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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-25-1980 Planning Commission Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION MI'NUTES DATE: Wednesday, June 25, 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, Schaefer, Siegfried, Williams and Zambetti (Commissioner Schaefer arrived at 9:40 p.m.) Absent: None Minutes The following correction was made to the minutes of June 11, 1980: On page 3, under V-529, the second paragraph should read that Dr. McLaughlin is the owner of the property northeast of the applicant. With that change, it was moved by Commissioner Williams, seconded by Commissioner Zambetti, to waive the reading of the minutes of June 11, 1980 and approve as distributed. The motion was carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR COmmissioner Zambetti moved, seconded by Commissioner King, to approve the following items on the Consent Calendar. The motion was carried unanimously. 1. SDR-1428 P & S Construction, Farwell Avenue, 1 lot, Final Building Site Approval 2. SDR-1327 Danny Ray, Private Road off Quito,. 1 lot, Final Building Site Approval 3. SDR-1461 Warren Sturla, Cox Avenue, 1 Lot, Tentative Building Site Approval 4. Negative Declaration - SDR-1461, Warren Sturla, Cox Avenue, 1 lot PUBLIC HEARINGS 5. UP-449 - Park Saratoga Associates, Request for Use Permit to allow the A-709 - subject site to change ownership and continue op.erating under UP-360 at the southeast corner of Prospect Road and Saratoga- Sunnyvale Road (Park Saratoga) and Final Design Review Approval of Building "A"; Continued from June 11, 1980 Staff reported that there is now a crystal shop being proposed for= this building, rather than a restaurant as previously indicated. They described the current structure being proposed and the landscaping for the project. The design review of the building was discussed. Commissioner Marshall commented that he felt the building was much too large for the site, and the geometry is such that its size is enhanced. He added that the height is accentuated by building up above the berm so it has a subfloor area which makes the building higher than it need be, and the plantings as shown appear. to have some roots directly over the culvert area. It was noted by Staff that the rendering by the architect is essentially a perspective and is not in scale. Commissioner Siegfried stated that he did not feel the rendering was..Very representative of the site in relationship to the existing ·~U'i'·ldi'ng!s but - 1 - ~ kn in~g Commission Page 2 Pi! n Meeting Minutes 6/2.5/80 UP-449 and A-709 (cont.) the applicant has been responsive to the needs that have been expressed by the Commission at study sessions. He added that he felt it was a difficult site and the building size has been reduced, and even though the structure is only 18 ft. back from Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road, there is sufficient room to do the landscaping that will effectively shield the building. Commissioner Marshall pointed out that on the original approval there was an envelope created within which the building could be placed, and that does not necessarily mean that a building of that absolute size would be approved. Commissioner Siegfried commented that.lth6 'appea~'Hnce ~f.N~e-bUi~ding"is · m~Yg~'~"'and"he" feeis"the' d'es'~'g~"ig""'wli'at the" ~6~'mission h~'~ been 'try.~'~' .'-. ~ 'o..a chzi ~ V e." ' ' ' .... ' "" .... · ........' ...................... The public hearing on the design review was opened at 7:53 p.m. Bob Gaddis, managing partner of Norco Investment Company, stated that they were trying to build a quality building and had picked this site primarily because it'is part of the entrance into Saratoga. He indicated that they wished to cooperate with the City in achieving a building they desired. Goodwin Steinberg, the architect, described the present proposal and other projects their firm had designed in the area. The-height of the building was discussed. Howard Conant, an associate of Mr. Steinberg, stated they had raised the building 3 ft. because they dis- covered they were in a flood plain. He explained that they had bermed the building to make the apparent height as low as possible. Mr. Conant stated that they had pushed the building an additional 9 ft. back from Prospect and another 3 ft. back from Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road, and opened up the space on the corner, in response to the Commission's direction at the last study session. Commissioner Marshall commented that two things have to be considered: (1) the stepping is no different than the articulations discussed in terms of creating mass, and (2) although the point was made that there is ever- green landscaping, that is true to the north but not to the east. He explained that on the east there are essentially deciduous flowering trees, which will leave the building totally exposed to the street in wintertime. Commissioner Marshall suggested that the building be staggered back from the corner to achieve a greater setback, and the landscaping be changed somewhat so that the concept of a densely screened building is preserved around the corner. Mr. Conant stated that the previously considered design broke the building too much for its size. He added that if the building is moved back there would be problems with the existing redwood tree. Chairman Laden stated that the Commission was not questioning the archi- tectural style, but they would like to maximize the vegetation and lessen the impact from the street. After discussion by Mr. Steinberg on possible redesign features, it was the feeling of the majority of the Commission that the present design is a good one. Since no one else appeared, Commissioner King moved to close the public hearing on the design review. Commissioner Zambetti seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Signage was discussed, and it was determined that a condition should be added to the Staff Report to read: "No signage shall be permitted on the northern or western elevations of Building A." - 2 - ~'Pl.