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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-09-2003 Planning Commission Minutes MINUTES SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION DATE: Wednesday, July 9, 2003 PLACE: Council Chambers/Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA TYPE: Regular Meeting Chair Hunter called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Barry, Garakani, Hunter, Nagpal, Schallop, Uhl and Zutshi Absent: None Staff: Director Tom Sullivan, Associate Planner John Livingstone and Assistant Planner Lata Vasudevan PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting of June 25, 2003. Motion: Upon motion of Commissioner Uhl, seconded by Commissioner Nagpal, the Planning Commission minutes of the regular meeting of June 25, 2003, were adopted with minor corrections to pages 3, 9, 15, 17 and 24. (6-0-0-1; Chair Hunter abstained) ORAL COMMUNICATION There were no Oral Communications. REPORT OF POSTING AGENDA Director Tom Sullivan announced that, pursuant to Government Code 54954.2, the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on July 3, 2003. REPORT OF APPEAL RIGHTS Chair Hunter 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. Saratoga Planning Commission Minutes of July 9, 2003 Page 2 *** PUBLIC HEARING - ITEM NO. 1 APPLICATION #03-040 (APN 503-53-030) – TRAN, 13622 Saraview Drive: Continued from 5/28/03 Public Hearing. Request for Design Review approval to construct a new single-story home that will have a maximum height of 21 feet, 5 inches. The total floor area of the new home with an attached three-car garage will be 4,515 square feet. The lot is 20,515 square feet and is located in the R-1- 40,000 zoning district. (LATA VASUDEVAN) Assistant Planner Lata Vasudevan presented the staff report as follows: • Pointed out a technical error in the staff report regarding the total square feet being 4,515 rather than the 4,514 listed. The living space represents 3,846 square feet and the three-car garage is 669 square feet. • Assured that the data was correct in all public noticing. • Reminded that at its meeting of May 28, 2003, the Planning Commission continued consideration of this item to a date uncertain. Issues included the scale of the front entry feature and the inclusion of a carport. • Advised that the applicant has reduced the scale of the entry and modified the scale of the columns. The proposed carport has been eliminated and instead the garage will be for three cars. • Said that the applicant has worked with the neighbors to accommodate their concerns and has obtained their support. • Pointed out two pieces of correspondence expressing concerns about vehicular visibility and said that the applicant has removed the juniper hedge at the corner to help alleviate this concern. • Stated that a Condition has been added that no construction vehicles are to be located within 50 feet of the corners of Saraview and Sarahills Drive. • Said that staff worked with the applicant to limit the maximum height of the structure to 21 feet. • Recommended approval as conditioned. Commissioner Zutshi asked for the height of the entry. Planner Lata Vasudevan replied 18 feet at the apex and 14 feet at the fascia. Commissioner Uhl asked what it was previously. Planner Lata Vasudevan replied 20 feet at the apex and 16 feet at the face. Commissioner Barry asked for the height of the rotunda feature. Planner Lata Vasudevan replied 19 feet, having also been lowered. Added that the maximum height of the roof will now be 21 feet. Commissioner Barry pointed out that the impervious surfaces are at maximum allowable levels and suggested the possibility that walkways and/or the driveway utilize pervious pavers. Planner Lata Vasudevan said that this has not been discussed with the applicant but that it would be possible to use pervious pavers in some way. Saratoga Planning Commission Minutes of July 9, 2003 Page 3 Commissioner Uhl asked why staff has decided upon 21 feet as the maximum height to be allowed. Commissioner Garakani said he could explain. He said that the height limitation at 21 feet would avoid too flat of a roof pitch. Planner Lata Vasudevan added that staff believes that 21 feet is the maximum height that the lot could handle. Commissioner Uhl asked if it also represents the minimum height that the architectural design could handle. Planner Lata Vasudevan replied correct. Chair Hunter opened the Public Hearing for Agenda Item No. 