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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-24-1969 Planning Commission Minutes· CIIY OF SAP~TOGA PLANNING CObDIISSION MINUTESi TIME: Monday, 24 November 1969 . PLACE: City Council Chambers, Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California 95070 TYPE: Regular Meeting I. ROUTINE ORGANIZATION The meeting was called to order by Chairman Norton at 7.:32 P.M. A.' ROLL CALL ...... =..Present: Commissioners Bacon, Crisp, Kraus,.Lively, Metcalf, Norton, and Smith. ' Absent: None. B. MINUTES Commissioner Smith moved, seconded by Conmissioner Crisp, that the reading. of the minutes of the 10 Novembe~ 1969 meeting be waived and they be approved .as distributed to the Con~n~ission .subject to the following changes: page 2. .under II. D. .paragraph 4. .line 1. .insert "at 7:59"' after the word "evening"; page 3. '. .under II. E. .paragraph 4. . .line 6. . .delete the word ' "is" and instead insert "it"; page 4. .under IV. A. . .paragrap~ 1 ..... line 8. . .correct the spelling. of the word "assembly"; page 5.. .under IVY' 'C~ "~" .'~a~agrap~s_".l and 2. .delete the last "1" . from the spelling" of the 'Word ~arshal; page 5. . .under IV. '...~C. . .in the title correct the spelling of the word "structures"; ~; page 6. .under VI. . Park and Recreation. .para.graph 10. .line 3. . delete the word "not" and instead insert "better, if not completely"; page 7. . .under VI. . Rodoni. ...between paragraphs 2 and 3. . .insert'z the following paragraph: · "Commissioner Crisp advised that enforcement is a matter for the City Attorney and the City Council."; page 7'.. ~under VI..Rodoni..paragraph' 3'.~'_..lithe 4. .delete the words~"and should be" and instead insert "but might still"; page 7. .under VI. .Grand Auto.. .paragraph 8. .add the following sentence: ':He_ re~ues%ed the Staff_ _tO_keeP an eye .on this property."; ............................. i ~tiOn carried unanimously. ~- ~I. PUBLIC ).lEARINGS A. UP~177 - ~11iam Kenny, [nc., Saratoga Avenue - Request for Use to AZlow a Real Eseaee ZfivesEmene O~fice - Continued f~om 10 November 1969 Chairman Norton re-opened the hearing a~ 7:43 P.M. ~he Secretary stated nothing new had been added to the f~le. Co~ssioner Smith. stated several meetings had been held with the applicant, a number' of parking suggestions d~scussed, and the s~te v~sited. The original reques~ form permit aZlowing up.to seventeen employees has been revised downward to conform with the off-street parking requirements. ~he Secretary read the Staff Report dated 24 November 1969, and presented the latest parking diagram filed 24-November 1969. t:h~s shows sixteen 'parking places and allows ~or a maximum o~ eight employees. in response to a quest~o~ by Chairman Norton, Commissioner Smith stated -. that if the total number of e~ght, stipulated for the number of employees was exceeded, the Use Pezm~e would be voided. ~he Oh.airman noted that the situation might be difficult to chgck, placing an extra burden on Staff. The Secretary responded ~hat the location would be ~eviewed periodically, " and that two more parking spaces m~gh~ be added in the near future. answer' to queries from Commissioners Megcalf and ~ively, the Secretary assured them that the qual~'t7 of parking lot paving, location of the berm .' and telephone pole would be inspected and approved by the Public Works De par Ement. Co~issione~ Crisp moved, seconded. ~y Co~ssioner tively, that t. he public hearing be closed; motion c~rr~ed unanimously and the hearing was closed at 7:~2 P.M. ,- " Co~iss~oner Smith moved, seconded: by Commissioner CrSsp, that the SCarf Report dated 24 November 1969 relative to UP-177 be a~opted and the request to allow a real estate investment office be approve~:s~nce the f~ndings required by Section 16.6 of Ordinance NS-3 can'be made, subject to the 'conditions stated in the subject report; motion carried unanimously. B. 'UP-55 - Brookside Club of Saratogh, Cox Avenue - Request for Use Permit to Allow Additi6nal'.TenniS Courts ,:;Chairman Norton opened the hearing at 7:54 P.