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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-25-1998 Planning Commission minutesCITY OF SARaTOGA PLA\~'ING COMI~'IISSIOI\= '~IINLTTES DATE: ~~'ednesda~,1\Iarch 25,1998 - 7:30 p.m. PLACE: Civic Theater, 13777 Fruih•ale Avenue, Saratoga, CA TYPE: Regular ivleeting Roll Call Present: Chair Patrick. Commissioners Bernald, Kaplan, MartlaQe, ~lurakami, Pierce Absent: Commissioner Siegfried Staff: Cin~ Attorney Riback. ~Valgren. Cro~~~ley Pledge of Allegiance iVZinutes -March 11. 1998 Page 1 (Minutes): Voting results on approval of the minutes should read ":9ppr-ol~ec! crs rnodifrecl =l%2 (Berrlcrld and Kaplan abstairrecll " in lieu of ".4pproi~ed us rnoclifieci 6i0. " APPROVED AS MODIFIED 6 0. Oral Communications Report of Posting Agenda Pursuant to Go~~ernment Code ~=194.?, the agenda for this meetin~~ «as properl~~ posted on vlarch 20, 1998. Technical Corrections to Packet CONSENT CALENDAR 1. DR-97-057 (503-21-009 & 012) - NAVID, 150=11 & 15072 Saratoga-Sunn«~ale Road; Request for Design Revie« appro~~al to construct 1 ~ single famih residences. ranging in size from 3,8~ ~ sq. ft. to =1.229 sq. ft., pursuant to Chapter 1 ~ of the City Code. The subdivision of this propert~~ ryas approved b~~ the City Planning Commission in August 1996. The lots rang=e in size from 1 x,000 sq. ft. to 21._600 sq. ft. and are located «~ithin an R1-12,00 zonin`_ district. PIERCE`BERNALD ti10VED TO COtiTINi~E DR-97-O~i AT THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST TO =1%8%98; APPROVED 6.'0. 2. V-98-003 (517-10-008) -ALLEN, 11500 Oak Street; Request for Variance approval to rebuild an existing X69 sq. ft. detached garage at a height of 1 ~ feet. Variance approval is required to allow the side yard setback to remain at l.~ feet. The site is 8.12 sq. ft. located w°ithin an R-1-10.000 zoning district. PIERCE`BER\ALD MOVED TO COtiTINLE V-98-003 AT THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST TO 4%8.'98; APPROVED 6.%0. Planning Commission Minutes March 2~, 1998 PUBLIC HEARD\GS • Page 2 3. DR-97-0~6 ~ SM-98-002 (366-48-001) - GOTTII~TUKKALA, 12496 Parker Ranch Court; Request for Desi,n Review approval to construct a new 4,09 sq. ft. t-°o-store home on a vacant lot of the Parker Ranch Subdivision. Site tit.odification is also requested to allo« a pool on this lot. The site is X0.440 sq. ft. located within an I-[R zoning district. CONTI\CED AT APPLICA_NT'S REQUEST FROM 3/11/98 FOR ADDITONAL SITE VISIT A\"D CLARIFICATIOti OF DESIGN CO\CER~TS. Walaren presented the staff memorandum. Connnissioner Kaplan requested that City Attorney Riback define the normal process bet~~~een the Cite and the Homeowners' Association when there is a private a~=reement, in terms of the Cin~'s level of responsibilitti~. Riback responded that the Cite is neither responsible for nor obligated to enforce the Codes. Covenants and Restrictions (CC&Rs) of a Homeowners' association. Discussion ensued about the City and the Homeo«ners~ Association being separate entities: decisions made by the City do not override those in the CC&Rs. nor do actions pertaining to the CC&Rs override those of the Cin~. The public hearing was opened at 7:40 p.m. Walter Chapman, architect, commented on the design of the house, statin~_ that sinkin~_ the house into the hillside will minimize the visual impact from offsite. and also stated that he had additional information to address other Planning Commission concerns. Chapman asked for clarification of which part~~, the City or the I-Iomeowners' :association. has control Dyer ~yhether a pool is allowed on the propert~•. John Heindel, 12=168 Parker Ranch Court, spoke on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Homeowners' Association, stating that the CC&Rs to not allow a pool on the site. and that the only sway to accomplish this would be to change the CC&Rs to approve the ~rantins of a pool. if the Commission approves a pool the Board of Directors will be required to take steps to keep the pool from bein~~ built. Commissioner Bernald asked the reason for the site havinU been setup not to have a pool. Heindel responded that the restriction «•as imposed b~~ the Cit<~ at the time the CC&Rs were adopted. `alter Chapman stated he would be happy to meet with the Homeo~~~ners' association and go through their process. The public hearing eras closed at 8:U0 p.m. Commissioner Pierce felt the siting of the pool was acceptable and would defer to the Homeowners' association with regard to their approval to amend the CC&Rs. Commissioner l~lartlase a_reed the pool had been sited in the onh possible place. stating an approval had alread~~ been forwarded from the Homeowners' association's o~yn architectural review committee. Commissioner Bernald felt the pool fits nicely into the home and concurred .with Commissioner Pierce that the Commission should defer to the Homeo«ners~ association on the issue of amendin, the CC&Rs. Connnissioner Vlurakami aQrccd with the sitin~~ of the pool but felt the matter of whether