1. Mr. Tran, Applicant & Owner, 13622 Saraview Drive, Saratoga: • Said that they have reduced the front porch and family room as asked by the Planning Commission and expressed his hope that the Commission is happy with these changes. Commissioner Barry asked Mr. Tran if he would be willing to incorporate some pervious surfaces on his walkways and/or driveway, explaining that pervious pavers would allow water to percolate into the ground while concrete does not. Mr. Tran asked where this was suggested. Commissioner Barry replied either on the driveway or the walkways. Mr. Tran said he would be willing to use pervious pavers on his driveway and that this covers a lot of area. Commissioner Nagpal asked about the pool area. Mr. Tran said that he would prefer solid slab around the pool. Commissioner Garakani pointed out that Mr. Tran may want to match the path leading from the driveway to the front door with the same pervious pavers. Commissioner Uhl asked Mr. Tran to clarify for the Commission that, through conversations with his neighbors, all of his neighbors are now comfortable with the design. Mr. Tran replied yes. Commissioner Uhl asked Mr. Tran how long a conversation was held with each neighbor. Mr. Tran said he spoke with one neighbor for about 45 minutes, another neighbor for about 30 minutes, one neighbor kept his plans to look over for about three days and another reviewed his plans over two days. One neighbor supported him immediately. Saratoga Planning Commission Minutes of July 9, 2003 Page 4 Chair Hunter closed the Public Hearing for Agenda Item No. 1. Commissioner Garakani said that the design looks okay. The Commission gave the applicant direction and it was followed, including the changes to the entry, removal of the carport and articulation on the columns. Commissioner Zutshi said that with the reduction in height to a maximum of 21 feet and the use of pavers on the driveway, this project looks fine. Commissioner Barry agreed. Commissioner Uhl said that the project is pushing the limit of the Code and appears bulky for the neighborhood. However, this applicant has spoken with his neighbors and if the neighbors are okay, he can support the project as well. Commissioner Nagpal said that Mr. Tran has met the direction given by the Commission and, with the inclusion of pervious pavers, she will support this proposal. Commissioner Schallop said he would support the project as revised. Chair Hunter thanked Mr. Tran for being so gracious during this process. Said that while she is uncomfortable with this being so big, he has worked to obtain his neighbors’ support. Motion: Upon motion of Commissioner Garakani, seconded by Commissioner Uhl, the Planning Commission granted a Design Review approval to allow the construction of a new single-story residence on property located at 13622 Saraview Drive with the use of pervious pavers for the driveway, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Barry, Garakani, Hunter, Nagpal, Schallop, Uhl and Zutshi NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None *** PUBLIC HEARING - ITEM NO. 2 APPLICATION #03-019 (503-82-027 and 028) – SHARMA, 13095 Paramount Court: Request for Design Review Approval to construct a new one-story 6,141 square foot house with a 2,081 square foot basement on a vacant lot. The gross lot size is 47,288 square feet and zoned R-1-40,000. The maximum height of the residence will be approximately 23.5 feet. (JOHN LIVINGSTONE) Director Tom Sullivan presented the staff report as follows: • Advised that bad data was tied to the City’s GIS map and that as a result noticing labels were erroneous with some property owners not being properly notified. • Said that the City Attorney instructed staff to continue this item and renotice this item properly. • Assured that staff has done so. Saratoga Planning Commission Minutes of July 9, 2003 Page 5 Chair Hunter opened the Public Hearing for Agenda Item No. 2. Motion: Upon motion of Commissioner Barry, seconded by Commissioner Nagpal, the Planning Commission continued consideration of a Design Review application (#03- 019) for a new house on property located at 13095 Paramount Court to the next Planning Commission meeting on July 23, 2003, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Barry, Garakani, Hunter, Nagpal, Schallop, Uhl and Zutshi NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None *** PUBLIC HEARING - ITEM NO. 3 APPLICATION #03-140 (APN 403-27-030) – Appellant: CORSON, Site