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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-08-1971 Planning Commission Minutes (2) CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES TIME: ;Monday, 8 November 1971 - 7:30 P.M. PLACE: City Council Chambers - 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California 95070 TYPE: Regular Meeting I. ROUTINE ORGANIZATION The meeting was called to order by Chairman Lively at 7:30 P.M. A. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Bela.nger, Fagan, Lively, Martin, Marshall, and Metcalf. Absent: Commissioner Smith. B. 'MINUTES Commissioner Metcalf moved, .seconded by Commissioner Marshall, that the reading of the minutes of 26 October 1971 meeting be waived and that they be approved as distributed with the following changes: page 1. .in the heading. .l .change "Saratoga Youth Center" to read "City Council Chambers"; page 5. .under V.. . paragraph 4. . .line 1.. .insert the words "and the former',' between the words "revised" and p , "ma "' page 6. . .under VI. B. . .paragraph 1. .ch'ange No. 4 to read as follows: "4) it would be best i~f cul-de-sac streets and private driveway lengths were not in excess of 500-feet away from a hydrant (friction losses and truck hose carrying capacity limits)."; motion carried unanimously. II. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. V-368 - John Constantin, OaklStreet - Request for Variance to Allow an Increase in Dwelling Units Per Site Area - Continued from 26 October 1971 Chairman Lively reopened theZhearing relative to V-368 at 7:35 P.M. The Secretary read the Staff Report dated 8 November 1971 recommending that the subject request for Variance be denied. The Secretary, in answer to ~n inquiry from Commissioner Metcalf, stated that Mr. Albini owns the property to the south of the applicant and Mr. Glen Saules owns the'property to the north and both properties have older homes on them. He further stated the Constantin property would best be developed in conjunction with the Albini and Saules properties. Chairman Lively recommended that the Staff Report be amended by making Reason No. 3 a statement of the report rather than a reason for denial. Mr. Constantin was present and stated that if he builds individually and Mr. Saules builds individually one entire unit will be lost. !No one else present wished t~ comment. Commissioner Martin' moved, s~conded by'Commissioner Metcalf, to close the hearing relative to V-368 at 7:44 P.M.; motion carried unanimously. -1~ Planning Commission Minutes - 8 November 1971 - Continued IIo A. V-368 - Continued Commissioner Martin moved, Seconded by Commissioner Marshall, that the Staff Report dated 8 NoVember 1971 be adopted, as amended, and that the subject Variance to allow an increase in dwelling units per site area be denied since the findings required under Section 17.6 of Zoning Ordinance NS-3 cannot be made for the reasons stated in said report; motion carried unanimously. B. V-369 - Louis S. Frankel, Montewood Drive - Request for Variance to Allow an Increase in Accessory Structure Height - Continued from 26 October 1971 Chairman Lively reo~h~d" th~ hearing relative to V-369 at 7:45 P.M. The Secretary read the Staff Report dated 8 November 1971 recommending that the subject request fo~ Variance be denied. Commissioner Martin explained that the Variance Committee did visit the site and viewed the property from the Monte Sereno side, the Saratoga side, and the residence of the applicant. Commissioner Marshall stated there is a barn on the applicant's property across the creek that could be used to store the haysand this fact influenced the recommendation for denial more than the objections of the ~eighboring property owners. Chairman Lively reco~m~endedlthat Reason No. 3 of the Staff Report be deleted. Mr. Frankel was present and stated that l) the property across the creek is located in Monte Sereno and is a legal non-conforming use and that City has passed an !ordinance r~quiring all non-conforming uses to be razed in a designated time; therefore, the garage must be razed by 1972 2) the reason the Variance was requested was to eliminate the cost of construction of a new building and before Monte Sereno will issue a Building Permit the garage will have to be eliminated 3) it would 5e bulky to transfer the hay from the building across the creek to the horse stalls and 4) he did not believe the added height requested by the Variance would,'s'~fl anyone's view. Commissioner Marshall stated that 1) the Variance Committee did notice that the corral and horse are both located on the Saratoga side of the applicant's property 2) it was pointed