HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-03-1973 City Council Minutes SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
~INUTES'
TIME: Tuesday, July 3, 1973 - 7:30 P.M.
PLACE: Saratoga City Council Chambers, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California
TYPE: Regular Meeting
I. ORGANIZATION
A. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilman Bridges, Diridon, ~yer, Kraus, and Smith.
B. ~RNUTES
Councilman Diridon moved, seconded by Councilman Bridges, that the
minutes of the June 20, 1973 meeting be approved; motion carried
unanimously.
II. BIDS AND CONTRACTS
A. PIERCE RO.~D SLIDE' REPAIR
Councilman ~er moved, seconded by Eouncifman Kraus, that final acceptance
be granted for the slide restoration on Pierce Road and the filing of the
Notice of Completion be authorized; motion carried unanimously,
B. CORPORATION YARD. OFFICE FACILITIES ~
Councilman Dwyer moved, seconded by Councilman Kraus, that the action on
this matter be delayed in order to investigate the ~ossibility of the City
doing this work and that the bids be held open until the meeting of 'July 18,
1973; motion carried unanimously..
III, PETITtONS~ ORDINANCES AND FORMAL RESOLUTIONS
A.REPORT FROM T~FFIC CONSULTANT RE: RECOM~ZNDATIONS ON VIA RONCOLE,
ARROYO DE ARGUELLO, ETC. ~ Continued from June 20, 1973
A lengthy discussion took pl.ace in connection with the following items:
1)' Use of a berm and striping.for Via Roneole.
2) A cul-de-sac for C~mer Drive. "'
3) Intersection of Wardell Road and Arroyo de Argueilo
4)' Spe.ed Controls (traffic bumps).
5) Wardell Road Improvements
6) Widening or reconstrnction of bridge on Wardell Road
between Arroyo de Arguello and Carniel Avenue.
7) Cost estinmtes for the above mentioned items.
A petition submitted by the residents of Wardell Road and Arroyo de Arguello
recormmended that the City proposal for the intersection of Wardell Road and
Arroyo de Arguello be temporarily shelved and,that an alternate plan be
considered, i.e., the Traffic Consultant's plan for lane dilineation.plus
a four-way stop sign at this intersection.
City Council Minutes - July 3~ 1973 - Con~tinued
III. B. LyngsR ~ Continued
Mayor Smith inquired why certain segments of the y~d were not oiied
especially in areas by the bins?
Mr. Gard~lla advised that he could not answer that question at this
time; however, additional oil will be brought in at consistent intervals.
Mayor Smith inquired if the fertilizer now sold at this establishment
could be'put into bags prior to delivery and if so would Mr. Lyngso
be willing to provide for same?
Mr. Gardella answered. yes that material' could be contained; however, time
would be needed to comply with this request.
Mayor Smith requested Mr. Gardella to develop some figures relativeto
what portion of the business involves only individuals such as homeowners
in Saratoga.
Councilman Diridon noted that t~e major portion of the dust problem is
caused from unloading and it seems it would be impossible to control
that with sprinklers. This use does seem to be incompatible with the
area.
Councilman Krads stated that, perhaps, the owner of the garden materiRis"
yard and his attorney should see ~bout being more prompt in providing
some of the solutions necessary to reduce some of the existing problems.
Mayor Smith directed this matter continued to the next regular meeting
and asked that the following information be providdd at that time 1) the
noise level be further investigated by the Code Enforcement Office and
a report prepared ~) a definition of the type of.fertilizer contained
on .the property be supplied and the product be either bagged or eliminated
from this establishment 3) the oiling be completed'4) some statistics
regarding the level of business' to determine whether it is a garden supply
or warehouse operation and 5) obtain a Staff recommendation - if no
action plan and execution of same can be realized from the applicant some
action must be taken by the City Council.
RECESS AND RECONVENE
C. PETITION OPPOSING THE USE 'OF RESIDENCE AT 20247 LA PALO[~ AVENUE FOR
THE PURPOSE OF OPERATING AN AUTOMOBILE TOWING SERVICE.
The City Manager stated that the City has been working with the residents
living on La Paloma to try and get so~e evidence that an illegal auto
towing service has.been operating at 20247' La Paloma Avenue. Early Saturday,
morning of June 30, 1973 the residents were exposed to some excellent
evidence - around 2:00 A.M. the resident of the above mentioned address
responded to a call with his truck and brought back a car (in tow) and
parked it in front of hi~ house. Photos were taken of this incident. I~e
operator of the tow truck was contacted and he stated the business has
now been sold and further such incidents would not occur.
Councilman Bridges moved, seconded by Councilman ~yer, that the City
Attorney be authorized to pursue the appropriate legal action against
this operation unless the towing service ceases i~nediately; motion
carried unanimously.
City Council Minutes - July 3~ 1973 - Continued
V. A. C-168 - Continued
Mr. Oskar Thurnher, present to represent the homeown'e~s in Westbrook,
stated that 1) these are two (2) separate subdivisions and should have
two (2) separate zonings 2) this request is made in order to maintain
the highest possible standards for future development in the area 3) under
the Planning Commission recormmendation three (3) lots could be created
.where one exists at pres'ent 4) the average lot in Tract 1179 is 17,000-square
feet in size and urge the City Council to provide an "R-I-20,000" zoning
for this p~operty 5) an "R-I-iO,000" zoning for the other side of Brookglen
is acceptable and understandable 6)' the character of the area is to allow
fairly generous lot sizes and smaller zoning allows for setback deterioration
and 7) 30% of the area bas 20,000-square foot lot sizes.