~. ~e Secretary explained'- that th~s was an application for change of an .existing Use Perm~ for tennis ... ~%%~t~/i~;~e Brookside Club. ~.further s~ated t~ the Notices or Uear~ng had It. 2hoodore 5enkle, presen~ to represenE the applicant, stated that as a member oE the Club's Board of D~receors, he directed the Co~ttee new building program. Originally', he explained, the Club was supposed to enclose ~ts proper~y at the t~me BroOk 'Glen Dr~ve ~as put through to Cok Avenue, but plans have changed .and Brook GZen Dr~ve ~11 not go through; therefore, the possibility of incorporating two more tennis courts was initiated. Mr. Jenkle, in answer to an inquiry from Chairman Norton, stated t-hat the membership of the Club was still limited, and no change' in the '- number of members was being requested. Co~issioner Crisp commented that the present proposal, in view of the change in street layout plans, was really preferable, as the City would not be losing any property. . - - 2 - -- .. : .- Plannin_g~ Commission Minutes - 24 November 1969 - Continued II. B. UP-55 - Contin~,ed The Secretary noted that the tennis courts could probably not be considered as actual building structures. After further discussion, Chairman~Norton close~ the hearing for the evening at 8:05 P.M., directed UP-55 continued to the meeting of ~ December.. 1969 and ~ferred same. to .the Subdivision Committee. C. V-340 - Brookside Club of Saratoga, Cox Avenue - Request for Variance in ConnectiOn with Construction of ~ Chain Link Fence The Chairman declared the hearing 6pen at 8:08 P.M. The Secretary stated that the Notice of Hearing had been mailed and no co~unications had been ~eceived in connection with this application.' The Chairman, noting that there were questions of fact to be determined relative to property and building setback lines and other interrelated considerations, stated that he would refer~ the matter to the Variance Committee and continue V-340 to the next regula~ 'meeting.. In the absence 'of objection, the hearing was closed for the evening at 8:10 P.M. Commissioner Crisp arranged, with Mr. Jenkle, for ~he Variance Committee to .meet with the Club's representatives on Saturday, 29 November 1969 at 9:10 A.M. Go~issioner Smith volunteered to '~Ub~t{tUte ~6r co~ission~'~' ~'~'vely (who had a previous co~ittment for Saturday) as a Co~ittee member for the subject meeting. D. V-339 - Texaco, Inc., Saratoga-Su~nyvale Road Request for Variance in Connection with S~gn Replacement - Continued from 10 November 1969 Chairman Nor'ton re-opened't~e hearing nothing new had been ~dd~d to 'the '~ile. Mr. Bob Dahl, representing the applicant, explained that 1) the new sign would replace one which had been there since about 1955 2} there was a situation of competition with other stations across ; the road in the San Jose area and 3) there was a change in the official' trademark identification sign. The Secretary read the Staff Reportl dated 24 November 1969 recommedning that the subject variance request be denied'. The Secretary noted that the ordinance section number reference on the 'first line of the first paragraph of the subject report sho'uld be corrected to read Section 10.2(a). Commissioner Smith commented that h'e did not think the Commission should -go along with the report denying the variance since i.f a new and modern sign were erected on the same pole, the time limit on it would expire at the same time as that of the existing Sign. The Secretary, in response to a question from Chairman Norton, stated that if the variance were. granted, it might become permanent, unless a specific time.limit were set. ~. Bonfiglio, Assistant Planner, stated that the present time limit would expire in about two-and-one-half years. Chai~an Norton noted that even if ~ replacement sign were to be installed, it would have' to be removed within the time limit and .perhaps the applicant would care to consider the cost involved. -3- Planning Comn:ission iqinut 24 fI. D, v-339 - Continued Commissioner Crisp noted that it might be difficult to get the sign .. down within the time limit as had happened in other cases, ~n~isSicner Smith stated that,'i he felt, that the applicant should be 'allox.