HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-10-1968 Planning Commission Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
TIME: Tuesday, 10 September, 1968, 7:30 P.M.
PLACE: City Council Chambers, Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California
.TYPE: Regular Meeting
I. ROUTINE ORGANIZATION
· he meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Johnson.
A. ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Crisp~ Johnson, Kraus, Lively, and Smith.
" Absent: Commissioners Metcalf and Norton.
B. "I~NU~ES
Commissioner Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner Crisp, that the reading
of the minutes of the 26 August 1968 meeting be waived and that they be
approved as distributed to the Commission; motion carried unanimously.
II. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. V-320 - Dr. Michael Kowitz, Pike Road - Request for Variance in Connection ..
' With Front Yard Setback Requirements
The hearing relative to V-320 was not opened. The Secretary read a
-communication received from the applicant requesting that V-320 and
SDR-775 (under III. F of the agenda) be withdrawn for the present.
Commissioner Johnson, with concurrence of the Planning Commission,
directed that V-320 and SDR-775 be considered withdrawn.
B. UP-154 - Grand Development Company, Prospect Road - Request for Use
Permit to Allow Automobile Supply Store
Chairman Johnson opened the hearing at 7:33 P.M. The Secretary stated the
Notices of Hearing had been mailed and then briefly reviewed this applica-
tion.
Mr. Frank Nellsen, Property Manager for Grand Development, stated that
his company is willing to cooperate with the Planning Commission in any
way necessary.
Commissioner Smith stated that 1) this is a re-application for an Auto-
mobile Supply Store on this property 2) the previous applicant (B. F.
Goodrich Company) failed to supply the Planning Commission with a requested
list of uses planned for the proposed store'and 3) the applicant should
understand that no outside display!of merchandise will be permitted.
Chairman Johnson directed the applicant to submit a list of uses intended
for this store.
After discussion, Chairman Johnson (7:37 P.M.) closed the hearing for the
evening, directed UP-154 continued to the next regular meeting and referred
same to the Subdivision Committee for study.
Commissioner Smith, on behalf of the Subdivision Committee, recommended that
the applicant arrange, with the Secretary, for an appointment on Monday,
16 September 1968.
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Pjanning Commission Minutes - 10 September 1968 - Continued
Ill. BUILDING SITES AND SUBDIVISIONS
A. SDR-732 - Franklin Homes Company, Fourth Street and Saratoga Creek -
Building Site Approval - 1 Lot - Continued from 26 August
1968
Commissioner Smith stated that the proposed conditions of approval
for SDR-732 were ready.
The applicant, Mr. Franklin, stated 1) he had met with the Subdivision
Committee to discuss the proposed conditions and 2) the said conditions
met with his approval.
Commissioner Smith, in answer to an inquiry from Chairman Johnson,.
explained that 1) the General Plan recently adopted by the City
calls for pathx~ays along a number of the creeks in Saratoga 2) no
decision has been made as to where these pathways will be or whether
they will encroach on private property 3) a short strip on the
Franklin property is included in the pathways program according to
the adopted General Plan and 4) the Subdivision Committee feels that ~
the City Council should establish a policy relative to pathways~
Commissioner Crisp stated that 1) a policy regarding pathways should
be established by the City Council 2) the City does not have the
authority to use the property along the creeks for pathways 3) the
Santa Clara County Flood Control is opposed to pathways along the
creeks 4) if the pathways are put in along the creeks they will be
at the rear portion of private property which will be an infringement
on the privacy of the property owners 5) someone riding a horse along
the pathways could see into private yards even if a fence were provided
and 6) a decision should be made by the City Council to determine
a) if these will be'pedestrian or equestrian pathways and b) who will.
be responsible for maintaining the pathways.
Chairman Johnson stated that 1) the recommendations, relative to pathways,
made in the Building Site Con~nittee Report for SDR-732 are entirely adequate
2) the appointment of the Park Commission recommended by the General Plan
has been realized and 3) the Park Commission will have to meet with the
Flood Control representative. to discuss the proposed pathways.
