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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-19-1989 Planning Commission Minutes ~'CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT DATE: Tuesday, September 19, 1989 - 7:30 p.m. PLACE: Community Center Arts & Crafts Room, 19655 Allendale Ave. TYPE: Committee-of-the-Whole I. ITEMS OF DISCUSSION A. E1 Paseo DEIR - Planning Commission Review of San Jose Draft Environmental Impact Report concerning a General Plan amendment to convert the retail center into a research and development facility. The Committee discussed the inadequacies of the DEIR. Traffic impacts to Saratoga were not discussed. No analysis of traffic congestion from Quito/Lawrence expressway south to Route 85 was made. The Committee questioned an increase of 700 vehicles when an increase of 2700 employees are expected. The DEIR did not discuss the cumulative effects of the Paul Masson property. Regarding Air Quality, the Committee felt that the metering of the Saratoga Avenue/Route 85 interchange needs to be taken into account. The Committee requested that staff look into the EIR prepared for the Owens property for a comparison of impacts and mitigation measures. The Committee concluded that a Planning Commission subcommittee composed of Chair Siegfried and Commissioners Harris and Tucker will be formed to review the oral presentation to be given October 11, 1989 public hearing in San Jose. B. Discussion of parking arrangements in various public parking districts in the Village The Planning Director explained recent City Council discussion of this item with the Chamber of Commerce. Although the City Council viewed the establishment of time zones and employee parking as an extremely worthwhile endeavor, the Council priorities did not allow immediate attention. The Council discussed the possibility of starting on this project in the beginning of 1990. Two Village property owners, Larry Tyler and Otto Crawford explained the problems they were having in preventing employees from using convenient customer parking. The property felt owners that the solution to their problem was not as complicated as the City Council envisions, and that the efforts should begin as soon as possible to correct the parking problem. The Committee agreed that interim action to designate employee parking where the problem is the most severe is needed as soon as possible. The property owners agreed that they would provide staff with areas suggested for employee parking. The Committee would review the research of the owners and prepare correspondence to the City Council requesting sooner City action. C. Review of Brookside Swim Club's sound study and presentation of the video tape submitted by an adjoining neighbor. The neighbors presented the video tape of several swim meets held this summer. During the presentation the neighbor, Bob Salutric who prepared the tape responded to Committee questions. The representatives of the Brookside Club then explained the nature of the events on video tape. Also, the club presented the findings of the sound study. The club then responded to a series of Committee questions. The Committee asked how long were meets? Does tennis pay extend all day long? Why were three type of sound analyzers used? Whether the practice wall was part of the sport court? What structures separate the club from the neighbors? The club responded with the following answers: Swim meets generally last 6 to 8 hours. Tennis play was heaviest in the early morning. The sound engineer used equipment in accordance with accepted practices. The sport court included the tennis practice wall. And a 6 foot wood fence separated the club from the neighbors. The neighbors asked why the club represented August 31 as a typical day when August was represented at prior hearings as the quietest time of the season. The neighbors also pointed out that the noise associated with the sport court was amplified by the creek. The neighbors observed that the sport court was used during the summer in violation of Planning Commission conditions. Each neighbor indicated that they were impacted by noise every weekend day during the summer. The Brookide Club stated that the noise study was scientific and should be relied upon because a qualified professional performed the analysis. The findings of the study showed that the club was within ordinance required sound levels except for swim meets and the sports court useage. The Committee concluded that a site visit will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday October 7 to observe sound levels first hand. 2 D. Frankel - DR-89-105, 19123 Via Tesoro - Modification to the grading plan approved by the Planning Commission on 4/12/89. The applicants requested modification to the approved grading plan which would allow mounding and berming in connection with the rear yard landscaping. The Committee concluded that the request was in keeping with the surroundingsand would not impact adjoining properties. The Committee concurred with staff's intent to approve the minor modification. E. De La Cruz - DR-89-091w 12221 Brookqlen Drive Interpretation of setbacks required for a portion of the structure which is over 22 feet in height. The Planning Director explained that there was an apparent conflict between the City Code and the Residential Design Handbook. The Code requires that portions of buildings that exceed 22 feet in height must be setback additional distances. The design handbook indicates that the entire building which is over 22 feet must be setback the additional distance. The Committee discussed the two approaches, the code and the design handbook. The Committee observed the that handbook resulted in the highest portions of buildings being the same distance from property lines as the handbook required. The Planning Commission intent in drafting this regulation was to ensure the higher portions of structures were further away from property lines. Furthermore, the Committee observed that the handbook increased the probability of producing austere and unarticulated facades. The Committee directed that the handbook should be modified to coincide with the code requirement. II. ADJOURNMENT The Committee-of-the-Whole meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Respectfully submitted /~'~~e~n[ et P1 D anning irec or 3