~ed ~.q..mOd~n~ze th~..~zg~.,_ i~tead o~._E~ta{~'i'~{~""'t~f~'~.'~:~.~. 0n.~_.~o~ .~0!~e_...t.han ........ · .... _ .two... xea ~ ~.~ . . · _ .........· ..................· Commissioner Metcalf stated that, he felt strongly, that a precedent might be created, and-be seized upon at a future date te co~.tinue existence of a pole sign, or might set a precedent for others te :ask for a free-standing pole sign. Co~n~issioner Bacon said, he felt, no bridges were being crossed and there ......... "was no offense implied in erecting the company's mew official trade mark on a sign. .. .. ................................................................ ,~CP~{~_~0ner..".~.'~{s.p'~.~d',. 'S~9~.'~ '. b~_~.~.~-~:.gn~.. B~aPF.~_..~o.. heariFg relative to v-339.;. raption' ~_a~Fi_ed unamin=.~s!y.. aFtd..t!i~ ..hearing ............. was closed at 8:18 · Commissioner Crisp moved, seconded by Co~issioner Lively, that the Staff Report dated 24 November 1969 be adopted and the request for variance be denied; motion Carried with Conunissioners Ba6~ and Smith voting no. E. V-341 - James A. Hendry, Canyon View Drive - Reqpest for Variance in Connection with Installation of TransmisSion Lines and Pole ,, · The Chairman declared the hearing open at 8:24 P'.M. The Secretary stated the Notices of Hearing had been'mailed. He further stated that 1) the application asked for installatiog of overhead utility lines and additional lines from the end of Canyon view Drive Westerly over a private right-of-way approximately 285-feet 2) a variance from the latest provisions adopted :in the Undergr0u~d Ordinance .NS~3~20,is requested and 3) five comunications' were filed by neighbors~ four of which protested. granting the Subject variance, 'since, they felt~ installation would have a deteriorating effect on the entire neighborhood and 4) one resident had no objection, as he thought the lines would not be visible, and would be concealed by trees and shrubbery. "' Mr. Hend~y advised that he was aware of ord.ingnce changes, and had inquired into costs of undergrounding, receiving a .T.stlma. te .... from PG&E of about , . $1,600.00 "- Mr. Bill ~rtin, 'another resident of the area, stated he had no objection to the pole and lines~ since they would not be visible from the street. .. 'Mr. Prentice Andrews, speaking from the audience. stated that eight to ten years ago there -~ere only three houses in the area, 'and undergrounding then cost..about $1,450.00~ but that now there were some seventeen houses between Glenmont and Canyon View Drive and, he felt, it would be possible to underground in areas not so steep,by using the existing right-of-way. Chairman Norton closed the hearing for the evening at 8:40 P.M., directed the matter continded to the meeting of 8.,December 1969 and referred V-341 to the Variance Committee. The applicant agreed to meet with the Variance Committee on Saturday, 29 November 1969 at 9:30 A.M. for an on-site inspection. Commissioner Bacon volunteered to take Com~nissioner Lively's place on. the ConLmittee during the inspection. -4- II. F pROPOSED Ai'IE~:!D:':'-'ET'iT TO ZONING ORD!N~'i!'~CE MS--3 - Re 1) Dedication of Con~:non ' " Green Areas in a Planned Com~nunity (P-C) Development 2) Elimination of Multi-Family residences in professional-Administrative (P~A) Districts 3) Definition of Duplex and l~) Clarifyinz the Term Ca~n~ Chairman Norton opened the hearing.at 8:45 P.M. The 'Secretary stated the Notice of Hearing had been published. The Secretary further stated that the proposed ordinance amendments ~gere concerned ~ith 1) definitions, such as the term duplex ~hich had to be described so that it ~,,ould not eliminate maid's quarters'from residential housing and 2) cluster developments, ~here ~he'amendment would permit dedicat. ion f0~' ~ Pt~b!i~-Park aS .~?9!-!.as a ~.~mm0}} ..... '~ee'~..~0_~. ~.~. ~'S'~f"'~n~"~'~.h~.aent~.· Commissioner Crisp noted that payment of park fees ~.~as especially critical "' relative to small (5-acre) developments;' other~.