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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-04-1992 Planning Commission Minutes~, CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES DATE: Tuesday, August 4, 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. ROLL CALL - Present: Chair Caldwell, Commissioners Moran, Favero and Forbes. Staff Present: Planning Director Curtis, Planners Walgren and White Absent: Commissioners Bogosian and Durket ITEMS OF DISCUSSION 1. DR-92-004 - SVOBODA, MT. EDEN WINERY ROAD Request for Planning Commission consideration of a revised material board for the above-referenced project. A condition of application approval required that a darker earthtone color scheme be accepted by the Commission prior to issuance of a zoning clearance. The applicant was present and displayed various color schemes to the Commission. An acceptable color/material board was chosen and incorporated into the file as Exhibit "C". 2. V-88-033 - BERQUIST/PROWSE, 15240 MADRONE HILL ROAD In October of 1988, the Berquists requested and received variance approval to reconstruct a failed retaining wall which exceeded the City's 5 ft. height limit. The 10 ft. tall wall is currently under construction and is visible, through dense foliage, from the Villa Montalvo private exit road. Mr. Prowse is now requesting to modify the approved wall accordingly: - increase its length from approximately 164 ft. to 170 ft. - increase its height from 10 ft. to 13 ft. The Planning Commission directed questions to staff and then concurred that the changes be accepted administratively. • Regular Adjourned Planning Commission Minutes 8/4/92 Page 2 3. DR-91-065 and V-91-021, FRATER, 22100 MT. EDEN ROAD The applicants are proposing to relocate a recently approved 1,344 sq. ft. garage approximately 75 ft. southwest of where the initial garage was located. The applicants are also proposing to extend the porte cochere out an additional two (2) feet and change the roof above the porte cochere from a 16 ft. flat, mansard type roof, to a 16.5 ft. gable roof. The proposal is consistent with the current zoning ordinance standards in terms of height, allowable floor area, setbacks, site coverage, and grading quantities. Based on the above, staff recommends that the Planning Commission accept this item and direct staff to approve the changes administratively. The Planning Commission accepted the changes with the provision that staff visit the property to assess the visual prominence of the proposed relocated building site prior to issuance of permits. 4. CITY OF SARATOGA - OPEN SPACE ELEMENT; Review of Open Space Policies ADJOURNMENT - 9:30 p.m. • REGULAR ADJOURNED PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF AUGUST 4, 1992 ACTION MINUTES (OPEN SPACE) Present: Chairperson Caldwell, Commissioners Favero, Forbes and Moran Scenic Open Space Commissioner Moran suggested that the preservation of existing vegetation be maximized. There was discussion with regard to strengthening the language in this section to encourage development around designated open space areas opposed to using the open land itself for new development. Commissioner Favero suggested that the following wording be added to help ensure the preservation of open space districts/parcels. "The preservation of existing mature vegetation shall be given priority over other use of land (development of structures)." Commissioner Favero stated that he felt that open space was vital to Saratoga and its character. Chairperson Caldwell and Moran spoke in favor of additional language to also encourage new plantings to aid in regeneration of the existing vegetation. Commissioner Forbes suggested that when development does take place near scenic open space areas, the applicant should be responsible for using larger, more mature landscaping to help screen their structures. Commissioner Moran stated that she thought this requirement shouldn't be just development oriented. There was a suggestion that the word natural be added to the above language offer by Commissioner Favero. Chairperson Caldwell noted that the word "encourage" tended to be the word of choice throughout the document. She suggested that encourage be replaced (in some parts of the document) with stronger words. f r Major Entryways There was discussion regarding the creation of new entryways and arterials into Saratoga. Commissioner Favero expressed his opinion that open space should take priority over creating any new entryways/roadways etc. The Planning Director noted that this section needed to be addressed not only for new entryways and etc., but also for the sake of when improvements occur on existing intersections. It was the consensus of the Commission that a new #16 be written which addresses existing and new street improvements with emphasis on preserving open space. There was also suggestions that the landscaping reflect the rural character of Saratoga. Parking Lots Commissioner Moran suggested that parking lots be made more aesthetically appealing with the use of trees and shrubbery. Chairperson Caldwell suggested that parking lots maximize use of tree canopies. Commissioner Favero spoke in support of the City's acquisition of Open Space opposed to the phrase "valuation" as used in the document. He expressed support for city acquisition of open space and then determination of the lands use. He stated that he felt this process, as he explained should be a Policy. Trail Systems Commissioner Favero stated that he was not in favor of running the trail system past every location where there is opportunity for some type of view. He explained that he felt the nearby homeowners' privacy would be invaded. Chairperson Caldwell explained that the trail system would be put in at the time a developer comes to the City with an offer to develop the land and not after development, sale and occupancy of the homes has taken place. Commissioner Favero spoke in favor of using strong language to protect existing developments from the City installing a trail system through this land and invading the privacy of the residents. - f T 3 r~ ~~ Commissioner Favero requested this issue to be placed on the agenda for the next open space worksession. He announced that he would bring wording for the Commission's review that would prohibit trailways from being installed in existing developments. Creeks Commissioner Favero stated that this presents the same issue. He spoke in opposition of the City allowing public access to natural resources where a private development has been permitted and therefore resulting in the invasion of privacy of the residents of the development. He explained that he wanted a safeguard for existing developments. Historic Sites Consensus to remove #22. Implementation There was discussion regarding the purpose of Policy 13. At this point the tape ended.