HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-14-1992 Planning Commission minutesc
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SUMMARY MINUTES
APRIL 14, 1992
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PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSESSION
ON
HOUSING ELEMENT.
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Present: Chairperson Caldwell, Commissioners Moran, Durket, Favero, and
Forbes
Absent: Commissioners Bogosian and Tucker
ITEM OF DISCUSSION
1. City of Saratoga -HOUSING ELEMENT -Review of outline of Housing
Element content and Planning Commission work program.
Planning Director Curtis addressed the Commission and gave a brief introduction
regarding the Housing Element, the State of California's mandate to devise a Housing
Element to meet it's criteria, the work/meeting schedule proposed for the Planning
Commission in regard to writing such a document, and specified topic for each of
those scheduled worksession. He requested that the Commission review and concur
with the proposed work/studysession schedule and to discuss, in general, the things
staff should have prepared for the next scheduled study session and its specific topic.
Planner Adar gave background information regarding the Council's review of the
Housing Element Abstract and their approval of the Scope of Work in order to draft a
Housing Element. She asked the Commission to focus on the Scope of Work for the
Housing Element and to direct staff to proceed with the Housing Element update
process and to provide any specific direction in regard to any item relating to the
Housing Element draft process.
Commissioner Favero stated that he was far more concerned with protecting the
citizens of Saratoga than meeting the State's specific requirements to gain certification
of the Housing Element and therefore felt that public comments should be the basis
on which the Housing element is written. He offered the following direction to staff in
regard to presenting ideas/proposals on this item to the Commission:
1. Clearly stating whether various proposals are legally mandated by the
State;
2. Whether or not the idea is optional or if it is merely something the staff
feels is a good idea; and
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3. In the case where statistics/graphs/surveys are used, that the information
be compiled in a presentable manner with both the numbers and graphs
and also a clearly objective staff analysis
Commissioner Moran inquired as to which the Council had approved, the Housing
Element Scope of Work, the Housing Element Abstract or the Critical Path for the
Housing Element or if it was all three which had been approved.
A discussion in regard to the posed question commenced among the staff and
Commissioners.
Planner Adar and Commissioner Moran agreed that the Council approved the Scope
of Work and the Critical Path to the Housing Element (an unspecified time allowance
for the Planning Commission to spend on working toward a draft Housing Element.
Commissioners Favero and Durket inquired as to the consequences incurred if
Saratoga's Housing Element did not meet the State's certification requirements.
Planning Director Curtis explained that the City would not be eligible to obtain certain
state housing funds and that a noncompliance status would leave the City open to
legal challenges which could limit the City's ability to issue building permits, institute
zoning changes, and carry out other general policies or programs. He stated that the
Housing Element is a State mandated document and that the State could legally take
steps to ensure that Saratoga complies.
The City Attorney explained that the State has become stricter in the last couple years
and have pursued cities that have not at least made a "good faith" attempt to devise a
certifiable Housing Element. She suggested that the Commission make a good faith
effort toward drafting a Housing Element and to use Saratoga's statistics to show the
State the factors which played a role in the composition of Saratoga's Element. In
response to Chairperson Caldwell's question as to whether the Commission could
update the previous version of the Housing Element using the figures from the last
census, the City Attorney explained that the State would probably send it back for
further work. The City Attorney also recommended that the Commission look into
ways in which the City could link as many of. the new permits being issued to the
Housing Element. She also answered questions in regard to the Housing Element
and the relative power of the State.
Carol Machol suggested that the Commission work off of the old Housing Element as
opposed to starting over again. Mrs. Machol also suggested that the Council be
consulted as to what they had intended for the Planning Commission to do. It was
her recollection that the Council had intended for the Planning Commission to go back
to the Abstract which was presented, work from the notes and comments, write a draft
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in one shot, not in phases, and submit it to the State for review.
Commissioner Favero spoke in favor of using the previous Housing Element as a
guide therefore spending a minimal amount of time on the element. He expresses
support for doing only that which is required by the State and not cluttering the
document with any unnecessary "extras".