~nhi~g Commission Page 3 Meeting Minutes 6/25/80 UP-449 and A-709 (cont.) Commissioner Zambetti moved to approve A-709 per the Staff Report as amended. Commissioner Siegfried seconded the motion, which was carried, with Commissioners Laden and Marshall dissenting. The public hearing was opened on UP-449 at 8:35 p.m. The Staff Report was discussed, and Commissioner Marshall commented that he would like the last paragraph on page 1 to state that the Commission retain its continuing right to review the use permit in its broadeat form; that is, compliance with the use permit regulations as well as the uses and adherence hereto, as provided in 'Section 16.6-1 of the ordinance. The following conditions were also added to the Staff Report: "The new owners shall indicate to all tenants that absolutely no signs, temporary or otherwise, are permitted in addition to existing approved signage." "Any lighting plan for any building in the Park Saratoga Shopping Center shall be reviewed and approved by the Planning Department prior to installa- tion. All exterior lighting will be turned off within one-half hour of closing of the shopping center but no later than 11:00 p.m., except for security lighting." "Any change in the use of Building "A" or "D" shall automatically terminate the use permit for t'hese buildings. Any proponent of a new.use shall be required to apply for a new use permit which shall be reviewed within 90 days of the change of use." Since no one else appeared, Commissioner Siegfried moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner King seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Commissioner Marshall moved to approve UP-449 as amended, making the findings as stated in the Staff Report. Commissioner Williams seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. 6. UP-458 - John Cuda, Request for a Use Permit to allow the construction V-530 of a 20' x 24' garage 12' in height which would provide a 6' rear yard where 25' is required, and Request for a Variance to allow the construction of a 20' x 30' attached carport which would provide a 30' rear yard where 60' is required, at 20870 Verde Vista Lane; Continued from May 28, 1980 Staff ~'t'~d~:~a~t ~H~'~': _'~t~mS "'~'ohid be "d~nt'in~d.' 'f No ' 6'ne' 'a~pe'afe'dz-'~h"~la~ ......... matter, and it was directed that it be continued to the meeting of JUly 23, 1980. 7. UP-461 Dean Wood and Donald Jackson, Request for a Use Permit to allow the' construction of a 10 court racquetball facility no higher than 24' with 1,000 sq. ft. of retail space, at 12300 Saratoga- 'Sunn~Val'e Road Staff reported that this application had previously been reviewed and approved under UP-392 for a racquetball facility for 10 courts and 1,000 sq. ft. of retail space. They explained that the applicants let the use permit expire without getting final building site approval or a building permit; therefore, they must reapply for a new use permit. Staff indicated that the project as proposed now is essentially the same, with some minor modifications. The public hearing was. opened.at 8:53 p..m. Mr. Jackson, the applicant, explained that it had been an oversight on their part that the use permit had expired. Chairman Laden commented that the Commission was concerned about raising the roof line and thereby creating more of a warehouse look than already exists. Mr. Jackson commented that the raising of the roof line was done solely for the purpose of hiding the air conditioning units. He explained that the only place to locate this equipment was in a well directly behind:'-._] - 3 - Planning Commission. Page 4 Meeting Minutes 6/25/80 UP-461 (cont.) the indentation. The possibility of an alternate use for. the building was discussed. Mr. Jackson explained that the secondary design for this building is as an office building and not a warehouse. He stated that they had to provide the lending institution with an alternative floor plan to show how the buil.ding could be converted, and this alternative showed an office building. Commissioner Marshall commented that, because of all the previous public input, he would opt for the original design and would prefer there be no changes made to it. Bill Itubbard, 12651 Lido Way, stated that he was in favor of the facility. .He commented that he had noticed a lack of this type of exercise facility in Saratoga. 'Since no one else appeared, Commissioner Siegfried moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Z~e~,seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. It was determined that the following conditions be added to the Staff Report: "The design of the structure shall be the same as originally approved per Exhibit "D" of Design Review Application A-685." ".Applicant shall submit plans indicating alternative use of structure to the Planning Department within 30 days." "Any change in the use of the building shall automatically terminate the use permit. Any proponent of a new use shall be required to -apply for a new use permit which shall be reviewed within 90 days of the change of use." Commissioner Zambetti moved to approve the Negative Declaration for UP-461. Commissioner Siegfried seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Commissioner Marshall moved to approve UP-461 per the Staff Report dated June 16, 1980 as amended, making the findings outlined in the report. Commissioner Zambetti seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. 