Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-09-1982 Planning Commission Minutes · " CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES DATE: Wednesday, June 9, 1982 - 7:30 p.m. PLACE: City Council Chambers, 13777 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga, CA TYPE: Regular Meeting '. ROUTINE ORGANIZATION Roll Call Present: Commissioners Bolger, Laden, M.onia, Schaefer and Zambetti (Commis- sioner Zambetti arrived at 7:3.8 p.m.) Absent: Commissioners Crowther and King Minutes The following change was made to the minutes of May 26, 1982: On page 3, add to the first part of the first sentence: "Relative to GPA 82-1-C, E1 Quito Par'k School". Commissioner Laden moved, seconded by Commissioner Monia, to waive the reading of the minutes of May 26, 1982 and approve as amended. The motion was carried unanimously. The followi'ng changes' were made to the minutes of May 18, 1982: The first sentence 'sho'uld read: "Commissioner Schaefer dis- cussed a previous meeting with Glen McNicholas, Bob Reasoner, Art Lund (Chair- man of the School Board of the Morel'and School District), Sally Carlson and herself, to come up with options for consideration on how the Brookview and E1 Quito School sites should be used." Add before last sentence of the first paragraph: "It was decided by the' 'representatives' from the Moreland School District that it would be too difficult at this time to accomplish." On page 2, paragraph 5, it should state that ReaSoner reclarified his position ....... Commissioner Laden moved, seconded by Commissioner Bolger, to waive the reading of the minutes of May 18, 1982 and approve 'as 'amended. The motion was carried, With Commissioner B~onia abstaining since he was not present 'at the meeting. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. John Pursley, 13889 Upper Hill Court, Site modification to allow the con- struction of a swimming pool on a site of over 10% slope Commissioner Monia moved, seconded by Commissioner Laden, to approve the above item on the Consent Calendar. The motion was carried unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. GF-338 - City of Saratoga, Consideration of Amendment of Sections 2.3(a), 3.3 (a) , S. 3 (a) and 6.3 (a) by replacing the language contained in Section 3-B.4 Conditional Uses of the recently adopted NHR Ordinance (NS-3.49). This c:hange 'would allow 'private schools, whether the'y' are profit maki'ng or not, to operate in A, R-l, R-M and 'P-A Di'stric't's up'on' rec'eijpt' of 'a Use 'Perre'it" Staff explained that the Commission' had requested them to come back with a revised Zoning Ordinance that would allow .profit making private schools to .operate in vacant or surplus school s'ites, and, on' review 'of the Zoning Ordinance, it was deter'mined that not' only the R-1 district, but also the P-A, R-M and A all have similar language in terms of conditional uses. Therefore, Staff decided to amend all of those othe'r sections to maintain consistency within the Zoning Ordinance. They added' that they also realized that the language of the' recently adopted' NHR Ordinance had the language the Commission desi'red, and therefore they have 'recommended that the language from that ordinance section be' 'used' for all of the other residential and P-A districts'. Discussion followed on the changes that wo'uld result from the adoption of the NHR language. The 'Deputy City Attorney' indica'ted that the intent of the NHR Ordinance was to simplify the language and express community facili- ties in generalized terms. He added that if it is the Commission's desire to specifically exclude certain types of uses, that should be articulated in the .ordinance itself. The public hearing was opened at 7:45 p.m. No one appeared to address the Commiss ion. 1 Planning Commission Page 2 ~eetin~ Minutes 6/9/82 GF-338 (cont.) Discussion ensued on the NHR Ordinance and its applicability to other zoning.districts. Commissioner Laden commented that it may be difficult to have an ordinance that is uniform for ~11 zoning districts. Commis- sioner Monia agreed and suggested continuing the matter in order to study the ramifications of having NHR conditional uses in the R-1 district. Staff suggested that if the only issue at thi's time is to amend the regu- lations of the R-1 district, thi's co~uld be accomplished by removing the word "non-profit" from the language.. Commissioner Monia moved to recommen=d Res'olut-ion GF-338, amending the Zoning Ordinance, to the City Council, with the removal of "non-profit" from the language of Sections '2.3(a)., 3.3(a) and 5.3(a). Commissioner Laden seconded the motion, which was. carried unanimously. The Deputy City Attorney indicated that he would prep'are the revisions to the ordi- nance for transmittal to the City Council. . 