a pool is allowed should be clarified before the Commission decides to approve. Planning Commission Minutes March 2~, 1998 Commissioner Kaplan concurred. • Page 3 Chair Patrick felt the house is acceptable. but eras unw°illing to approve or disapprove the pool without addressing the issues of the CC&Rs. Commissioner Bernald felt the house was nicely sited on the knoll and would be able to approve the application. Commissioner Murakami said he was ready to approve the application. Commissioners Kaplan concurred and requested a condition be included to allow onh~ one «°ood-burning fireplace. Commissioner Pierce concurred. KAPLA\TiBERNALD MOVED TO APPROVE DR-97-0~6 ~'l'ITH A CONDITION TO ALLO~'l' ONLY ONE ~~'OOD-BURNING FIREPLACE: APPROVED 6`0. PIERCE.iBERNALD MOVED TO DENY ~~°~THOL.'T PREJUDICE SCI-98-002: DE\IED 60. 4. SD-97-001 & V-98-002 (.LPN 397-2~-O10, 038, 073, 07~ & 075) - PLtiN BROTHERS CO\STRUCTION, 20325 La Paloma Avenue & 14315 Douglass Lane; Request for Vesting Tentative Map approval to subdivide an approximately 19 acre site into fifteen individual lots ranting in net size from '_ 1.780 sq. ft. to 3.08 acres. The site is adjacent to ~t'ildcat Creek and is currentl.~ developed with two primary sin~_le family homes and hvo independent `cottages". One of the residences is the original "Hayfield House' designed by Julia 1V1orQan in 1919 and is listed on the City's I-leritage Resource Inventory. This stricture and one of the cottages would be retained on the proposed Lot 9, which would also include anew- three-car ~_arage for a total of 8.766 sq. ft. Variance approval is necessary to allow- the total proposed building area for Lot 9 to exceed the 7.320 sq. ft. maximum permitted by Zoning Ordinance fora 3.08 acre parcel The subdivision would be accessed via two cul- de-sacs with seven of the new° lots gaining access from Douglass Lane and eight from La Paloma Avenue. The property is located within an R-1-20,000 zoning district. Au Environmental Initial Study has been prepared for this project pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. The public comment period for the Environmental Initial Study and the Draft Negative Declaration began on February 1 I. 1998. and will expire ~~Iarch 17, 1998. \o final action may be taken on the project until the public review- process has been completed and an environmental determination has been made. CONTINUED FROM 3/11/98 TO PREPARE DRAFT ENVIRONI~IE\TTAL .NEGATIVE DECLARATIO\T A\~ APPROVAL RESOLUTIO\T. ~~~algren presented the staff memorandum and additional correspondence received from neighbors after the packet had been distributed. Commissioner Martlage excused herself from any discussion as she is a neighbor of the site;'project. Commissioner Kaplan initiated a discussion of the source of street names for the subdivision. a~=reed to b_y the Heritage Preservation Commission. Chair Patrick asked about the statement that the resolution reflect the agreement of the neighborhood. She raised the question of the City enforcing conditions that should be enforced b~• propem~ owners. v The public hearing w•as opened at 8:19 p.m. Planning Commission Minutes • • Page 4 March 2~. 1998 Chuck Bommarito. representin_ Pinn Brothers, gave an oven-iew of the project to date and .vas available to respond to questions of the Commissioners. Neighbors expressed their willin~_ness to work with Pinn Brothers but were concerned about yisibilih~. bulk and height of the houses, setbacks. tree preservation. fencing, ~,atinR, and the pedestrian and bicycle path. Chuck Bommarito requested the condition that front yard landscaping be installed prior to final inspection be eliminated, as he felt homeo~~ners should have the ability to be im~olyed in their own landscape design. The public hearing was closed at 9:0~ p.m. THERE VAS A BREAK FROM 9:06 - 9: 18 AT TI-[E REALEST OF CI-LAIR PATRICK. Commissioner Pierce was opposed to installing operational gates but was agreeable to "faun' Rates that would remain open at all times. He would be able to support the project. y Commissioners Bernald and i\1urakami were in agreement. Commissioner Kaplan requested further clarification of item] 3 of the CCRRs and was concerned about the amount of street traffic. Chair Patrick was opposed to the use of sates: she would like to see landscaping plans. and specific plans for each house. iCAPLAN;BERNALD MOVED TO APPROVE THE NEGATIVE DECLARATION: APPROVED ~%0. KAPLAN!BER\ALD iIIOVED TO APPROVE SD-97-001 A\D ~'-98-002: APPROVED ~`0. 