out at the last meeting that both Saratoga and Monte Sereno issued permits for the keeping of horses and 3) he feels some attempt should be made b% the applicant to tie the two. (2) ~ieces of property together at this point it appears Saratoga is hearing the brunt of the'whole thing and Monte Sereno only 'supplies the use of some land. Commissioner Martin pointed out that 1) the actual area where the horses are kept is only about one-third acre in size 2) the storage of the hay can be provided without granting of the subject Variance and 3) the increased building height that would be allowed if the Variance were granted would be visible from future homes built in ~he area adjoining this property. Mr. Frankel explained that it was his original intent to tear down the garage on the Monte Sereno property and corral the horses there; however, ~he Santa Clara ~ouht~ Health Department advised that for the winter months the horses'would be better located on the Saratoga property because of drainage. -2= Plannin8 Con~nission es - 8 November 1971 - II. B. V-369 - Continued C, hairman Lively recommended that Reason #3 of the subject Staff Report be deleted since it is' really not a valid reason for denial. Commissioner Metcalf moved, seconded by Commissioner Martin, to close the hearing relative to V-369 at 8:01 P.M.; motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Martin moved, seconded by Commissioner Marshall, to adopt the Staff Report dated 8 November 1971 relative to V-369 and deny the Variance to allow an increase in accessory structure height since the finding required under Section 17.6 of City of Saratoga Zoning Ordinance NS-3 cannot be made for the reasons stated in said report; motion carried unan imou s 1 y. III. BUILDING SITES AND SUBDIVISIONS A. SD-904 - George W. Day, Fruitvale Avenue and Douglass - Subdivision Approval - 15 Lots - Continued from 26 October 1971 The Secretary recommended that SD-904 be continued to the next regular meeting. Chairman Lively so directed. B. SDR-918 - Monty R. Boyd~ Arroyo de Arguello - Buildin~ Site Approval - 1 Lot The Secretary recommended that_SpR-918 be continued to allow time to work out !requirementS_Of Flood Control and other discrepancies in connection with this property. Chairman Lively directed SDR-918 continued to the next regular meeting. C. SDR-922 - Dr. Richard Wallace, Pierce Road - Building Site Approval - 3 Lots - Continued from 26 October 1971 Mr. Wes Kosich was present to represent the applicant and stated he had reviewed the proposed conditions of approval and expressed satisfaction with same. Chairman Lively amended condition II-S of the Building Site Committee Report to read as follows: "S. Master Trails plan shows an unimproved pathway along Calabazas Creek. Planning Commission requires a 10-foot wide pedestrian easement through this three (3) lot sdbdivision as approved by the Planning Director." Commissioner Fagan moved, seconded by Commissioner Marshall, that the Building Site Committee Report dated 8 November 1971 relative to SDR-9222 be adopted, as amended, and that the tentative map (Exhibit "A-i", filed 1 November 1971) be approved subject to the conditions set forth in said report; motion carried unanimously, D. SDR-924 - Ned Richmond, Sunset Drive - Building Site Approval - 1 Lot - Continued from 26 October 1971 The applicant was present and expressed satisfaction with the proposed conditions of ap_proval. He further stated that most of the trees on the property are Mon.terey Pines that were very densely planted and some thinning is going to be necessary to save the better trees. Commissioner Metcalf recommended that condition II-O of the Building Site Committee Report be amended to read as follows: "O. Type and location of structure subject to Design Review." Commissioner moved, seconded by Commissioner Marshall, that the Building Site Committee Report dated 8 November 1971 relative to SDR-92_4 be adopted, as amended, and that the tentative map (Exhibit "A-3", filed 5 November 1971) · ~"" ' ' be approved subject to the conditions set forth in said report; motion carried unanimous ly. Plannin~ Commission Minutes - 8 November '1971 Continued III. E. SD-927 - Ditz-Crane Builders, Inc., Sea Gull Way - Subdivision Approval - 9 Lots The Secretary recommended that SD-927 be continued to the next regular meeting since the City is negotiating with the applicant for the purchase of this property for use as a p]ark. Chairman Lively directed SD-927 continued to the meeting of 22 November 1971. F. SDR-928 - John H. Hall~ Monte Vista Drive - Buildin~ Site Approval - 1 Lot The Secretary stated that this 'application involves an existing