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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-26-1980 Planning Commission Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES DATE: Wednesday, March 26, 1980 - 7:30 p.m. PLACE: City Council Chambers, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA TYPE: Regular Meeting ROUTINE ORGANIZATION Roll Call Present:Commissioners King, Laden, Marshall, Siegfried, Schaefer, Williams and Zambetti Absent: None Minutes The following corrections were made to the minutes of March 12, 1980: On page 1, under Minutes, the ~'~th'.ii~eTShoUld'j'-rjeadj.:.""'.'...Commissioner Marshall seconded the motion, which was carried, with Commissioner Williams dissenting". On page 4, the third sentence should read: "Commissioner King commented that mid-block bulbs remaining when streets are extended are unsigh·tly .... ". With those corrections, Commissioner Marshall moved, seconded by Commissioner King, to waive the reading of the minutes of March 12, 1980 and approve as distributed. The motion was carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR SDR-1296, Gerald Butler, Request for Second One-Year Extension, was removed for discussion, and.it was also requested that the NegatiV~ Declaration for UP-442 be removed U'~til th'e"p~9~.~l~j'~.~a'd~e~n dis~ss'ed~f~.UF~.~4'2..'~' c~mmisr~.· sioner King moved to approve the remaining items listed below. Commissioner Marshall seconded the motion which was carried unanimously. 2. SDR-1445 Peter Noonan, Pike Road 1 Lot, Final Building Site Approval 3. SDR-1446 -. Stanley Klein, Omega Lane - 1 Lot, Final Building Site Approval .4. A-706 Harold Grutchfield, 14459 Deer Canyon Lane, Final Design Review Approval for Swimming Pool · Discussion followed on SDRr1296. Staff explained that the City Council has approved a new ordinance which allows a second one-year extension for tenta- tive maps. Commissioner Marshall moved to approve the second one-year exten- sion for SDR-1296, subject to the review and conditioning of the map by the · Land Development Technical Advisory Committee. Commissioner Siegfried seconded the motion which was carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS 6. UP-442 - Lowell Morse, 14403 Donna Lane, Request for a Use Permit to allow the construction of a tennis court on a lot with an average slope greater than 10%; Continued from March 12, 1980 Staff reported that there was an on-site inspection on March 19, 1980. They stated that there will be no encroachment into the Santa Clara Valley Water District easement, since the applicant will be using a r~taini~g ~all. .It w.~s noted that the wall ~Ha"f~nce will be"~pr.~xF The public hearing was opened at 7:4S p.m. The height of the retaining wall, the setback from. the creek, the 'ease- - 1 - .., Planning Commission Page 2 Meeting Minutes 3/26/80 UP-442 (cont.) ment, and existing fence were discussed with the applicant and his architect. Since no one else appeared, Commissioner Marshall moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Zambetti seconded the motion which was carried unanimously. Commissioner Siegfried commented that, upon visiting the site, he noted that the grading is such that he could understand that the neighbors do not object. He added that the court is very well screened by the topography and vegetation that is there. He stated, however, that the amount of grading and location of the court is such that he personally could not vote for the use permit, since it would have a substantial impact on that particular environment. Commissioner. Williams stated that the site is completely fenced, with a lot of trees along the creek, and the neighbors probably will not be able to see the tennis court. He added that the grading seems to be compounded, and he felt it would be a strong intrusion into the privacy of the owner's home by denying this use permit. Commissioner Laden stated that the applicant had done a fine job of presentation of the proposal; however, she concurred with Commissioner Siegfried, in that the Commission has tried to maintain the natural t?p.~.g~phy in the hillsides of the City. She added that she felt that, · 'i~.'.~p~!'d.'~~'of"".ch~'~'~e"r to vote to change that natural topography to the extent that this proposal requests. running creek and the trees. Commissioner Siegfried moved to deny UP-442 per the Staff Report dated March 7, 1980 and the Addendum dated March 12, 1980. Commissioner Marshall seconded the motion which carried, with Commissioner Williams and Schaefer dissenting. The Negative Declaration on UP-442 was withdrawn, since it would no longer be applicable. 