~ise, the City might find itself overburdened ~ith maintenan.ce of small lots set aside for park use. The Secretary stated that present prohibitions against parking trucks and trailers in plain public view ~,,oul. d apply to campers. as well, if the pro- posed amendment were adopted. In the absence of objection, Chairman Norton closed ~he hearing for the " evening at 8:50 P oM. ,. directed the proposed am?ndments continued to the meeting of 8 December 1969 and referred same to the Zubdivision Co~.~ittee. III. BUILDING SITES AND SUBDIVISIONS A. SD-830 - George W. Day, Toll Gate P~ad - Subdivision Approval - 15 Lots - Continued from 10 November 1969 The Secretary e~cplained that the subject application is still under study by the Subdivision Committee and recoma~ended that SD-830 be continued to the meeting of 8 December 1969. .. Chairman Norton so directed. B. ~DR-83! - Ralph Anderson, Quito ROad - Building Site Approval - 2 Lots - Continued from 10 November 1969 Commissioner Smith' stated that there were still problems to be worked out relative to the access roads in connection with this application;- therefore, the m~tter should be continued to the next regular .meeting. -; Chairman Norton so directed. C. SDR-832 - David L. Mendenhall, Mt. Eden Road - Building Site Approval - 1 Lot - Continued from 10 Nov'ember 1969 Commissioner Smith stated that SDR-832.'is still under study by the Subdivision '-. Committee and should be continued to the next regular meeting. Chair~n Norton sd directed. D. SDR-833 - Clyde Martin, S~rr.ey ~ne - Building Site Aoproval - 1 Lot The Secretary stated that the applicant had revi. e,~e~ the proposed conditions of approval contained in the Building Site Com~.ittee Rep.ort dated 24 Novel, her. 1969.. He further stated that it ~-as still necessary for the applicant to .. submit a grading plan and soils report. Commissioner Crisp noted that this ~=as a lot left in an old subdivision, but that it had to meet current standards'relating to problems of 'cutting, filling, grading and setbacks, but that perhaps only a five-foot cut might be needed. -5- ....... . pla_nj!in_~ Com~nission Minutes - 24 Novc='..aber 1969 - Coutint.:ed III. D. SDR-833 -Continucd The Chairman stated that if it was the decision of the Committee that a five-foot cut ~,ias reasonable, adjustments could be made. . . Comanissioner Sx'nith stated that it depencted upon x~,here the cut ~,tas to be . made on the property. The Secretary suggested that the Staff could inquire into the matter and check on the feasibirity of a retaining wall or other'advisable modification. Commissioner Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner Crisp, that the Building Site Committee Report of 24 November 1969 relative to SDR-833 be ad.opte~! and Z r ~vhc that the tentative map (E~hibit "A", filed 1~ l~ov~'~er 1°69) be ~p ' ~h subject to the co~ itions set for.th in said report; raotion carrie~"w'-t --' "Co~iSsione~ Lively" and Metcalf voting no. on the basis that the amount "'o'f cUt'x.~s e>:cessive. IV. DESIGN REVIEW A. A-335 - William'K. Wyant, Big Basin Way - Final Design Approval - Identification Sign ~. Bonfiglio, Assistant Planner. r~ad' [~e"'s't~f~ %eport dated 24._.~Jpvember _.. 1969 re~0mjG~i~dini' ~hat. FiGa !..Desi.gn Approva 1 be gr&2ted. for. A-335 ..... Mr. Bonfiglio, in answer to an inquiry fro:n the Cc~=mission. stated that 1) the 'color of the lettering would be xqhite or yellow on a bro~.m backgrounci and that two more signs might be added later on th~ rear and side of the building 2) relative to sign lighting - the floo~!ight would be located in a flower bed below street level, d, irected at the s~gn above, an8 that no exposed elements wer'e allowed under ordinance and 3) there would be no protusion of. the lighting elements. The Secretary added that there would be legal head clearance for the sign and the lights ~ould point straight up at the sign. Commissioner Lively stated it might be an opportune time to inquire into' .the whole matter of store or commercial establish~nt lighting, since. in ' effect, lighting of interior and sides was an overall sign or business advert i semen t. The Chairman noted that he had some qua}ms in tha~ direction, but that in this case the !ight~ng ~.zas pointed directly up~Tard' at