home that is being remodeled and there are few conditions left to meet other than payment. of the various fees. He further stated that the applicant has reviewed the proposed condftions of approval and expressed satisfaction same. The Secretary then suggested that condition II-F,.be deleted from the Buiiding Site Committee Rep.ort. Commissioner Fagan moved, seconded by Commissioner Marshall,/~hat .the Bu~fdifig Site Committee R~port 'dated 8 November 1971 relative to SDR-928' be adopted, as amended', and that the tentative map (Exhibit "A", filed 29 October 1971) be approved subject to the conditions set forth in said report; motion carried unanimously. G. SD-929 - Gerald Kendally Sobey Road Subdivision Approval - 7 Lots The Secretary stated that SD-929 is a renewal of a previously approved t~ntative map with slight modification of one property. Commissioner Marshall stated that according to the tentative map the guest house between lots four (.4) and five (5) has septic tank facilities right'~w and it should be stipulated that before construction is started it should be connected to the s:anitary sewer. The Secretary read a communicatioh7 dated 8 November 1971 and ~i~d' from the County Health Department stating that sanitary sewers are to be provided by the subdivider. Commissioner Marshall recommended that condition 5 of the Subdivision Committee Report dated 8 November 1971 be amended to read as follows: "5. Connect all existingland future houses to sanitary sewer as required byHealth Department; as stated in their report of 8 November l1971 and commencing with Phase I." The Secretary stated that the applicant was not present; however, he (the applicant) was aware of the conditions stated in the Subdivision Committee Report. Commissioner Fagan moved, seconded by Commissioner Marshall, that the Subdivision Committee Report dated 8 November 1971 relative to SD-929 be adopted, as amended, and that the tentative map (Exhibit "A-2", filed 25 October 1971) be appr0ved subject to the conditions set forth in said report; motion carried unanimously. IV. DESIGN REVIEW A. A-373 - Alfred F. Dumas, Inc., Frospect Road - Final Design Review - Final Landscape Plan and Decorative Fence Detail The Assistant Planner read the Staff Report dated 8 November 1971 recommending that Final Design Approval be granted for the applicant's final landscape plans for the planned community development on Prospect Road. : Commissioner Metcalf moved, seconded by Commissioner Martin, that the Staff Report dated 8 November 1971 be adopted and that Final Design Approval be granted for the final landscape plans as shown on Exhibits "F" and "G" for the applicant's planned co~u!~anity development; motion carried unanimously. -4- Plann~ Commission Minutes - 8 November 1971 - Continued IV. B. A-383 - Corinthian Studios, Big Basin Way - Preliminary Design Review - Facade Remodeling The Assistant Planner read the Staff Report dated 8 November 1971 recommending that Preliminary Design Approval for remodeling the building front exterior oTfathe existing commercial building at 14416 Big Basin Way. Commissioner Belanger inquired iZf there would be any consideration given to a uniformity of design for th~ downtown village area at the scheduled Village Development meeting. Chairman Lively stated that about two (2) years ago some consideration was given relative to the type o'f atmosphere that should be created the Village and nobody came to any conclusion; however, in the meantime the Architectural Advisory Commi'ttee was formed and is consultant to the Design Review Committee whenever, any proposals for the Village area are reviewed. Commissioner Metcalf explained that this remodeling will be quite similar to the applicant's remod'eling of the main building located on Saratoga-Los Gatos Road and it would be appropriate to go ahead with preliminary design approvall at this time. Commissioner Marshall stated that the Design Review Committee did meet with the applicant and encouraged them to submit the proposed design. Commissioner Metcalf moved, seconded by Commissioner Martin, that the Staff Report dated 8 November 19.71 be adopted and that Preliminary Design Approval be granted for the remodeling of the front exterior of the commercial building a~ 14~16 Big Basin Way; motion carried unanimously. RECESS AND RECONVENE V. CITY COUNCIL REPORT Commissioner Martin gave a summary of items reviewed and action taken at the City Council meeting of 3 November 1971, with emphasis on items of particular interest to the Commission. