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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-23-1968 Planning Commission Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION' MINUTES TI}Z: Monday, 23 September 1968, 7:30 P.M. PLACE: City Council Chambers, Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California TYPE: Regular Meeting I. ROUTINE ORGANIZATION The 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. MINUTES Commissioner Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner Kraus, that the reading of the minutes of the 10 September 1968 meeting be waived and that they be approved as distributed to the Commission subject to the following correc- tion: page 1. .paragraph 2. . .under II. A. V-320. .change the word "Commissioner" to read "Chairman"; motion carried unanimously. II. PIrBLIC HEARINGS A. C-118'- B. T. Galeb and Milan Popovigh, Zorka Avenue and Ted Avenue - Request for Change of Zoning from "R-l-10,000" (Single-Family Residential) to "R-M-3,000" (Multi-Family Residential) Chairman Johnson opened the hearing at 7:34 P.M. The Assistant Planner, Mr. Gary Bonfiglio, stated the Notices of Hearing had been mailed and published. He further stated that the following communications had been received relative to C-118: 1) A statement of reason submitted by the applicant; 2) Letters in opposition were filed by Lewis Townsend, 20349 Zorka Avenue, Harry E. & Jean M. Blomquist, 12430 Ted Avenue, ~. & Mrs. John B. Mooney, 12385 Ted Avenue, Mr. & Mrs. Gordon R. Smith, 12384 Ted Avenue, Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Sheets, 12444 Ted Avenue, -Mr. & Mrs. Robert H. Gregg, 20140 Cherry Lane, }~s. John R. S~Untz, 20170 Cherry Lane, Maline L. & Barny A. Hazle, 20160 Cherry Lane, R. C. Utley, 20351Zorka Avenue, Helen M. Silva, 12414 Ted Avenue, Gerald L. & Marie Cunha, 1.2460 Ted Avenue, Mrs. L. Jean Reagan, 20161 Cherry Lane, Walter S. Bogden, 12471DeSanka Avenue; 3) Letters filed in opposition by R.V. Fagon, President of Saratoga Park Woods Homeowners Association, Frank J. Ziegel, Director of Northwest Saratoga Homeowners Association, and Fred B. Smith, President of the Brookview Homeowners Association; and 4) Two petitions filed in opposition to the proposed Change of Zoning - one containing 124~signatures and the, other 37-signatures. -1- Planning Con~nission Minutes ~ 23 September 1968 - Continued II. A. C-118 - Continued Mr. Eddy, representing the applicant, stated that 1) Mr. Galeb is only trying'.to improve this property 2) there are sub-standard homes on this property at present and 3) some very attractive plans have been designed by Mr. Elliot (architect). Mr. Elliot, architect for the applicant, stated that 1) the proposed development would provide three different' means of access roads thus providing a good traffic pattern 2) ~. Galeb is trying to improve the area and at the same time develop something that will be compatible with the R-1 area located in back of the subject parcel 3) the present plan places a single-story apartment approximately seventy-five-feet away from the nearest single-family residence 4) the proposed structures will face inward to a mall; thereby, routing the traffic into the site itself and eliminating the necessity of the tenants parking in the street 5) Mr. Galeb has an agreement with the Southern Pacific Railroad to use part of their right-of-way to plant a row of trees to act as a buffer .~.. between the railroad tracks and the proposed development 6) there will be fifty-nine units with parking under the buildings 7) Ted Avenue will have a park-like view looking directly onto the landscaped pool area and 8) Mr. Galeb is concerned about maintaining the integrity of the R-1 area adjacent to the subject property. Mr. Henry Stelling, Real Estate Broker, stated that 1) he was in favor Of the proposed development 2) Mr. Galeb would like to develop this property and thus improve the entire area 3) at present there is an old orchard and some sub-standard homes on the property 4) the freeway originally scheduled to cross this property has been routed another way 5) this property would have been subdivided along with the rest of the area if it had not been for the subject freeway plans and 6) the reluct- ance of the Planning Commission to re-zone additional property for R-M until some progress is shown in areas already zoned R-M is understandable but it should be pointed out that Mr. Galeb owns this property