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Home My WebLink About10-12-2005 Planning Commission Minutes MINUTES SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION DATE: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 PLACE: Council Chambers/Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA TYPE: Regular Meeting Chair Nagpal called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Cappello, Hunter, Kundtz, Nagpal and Rodgers Absent: Commissioners Schallop and Uhl Staff: Director John Livingstone, Associate Planner Christy Oosterhous and Planner Shweta Bhatt PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting of September 28, 2005. Motion: Upon motion of Commissioner Hunter, seconded by Commissioner Rodgers, the Planning Commission minutes of the regular meeting of September 28, 2005, were adopted with changes to page 5. (5-0-2; Commissioner Schallop and Uhl were absent) ORAL COMMUNICATION Ms. Kathleen Casey-Coakley, Springer Avenue, Saratoga: • Stated her opinion that the Task Force working on the memorial park is biased with sports people who want to see it developed as a soccer park. • Said she had thought the intent for this memorial park was to have a peaceful park. • Added that she does believes that a sports park is not within the memory of Kevin Moran and that it is up to the Planning Commission to convince Council of that. • Suggested that the Planning Commission needs to contact the people who signed the survey. • Stated that the Heritage Commission believes that the Task Force has a bias for the Village. • Suggested the importance of rent control for downtown. • Said that she hopes that Saratoga does not end up looking like another Los Gatos. • Reported that she had requested from the City a list of heritage buildings and has not received it in the format she requires. REPORT OF POSTING AGENDA Director John Livingstone announced that, pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on October 6, 2005. Planning Commission Minutes for October 12, 2005 Page 3 REPORT OF APPEAL RIGHTS Chair Nagpal announced that appeals are possible for any decision made on this Agenda by filing an Appeal Application with the City Clerk within fifteen (15) calendar days of the date of the decision, pursuant to Municipal Code 15.90.050(b). CONSENT CALENDAR There were no Consent Calendar Items. *** PUBLIC HEARING - ITEM NO. 1 APPLICATION #04-285 (386-10-049) – GABILLE, 17777 Saratoga Avenue: The applicant requests approval of a Use Permit to place a generator on the site near the intersection of Lawrence Expressway and Saratoga Avenue. The site is located in the Professional and Administrative Office (P-A) zoning district. The generator is proposed for placement at the southwest corner of the property. An eight-foot high sound barrier wall will surround the generator. (SHWETA BHATT) Planner Shweta Bhatt presented the staff report as follows: • Stated that the applicant is seeking a Conditional Use Permit to allow the installation of an emergency generator near the intersection of Lawrence and Saratoga, near the border with San Jose. • Added that this generator would be used only for emergency purposes to support the Verizon Wireless antennas on site. • Reported that an eight-foot sound barrier would be constructed on the north and east sides. • Explained that the proposed placement of this generator is within the front setback. Code allows this with the issuance of a Use Permit if necessary findings can be made to support it. The finding can be made that this generator would not be detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the community. • Informed that staff finds this placement is warranted in this situation and is recommending approval of this request. Commissioner Rodgers sought clarification that no findings for a Variance are required here but simply the findings in support of a Conditional Use Permit. Planner Shweta Bhatt replied that there is no Variance required but rather a variation from standards that does require a Use Permit. Chair Nagpal opened the Public Hearing for Agenda Item No. 1. Mr. Rodger Haas, Crown Castle/Verizon Representative: • Said that he was on site yesterday during the Commission’s visit and said he was pleased to see the Planning Commission there, which is an unusual occurrence in his experience. Planning Commission Minutes for October 12, 2005 Page 4 • Stated his availability for any questions. Chair Nagpal closed the Public Hearing for Agenda Item No. 1. Commissioner Hunter said that there was extensive discussion on site during the visit and all questions were answered. Commissioner Cappello agreed and stated that the staff report was complete and answered all questions. This is as good a location as possible as