7. V-523 - Nancy Barker," 14151 Marion Road, Request for a Variance to allow the construction o~f a two-story single-family residence on a non-conforming lot which would provide a 10' exterior side yard where 15' is required and would provide a 20' rear yard where 35' is required Staff stated that, as proposed, the dwelling would only be 14 ft. wide. They added that they were recommending approval of the variance, not necessarily 6n the house design but in terms of a reasonable building envelope for the structure. Staff described the existing house on the lot. It was the consensus of the Commission that they had problems with the proposed design of the house. Staff indicated that the applicant could be requested to submit plans for design review as a condition of the variance. It was noted that there was a letter from Mr. Neale in opposition to the variance. The public hearing was opened at 8:03 p.m. Mark Abner, 20636 Marion,-stated that he was relieved to hear that the Commissioner was dis.satisfied with the present drawing of the house. He asked what would be the purpose of granting a variance when the lot is already substandard and he did not feel a suitable home could be constructed there. - 2 - Planning Commission Page 3 Meeting Minutes 3/26/80 V-523 (cont.) Commissioner Marshall commented that there have been relatively smal 1 homes but it on 'i~i.'l Fi:a~Fs" 2'(~Ve~U~""'~'~- 's t~b"s ~'k'~l'a."~fd"':-i'6'~% '~'~¥i't'Hi'H .... : the last several years. He added that one of the things the Commission has been concerned with is the price of houses in the City, and he personally believed a small house 'could be constructed on that lot and it would be an excellent chance to fit the City's needs to that lot's capabilities. Commissioner Siegfried commented that it is a legal lot and the owner has the right to develop it. Mr. Abner explained that the owner lives in Idaho and has no intention of moving into this structure; he only wishes to sell the house without any concern to the residents on Marion Avenue. He further commented that Marion' Road is very unique and he felt it is important to preserve that quality. Mr. Abner requested the Commission to continue this item so that the neighbors on Marion could have an opportunity to comment on this matter. He added that he was concerned about the structure and the effect on Marion by the improvements made to the street. The implementation of a right turn only off of Marion onto Saratoga- Sunnyvale Road was discussed. Mr. Abner stated that they did not want the roadway widened, and if this was not done the applicant could have 25 ft. more with which to build. Staff explained that 15 ft. of this area cannot be used because it has a permanent easement, and the Public Works Department intends to take the additional 10 ft. to meet the stan- dards as specified. Phyllis Feemster, representing the owner, stated that the existing house is approximately 85-90 years old. She commented that they had antici- pated that the entrance would be on Marion and not on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road. She explained that the design of the home' is not fully developed and they will design a home that will look proper on the lot. Mrs. Feemster indicated that they do r.ecognize the need for smaller, less expensive homes in Saratoga, and !.fh~;S lot would be appropriate for such a home. She added that they would prefer not to give that extra 10 ft. to Public Works for the street. Tom Stroud, the general contractor, stated that he felt a two-story design would have to be built on the lot because of its irregular size. Commissioner Marshall commented that an alternative might be for some- one to buy the site, possibly the people who live on Marion. Since no One else appeared, Commissioner Marshall moved to close'the public hearing. Commissioner Siegfried seconded the motion which was carried unanimously. Commissioner Zambetti commented that he would like the matter continued, in order to give the architect a chance to look at the design and size of the house. Commissioner Siegfried indicated that he would like the matter continued, to consider the possibility that possibly some of the additional 10 ft. could be used by the applicant, and t'o consider a more reasonable design.. Commissioner King agreed, stating that he felt the Commission should proceed positively toward a suitable use of the site. Commissioner Marshall indicated that he would like to see a redesign of the house before the vote is taken on the variance. He stated that he supported Public Works' contention that Marion Road should be improved at the point of access onto Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road and improving this lot would