HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-19-1988 Planning Commission Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
DATE: Tuesday, July 19, 1988 - 7:30 p.m.
PLACE: Community Center Arts & Crafts Room, 19655 Allendale Ave.
TYPE: Committee-of-the-Whole
Roll Call - Present: Commissioners Guch, Burger, Tucker, Kolstad,
Harris, Tappan
Absent: Commissioner Siegfried
Staff: Planner Caldwell, Manager Peacock
I. ITEMS OF DISCUSSION
DR-88-030 - Sinsley, 12.496 Parker Ranch Road, request for
design review approval of plans to construct a new 5,972 sq.
ft. two-story home in the NHR zoning district per Chapter 15
of the City Code.
Planner Caldwell reviewed the Planning Commissioner's
concerns regarding the 16.5' cut and excess square footage
(5,972 sq. ft. compared to 4,518 sq. ft.).
Mr. Roscoe, designer for the project, and Mr. Sinsley, owner,
described the plans, arguing that the 5,000 sq. ft. living
area (without the garage) was commensurate with the size of
homes in the neighborhood. They did not prepare revised
plans for the Committee to review.
After discussion of the amount of grading, the concensus of
the Committee was that the cut to accomodate the garage was
acceptable, since it nestled the structure in the hillside.
The size of the structures should be reduced by 490-600 sq.
feet. Mr. Roscoe would have the revised plans to staff by
August 3, 1988, to remain on the 8/24/88 agenda.
B. Discussion of water conservation.
The Committee reviewed the letter from the California
Landscape Contractors Association, Inc. Generally, the
Committee agreed that placing conditions on projects to
conserve water was not necessary. Most landscaping is
served through an automatic sprinkler system.
C. Letter from J. Lohr re: Saratoga Parkside
Planner Caldwell reviewed the proposal and plans. Mr. Jim
Schuett, representing J. Lohr, explained that the lot to the
south had always been intended for inclusion into Saratoga
Parkside. The concensus of the Committee was that since the
"Smith home" was surrounded by townhomes and Church
property, the proposal was logical. Staff explained that
Mr. Lohr could submit an application for rezoning the
property to RM.
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Committee-of-the-Whole Report
7/19/88 Page 2
D. Discussion of policy re: extensions of time for zoning
applications.
The Committee recognized that their policy has been that the
extension of time for zoning approvals (design review,
variance, use permit) has been automatic. In the future,
staff should compare .the original approval with the
requirements of the code. The Commission will use the
opportunity to find reasonable ways to make the project
comply with the code. The new policy is that the extensions
will not be automatic. Mr. Kocir, resident, asked the
Commission to remain sensitive to health and financial
problems that may be responsible for the delay in acting
within the two (2) year time limit.
D. Argonaut Shopping Center
The Committee discussed the issues of public health and
safety at the center. Ann Marie showed photographs of trash
behind the center. The general condition of the center was
poor - broken light standards, dead and dying landscaping
and garbage which could attract raccoons, possums, rats and
flies. Mr. Peacock, City Manager, stated that he would
contact the County Health Department about the trash. He
reminded the Committee t~at there was no limit on the hours
of operation of stores in commercial zones.
The concensus of the Committee was that a public discussion
of an amendment to the code, regarding hours of operation in
· the commercial zones, should be agendized for the 7/27/88
Commission meeting. The Council and Chamber of Commerce
would discuss the item at their 8/9/88 joint meeting.
II. ADJOURNMENT
Respectfully submitted
ldw~e~~'
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