outright. F~. B. T. Galeb stated that 1) for years he and his neighbors have been working together to improve this area and it surprises him to'see so much opposition at this opportunity for improvement.2) the proposed develop- ment would have been another step in that direction and if his neighbors can come up with a better plan for the subject property he, too, will sign the petition opposing the apartments 3) the apartments would be programraed in. an orderly procedure 4) the construction of the subject apartments would be up-grading the surrounding property 5) the traffic pattern that is planned would improve the traffic situation 6) the neighbors have consistently urged that this piece of property be improved and 7) the proposed development would be an asset to the City as well as to the neighborhood. Mr i Sam Hernandez, owner Laurel Motor Court, stated that 1) everybody should see this area to understand what does exist 2) the sub-standard housing on the property was originally built for fruit pickers and is now being used as rental units and 3) the proposed apartment development would enhance the appearance of the entire community. M~. John Mooney, 12385 Ted Avenue, stated that 1) he was opposed to the proposed apartments since the biggest traffic burden would be on Ted Avenue and 2) the following recommendation was made in the Conclusive Report"of the Problem Uses Committee. .in Section II. . .Item D: "The City should designate the exact locations in the General Plan giving careful consideration to physical boundaries so as not to infringe into adjacent single- family residential areas. Careful consideration should be given to prevent any undue burden on, or impair the safety of adjacent residential streets." -2- Planning Commission Minutes - 23 September 1968 - Continued II. A. C-118 - Continued Mrs. Ilia Sheets, 12444 Ted Avenue, stated that 1) she lived across the street from the proposed development 2) in April, 1968 Mr. Galeb asked her to get the neighbors together 'for a meeting to discuss this proposal 3) on September 13, 1968, Mr. Galeb's daughter and wife were notified that a petition was being circulated in opposition to the pro- posed Change of Zoning 4) De Sanka will, in all probability, not be extended as presently anticipated;'thereby, eliminating that street as a possible access road 5) there is no designated left-turn-lane at Sea Gull 6) the ,main concern is the additional traffic that will be routed down the streets in front of the permanent residences7) they bought their home because it was in a rural area and 8) the people in the area are opposed to the sub-standard housing but do not feel they should be threatened with apartments they do not want in order to eliminate the existing undesirable situation. Jean Holst, 19723 Sommerville Court, stated that 1) there is really no place for Senior Citizens to reside in Saratoga 2) this proposed develop- ment would be ideal for these people who have been paying taxes on their homes in this area for years 3) these people would not create a lot of traffic and most of them have no small children and 4) this would be a great opportunity to do something for people that have been forgotten in Saratoga. l/~. Carl Anderson, 12400 Ted Avenue, stated that 1) he just recently purchased his home 2) his main objection is to the traffic problem and not the proposed apartments 3) the additional cars in the area will present problems because of the small children'living in the neighbor- hood and 4) the left turn off of Sea Gull is difficult now and this problem will be greater with the added traffic. Mrs. Gordon Smith, 12384 Ted Avhnue, stated that 1) these units would not be suitable for retirement apartments since they are two and three bedroom units and 2) with the mortuary being built across the street the traffic problem will become especially dangerous for children living in the apart- ments and surrounding area. Maline L. Hazel, 20160 Cherry Lane, stated that Mr. Caleb may own all the property for the proposed apartments, but he, also, owns the adjacent shopping center property which has several empty units and there can be only one thing worse and that is empty apartments. ~. Galeb stated that when these neighbors purchased their property they were aware that this property would be developed in'some way in the future. ~. Richard G. Greene, 12350 Goleta Avenue stated that south of this property and south of the railroad tracks some lovely homes have been built and'suggested perhaps some homes of this type could be built on the subject property. >~. Jim Navel, 12072 Ingrid Court, stated that after listening'to both sides of the story he will probably go along with the majority of the people oppos- ing said application and will submit a letter stating his objections prior to the next meeting of the Commission. i~. Harold A..Beaudoin~. 