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Home My WebLink About08-13-1997 Planning Commission Minutes,~ • • -y CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES DATE: Wednesday, August 13, 1997 - 7:30 p.m. PLACE: City Council Chambers, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue TYPE: Regulaa~ Meeting ------------------------------------------------------------------- Roll Call Present: Bernald, Kaplan, Murakami, Patrick, Pierce, Siegfried Late: None Absent: None Staff : Walgr'en, Tate Pledge of Allegiance Minutes - July 23, 1997 Changes requested: Page 3 - Item 2., COMMISSIONERS KAPLAN/BERNALD MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION DR-97-029 WITH THE CONDITION THAT TWO FIREPLACES BE GAS BURNING ONLY AND TWO BE EQUIPPED WITH GAS STARTERS. Page 5 - COMMISSION ITEMS - 2. Commissioner Bernald advised that the ;c=t=~=~== architect for the Library expansion would be the Spencer Company. Oral Communications No comments were offered. Report of Posting Agenda Pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on August 7, 1997. Technical Corrections to Packet Item #4 should lead R-1-10,000 zoning district instead of R-1- 40,000 zoning district. CONSENT CALBNDAR PUBLIC ASARINGS 1. DR-97-024 (APN 389-17-034) - WANG, 18731 DUND$B AVffiQUE; Request for .- • • Page 2 Design Review approval to construct a 3,005 sq. ft. two-story residence in place of an existing 1,872 sq. ft. one-story residence. The project side it 9,870 sq_ and is located within an R-=1-10,000 zoning district. (Continued from 7/9/97 to 8/13/97 at the direction of the Planning Commission to revise plans; applicant is requesting continuance to 9/24/97. City review deadline is 12/29/97.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Letter accepted. APPROVED 6/0. 2. UP-97-006 (APN 397-16-149) - MQ HERITAGE CORPORATION, 14337 TAGS DRIVE; Request for Use hermit approval to construct a new 390 sq. ft. cabana pursuant to Chapter 15 of the City Code. The parcel is 48,453 sq. ft. in size, located in an R-1-40,000 zoning district. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Community Development Manager Walgren presented the staff report advising that this project meets all requirements as well as protects significant trees. He recommended approval. Chairwoman Patrick opened the public hearing at 7:41PM. The building designer of the project, Ervin Haws, concurred with the staff report and also stated that the cabana was positioned so the neighbors would be shielded from acti~rities . Pinn Brothers' representative Chuck Bommarito supported this request. COMMISSIONERS PIERCE/T+~APLAN MOVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:50PM. Bernald/Patrick/Kaplan were concerned with excessive coverage on the lot. Pierce/Siegfried/Murakami found evidence to support the project. COMMISSIONERS KAPLAN/BERNALD MOVED TO DENY RESOLUTION UP-97-006. RESOLUTION REJECTED 3/3. BERNALD/KAPLAN/PATRICK OPPOSED. 3. DR-97-039 (APN 397-16-144) - PINN BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION, 14232 TAGS COURT; Request for Design Review approval to construct a new 6,170 sq. ft. two-story residence pursuant to Chapter 15 of the City Code. The parcel is 49,000 sq. ft. in size, located in an R-1-40,000 zoning district. Walgren presented staff report noting that staff recommends approval. Chair Patrick opened the public hearing at 7:57PM. Applicant, Chuck Bommarito, was in agreement with staff report. Commissioners Murakattro.i and Kaplan discussed the false balcony design and fireplaces. • • Page 3 Commissioner Kaplan and Chair Patrick noted their consensus regarding the length of the structure and its visual massiveness. They did not believe that necessary findings could be made to support this particular design. COMMISSIONERS KAPLAN/BERNALD MOVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. COMMISSIONERS BERNALD/PIERCE MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION DR-97-039. MOTION REJECTED 3/3. KAPLAN~PATRICK/MURAKAMI OPPOSED. Continued to September 10, 1997 to be voted upon again. 4. V-97-010 (APN 3~6-15-022) - FRANGADAKIS, 19042 SARATOGA GLEN PLACE; Request for Variance approval to construct a 400 sq. ft. attached two- car garage located 9.5 ft. from an exterior side yard property line (Saratoga Glen Court frontage) where 18 ft. is the minimum Zoning Ordinance setbac~t requirement. The proposed garage would match the existing structug'e's 9.5 ft. setback. The parcel is 10,034 sq. ft. in size, located in an R-1-40,000 zoning district. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Walgren presented staff report noting that special circumstances apply enabling staff to recommend approval of the Variance. Chair Patrick opened the public hearing at 8:15PM. Applicant's representative, Residential Designer Sharon Willson, described the remodel and also stated that they were adding two new fireplaces. The Commissioners briefly discussed fireplaces, distances of neighbors and pool equipment. Neighbor Jim Russell from 12776 Saratoga Glen Court spoke of the "estate" size of the project stretching to his back yard and not allowing him the "quiet enjoyment" of his property. He also mentioned noise from the swimming pool. COMMISSIONERS BERNALD/~MURAKAMI MOVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 8:25PM. AFTER SOME DISCUSSION, COMMISSIONERS KAPLAN/BERNALD MOVED TO APPROVE VARIANCE V-97-010 CONDITIONAL UPON THE TWO NEW FIREPLACES BEING GAS BURNING ONLY. APPROVED 4/2. SIEGFRIED/MURAKAMI OPPOSED. CHAIR PATRICK RECOMMEL~DED A BREAK AT 8:30PM. 5. DR-97-030 and V-97-007 (APN 510-06-028) - KRAUTER, 19510 GLEN UNA DRIVE; Request for Desia~n Review approval to construct a new 6,124 sq. ft. one- story home at 22 ft. in height and a 634 sq. ft. pool house at 15 ft. in height. The project also involves a 1,277 sq. ft. basement in the home. The applicant is requesting a Variance to permit a 30 ft. front yard . Page 4 setback, where 120 ft. is required for a vacant site. The site is 2.11 acres and is currently vacant. It is in an R-1-40,000 zoning district. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Walgren presented the staff report explaining that the Variance requested is reasonable considering the configuration of the lot. Commissioner Murakami questioned cut and fill amount for the basement. Commissioner Kaplan noted the three car garage and the breezeway roofline. Applicant's representative, Bob Flury, reviewed the property development process and the neighborhood for the Commissioners. The Commissioners discussed the breezeway, roofline and fireplaces. Owner, Mr. Krauter, spoke briefly as to the logic and merits of his project. Robert Villas, representing the Sandy family, explained that the issue of concern for them was the elongated roofline. COMMISSIONERS BERNALID/MURAKAMI MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION DR-97-030 CONDITIONAL UPON THE FIREPLACES IN THE POOL HOUSE AND BEDROOM BEING GAS BURNING ONLY AND THE OTHER TWO BE EQUIPPED WITH GAS STARTERS; AND THE BREEZEWAY BEING MODIFIED. COMMISSIONERS BERNALD/KAPLAN MOVED TO APPROVE VARIANCE V-97-007. APPROVED 6/0. 6. DR-97-034 and V-97-008 (APN 517-08-017) - LOMAS, 14683 OAK STRg$T; Request for Design Review approval to construct a 324 sq. ft. addition to the upper level of an existing 3,198 sq. ft. two-level home. The applicant is also requesting a Variance to allow a 22 ft . front yard setback where 25 ft. is required. The site is 16,060 sq. ft. in size, and is in an R-1-10,000 zoning district. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Walgren presented tYae staff report stating that the City's Heritage Preservation Commissi®n had reviewed and approved of this proposal. Staff recommends approval of both application requests. Architect for the project, Mr. Espanola agreed with the staff report and added that they tried to respect the historic character of the home. COMMISSIONERS SIEGFRI~D/MURAKAMI MOVED TO CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING AT 9:15PM. COMMISSIONERS KAPLAN/PIERCE MOVED TO APPROVE VARIANCE V-97-008 AND KAPLAN/MURAKAMI MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION DR-97-034. APPROVED 6/0. 7, DR-97-031 (APN 3g7-23-018) - KARDACH, 20271 LA PALOMA AVSNiTS; Request for Design Review approval to construct a new 769 sq. ft. second story on an existing 1,406 sq, ft. one-story home. The project also includes a 102 sq. ft. adtdition to the first floor of the home, a 244 sq. ft. basement, and replacement of an existing 288 sq. ft. detached garage with a new 490 sq. ft. detached garage. The site is 7,491 sq. ft. and is in an R-1-10,000 zoning district. ----------=------------------------------------------------------------- Page 5 Walgren presented the staff report pointing out that the proposal meets all requirements and that staff recommends approval. Chairperson Patrick opened the public hearing at 9:30PM. Applicant, Mrs. Karda~ch took the Commissioners through the process of the their challenge in attempting to preserve the look of the street and neighborhood. Bill Kaiser, a neighbor at 20261 La Paloma expressed his concern for losing the view from 7 out o~ 9 windows in his home. COMMISSIONERS KAPLAN/N~IUR.AKAMI MOVED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. Commissioners were all appreciative of the second story design and well-drawn plans for this project. COMMISSIONERS KAPLAN/PIERCE MOVED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION DR-97-031. APPROVED 6/0. DIRECTOR ITgNlS COMMISSION ITBMS 1. Commissioner Kaplan questioned the progress of the Argonaut Shopping Center and was imformed that work would begin this fall. 2. Commissioner Pierce expressed interest in having a presentation to educate Commissioners on pervious materials. All Commissioners were in concurrence. COMMUNICATIONS Written - 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 10, 1997, Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA Respectfully Submitted, Marlene L. Tate