the sign, and not into the store, Co~niissioner Bacon noted the light power ~s lo~-t - not to excee~ 430-milliamperes.; Commissioner Metcalf moved, seconded by Co~issioner Bacon. that the Staff 'Report dated 24 November 1969 be .adopted and that the request for Final Design Approval for an identification sign be approved in accordance with Said report. and subject to the conditions stated therein; motion carried unanimously. B. A-336 First ChurCh of Christ Scientist L6mit'~ Avenue - Final Design - ~ ~ .... ~proval - Classroom A~dition ~. Bonfiglio read the Staff Re~0rt dated 24 ~Iovembar 1969 recommending that Final Design Approval be granted .for the classro~. structure. Connissioner Metcalf moved, seconded by Commissioner Kraus, that the S~'aff Report dated 24 November 1969 be adopted and that Final DeSign Approval be . be grante~ for A-336 subj'~ct to the conditions stated in said [eport; motion carried unanimous ly. ·. V. '~ITY COUi'~CIL REPOilT Commissioner tLr_aus reported on the items reviex-,'ed and a.c~ion taken at the City Council meeting of 19 NoVember 1969 ~,~ith emphasis interest to the Connission. VI. OLD DUS!NESS A. SDR-829 - Edward] T. Wild, Fruitvale Avenue - Request for Reconsideration of Condition Commissioner Smith r'ead the Subdivision Committee Report dated 24 November 1969 recontn~ending that the subject request for reconsideration of condition ... be denied. Mr. Wild. applicant, explained that if the City insis,ted upon widening Fruitvale Avenue to the required ~.~iSth and number of lanes, the road would run right through some existing power poles on the ~jge of his property: The Chairman noted that removal and relocation of th~ poles would be at the applicant' s o=.m expense. . The Secretazy stated that he ~,7as no:t sure of the cost,.. but that it would be approximately $200.00 .per pole. · Con~nissioner Smith moved, seconded BY Commissioner ~con, that the Subdivision Comittee Report dated 24 November "1969 be adopted a.md the request for reconsid= eration of condition be denied for the reasons stated in said report and that the aforementioned recommendation be forwarded to the City Council....as the recommendation of the Commission; motion carried unaimously. VII. NEW BUSINESS None V~II. COI,'D~NI~TIONS A. I,alTTEN ' ~'.ij~"i'. S~-766 - Brm.m and Kauffm. an, Co:c Avenue - ~.equest for Z}:tension The Secretary read a con~muniCation received from Broom and Kauffmann requesting an extension of one (1) year for their tentative suhaivision' map, specifically units: 3 and 4, of said map dated 28 june 1968. Chairm~n Norton directed the matter continued to th~ '.meeting of 8 December -. 1969 and referred the request to the Subdivisio~ Comlttee for study. · '2-."j' Robert Robinson, E1 Camino Grande '- Request to Increase Equestrian Zone Area The Secretary read a letter received from the Robins~ons requesting that their property be added to the Equestrian Zone area. ~.....i~.9~gi~gnj'-~s 'pr~sen[. an'~ .~F_ie_~!Y.. ~eY~~iTSd.'.''the rayons '~gr .jt~a' .Sdb.je'at r~'q~e'st. Chairp.~'Norton directed the sdbje'ct ~equest contimaed to the next regular meeting.and referred the matter ~o the Subdivision C.o;r~ittee. RFquest of Los Gatos-Saratoga Board of Realtor re O.f:fice on Austin Way The Secretary read a con~unication received from ~. Bud Beaudoin,. President . of the Realty Board, reqqesting th'at administrative :office be added to the ' list of permitted or conditional uses in the "R-I" Z, oning Districts. }ir. Beaudoin was present and briefly reviewed the r'e~sons for the subiect request. ...... · ~ - ~{~t ' -7- '.F].annin;.~_ Co.-;~:nissio:'~ I-linutes biove:nb~r 1969 - Continued B. O I~L There being no further business, the Chairman than]ted Councilman ~,,~yer, Dr. ~bel Newcomer 'of the League of Women Voters, Dr. Jay Sithey and ~s. Jessie McGuire qf the Good Governn~nt Group, ~k~rtin of the Prides Crossing t!omeo~.zners Association, for th~,ir ,-: attendance and I-~rs. McGuire for the coffee served in behalf of the Good Government Grc~p. The meeting ~.ms adjourned at 9:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted. Saratoga Plan;,iing Commission -8-