13204 Pierce Road, stated that 1) the development of this area is not only the problem of ~. Galeb, but of the property owners in the entire area 2) there was a suggestion made that this property be subdivided and lovely homes built on it as was done with the property south of the subject parcel 3) those homes were laid out as part of a sub- division and at a time when ~. Galeb was precluded from doing this because of a proposed freeway 4) F~. Galeb was told at one time that his property would be zoned for light industrial and this would have caused a lot of traffic 5) %.~. Galeb and his neighbors mut now decide what the bes~ for t~his property would be and 6)° the traffic will be a bi~ use o problem, but a safe traffic flow could be worked out and 7) if the freeway had been realized this area would not have been as attractive as the proposed apartments. -3- Planning Commission Minutes - 23 September 1968 - Continued II. A. C~118 - Continued Mr. John Stuntz, 20170 Cherry Lane, stated that 1) he was concerned that if the R-M zoning is approved for this property it will set a precedent for R-M zoning in this area and could extend down to Cherry lane and the railroad tracks and 2) he disputed the traffic flow shown on the architect's plan. Commissioner Crisp noted that there were approximately one-hundred people present in connection with this application. Commissioner Johnson (8:26 P.M.) closed the hearing for the evening, directed C-118 continued to the next regular meeting and referred same to the Subdivision Committee for study. Commissioner Smith advised that the Subdivision Committee meets each Monday afternoon for anyone wishing to meet with them to discuss this matter further. B. UP-154 '- Grand Development Company, Propsect Road - Request for Use Permit to Allow Automobile Supply Store - Continued from 10 September 1968 The hearing was re-opened at 8:27 P.M.. The Assistant Planner stated that the applicant's representative, F~. Frank Nellsen, submitted a letter list- ing the merchandise that will be stocked in the store. Fm. Nellsen ~ms present but made no further comments. No one else wished to comment. The Assistant Planner read the Staff Report dated 23 September 1968 recommending that a Use Permit (UP-154) be granted for an Automobile Supply Store. At 8:38 P.M., Commissioner Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner Crisp, to close the hearing relative to UP-154; motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner. Crisp,. that the Staff Report of 23 September 1968 relative to UP-154 be adopted and the Use Permit for Automobile Supply Store be granted subject to the conditions stated in said report and in accordance with Exhibits "C" and "D" attached to the sub- ject Staff Report; motion carried unanimously. C. UP-155 - Ira Kirkorian (Colony Heights), Saratoga Avenue - Request for Use Permit to Allow Model Home Sales Office The Chairman opened the hearing at 8:39 P.M. The Assistant Planner stated the Notices of Hearing were mailed. He then read the Staff Report of 23 September 1968 recommending that a Use Permit (UP-155) for a Model Home Sales Office be granted. No member of the audience wished to speak. Cormmissioner Crisp moved, seconded by Commissioner Kraus, to. close the hearing relative to UP-155 at 8:42 P.M.; motion carried unanimously. Comaissioner Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner CrisB that the Staff Report dated 23 September 1968 be adopted and the Use Permit (UP-155) be granted for a Model Home Sales Office subject to the conditions stated in said report; motion carried unanimously. Plannin,~ Comn~ission Minutes - 23 September '1968 - Contin~,ed II. D. UP-156 - Jeanne M. Christiansen, Pierce Road and Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road - Request for Use Permit to Allow a Day Care Nursery The Chairnmn opened the hearing relative to UP-156 at 8:43 P.M. 