it is sheltered and buffered so he can support placement of this generator there. Motion: Upon motion of Commissioner Rodgers, seconded by Commissioner Cappello, the Planning Commission granted a Conditional Use Permit (Application #04-285) to allow the placement of a generator on the site near the intersection of Lawrence Expressway and Saratoga Avenue on property located at 17777 Saratoga Avenue, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Cappello, Hunter, Kundtz, Nagpal and Rodgers NOES: None ABSENT: Schallop and Uhl ABSTAIN: None *** PUBLIC HEARING - ITEM NO. 2 APPLICATION #06-043 (393-14-010) - WINNINGHAM, 13201 Ten Oak Way: The applicant requests Design Review Approval to construct an 895 square foot second- story addition to an existing one-story single-family residence on a corner lot. The total floor area of the proposed second-story residence is 4,257 square feet. The maximum height of the proposed residence is 22.35 feet. The gross lot size is 17,424 square feet and the site is zoned R-1 -12,500. (CHRISTY OOSTERHOUS) Associate Planner Christy Oosterhous presented the staff report as follows: • Advised that the applicant is seeking Design Review approval to allow an 895 second story addition to an existing single-story residence for a total of 4,257 square feet. The maximum height would be 22.3 feet on a 17,500 square foot lot within an R-1-12,500 zoning district. • Reported that building materials would match existing. • Said that the design of this addition minimizes the impacts to views and privacy. The second floor is stepped back and no balcony is proposed. The design also reduces the appearance of bulk. • Added that the neighbor notification templates have been provided from all neighbors. • Recommended approval. Chair Nagpal opened the Public Hearing for Agenda Item No. 2. Mr. Scott Cunningham, Project Designer: Planning Commission Minutes for October 12, 2005 Page 5 • Advised that the current owners are the original builders of this home where they raised their four children. • Said that the structure is a long L-shaped house on a large lot. However, there is not a lot of room to spread out and achieve the floor plan they desired so they went with a second story. • Assured that the same materials would be used for roofing, colors and windows to maintain consistency. • Reported that this neighborhood has a mix of single and two-story homes and they have placed the two-story element of this addition as far from neighbors as possible. • Stated he was available for any questions. Chair Nagpal asked if the front profile/elevation is visible from Ten Oak Way. Mr. Scott Cunningham replied yes. Chair Nagpal asked which elevation would be visible from Ten Oak Court. Mr. Scott Cunningham replied the north elevation. Chair Nagpal closed the Public Hearing for Agenda Item No. 2. Commissioner Kundtz said that the character of the neighborhood from Ten Oak Way is single-story. However, the second-story element of this home is only visible from Ten Oak Court, which is a mixture of single and two-story homes. Commissioner Rodgers said that this home has been designed to minimize bulk using articulation and setbacks. It does not unreasonably interfere with views or privacy. Commissioner Cappello said he was fine with this project as it keeps with the character and feel of this neighborhood and the neighbors are in favor of this project. Commissioner Hunter said she is fine with the proposal and finds it to be very nice. Chair Nagpal said she agrees that there are two-story homes on the Court. Motion: Upon motion of Commissioner Hunter, seconded by Commissioner Kundtz, the Planning Commission granted Design Review Approval (Application #06-043) to construct an 895 square foot second- story addition to an existing one-story single-family residence on a corner lot on property located at 13201 Ten Oak Way, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Cappello, Hunter, Kundtz, Nagpal and Rodgers NOES: None ABSENT: Schallop and Uhl ABSTAIN: None *** Planning Commission Minutes for October 12, 2005 Page 6 DIRECTOR’S ITEMS There were no Director’s Items. COMMISSION ITEMS There were no Commission Items. COMMUNICATIONS Chair Nagpal extended good wishes to Associate Planner Christy Oosterhous who is leaving Saratoga for a new position with the City of San Mateo. She told Christy that it has been a pleasure working with her and that she would be greatly missed. ADJOURNMENT TO NEXT MEETING Upon motion of Commissioner Rodgers, seconded by Commissioner Kundtz, Chair Nagpal adjourned the meeting at 7:27 p.m. to the next Regular Planning Commission meeting of October 26, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. MINUTES PREPARED AND SUBMITTED BY: Corinne A. Shinn, Minutes Clerk