Location: 18372 Swarthmore Drive: Appeal of an Administrative Decision to issue a Tree Removal permit at 18372 Swarthmore to removed a large Redwood tree. The tree in question is a 161-inch, mature Redwood and is located next to the driveway. (TOM SULLIVAN) (Appellant has requested this item be continued to July 23, 2003.) Director Tom Sullivan presented the staff report as follows: • Advised that the appellant has requested a continuance as he wanted his own Arborist to prepare a report. • Added that it is standard to offer an appellant one continuance. Chair Hunter opened the Public Hearing for Agenda Item No. 3. Motion: Upon motion of Commissioner Zutshi, seconded by Commissioner Garakani, the Planning Commission continued consideration of an Appeal (#03-140) of an Administrative Decision to issue a Tree Removal Permit for 18372 Swarthmore Drive to the next Planning Commission meeting of July 23, 2003, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Barry, Garakani, Hunter, Nagpal, Schallop, Uhl and Zutshi NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None *** DIRECTOR’S ITEMS Director Tom Sullivan advised that a profile on the Planning Commission will be included in the Summer edition of The Saratogan. COMMISSION ITEMS Saratoga Planning Commission Minutes of July 9, 2003 Page 6 Chair Hunter reminded the Commission of the joint meeting with the Heritage Preservation Commission to be held on August 5, 2003, at 9 a.m. at the Historical Museum. Asked for suggestions for discussion items, offering the following herself: Overlay of Village to assure the preservation of its historic character; increasing the Heritage Lane into the Village; and possible creation of a Heritage Tree Society. Commissioner Nagpal suggested that information be provided that would give the Commission a better understanding as to how the list of Heritage Resources was compiled and how projects are handled as far as evaluating them for historic significance. Chair Hunter said that April Halberstadt, the Curator of the Museum, would also be in attendance at this meeting. Commissioner Uhl said he would like to understand how the Planning Commission can support the activities of the Heritage Preservation Commission. Chair Hunter said that she hopes this meeting will be worthwhile and that it represents the first such joint meeting of which she is aware. Commissioner Nagpal said there is value in such interaction between the Planning Commission and the Heritage Preservation Commission. Asked how a site’s potential historic significance is evaluated during project review. Director Tom Sullivan replied that staff uses the CEQA rule of thumb and analyzes any building that is 50 years or older. If staff is unsure of historic significance, the applicant hires a Historic Architect to further evaluate both the building itself and any potential significant events that may have occurred on that site. Chair Hunter pointed out that the small house adjacent to the Historic Museum is believed to be the oldest house in Santa Clara County and that wallpaper inside that structure has been dated between 1850 and 1860. She asked how many Commissioners planned to attend the joint session. All Commissioners indicated an ability to attend the joint Planning Commission/Heritage Preservation Commission meeting on August 5th. Commissioner Barry updated the Commission on the Gateway Task Force, saying that they would be meeting throughout the summer months to follow Council’s policy direction. Advised that they are making progress on the Design Review Guidelines and that lots of pictures will be incorporated into the final product. Commissioner Nagpal asked if Ordinance amendments would follow. Commissioner Barry said that it is considered counterproductive to have different setback standards from the rest of the City. All Commercial setbacks will be reviewed and made consistent. Said that the Gateway Design Guideline document should only encompass specific design issues such as bulk, mass and architecture. COMMUNICATIONS Saratoga Planning Commission Minutes of July 9, 2003 Page 7 Written: City Council minutes from Regular Meeting on May 21, 2003. ADJOURNMENT TO NEXT MEETING Upon motion of Commissioner Garakani, seconded by Commissioner Barry, Chair Hunter adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m. to the next Regular Planning Commission meeting of July 23, 2003, at 7:30 p.m. MINUTES PREPARED AND SUBMITTED BY: Corinne A. Shinn, Minutes Clerk