be one way of accomplishing that. Commissioner Marshall - 3 - Planning Commission Page 4 Meeting Minutes 3/26/80 V-523 (cont.) added that he felt left turns onto and off of Marion should be banned and right turns be permitted only by a suitable barrier and channeling. He also suggested that the applicant submit some plots that show the relationship of the house with adjoining structures. Commissioner Williams commented that he agreed with Commissioner Marshall about barring the left turn onto Marion Road. He added that part of Mr. Neale's objection was that the present high fence makes his ingress and egress quite difficult, and that can be mitigated as part~of the conditions. Commissioner Williams indicated that he would prefer to continue until the Commission has an opportunity to inspect the site. Commissioner Schaefer stated that she felt that any design over 900 or 1000 sq. ft. would not be appropriate for this lot. She added that there are some interesting structures in Carmel that are very small and built on very small lots. Commissioner Laden suggested that the applicant consider putting in a covered garage as opposed to a carport. It was directed that this item be continued to the meeting of April 9, 1980. DESIGN REVIEW 8. A-704 - Ronald Haas, Camino Barco, Single-Family Residence, Final Design Review Approval; Continued from March 12, 1980 Staff reported that the applicant had requested a continuance on this matter. It was directed that it be continued to April 23, 1980. 9. A-707 P~rnas'~'~°r~t'~'~n'~'~ie~'e.'.R0~.~S~'~.~!~i'ly Residence, Lot #8, Tract 5928, Final D'esign Review ApprOval It was directed that this item be continued to April 9, 1980, at the request of the applicant. MISCELLANEOUS 10. 21-18-59- Terry Bibbens (Jed Wormhoudt), County Use Permit in Sphere 78P, 79P of Influence (north side of Mt. Eden Road) Sta'ff reported that this item is on the agenda to allow the Commission to express their concerns regarding this County use permit in our Sphere of Influence. They added that this use permit was approved by the County subject to their architectural review and conditioning. Terry Bibbens, the applicant, described the lot and the intended use of the property. Jed Wormhoudt discussed the grading needed for the project. The following concerns of the Commission were discussed: That the use permit specifically state that there will be no public use of the site, which would necessitate additional on-site parking and could result in increased traffic on Mt. Eden Road. That the applicant be required to participate in a Water Assessment District which is currently being formed within the City of Saratoga and the Sphere of Influence. That the project tie in with the County trails and pathway system. - 4 - Planning Commission Page 5 Meeting Minutes 3/26/80 That the residences be located in such a manner to take advantage of solar systems. That the massiveness of the house be evaluated. Staff was directed to forward the Commission's concerns to the County. 11. Referral from Town of Los Gatos re Arroyo Rinconada (southeast corner of Quito and Pollard) Staff reported that the Town of Los Gatos has contacted the City of Saratoga to assist them in the review of this project, since a small portion of it does lie in the City. Ron Enz, from the Environmental Center, representing the developer, gave the background of the project. The following concerns were discussed by the Commission: · That the below-market price units should be scattered throughout the project. That the access onto Quito Road should be eliminated, but if one were necessary, then the proposed location is the most acceptable. · That if the parking structures are to be located as pro- posed, then some type of landscape easement should be established in order to minimize the visual impacts. Staff was directed to send a letter to the Town of Los Gatos, listing the Commission's concerns on this project. CO~UNICATIONS Written 1. Letter from Dividend Industries re SDR-1416. It was determined that this matter will be s'ched'uled for a study session at a Committee-of-the-Whole meeting. Oral 1. City Council Report -- Commissioner Siegfried gave a brief report on the City Council meeting held on March 19, 1980. A copy of the minutes of this meeting is on file in the Adminis- tration 'Office. 2. Chairman Laden thanked Mrs. Eunice Stark of the Good Government Group for attending the meeting and serving coffee. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Zambetti moved, seconded by Commissioner Marshall, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was carried unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned at 10:11 p.m. RSR:cd