Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-08-1984 Planning Commission Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES DATE: Wednesday, February 8, 1984 - 7:30 p.m. PLACE: City Council Chambers, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA TYPE: Regular Meeting ROUTINE ORGANIZATION Roll Call Present: Commissioners Crowther, Harris, Hlava, McGoldrick, Schaefer'and Siegfried (Commissioner Crowther arrived at 8:01 p.m.) Absent: Commissioner Peterson Minutes The following change was ~de',to the minutes of January 25, 1984: On page 6, the second and third sentences in the sixth paragraph should read: "Commis- sioner Hlava commented on all of the time that had been spent on this project to come up with the conditions which represent compromises on the Commission's, neighbors' and Mr. Lauer's part. She does not feel the Commission should look at these conditions piecemeal." Commissioner Siegfried moved to waive the reading of the minutes of January 25, 1984 and approve as amended. Commis- sioner McGoldrick seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Commis- sioner Hlava moved to waive the reading of the minutes of January 17, 1984 and approve as distributed. Commissioner McGoldrick seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. A-709 - Park Saratoga Associates (Saratoga National Bank), Saratoga- Sunnyvale Road at Prospect, Modification to Exterior Elevations Commissioner Siegfried moved to approve the item on the Consent Calendar listed above. Commissioner McGoldrick seconded the motion, which was carried 4-0, with Commissioner Hlava abstaining since she has a business relationship With the Saratoga National Bank. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. SDR-1549 Frank and Dagmar Horvath, Request for Tentative Building Site Approval to create two (2) lots at 22122 Mt. Eden Road in the NHR Zoning-District (and Negative Declaration); continued from January 25, 1984 It was directed that this item be continued to the meeting of February 22, 1984. 3. A-933 - Bill Heiss, Request for Design Review Approval to construct a two-story, single family residence on Vintage Lane (northeast corner of Pierce Road and Vintage Lane), in the NHR zoning dis- trict Staff described the proposal. The proposed tower was addressed and it' was noted that it has been reduced to 24 feet. It was also noted that the appli- cant has submitted additional data showing the retaining walls to be 5 feet, in conformance with the 'map approval of the subdivision. Commissioner Hlava gave a Land Use Committee report, describing the lot and the. tower. She commented that the tower makes the house in keeping with the -'d~g'n-'.~f'Mr~ Gaspar's adjacent house. She added that there are huge trees on the end of Mrs. Gaspar's property that completely screen" her view. Com- missioner'Hlava stated that they saw no problems regarding the viewshed or drainage. The public hearing was opened at 7:40 p.m. Mr. Heiss, the applicant, addressed the retaining walls and the tower. Commissioner Siegfried moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner - 1 - =~'Pianning Commission Page 2 Meeting Minutes 2/8/84 - A-933 (cont.) McGoldrick seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Commissioner McGoldrick moved to approve A-933, per the Staff Report dated January 26, 1984 and Exhibits "B-i" and "C-I", changing Condition 3 to read 5 ft., and noting that the tower has been lowered to 24 ft. Commissioner Siegfried seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously 5-0. 4. UP-315 - Lorena Rodoni, Consideration of'Revocation of an existing Use Permit which allows the continuation of a nonconforming commer- cial storage yard and contracting business at 14038 Saratog'a- Sunnyvale Road, in the R-1-12,500 zoning district Staff gave the history of the use permit. They stated that there has been some cleanup of the site since the notice of the proceedings. H~wever, they are not in compliance with the conditions Of the use permit. Staff commented that, in reviewing, they have found that there is a history of the applicant ignoring .the conditions and attempts for compliance, and they would recommend that the Commission revoke the use permit. Commissioner Hlava gave a Land Use Committee report, indicating that some cleaning had been done; however, there are still large pieces of equipment and a lot of junk still .there, and no new landscaping has been done. The public |learing was opened at 7:45 p.m. Jim Sumner, the attorney representing the applicant, addressed the cleanup that has. been done, and indicated that they were pr'epared to clean up whatever .remains. He commented that, in order to salvage and reorganize the Rodoni business, they are considering using that property in a different manner, perhaps reviving the application for Tentative Map Approval of a lot split. FIe .S'Ug~'t'ed'.that he and the applicant meet to address the problems that remain, so that they can come into compliance and work with the Commission regarding some future use of that property. Chairman Schaefer noted the exchange of correspondence that has gone on between the applicant 'and the'City regarding the compliance of the conditions of the use permit. She commented that some timeframe is' needed if the applicant wishes an extension, stating that the non-compliance with the cleanup and complaints of the residents of the community in general have raised the issue? Mr. Sumner discussed the conditions of the use permit and commented that they would like to meet with Staff to discuss the landscaping. Bob Rockwood, the neighbor immediately behind the site, addressed the general appearance of the lot and the fact that work starts at 4:30-5:00 in t.he mor- ning. He commented that their bedroom is' only 4 ft. from the Rodoni build- ing. He added that they have no complaint about the use, if it were cleaned up and the hours were regulated. Mr. Rockwood stated that some planting needs to be done and business conducted in hours that do not disturb the community. He noted that there have been lights on the property during the last two nights, and it was determined that the Rodonis did not have them on. Chairman Schaefer noted the need' for security to be provided by the applicant, since there is a nuisance factor here. Christina Wallstead, who lives behind the property, addressed the unsightliness, the health factor, in that there are rats on the property, the noise of trucks being moved early in the morning, and appropriate hours. The operation and use permit conditions were discussed by the applicant. Staff noted that Items 3 and 4 have not been complied with, and no landscaping plan has been submitted. Discussion followed on a timeframe for cleanup and landscaping, and the appropriate hours of operation. Commissioner McGoldrick suggested that mature trees be used, 'a'~-'Lle~'t"l~"'~g~.~.l'0~'s'iz~.~ s'i'~e 'it'."h~j tak'~-'U' ~]!~' ..~.p~!.iaa~..t= so long ' ~'6 d'6 '~=t}{e .l~nd~caDing .' - 'It lwa'~ noted 'that. tl~.e 'R~nn.iHg Commi'Ss'{on Ha°~._.&p~tlnbou~"jurisdiCtion gn the use' ~ermit. Cindy Rockwood commented on the unsightliness of the lot. Commissioner Siegfried moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Harris seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Commissioner Siegfried commented that his first reaction was to vote for revocation,'but he would be inclined to vote for an extension with. some kind of timeframe and restriction Of hours, as previously discussed. He moved to *She recommended specific timefr~es..De added for compliance that were later adopted. H.l~ng Commission Page 3 · ~eeting Minutes 2/8/84 UP-315 (cont.) grant an extension of the use permit, with'the following conditions: (1) the cleanup work is to be completed within 30 days and is to be approved by Staff; (2) landscaping plans are to be submitted within 45 days and are to be approved by Staff within 60 days; (3) installation of landscaping is to be completed by May 15, 1984 and is to be approved by Staff; and (4) the hours of operation are to be 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with activity on the weekend prohibited. He added that failure to meet any of the conditions will result in revocation of the use permit. Commissioner Crowther seconded the motion. Commissioner Hlava commented that she would vote against the motion. She stated that she agrees with the Staff Report and feels that the applicant has had more than ample time to meet the conditions of the use permit. She noted that the ~Se permit expires in November of 1985 and any landscaping required now woUld.'g~o.W' for only 1~ yea'~..- Co~mis'sione.r Hlava added that if this were a great part of' the Rodonis' business she would be in s~mpathy; how- ever, they are talking about other ways to use the land. Commissioner Harris stated that she believes there is a safety factor involved and she does not think the neighbors should have to put up with the situation for 30 days. Discussion followed and Commissioner Siegfried amended his motion to state that the site has to be cleaned up with. in 15 working days. Commis- sioner Crowther seconded the amendment. The vote was taken on the motion. The motion was carried 5-1, with Commissioner Hlava dissenting. COMMUNICATIONS Oral 1. Chairman Schaefer thanked the Saratoga News and Good Government Group for attending the meeting. 2. It was determined that 'the Commission'will 'meet on-March"5, I984'at · 7:"00 'p.~.. ,' ih' the .'Senior Center, to discuss priorities. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Hlava moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner McG01drick seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Secretary RSS:cd