, in answer to an inquiry from Commissioner Smith, explained that the request for Veternarian Office in the Quito Park Business Center will be scheduled for hearing at the 11 March 1968 meeting. C. PET CLINIC The Secretary stated that 1) a request for a Pet Clinic was under consideration by San Jose for Saratoga Avenue near Saratoga Woods 2) the Saratoga Woods residents have expressed a great deal of concern and opposi- relative to same 3) he artended a meeting in San Jose and stated the City of Saratoga was opposed to said application 4) the applicant withdrew the the application after it was indicated that a Variance application would be more appropriate and 5) recommended that Committee or Staff prepare a report, to be mailed to San Jose, stating the City's opposition to this matter. Commissioner Crisp moved, seconded by Commissioner Kasner to accept the Secretary s recommendation that the Staff prepare a report stating the City's objections to the above mentioned proposal; motion carried unanimousiS. PlanninS Commission Minutes - 26 Februar~ 1968 - Continued VIII. COMMUNICATIONS A. WRITTEN UP-124 - ~laude T. Lindsay, Inc., Cox Road - Request for Extension The' Secretary briefly explained the subject request and then recommended that UP-124 be referred to the Subdivision Committee and continued to the next regular meeting. Chairman Norton so directed. B. ORAL Chairman Norton acknowledged, with pleasure, the presence of Councilman Tyler and Robbins, Mrs. Ottenberg of the League of Women Voters, Mrs. Parker of the Good Government Group, Mr. Shelly. Willjams, Local Realtor and Mr. Manny LaMeira, City Employee. He, also, thanked Mrs. Parker for the coffee served at recess. IX. ADJOURNMENT The Chairman declared· the meeting adjourned at 11:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, . '. Stanley . Walker, Secretary Saratoga Planning Commission J -10-