5... A-826 - G. Sinsley, Request for Design ReView 'Approval to construct a two- story dwelling on a hillside"lot zoned NHR, Parker Ranch (Parker Ranch Road an'd. Burne'tt Dri've) The proposal was described by Staff. They indicated that they did not feel that the project meets the criteria of the Design Review Ordinance relative to the appearance of bulk and the amount of grading involved, and further that it is not in compli'ance with the 'Parker Ranch EIR relative to home placement and building design. They added that they were recom- mending denial; howe'vet, if the Commission wishes to approve the applica- tion, they would suggest that 'there be 'a condition that 'there be substantial landscaping. Discussion followed on the hei'ght, and it was clarified that the height of the house 'measured to the natural grade is 30 feet. The public hearing was opened at 7:55 p.m. Grover Sinsley, the applicant, spoke to the proposal. He submitted an alternate drawing showing the reViseld drivewa·y. Commissioner Laden moved to close' the public hearing. Commissioner Bolger seconded the moti·on, which was carried unanimously. Commissioner Monia moved to approve A-826, making the necessary findings, with the condition that a landscaping plan be submitted for review and approval by the Commission, and wi·th· Condition No. 2 of the Staff Report regarding conformance wi·th the 'Fire 'Code. Commissioner Laden seconded the motion. It was noted that this appr!oval also' constitutes 'approval for modification to the Site Development. Plan, per· Exhibit "B-2" The motion was carried unanimously. 4. Consideration of Amendments to the '1974 General Plan of the City of Sara- toga; continued from June 1, 1'9'8'2 Staff gave the status of the General, Plan ReView.. They' noted that the next item to be considered would be the Goals and Policies, and it was determined that there should be ·a st·udy session on June 15, 1982. Dis- cussion followed on Area J, and Staff indicated that no action had been taken on the specific proposals in that area, nor on the density issue regarding Area I. It was noted that Staff had been asked to come back with an overlay format for the· Area J. The Director of Planning and Policy address·e·d the Commission regarding the issue of the overlay. He report'ed that the Heritage CommiSsion dis- cussed the possibility of looking at the Village as one of the historical districts and they talked about the possibility of combining that action with the overlay. He indicated thatl Staff can begin looking at the various uses and/or performance standards and the district boundaries, and pre- sent this to the Commission. It wasZ det·ermined that the first study session in July would be an appropriate time to consider this. The public hearing was opened' at 8:20 p.m. 'Russell Perry, attorney .representing four commercial property owners on Big Basin Way, referenced the two· letter·s he had submitted advocating that the present zoning of C-V be retained. Pl'ann~ng Commission Page 3 Meeting Minutes 6/9/82 "~ General Plan (cont.) The density issue for Area I was discussed. It was directed that the General Plan Review be continued to a study session on June 15, 1982 to consider the Goals 'and Poli.cies', and to the 'regular meeting on June 23, 1982, at which time a vote will be taken' on the density issue for Area I and the proposals for Area J. 5. A-828 - D. Matlock, Reques't'for Desi'gn ReView Approval to construct a two'-story structure 'on a hillside lot zoned NHR, .Parker Ranch (Parcel B, TraCt 65'26') Staff gave a report on the proposal. It was noted that the grading would have to be approved by the Commission. They explained that'the applicant has chosen to relocate the site 'and, ther'efore, approval for a site modi= fication is required. Staff commented that they were recommending denial because the structure does not meet 'the ordinance criteria in terms of bulki~-and is not compatible with th~ Parker Ranch EIR relative t'o place- ment and design of structures. The public hea'ring was opened at 8:35 p.m. Mrs. Matlock, the applicant, gave a presentati'on on the' current proposal. She described the site and the grading, making reference to the letter from Melvin Hill dated June 3, 1982, indicating the correct amount of grading on the site. Commissioner Laden moved to close 'the public hearing. Commissioner Monia seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Commissioner Monia stated that he has a problem' with the size of the house and agrees with Staff on the denial. He commented that this house will be out of place in relationship to the oth'er homes 'in the area, whereas the previo. us application A-826 was just slightly larger and was much more compatible with the area. Mrs. Matlock described' the. other hom~s"in the area, indicating that the bulk of their design was very similar. She specifically pointed out that their site was 2~ acres and they hadlpositioned the house to minimize the bulk. . Commissioner Zambetti stated that he wa's concerned re~arding the amount of impervious coverage. He suggested continuing the 'item to a study session, which would also expedite 'the future 'design reviews in that ~g';.'. 