HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-08-15 Planning Commission Action Minutes
ACTION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
REGULAR MEETING – 7:00 P.M. – CIVIC THEATER/COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 13777
FRUITVALE AVENUE
ROLL CALL
PRESENT Commissioners Sunil Ahuja, Wendy Chang, Kookie Fitzsimmons, Tina Walia,
Chair Leonard Almalech
ABSENT Commissioners Joyce Hlava and Dede Smullen
ALSO PRESENT Erwin Ordoñez, Community Development Director
Michael Fossati, Planner
Liz Ruess, Planner
COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMISSION & PUBLIC
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action Minutes from the Regular Planning Commission Meeting of June 24, 2015
WALIA/FITZSIMMONS MOVED TO MOVED TO APPROVE THE JUNE 24, 2015 MINUTES. MOTION
PASSED. AYES: AHUJA, ALMALECH, CHANG, FITZSIMMONS, WALIA. NOES: NONE. ABSENT:
HLAVA, SMULLEN. ABSTAIN: NONE.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM COMMISSION & PUBLIC
Oral Communications on Non-Agendized Items
Any member of the Public will be allowed to address the Planning Commission for up to three (3) minutes on matters
not on this agenda. The law generally prohibits the Planning Commission from discussing or taking action on such
items. However, the Planning Commission may instruct staff accordingly regarding Oral Communications under
Planning Commission direction to Staff.
REPORT OF APPEAL RIGHTS
If you wish to appeal any decision on this Agenda, you may file an “Appeal Application” with the City Clerk
within fifteen (15) calendar days of the date of the decision.
NEW BUSINESS
1. APPLICATION ELN15-0008; 18546 Ravenwood Dr (397-43-044) Shahani - The applicant is
proposing a remodel and addition to a legal non-conforming two-story single-family residence. The
project will result in the increase of 876 square feet. The addition consists of a new family room,
kitchen and master bedroom on the first floor. The remodel will convert the first floor study, master
bedroom, and kitchen into two offices and a bathroom. The facades of the new areas have been
designed to match the style, material and colors of the existing structure. The project also includes the
remodel of the porch columns at the front entry. Staff Contact: Justin Shiu (408)868-1230.
Action:
FITZSIMMONS/CHANG MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 15-032. AYES: AHUJA,
ALMALECH, CHANG, FITZSIMMONS, HLAVA, SMULLEN, WALIA. NOES: NONE. ABSENT:
NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE.
PUBLIC HEARING
All interested persons may appear and be heard at the above time and place. Applicants and their representatives
have a total of ten minutes maximum for opening statements. Members of the Public may comment on any item for
up to three minutes. Applicants and their representatives have a total of five minutes maximum for closing
statements.
1. APPLICATION FER15-0001; 19521 Farwell Ave (397-17-012); Mischou - The applicant is requesting a
Fence Exception to install a 5’ tall wrought iron fence and pedestrian gate with 5’-6” veneer stone pilasters
within the side setback along Farwell Avenue. The wrought iron fence and pilasters would continue at the
corner of Farwell & Fruitvale Ave, connecting to the existing wood fence, within the front setback. Along
Farwell Avenue, there would be a five foot wide decorative iron pedestrian gate and a 15 foot wide
decorative iron vehicle gate within the exterior side setback. No native or protected trees would need to be
removed in order to construct the gate or fence. Staff Contact: Liz Ruess (408) 868-1222.
Action:
ALMALECH/AHUJA MOVED TO CONTINUE THIS ITEM TO THE AUGUST 12, 2015
MEETING. AYES: AHUJA, ALMALECH, CHANG, FITZSIMMONS, WALIA. NOES: NONE.
ABSENT: HLAVA, SMULLEN. ABSTAIN: NONE.
2. APPLICATION PDR15-0016; 20700 Verde Vista Ln. (503-58-003); Jiang – The applicant is proposing to
demolish an existing house and construct a new 23 foot, 6 inch tall single-story 4,268 square foot home that
would include a two-car garage and deed-restricted second dwelling unit. Planning Commission design
review is required because the project consists of a new single-story residence over 18 feet in height. No
protected trees are proposed for removal. Staff Contact: Michael Fossati (408)868-1212
Action:
ALMALECH/AHUJA MOVED TO CONTINUE THIS ITEM TO THE AUGUST 12, 2015
MEETING AYES: AHUJA, ALMALECH, CHANG, FITZSIMMONS, WALIA. NOES: NONE.
ABSENT: HLAVA, SMULLEN. ABSTAIN: NONE.
3. APPLICATION PDR14-0022 and FER14-0003; 0 Pierce Road (503-18-002); Hong / Tang - The applicant
is proposing a new 20 foot, 6 inch tall single-story 4,512 square foot home that would include a two-car
garage and deed-restricted second dwelling unit. The project also includes a fence exception to allow a
seven foot soundwall in the front along Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road and portion of exterior side setback along
Pierce Road. Planning Commission design review is required because the project consists of a new single-
story residence over 18 feet in height and a wall taller than three feet within the required exterior side
setback. Nine protected trees are being proposed for removal. Staff Contact: Michael Fossati (408)868-
1212
Action:
ALMALECH/CHANG MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 15-001 WITH AN ADDITION
TO THE CONDITIONS WITHIN THE RESOLUTION TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
PRIOR TO BUILDING PERMIT ISSUANCE, THE APPLICANT SHALL PROVIDE A
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND TRAFFIC PLAN THAT IS REVIEWED AND
APPROVED BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
DEPARTMENT.
A BLOCK SOUNDWALL MAY BE CONSTRUCTION ALONG SARATOGA-
SUNNYVALE AROD, BUT NOT ALONG PIERCE ROAD. THE WALL MAY BE NO
TALLER THAN EIGHT FEET IN HEIGHT AND REQUIRES A LANDSCAPE
MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF SARATOGA.
AYES: AHUJA, ALMALECH, CHANG, FITZSIMMONS, WALIA. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: HLAVA,
SMULLEN. ABSTAIN: NONE:
DIRECTOR ITEMS
Director Ordoñez gave the Commissioners copies of the City Council resolutions of the following:
definition action minutes and length of Commission meeting.
Director Ordoñez updated the Commission on the July 1, 2015 City Council meeting:
Annual Code Update – Adopted
Geo Hazard Zone – 1st reading approved
Tree Ordinance – 1st reading approved; no action taken on suspension of replacement trees
Church of Ascension – BMR requirement removed; Council approved the flexibility to have retreats,
fundraisers and activities in the church.
ADJOURNMENT
ALMALECH MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 10:05 PM. AYES: AHUJA, ALMALECH, CHANG,
FITZSIMMONS, WALIA. NOES: NONE. ABSENT: HLAVA SMULLEN. ABSTAIN: NONE.