HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-04-1989 Planning Commission Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
DATE: Tuesday, April 4, 1989 - 7:30 p.m.
PLACE: Community Center Arts & Crafts Room, 19655 Allendale Ave.
TYPE: Committee-of-the-Whole
I. ITEMS OF DISCUSSION
A. SUP-88-001.2 - Rose, 14725 Sobey Road, request to modify a
condition of approval for a second unit use permit.
applicant requests to be excused from a requirement to
install street improvements along 260 ft. of frontage on a
1.88 acre site.
The Committee reviewed the results of the field visit made
on April 13, 1989. The Committee concluded that widening of
the frontage in conjunction with this application should
occur with comprehensive widening of Sobey Road. Therefore,
the Committee determined that the request to modify
conditions should be considered at the Planning Commission's
April 12, 1989 meeting.
B. Tract 7770 - Chadwick-Cocciardi, between Old Oak and
Chiquita Way, review of applicant's grading and retaining
wall proposal which reduces the need for tree removal.
The Planning Director presented the alternatives to the
construction of the street in Tract 7770. Three
alternatives were presented to attempt to reduce grading and
retaining walls previously approved by the City. While the
Committee noted a desire to preserve trees and reduce
grading, there were some concerns regarding the visibility
of a taller wall. The Committee also observed that the area
where the walls were proposed are only somewhat visible from
adjacent valley and hillside areas. The Committee was also
interested in exploring alternative construction materials
such as a crib wall design. Staff indicated that walls
exceeding 5 feet in height will require variances and a
public hearing before the Planning Commission. The
Committee felt that "staking" the proposed walls in their
field locations would greatly assist the Planning Commission
in assessing the visual significance of the proposed wall
changes.
C. Letter from Col. E.T. Barco - Presentation and discussion of
City-wide review of sign inventory and regulations.
The Committee received the report of Col. E.T. Barco
presenting a comprehensive inventory of all signs throughout
the City of Saratoga. The sign inventory was prepared for
the City to use in adopting sign regulations to address the
variety of issues in the City. The sign inventory was
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Committee-of-the-Whole Report
April 4, 1989
prepared for geographical areas of the City and was cross
referenced so that specific sign types can be easily found.
The Committee expressed its sincere gratitude to Col Barco
in completing this large task. The Committee further noted
that the inventory will be particularly helpful in
completing the upcoming review of the sign ordinance. The
Committee directed that staff prepare a report analyzing the
options for sign regulations in light of the inventory
prepared by Col. Barco. Staff indicated that approximately
30 days will be necessary to submit the report to the
Committee.
D. Revisions to Commercial District Regulations - Non
Commercial Property Owners
Planner Young gave a brief staff report, noting that this
was the second meeting on this item, focusing on non-Village
commercial properties. She outlined the proposed revisions
and the areas of the City in which they would be applied.
Steve Porter, Saratoga Square, asked if there would be a
problem in transferring use permits from owner to owner.
City Attorney Toppel replied that use permits ran with the
land, not the owner.
Mr. & Mrs. Holmes, Park Saratoga, stated they never realized
their condominium project was zoned commercial and asked if
there would be any impact on them. Chair Guch replied that
residential regulations apply to residential uses in
commercial zones. J. Dunn, from the same complex, asked if
the unkept area near the railroad tracks would be improved;
Planning Director Emslie replied that a landscape assessment
district was under preparation for that area and that it
would be improved in the future.
Laurie Landwehr, 18803 Devon Avenue, expressed concerns and
showed photos of trash at Quito Center, particularly behind
the new restaurant where the center backs up to lots facing
Devon Avenue. She recommended that the ordinance include a
requirement that trash bins be enclosed and be set back from
property lines adjacent to residential zones. She described
noise problems associated with early morning deliveries at
the Center.
V. Bilionis, 18789 Devon Avenue, echoed Landwehr's concerns,
stating that there should be a requirement for sound walls
between commercial and residential properties. Mr. Toppel
stated that the ordinance currently allowed wood fences and
hedges to serve as walls and that the height was limited to
6 feet; these would need to changed to accomodate the
neighbor's concerns.
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Committee-of-the-Whole Report
April 4, 1989
Commissioner Siegfried directed staff to follow up on the
violations at the Center, and to check the original plans
for the Center to see where the trash cans were to be sited.
Norm Hulberg, commercial property owner, asked what
determined a restaurant use; Mr. Toppel replied that it was
seating within the building. Mr. Hulberg felt that
requiring a use permit added a layer of bureaucracy that was
a disincentive for those uses and may have an affect on City
sales tax revenues. He suggested that Commission consider
use permits only for larger restaurants, not for small
operations with limited seating. He also suggested that the
ordinance limit deliveries to the front rather than rear of
a building.
Chair Guch thanked members of the public for attending the
meeting. Staff will prepare a final draft ordinance and
advertise one more study session for both Village and non-
Village property owners.
II. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Re spect fully itted
·Planni Director
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