Commissioner Smith stated that the Note relative to Condition II-P
included in the Building Site Committee Report dated 10 September 1968
was intended to mean that the City Council should establish a policy
regarding pathways before final approval of the tentative map.
Commissioner Lively stated he would like to see the wording in Condition II-P
left as stated in the Building Site Committee Report of 10 September 1968
and another condition added that would specifically mention that no natural
vegetation shall be destroyed for the placement of pathways.
Commissioner Crisp stated he agreed with the su~%estion made by Commissioner
Lively and recommended the following wording be added'.t0.'the 10 September
1968 Building Site Committee Report as Condition II-R:
"R. Destruction of natural vegetation along the creek
channel is prohibited."
The Secretary advised that Condition II-A of the 10 September 1968 Building
Site Committee Report relative to SDR-732 be changed to read as follows:
"A. Improve all interior roads to 26-feet wide using 2~-inch
A. C. on 6-inch A.B. as required by Director of Public.
Works."
Planning Commission Minutes - 10 September 1968 - Continued
Ill. A. SDR-732 - Continued
_..T.h~._~irman, with concurrence of the Planning Commission..directed that
Condition II-R be added ~o the Building Site Committee Report r~lative to
SDRyy3~.and that Condition II-A be changed as recommended by the Secretary.
Commissioner Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner Crisp, that the
Building Site Committee Report and the attachments of 10 September 1968
relative to SDR-732 be adopted, as amended, and that the tentative map
(Exhibit "A-2", filed 5 September 1968) be approved subject to the condi-
tions set forth in said report; motion carried unanimously.
B. SD-759 - Pete Rajkovich, Prospect Road - Subdivision Approval - 112 Lots
- Continued from 26 August 1968
Commissioner Smith recommended that SD-759 be.continued to allow the
Subdivision Committee time to meet with the Planning Committee of the
City Council to discuss the problems connected with this application.
Chairman Johnson so directed.
C. SDR-767 - M.V.S. Company', Saratoga Avenue - Building Site Approval -
1 Lot - Continued from 26 August 1968
Commissioner Smith recommended that SDR-767 be continued to await the
report of the Flood Control Department.
Chairman Johnson so directed.
D. SDR-773 - Don Orlando, Verde Vista and Boyce Lane - Building Site Approval
- 3 Lots
Commissioner Smith recommended that SDR-773 be continued since the applicant
has been reqUired".tOz.~submit a new map.
Chairman Johnson so directed.
E. SDR-774 - Ronald J. Clayton, Saratoga-Los Gatos Road - Building Site
Approval - 1 Lot
Commissioner Smith briefly reviewed this application. There wad no'.'one
present to.represent the applicant.
After a brief discussion, Commissioner Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner
Crisp, that the Building Site Committee Report of 10 September 1968 relative
to SDR-774 be.adopted'and that the tentative map (Exhibit "A", filed
8 August 1968) be approved subject to the conditions set forth in said
report; motion carried unanimously.
F. SDR-775 - Dr.. Michael Kowitz, Pike Road - Buildin~ Site Approval
See II-A. - V-320 on page 1 of these minutes.
IV. DESIGN REVIEW
A. A-290 - Wells Fargo Bank, Saratoga-Los Gatos Road - Identification Signs -
Final Design Review
Commissioner Lively stated that 1) the Design Review Committee reviewed
the proposed signs 2) the drive-Up window sign causes the sign area to
exceed the total sign area permitted by the Ordinance 3) the Staff Report,
with concurrence of the Design Review Committee, recommends that the appli-
cant revise some of the signs to meet the Ordinance limitations.
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Plannin~ Commission Minutes - 10 September 1968 - Continued
IV. A. A-290 - Continued
Mr. Don Nelson, representing the applicant, 1) stated he was not in
agreement with the Staff Report of 10 September 1968 recommending that
there be a reduction in sign area and 2) requested that A-290 be
continued to the next regular meeting.