'The Assistant Planner stated that the Notices of Hearing were mailed. He then read the following communications filed in opposition to the pro- posec~ Use Permit 1) a petition with sixty signatures 2) a letter from O. Farasyn and Marierose Farasyn and 3) a letter from Crystal S. Schafer. Mr. George Meukow, real estate.broker representing the applicant, stated that 1) Pierce Road is clearly indicated on the General Plan as a Collector Street 2) there is a circular driveway on the property that will allow smooth flow of traffic 3) there is no other facility of this type in Saratoga 4) there are some half-day pre-schools, but no all day care centers 5) the people in the area were invited to meet and discuss this matter but they showed no interest in doing so 6) people living directly behind other care centers have indicated they have no complaints 7) the subject property is about 20,000 square-feet in size and is more than adequate for the proposed use 8) the State Welfare will decide how many children can be cared for in this home and 9) there is a maximum of forty children allowable. Commissioner Crisp stated that it seemed the existing sanitary facilities would be inadequate for forty-children. Mr. Meukow explained that no improvements can be made until the representative from the State Welfare makes a study and submits a report indicating exactly how many children can be cared for at the subject property. Commissioner Smith stated that the Subdivision Committee would want to see the report from the State Welfare Department prior to making any final recommen- .·datio~'.-~ relative to the proposed nursery school. Chairman Johnson requested Mr. Meukow to mail a copy of the State Welfare and the Fire Marshal's report-to the Planning Department for review by the Subdivision Committee and the Planning Commission. Mr. Charles Eckert, 12841 Pierce Road, stated that.l) the road in front of his house is approximately six-yards wide and the traffic moves at between forty and forty-five miles per house 2) it is a well traveled road 3) he representsthe sixty people who signed the petition opposing this application 4) this is an unsuitable location for ~sa'id use 5) this is an extremely dangerous intersection 6) there is no' traffic light at the Pierce Road and Highway 85 intersection 7) the applicant proposes a sign on Highway 85 to advertise the proposed nursery and this would be another hazard to traffic and 8) this proposed use would be detrimental to the community. ~. Robert E. Satterfiled, Senior, 12811 Pierce Road, stated that 1) he lives across the street from the subject property 2) he prefers the area be left residential and not become co~r~ercial 3) he has traveled across the world in his line of work and would like very much to settle down in this neighborhood. but would move if the nursery school is permitted and 4) he would not be permitted to put a hamburger stand on the corner of his property. Chairman Johnson explained that a nursery school is allowed in a residential area as a conditional use, !b'ut a hamburger stand would not be. M~. Taylor Hathaway, 13090 Paramount Drive. stated that 1) he was a teacher 2) Pierce Road is already overcrowded at peak traffic hours by school buses and other traffic and 3) a residence used for private gain is not in keeping with this particular area and could devalue the property nearby. -5- Planning Commission Minutes - 23 September 1968 - Continued II. D. U?-156 - Continued Chairman Johnson, in answer to an inquiry from Mr. Earl W. Pingrey, stated that any additional communications could be submitted at the inter- 'mission. The letters submitted at intermission were filed by }~. Earl Pingrey, 12856 Pierce Road and Firs. Margaret M. Valentine, 12980 Paramount Drive, in opposi- tion to the. proposed application. ~. Joseph C. Romeo, 12848 Pierce Road, stated that 1) there is a septic tank on this property with the creek behind it 2) the children will create a noise problem and 3) the existing and additional traffic would make this a very undesirable location. }~s. Romeo, 12848'Pie'rce Road, stated that 1) the children would not be safe with the traffic problem being what it is 2) property values would decrease with this type of business in the neighborhood 3) the applicant already has one successful nursery school and 4) the mothers would be dropping their children at the same time the men in the neighborhood are going to work and at the same time the school buses would be coming down this road. At 9:11 P.M. Chairman Johnson closed the hearing for the evening, directed UP-156 continued to the next regular meeting and referred same