5. DR-98-001 (:LPN 386-06-040) - CHE\, 12=191 «`oodside Drive; Request for Design Review approval to construct a second store addition of 9~2 sq. ft. to an existing 2,396 sq. ft. house on an 1 1 _.900 sq. ft. lot in the R-1- 10,000 zoning district. Proposal ~yill change buildin, height from 1=I feet. 6 inches to 21 feet. 6 inches. ~'~`al{rren presented the staff report. The public hearing w°as opened at 9:35 p.m. Thomas Liu, designer; architect, said he had worked with staff to respond to questions from the Plannin~_ Commission. \eighbors felt that the second story addition with its balcony would intrude on neighbors priyac~~ and that the file roof w-as out of character for the neighborhood. The public hearing was closed at 9:51 p.m. Commissioner ~tartlage found the neighborhood attractive and felt the second floor balcony and bedroom are intrusive: if they ~yere removed. the plan would tit better. Planning Commission Minutes • ~ Page March 25, 1998 v Commissioner Pierce a=reed that this is a nice neighborhood and ..'as comprised of one stor~-_ shake roof type houses, for the most part. He w°as not able to support a second story addition in this neighborhood. Commissioner Bernald agreed and felt the balcony and the north-facing ~~ indow° should be removed. also that the file roof should he chanted. She could not support the project. Commissioner Murakami said the architect had done a good job and had no objection to the siting=. I-Ie ~~~as bothered by the privacy issue and felt he could support the project if one room and the balcony «ere remo~°ed. and if a shake roof ~~°ere used instead of tile. Commissioner Kaplan felt that a t~~o store home is acceptable. but that there are privacy issues with this house. She liked the design and would be able to appro~°e the application ~~ ith modifications. Chair Patrick felt that a second store is acceptable and said she liked the design, but that this configuration would intrude on neighbors' privacy, also that the roof doesn't fit in the neighborhood. If the balcony and the third bedroom «•ere removed and the roof changed, she ~~ould be able to approve. The public hearing was reopened and the item was continued at the applicant's request to x/22/98 for redesign. 6. DR-97-062 (~03-7~-010) - JEPSEti, 217_,"6 Congress Hall Lane; Request for Design Revie~i~ approval to construct a new ~,15~ sq. ft. two-ston_- home ou a vacant lot. The site is approximately 3 acres, located «°ithin the Hillside Residential zoning district. ~Valgren presented the staff report. The public hearing was opened at 10:08 p.m. Park Miller, architect, explained the reasons fior siting of the house and ho~~ their design softens the aspects of massing of the house. y A neighbor expressed his concerns about the project. including blocking of their vie~ys, orientation of the house, placement of the driveway, and that the house is incompatible with the neighborhood. The public hearing was closed at 10:32 p.m. Commissioner Murakami liked the design and asked ~.hether it «as possible to modifi~ the garage. Commissioner Kaplan said the house is located in a lovely area; she felt there should be less drive~yay and that the house should be in a different location. She could not appro~°e the application. Commissioner Murakami liked the step do~rn of the house but «°as concerned about the drive~yav. He understood the constraints on the lot and that the design had to be one that ~.ould please even~one. but he would be unable to approve as the house is designed cun-ently. Commissioner Bernald said the house appears to be a three store residence and she could not approve. Commissioner Pierce felt the applicant should look at alternatives for moving the drive~a~ay and garage. if possible. He «ould not be able to approve. Planning Commission Minutes March 2~, 1998 • Pale 6 Commissioner Martlage concurred. She said the setbacks are per the Cin ordinance but did not like the length of the drip ewa~ and the fact that the garage door faces the ~~alle~•. Chair Patrick liked the design of the house but «•as concerned «•ith the amount of pa~~ing and the three-ston~ approach. She suggested scheduling a meeting ~~°ith the applicant in a stud- session to look at other options. The public hearing ~~•as reopened and the item ~~°as continued at the applicant's request to the X3/22/98 Stud~~ Session to revie~~• design alternati~-es. DIRECTOR ITEMS Planning Commission Retreat «'algren reported that three of the Commissioners ~~•ere unable to attend the Planning Commission Retreat originall~~ scheduled for April 3. Follo~; ing discussion of a~~ailable options, the Retreat ~~•as rescheduled for April 17. 2. Ne~~~ Assistant Planner Vl'algren announced that a ne~~- Assistant Planner. Christina Ratcliffe, had been hired to replace Carol Deming. Christina «ill be introduced at the next mcetine of the Planning Commission. COiVI1yIISSION ITEiy1S Commissioner ~turakami stated he had received information about an architects' refresher course and wondered if the other Commissioners mi;ht be interested in attending the class. 2. A discussion ~i•as held regarding the Plannin~_ Commissioners' anticipated ~-acation schedules, and ~rhether the Commission should consider hay ing substitute Commissioners available in order to maintain a quorum at the public hearings. COtiiMUNICATIONS t?~`rittan 1. Cite Council ti•Iinutes dated March 4. 1998 2. \otices for Planning Commission 1~iceting of April 8. 1998 aDJOtiR1`I~IENT - 11:00 p.m. to ~t'ednesdar. ;1pri1 8, 1998. Ci~-ic Theater 13777 Fruit~~ale A~~enue. Sarato~sa. CA