Chairman Johnson directed A-290 continued to the next regular meeting
and referred same to the Design Review Committee for further study.
He then recommended that the applicant contact the Secretary and arrange
for an appointment with the Design Review Committee to discuss the pro-
posed signs.
V. CITY COUNCIL REPORT
The Secretary gave a summary of items reviewed and action taken at the City
Council meeting of 4 September 1968, with emphasis on items of particular
interest to the Commission.
VI.. OLD BUSINESS
None
VII. NEW BUSINESS
. A. SDR-771 - Manfred G. Kahl, Allendale Avenue - Request for Reconsideration
of Conditions
The Secretary briefly reviewed this request and stated that this problem
could best be resolved between the applicant and the Director of Public
Works.
Commissioner Crisp recommended that this reqUest_be continued off the ......
agenda until the applicant has an. opportunity to meet with the Director ....
of Public Works.
Chairman Johnson so directed.
B. SD-686 - Starlite Homes, Pierce Road. - Request for Extension
'-
The Secretary explained that !) the request for a one (1) year.extension on
the approval of the tentative map was timely, but' the' Change of Zoning relative .o
to SD-686 has expired and 2) the City Atto_r_.n~y has stated that the applicant will
have to obtain an extension for the expired Change of Zoning or file a new ......
application to re-instate the zoning n.ec~ssary.
Commissioner Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner"Crisp, to deny the
request for extension for SD-686 on the basis that the Change of Zoning
application pertinent to SD-686 is no longer valid since it has expired;
motion carried unanimously.
C. SDR-716 - Fred Z. Irany, Pierce Road - Request for Reconsideration
The Secretary stated that 1) the applicant submitted a letter requesting
reconsideration of curb and gutter and 2) 'this problem could be resolved
if the applicant obtained a bond.'
Chairman Johnson directed the Secretary to contact the applicant and inform
him that a bond for the improvements would be acceptable to the City.
Planning Commission Minutes - 10 September 1968 - Continued
VII." D. SD-607 - Douglas Hines, Pierce Road - Request for Reconsideration
The Secretary explained that the applicant submitted a letter request-
ing a change in Condition 15 of the Subdivision Committee Report dated
26 August 1968 in file SD-607. He then recommended that the matter be
referred to the Subdivision Committee for a report after they complete
their study.
Chairman Johnson so directed.
VIII. COMMUNICATIONS
A. WRITTEN
1. SDR-b79 - Loren L. Manin~er, Palomino Way - Request for Extension
The Secretary read a'letter received from the applicant requesting
a one (1) year extension for SDR-679.
Commissioner Crisp moved, seconded by Commissioner. Smith, to
grant a one (1) year extension for SDR-679; motion'carried unanimously.
2. Letter From Sam Hernandez
The Secretary read a communication received from Sam Hernandez
re-emphasizing his conCern'-'=of:.the increase of illegal signs
throughout the community of Saratoga displayed on public property.
Commissioner Smith stated that the Planning Commission at the meeting
of 26 August 1968!voted in favor of directing stricter enforcement
sign control. '.' ............. = " ...........
B. ORAL
1. Booklet and question Form From PlanninS Policy Committee
The Secretary explained the information (relative to Alternatives
for Planning Policy) contained in the booklet received from the
Planning. Policy Committee and the question .form accompanying
Chairman Johnson pointed out that each individual member of the
Planning Commission is responsible for filling in the question
form and returning it to the Secretary.'
Commissioner Kraus s~a~ed ~ha~ the question form is not difficult
and should be returned as soon as possible.
2. Guests
Chairman Johnson acknowledged, with pleasure, the presend~of
Councilman Sanders, Mr. Bob Ewing, President of the Chamber of
Commerce, Mrs. Dorothy Parker and Mr. Langwill,of the Good Govern-
meng and Mrs. Ottenber. g.=df the League of Women Voters.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
The Chairman declared the meeting adjourned at 8:24 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Stanley M. Walker, Secretary
Saratoga Planning Commission
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