'Commissioner Laden'mOved to approve A-828, with 'Conditions 1.and 2 of the Staff Report and ~he letter'from Melvin Hill dated June 3,'1982, per Exhibits B, C and D. Commissioner Bolger seconded the 'motion. Commis- sioner Laden added that this is a 2½ ,acre site and she feels that the home is strategically placed so it will not impact 'the City. Commissioners'Zambetti and Monia expressed concern about setting a precedent in the area. Commissioner Monia commented that his interpretation of the earlier decision to increase the allowable square footage in this area was to allow up to 5200 sq. ft., not to a.llow the 'design to be governed by the Design Review Ordinance. He added' that if the latter is true, then perhaps the Commission should reconsider the matter since he feels there will be homes in that area' that will be inappropriate. CommissiOner Bolger stated that he shares that concer'n but feels that if there is'a larger lot size or a number of lots' that create a buffer from some of the smaller homes, then it 'is"appropriate. He 'added that he feels that the whole key to design review 'is primarily not 'to have large homes next to small homes' that are 'on tb:e same lot size. Commissioner Schaefer also noted that the previous '4600 sq. ft. allowed'dlFa..'~ include the garages and decking. The vote was taken to approve A-828. It was carried, wi'th Commissioners Monia and Zambetti' diss'enti'ng. It was noted' that this approval. also con- stitutes approval for modification of'the Site"DeVelopment Plan. Break - 8:50 - 9:05 p.m. - 3 - ~P~anni~g' COmmission· Page 4 '~Me~t, in'g Minutes 6/9/82 6a. A-829 - Clay Thomas Construction, Request for Design Review and Variance 6b. V-578 - Approval to construct a two-sto·ry dwelling on a hillside lot (Lot 7, Tract =6454), Chester Ave.').wh'ich" exceeds the maximum heigh't' a'l'lowejd '('33" 6~'' wher~' =30 '. i's' the'. 'max~i'n~Um) Staff gave a review 'of the proposal and noted that a variance 'is not now required, since 'the hei·gh~ has been reduced. They' added that this appli- cation will also need approval for modificati~on to the Site Development Plan. The public hearing wa·s opened at 9:12 p.m. Carl Bumpass, the architect, asked for directi·on from the Commission at this time on the design. FIe 'described the 'changes~.'He' proposes to make, indicating that the majority of the ~trees will be saved with the revised plans. The change in the turnaround area and gr.ading wa·s discussed. It was explained to Mr.· Bumpass tha~ the major concern of the Commission is the height area. The possibility of redes·igning the elevation differ- ential between the garage floor ands. the first floor of the residence was discussed. It was determined that there will b~ ·a future study session to consider the balance of the lots in this subdivision. It was directed that this application will be continued to the regular meeting on June '23, 1982. The following concerns were pointed out to Mr. Bumpass for his considera- tion in the redesign: (1) reduction 'of overall height of the home, (2) location of the footprint on th~· 'plot ·in relationship to the trees, and (3) coverage and excessive bulk. 7. GF-328 City of Saratoga, Consideration of Amendment of Various Sections of the Design ReView 'Ordinance for single 'family structures, including the possibility of 20% variation in floor area allowed and the 'ad'dit ion' o f acce s's'o'ry's t'ructUre's 'a's' 'floor 'area' The Deputy City Attorney explained the changes made from the earlier draft, which basically represent the consensus by the Commission at study sessions and previous meetings. The public hearing was opened at 9:~0 p.m. No one appeared to address the Commission. It was directed that this matter be continued for further study at a session on June 29, 1982 at 7:30 p.m. and the regular meeting of July 14, 1982. COMMUNICAT IONS Written 1. Let·ter from California Central Enterprises,' Inc. regarding the proposal of a family restaurant wiZth·a video game 'center in the Big Tree Shopping Center. After discussion, it was ·suggeste·d th·at they' be 'requested to supply more information concerning their operation. 'Oral 1. Commissioner Zambetti expressed his intent..to submit his resig- nation because of business ·and family interests'.' He thanked the City for allowing him to serve on the Commission' for the last' seven' years and thanked Staff for their help during this time. 2. Commissioner Laden thanked the Commission and Staff for their help during the time she has served on the Commission, stating that she hopes there will be better rapport between the City Council and the Commission in the future. 3. Chairman Schaefer thanked the Good Government Group for attending and serving coffee. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Monia moved to adjourn the meeting in honor of Commissioner Zambetti. Commissioner Schaefer seconded the motion, which was carried unani- mously. The meeting was adjourned at 10:01 p.m. sp. ec full~ '~ · o , Secretary RSS: cd