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Possible Revision for Design Review of Single-Family Residences The Assistant Planner briefly reyiewed the proposed ordinance addition relative to the possible revision for design review of single-family residences. Commissioner Metcalf stated that; he would like to see a procedure where if a slope density is greater than 10% the proposed conditions for design review approval are automatically invoked rather than making a choice for each individual lot. He then recommended that the matter be continued to the next regular meeting to allow time for further study of this subject. B. AESTHETIC GRADING STANDARDS - Continued from 26 October 1971 The Assistant Planner stated that the Resolution has been prepared and is ready for adoption. Chairman Lively recommended that: the Aesthetic Grading Standards .~nder G. 2. should be amended ito read as follows: "2. Paving specifications 'and materials are required to meet city street standards .or minimum access road standards." -5- Planning Commission Minutes - 8 November 1971 - Continued VI. B. AESTHETIC GRADING STANDARDS - Continued Commissioner Metcalf moved, seconded by Commissioner Martin, for adoption by the Planning CommisSion of Resolution No. 115-1 together with Exhibit "A" both relating to aesthetic grading standards establish- ing the development standards f~r site development of hillside subdivi- sions; motion carried unanimously. C. UP-176 - Ditz-Crane, Yuba Court :- Request for Extension - Continued from 26 October 1971 The Secretary read the Staff Rep~ort dated 8 November 1971 recommending that a one (1) year extension be granted for UP-176. Commissioner Fagan moved, seconded by Commissioner Marshall, that the Staff Report dated 8 November 1971 be adopted and a one (1) year extension be granted for UP-176 Zto continue operation of a temporary tract sales office (new expiration date to be 8 November 1972); motion carried unanimously. D. UP-169 - George W. Day, Farwell ~venue - Request for Extension - Continued from 26 October 1971 The Secretary read the Staff RepOrt dated 8 November 1971 recommending that a·one (1) year extension bel granted for UPi-l'69'. Commissioner Marshall recommended that paragraph 2. .line 4. . be changed to read. . ."be 10ctgber 1972 or completion of sales whichever occurs first) subject to all previous conditions imposed under said Use Permit." Commissioner Fagan moved, seconded by Commissioner Marshall, that the Staff Report dated 8 November 1971 be adopted, as amended, .~'~d' an extension be granted~fo'~-169 to allow continued operation of a tem~·~'rary tract sales office a.s stipulated in the Staff Report dated 8 November 1971; motion carried unanimously. E. C-140 - Prince of Peace LutheranlChurch, Saratoga and Cox Avenues - Set for Public Hearing The Secretary stated that 1) a public hearing should be scheduled for this change of zoning application from "A" (Agricultural) to "P-A" (Professional-Administrative) and 2) this change of zoning request was postponed until after completion of the General Plan and now that has been completed; therefore, the applicant asks that C-140 be reinstated. Chairman Lively directed that a public hearing be scheduled for C-140 for·13 December 1971. F. Street Tree Planting in Subdivisions The Assistant Planner stated that 1) work is being done to get subdividers to plant the required trees and the matter has been reviewed by the Design Review Committee 2) a letter will be sent to all subdividers stating the tree planting requirements 3) a more formal procedure will be worked out by the Building Department, Public Works Department, and Planning Department and 4) Ditz-Crane Builders havelbeen very conscientious about tree planting and have posted bonds to guarantee that they will supply the required street trees. VII. NEW BUSINESS NONE Planning Commission Minutes --8 November 1971 - Continued VIII. COMMUNICATIONS A. WRITTEN "7-11" Store The Secretary read a communica'tion received from Mrs. Annette Young of 19431 San Marco Road requesting that the proposal for a "7-11" store on Oak Street be denied. The Secretary explained that this proposal has not been officially re-submitted for consideration. but that the subject property is zoned for commercial and the only way that it can be changed would be to rezone the property. ORAL GUESTS Chairman Lively noted, with regret, the absence of a Councilman at this meeting and then acknoWledged, with pleasure, the presence of Mary Moss of the Good Government Group. He, also, thanked Miss Moss for the coffee served at ~ecess. IX. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Lively adjourned the meeting at 10:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Stanley M. WaI~er, Secretary S~ratoga Planning Commission j