8. V-532 - Munsey Development Corporation, Request for a Variance to allow a proposed single-family dwelling to maintain a 15' front yard where 25' is required, at 20971 Canyon View Drive Staff reported that this variance had originally been approved in March of 1977 and an extension was granted in February 1978. However, the Ownership of the site changed and no building permits were received. They explained that,'therefore, the applicant had to reapply again for the variance. Staff stated that they felt the application was essentially the same as the previous one, and they could make the necessary findings and are recom- mending approval. The public hearing was opened at 9:12 p.m. Crane Charters, 21011 Canyon View Drive, stated that he had lived there since 1977 and objected to the setback. He commented that he felt the proposed house was very large for the relatively limited lot and there would be an invasion of his privacy. He also stated that he questioned the stability of the hill. Mr. Charters added that he had concern about the adequacy of a retaining wall because the hill earlier in part had been changed by cut and fill. Carl Munsey, the applicant, clarified that there had been slight modifica- tion to the previous plans. The grading was discussed. He stated that he had done a thorough geologic and soils report. Mr. Munsey commented that he did not believe there would be any particular visual effect on Mr. Charters since there ~s a line of pine trees above that does provide a screening, and they are quite heavy and dense. Mr. Charters stated that he had been aware of an easement on the property but 4 · '~ Planning Commission Page 5 Meeting Minutes 6/25/80 V-5.32 (cont.) was not aware of the details of the property. Staff noted that the' technical requirements for this site have not changed significantly since 1978. Since no one else appeared, Commissioner Siegfried moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Marshall seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Commissioner Marshall moved to approve V-532, on the basis that the Staff Report and supporting material along with it indicate that the new 'approval is essentially the same as the prior approval, and the findings can be made.' Commissioner Williams seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Break - 9:40 9:55 p.m. 9. GF-314(a) Amendment of Section 3.3(j) of the Zoning Ordinance (Recrea- tion Courts) Staff reported that this amendment is a result of several Committee-of-the- Whole study sessions, and the City Attorney has rewritten the ordinance to require a variance procedure for recreational courts on sites with a slope greater than 10%. The public hearing was opened at 9:57 p.m. Since no one appeared, Commissioner Marshall moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Zambetti seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Commissioner Marshall moved to approve Resolution GF-314(a) and forward it to the City Council. Commissioner Zambetti seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. 10. GF-326 Amendment of Article 10 of the Zoning Ordinance (Signs) to allow open house signs in Residential Districts Staff stated that the current ordinance does not allow any signs advertis- ing open houses. They explained that the Board of Realtors had approached the Commission, and an ordinance has been drafted by the City Attorney which would allow one free-standing sign for this purpose. The public hearing was opened at 10:00 p.m. Monica Butler, of the Los Gatos-Saratoga Board of Realtors, displayed a sample sign which the Board will be selling. She showed slides of present open-house signs and the one being proposed. Identification of the owner on the signs was discussed. Ms. Butler stated that they had discussed a stick-on seal which would have the company name and address so it could be easily identified but would not detract from the 'appearance of the sign. It was determined that if this sticker was affixed to the edge of the sign it would eliminate the advertising element. Ms. Butler stated that they have several provisions for adherence to the ordinance and explained that any violation of the ordinance would be a violation of the Code of Ethics and subject to a grievance hearing before the Board. It was determined that a sentence should be added to the ordinance to state that a seal shall be affixed to the edge of the sign, showing the ow~er's identification, and this seal shall be no more than ~" x 2" in size. Commissioner Zambetti moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner King seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Commissioner Zambetti moved to approve Resolution GF-326 as amended, 5 · PlaHning Commission Page 6 Meeting Minutes 6/25/80 GF-326 (cont.) making the necessary findings, and forward it to the City Council. Com- missioner Marshall seconded the motion, wh'ich was carried with Commissioner Williams abstaining. DESIGN REVIEW 11. A-716 Ronald Haas, Camino Barco, Single-family residence, Final Design Review Approval; Continued from June 11, 1980' 12. A-717 Jerome Gilmore, 19088 Austin Way, Single-family residence, Final Design Review Approval; Continued from June 11, 1980o It was reported that A-716 and A-717 had been reviewed by the Architectural Review Committee. They are planning to meet again for further review, and it was directed that these. two items be continued to the July 9, 1980 meeting. MISCELLANEOUS 13. SD-i364 - Allen DeMartini, ~t. Eden Road, Request' for One-Year Extension It was the consensus of the Commission that they should grant this extension to preserve the status quo of this project until further decisions have been made by the City Council. It was clarified that this property has not been rezoned, and under the ordinance the Commission is the appropriate body to grant the extension. Commissioner Marshall moved to grant the one-year extension for SD-1364. Commissioner Zambetti seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. COMMUNICATIONS Written 1. Letter from Mr. and Mrs. Tate, thanking the Commission for their time spent in the review of their applications. Oral 1. City Council Repo.rt - Commissioner Marshall gave.a brief report on the City Council meeting held on June 18, 1980. A copy of the minutes of this meeting is on file in the City Administration Office. 2. Chairman Laden thanked Councilwoman Clevenger for attending the meeting and the Good Government Group for attending and serving coffee. 3. The Commission expressed their appreciation for the City Attorney's support and service to the City of Saratoga. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner King moved, seconded by Commissioner Marshall, to adjourn the meeting. The motion was carried unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 10:50 p.m. Secretary RSR:cd