The Planning Director explained that 1) the Planning Commission did have
general information on the lot sizes 2) the reason for the recommended
zoning is that this area is similar to Brookview 3) there are only two (2)
lots that could possibly be subdivided in the opinion of the Planning
Commission and Staff and 4) even though these lots have the square footage
necessary to divide the dimension requirements would necessitate a Variance
in order to meet the necessary depth or width - if the higher zoning were
granted the creation of non-conforming setbacks would prevail.
Mr. Thurnher explained that it was his opinion that the setbacks in West-
brook exceed the Zoning Ordinance requirements.
l~e Planning Director stated that the Planning CommiSsion recommended
[hat the area be zoned "R-l-10,000" since they felt that to be the most
appropriate for this area.
Councilman Bridges stated that the Planning Commission recommended that
zoning on the basis that they felt it best to attemRt to avoid creating
· non-conforming lots and that could best be done with the "R-i-iO,O00"
zoning. It is bis feeling that, perhaps, the boundary lines within
Westbrook could be extended to the middle of Brookglen; thereby, eliminating
· five (5) of those non-conforming lots from the area that could then be
zoned "R-l-15,000".
The Planning Director explained that when the presentation was made at
the Planning Commission meeting-it was suggested that possibly the size of the
lots could be reviewed in detail by the City. At that time the Planning .
Commission did not feel tha~ was justifiable; however, if the Council feels
it is necessary that information can be obtained. He further stated, {n
answer to an inquiry from Councilman Kraus, that he did ~ot feel that
information would influende the Planning Comnission to change their recommend-
ation.
Mr. Thurnher stated that with the lesser ~oning further degradation of the
property is assured.
The Planning Director explained that one complete zoning for the area does
n~t cause degradation of the area; however, there is some feeling that when
the property becomes legal non-conforming degradation does occur.
Mr. Thurnher explained that, perhaps, that aspect should be further reviewed.
Mayor Smith pointed odt that if the boundary lines were adjusted and addi-
tional information obtained relative to the individual lots, perhaps, a
better judgement could be made.
Councilman Bridges moved~ secondsd by Councilman Diridon, that the matter
be continued to the next regular meeting and referred back
to the Planning Co~mnission for further review and consideration relative
to adj~stin~ the boundary line aCpd !~t~l fu~he~ ~nfnrm~t~n relst~v~ ~n
the individual sites can be obtained; motion carried unanimously.
~ity Council Minutes - July 3~1973 - Continued
VI. A. 3. Resolution No. 664
Councilman Kraus stated tha~ he has observed other such facilities
that have gone "begging" and he questions whether an 'arena is needed
in Santa Clara County at all.
Mr. Ridder, San Jose Mercury News, stated that 1) there is a lot of
misinformation ' around 2) an article that appeared in the Chronicle
talked about all types of stadiums,,but did not address itself to arenas
3) the v~rified statistics have been disputed; howeverb no reputable
qualified person has disputed the facts 3) the recent report con-
taining the most current information stated that an arena would operate
with a profit an~ 4) in the County Budget there is revenue sharing
money that has not even been allocated; therefore, providing funds
for the arena is not really the question.
Mayor Smith'answered that he wished some of this surplus money would
be made available to Saratoga for library services.
Mr. Ridder stated that the plan is to spend a great deal of money on a~County
office building and if the Board of Supervisors felt they had to conserve on
money'they certainly would not embark on that kind of program. The Saratoga
City Council should not sit in judgement when the voters have already given
their direction.
Mayor S~ith moved, seconded by_Eouncilman ~ridges, that Resolution #664 '
of the Council of the City of Saratoga requesting reconsideration of the
.County Sports Areans by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and
resubmission of the project to the voters be adopted; motion carried with
Councilman Diridon voting "no".
· B. FINANCE
1. Payment of Claims
CounCilman Dwyer moved, seconded'by Councilman Kraus, that the list of
disbursements be approved and the Mayor be authorized to sign the warrants;
motion carried unanimously.
C. COUNCIL AND CaM}fISSION REPORTS
1. Parks and Recreation Commission - Recommendation to Approve Resolution
Designating Formula for D~sl~fibution of 1974 State Park Bond Funds.
The City Manager recommended that this matter be continued until specific
materials are received f~z=om~-the Parks and Recreation Commission.
D.DEPARTMENT HEADS AND OFFICERS
No Reports
E. CITY ~t~NAGER
1. Report Re: West Valley College, Campus Parking Lot'Assessment District
The City Manager stated that the college has taken the p~sition that if
the entire Assessment District is hampered there is a possibility that
parking lot ~3 be dr~pped.
Mayor Smith stated that a meeting was held with the College Governing
Board; however, nothing'was changed and the meeting ended in an impasse.
The suggestion to reduce lot #3 was unacceptable to the Board,
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City Council Minutes - July 3, 1973 - Continued
VII. ~. ORAL
1. Mr. Gene Zambetti, President of the Chamber of Conmaerce, stated'
that active participation is being encouraged for assessment of
a parking lot in the Village. The Staff is working on same and
a proposed plan should be ready sbon.
VIII. ADJOUKN}~ENT" .
Councilman rk~,er moved, seconded by Councilman ~ridges, that the meeting
be adjourned 'at 12:10A.M.; motion carried unanimo~sly~.~ 7' '~'
ectful~ it[~d~
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