to the Sub- division Committee for study. E. LrP-157 - John H. and Catherine Wolf, Saratoga Avenue - Request. for Use Permit to Allow a Home for the Elderly' The hearing realrive to UP-157 was opened at 9:12 PoM. The Assistant Planner stated that the Notices of Hearing were.mailed and then read a petition with one-hundred-and-thirty signatures filed in oppostion to the proposed use and submitted by Fir. Ed Demeri, 12371 Saratoga Creek Drive, Board of Directors for Saratoga Park Woods Home Owner's Association. Firs. Wolf, the applicant, was present and explained 'that 1). she would like a Use Permit for fifteen guests 2) she planned to extend the garage into the back yard 3) the patients would be living on the premises and 4) she did not feel this would be a detriment to the neighborhood. Co~r~missioner Smith advised that a lodging house cannot have more than three paying guests in a residential area. ~. Dell Hathaway, 12511 Saratoga Avenue,,stated that 1) he would violently oppose living next door to this type of use 2) the traffic in this area is already very bad 3) there have been two serious accidents in this area and this type of use would increase the hazard because traffic would be created by visiting relatives. ~s. Grens, 12526 Radoyka Drive, stated that 1) they moved to this area so that their children would have a play area in a rural atomsphere and 2) if a use of this type were permitted there would be complaints about the noise made by the children and she is opposed to said use for that reason. Chairrm~n Johnson, at 9:15 P.M., closed the hearing for the evening, directed UP-157 continued to the next regular meeting and referred same to the Sub- division Co~-nnittee for study. He further advised the 'applicant to nmke an appointment with the Subdivision Committee if she wished to discuss this matter further. -6- Planning Commission Minutes - 23 September 1968 - Continued III. BUILDING SITES AND SUBDIVISIONS A. SD-759 - Pete Rajkovich, Prospect Road - Subdivision Approval - 112 Lots - Continued from 10 September 1968 Comnissioner Smith recommended that SD-759 be continued to allow time for further study of this application. Chairman Johnson so directed. B. SDR-767 - M.V.S. Company, Saratoga Avenue - Building Site Approval - 1 Lot - Continued from 10 September 1968 ..... Commissioner Smith recommended that SDR-767 be continued to the next regular meeting. Chairman Johnson 'so directed. C. SDR-773 - Don Orlando, Verde Vista and Boyce Lane - Building Site Approval - 3 Lots - Continued from !0 September 1968 Comnissiopar Smith recommended that SDR-773 be continued to allow time for further review of the revised map. Chairman Johnson so directed. D. SDR-776 - GeorSe R. Flatt~r~ Aspesi Drive - Building Site Approval - 1 Lot The Assistant Planner stated that the applicant had reviewed the proposed conditions and expressed satisfaction with same. Commissioner Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner Crisp, that the Building Site Committee Report of 23' September 1968 relative to SDR-776 be adopted and that the tentative map (Exhibit "A", filed 5 September 1968) be approved subject to the conditions set forth in said report; motion carried unani- mously. E. SDR-777 - Michael Pestaria, Wild Oak ~y - Building Site Approval - 1 Lot Commissioner Smith reviewed the subject application. The applicant was present and. expressed satisfaction with the proposed conditions of approval. Commissioner Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner Crisp, that the Building Site Committee Report (with special attention to the Note included in the report) of 23 September 1968 relative to SDR-777 be adopted and that the tentative map (Exhibit "A", filed 13 September 1968) be approved subject to the conditions set forth in said report; motion carried unanimously. IV. DESIGN REVIEW A. A-290 - Wells Fargo Bank, Saratoga-Los Gatos Road - Identification Signs - Final Design Review - Continued from 10 September 1968 Commissioner Lively briefly reviewed this application and stated that the Design Review Committee met with the applicant. After the Planning Commission read ~he Staff Report dated 23 September 1968 Commissioner Lively moved, seconded by Commissioner Kraus, that the subject Staff Report be adopted and that Final Design Approval be granted for A-290 subject to the conditions stated in said report; motion carried unanimously. -7- P~annin~ Commission Minutes - 23 September' 1968 - Continued IV. B. Wells Fargo Bank, SaratoSa-Sunnyva!e - Request of Citizens re Exterior of Bank Building Commissioner Lively stated that 1) recently several interested business- men inquired about the exterior finish of the Wells Fargo Bank Building 2) the Design Review Committee met with these gentlemen who requested that a letter be written to the Wells Fargo Bank Suggesting that the following recommendations for change or modification be considered: 1. Additional Quarry tile between planters at entry. 