Commissioner Moran stated that she was in favor of going back to listen to the tapes
of the Council to determine what exactly was approved, what direction the Council
had intended the Planning Commission to take and their various comments on the
Abstract, the Critical Path and the Scope of Work.
Chairperson Caldwell stated that time was of the essence and expressed support for
just talking with the Council to get a clearer direction as to whether they want the
Planning Commission to start by using the Abstract or did they adopt the Scope of
Work.
Carol Machol stated that she recollected that it was not the Council's intention for the
Planning Commission to start over again.
Commissioner Favero asked that Housing Elements from economically comparable
cities be obtained for the Planning Commission to review and use in updating
Saratoga's Housing Element.
Planner Adar recommended that the Commission give staff direction to proceed with
preparing materials for the scheduled worksession so that the Commission could
begin work on the Housing Element.
Chairperson Caldwell expressed concern with staff proceeding with material
preparation such as surveys and studies and needlessly alarming citizens at this time
when the process by which the Housing Element is to evolve is not yet clear.
Planner Adar stated that the staff would not be surveying or conducting studies for the
next worksession.
Chairperson Caldwell directed staff to prepare materials for the next Housing Element
worksession.
Commissioner Favero spoke in favor of using the Abstract which was presented to the
Council and any other information from previous work conducted and move forward
with the Housing Element.
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Chairperson Caldwell requested that any information, materials, minutes and staff
notes from past work sessions/meetings on the Housing Element be gathered and
given to the Commission for their review.
Discussion on the Housing Element was continued to the next scheduled work
session.
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CITY OF SARATOGA
PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
DATE: Tuesday, April 14, 1992
PLACE: Senior Center - Adult Day Care Center, 7:30 p.m.
19655 Allendale Avenue
TYPE: Adjourned Regular Meeting
The meeting is a study session between applicants, interested
citizens and staff, to discuss continued applications, advance
planning projects and general planning issues. The Planning
Commission has a policy that no decisions will be made at these
sessions. A written report will be made of the proceedings.
Present: Commissioners Caldwell, Moran, Forbes, Durket & Favero
Planning Director Curtis, Associate Planners Adar &
Walgren
Absent: Commissioners Tucker and Bogosian
ITEMS OF DISCUSSION
1. DR-91-066 - OSTBY; 14467 SOBEY ROAD
Request for consideration of staff's preparation of Resolution
DR-91-066 conditions of approval. Please find attached the
applicants' letter requesting this meeting, the resolution as
adopted and minutes from the 3/11/92 public hearing.
The Planning Commission agreed to direct staff to revise the
resolution to more-accurately reflect the original motion made
to approve the project. Specifically, condition 9 (a) was
amended from "....the preservation of trees #3, 5-8, 11, 13,
17-24, 26 & 27 to ....the preservation of trees #3, 7, 13, 17-
24, 26 and 27."
2. DR-91-041 - WALLER; 20420 MONTALVO OARS
Request for Planning Commission review of exterior
modifications to an approved design review application. Staff
has notified the adjacent neighbors of the proposed
modifications and of tonight's meeting. City Council
Resolution DR-92-004 is attached for reference.
The amended plans were reviewed by the Planning Commission and
the neighbors present. No concerns were raised re: these
minor modifications and staff was directed to approve them
administratively.
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Page 2 - Regular Adjourned Planning Commission
Minutes - 4/14/92
3. DR-88-057 - LIN; 12532 PARKER RANCH CT.
Request for Planning Commission review of exterior material
changes to an almost completed home within the Parker Ranch
subdivision. Revised elevations of the residence and a
material board will be presented at the meeting.
This request was continued to the 4/22/92 Planning meeting to
allow the Commissioners to visit the site to assess its visual
prominence. The request will be heard as a Director's Item at
the beginning of the agenda.
4. HOUSING ELEMENT - Review of outline of Housing Element content
and Planning Commission work program.
5. OPEN SPACE ELEMENT - Review of evaluation criteria for natural
resources, production of resources and outdoor recreation.
Continued to 5/5/92 regular adjourned meeting.
6. PARKING STANDARDS - Continue indefinitely (public notices will
be prepared again prior to meeting).
ADJOURNMENT
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