2. Five (5) planters and .four (4) supporting columns be faced with adobe brick or slumpstone. 3. Paint plaster soffit a light tan. 4. Apply 2" x 10" Redwood below gutter of entire cornice. 5. Install light standards in planting areas in front to match standards in Blaney Plaza. The Assistant Planner then 1) read a copy of the letter submitted to Wells Fargo dated 20 September 1968 and now filed in A-276 2) explained that the City Attorney had been contacted and he had replied it was admissable to request the Wells Fargo Bank to consider these changes but the City cannot require that the modifications be made and 3) advised that Wells Fargo consented to the proposed changes provided their budget permitted. V. CITY COUNCIL REPORT. Commissioner Smith gave a summary of items reviewed and action taken at the City Council meeting of 18 September 1968, with emphasis on items of particular interest to the Commission. VI. OLD BUSINESS None VII. NEW BUSE~ESS None VIII. COMMb~ICATIONS A. WRITTEN 1. Letter From Mr. Clarence Neale Requesting Additional Uses in Neale's Hollow on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road The Assistant Planner read a communication received from Mr. Clarence Neale stating he has tenants for the additional uses and would like the Planning Commission to approve them. Commissioner Smith stated that 1). some off'the'uses requested by Mr. Neale have previously been denied by the Planning Commission 2) some of the uses will not be permitted in the new C-V Zone and 3) Mr. Neale has requested the City Council to consider Neale's Hollow for C-V Zoning. Chairman Johnson 1) referred this matter to the Subdivision Comn~itte 2) authorized the Committee to prepare a letter (for signature by Chairman Johnson) stating all the facts and comments relative to this matter to Mr. Neale. -8- Plannin~ Commission Minutes 23 September 1968 - Continued VIII. A. 2. WILSON PETITION The'As'sistant·'Pianner stated that a petiti0~ was submitted b~ residents on Pierce Roan opposing the proposed Change of Zoning in the Foothill Lane, Ashley Way and Pierce Road area. Commissioner Crisp explained that the Planning Commission at a previous meeting discussed this matter. He further explained that the General Plan Committee submitted a report dated 26 August 1968 (in file'· C-ill and C-113) and the Subdivision Committee followed up with their report dated 26 August 1968 (in filed C-111 and C-113) concurring with the General Plan Comnittee Report. Commissioner Smith explained that 1) the City Council has scheduled their second public hearing relative to C-Ill and C-113 for 16 October 1968 2) the General Plan Committee and the Subdivision Committee did not consider the area discussed in the petition at the time they wrote their report and made their recommendations and 3) the petition was submitted in the interim between the Planning Commission meeting of 26 August 1968 and the schedlued City Council meeting. Chairman Johnson advised that the General Plan Committee would meet on Saturday, 5 October 1968 at 9:00 A.M. to discuss this matter and prepare an addendem to their report of 26 August 1968 and explain why the area mentioned·in the petition was not considered when preparing their report. B. ORAL 1. GUESTS Chairman Johnson acknowledged, with pleasure, the presence of Councilman Dwyer, Mr. Bob Ewing, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Cole Bridges, Vice-Presidenct of the Chamber of Commerce, Mrs. Owens and Mr. Franklin of the Good Government Group, Mrs. Ottenberg~f the League of Women Voters and Mr. Jim Nagel of the Prides Crossing Homeowner's Association. 2. EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY The entire Planning Commission expressed their sympathy to Mr.- and Mrs. Stanley M.· Walker on their recent loss. IX. ADJOURNMENT The Chairman declared the meeting adjourned at 10:03 PoM. Respectfully submitted Stanley M. Walker, Secreta~ry~ Saratoga Planning Commission j -9-