HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-24-1962 Planning Commission Minutes CXTY OF SAEATOC, A PLANNIN~ C(R~4ISSION
Time; 7:00 P. M., Nonday, September 24, 1962
Place: Fruitvale School~ Fruitvale Avenues SararoSa, California
Type: Regular Meeting
l, ROUTINE ORGANIZATION.
The meettn~ was called ~o order by Chairman Webster at 7:01 P.
A, R~LL CALL
Present: Ccnnnissioners Anderson~ Crisp, Glenn~ Johnson, Kell~
Webster.
Absent: Co~nissioner Cowley.
B. MIIqU~ES
Connnissioner Crisp moved, seconded by Commissioner Glenn, that the readin~
of the minutes of the meeting of September 11, 1962, be vaived and that.
the minutes be epproved as prepared and submitted to the Connnibsion; motion
carried unan~w~usly.
II. PUBLIC ~ARINGS
The Chairman declared public hearinS, open for the evenin~ at 7:03 P.
A. C-47 - Dr. D. A. Salzbex~, SararoSa Avenue - Request for Chan~e of ZondnS
from R-1-12~500 to R-H-3~O00 - Continued from Se~,~er 11~ 1962
The Secretary read a co~.-~.;~uicatton ~rom the Good Govermnent Group, siSned
by Robert B. Suhr, President, opposin~ this proposed chan~e of zonin~o
~x.~-XA~DER FIELD~ 14120 Shadow Oaks Way, submitted a petition (with siSna-
~ures of six (6) people livin~ in various areas of SararoSa) opposi~ ~his
application for chanSe of zonix~. He stated that he had purchased his
property in the belief that Saratoga mould r~,mtn a lo~ density area and
felt, too, that apartments would take away the rural atmosphere the people
are tryin~ so hard to keep. Chair~mn Webster directed this petition filed
for record,
DAVID BEENAN, 14131 Shadow Oaks Way, submitted a petition (with 24 si~na-
Cures of people livin~ in various areas of SararoSa) opposin~ this pro-
- posed chanSe o~ zoning. He sta~ed that he felt there was an adequate area
in Saratoga zoned for apartments at the present time, and called attention
to articles in ~he Los Ca=os Times-Observer and San Jose l~erenry-Ne~s
with reference to vacancy rates in existin~ apartments in the Seneral area.
Chairman Webster directed the petition filed for record and stated ~hat he
~ould permit in~roduction of ~he two (2) newspaper articles for the sole
purpose of showin~ press treatment of this
Piannin~ Cuu~lsston Minutes - September 24a 1962 - Continued
its As C-47 - Dr~ D~ A~ Salzbe=~
I~RSo RUTH O~ENs 14180 Viceor Places stated that she was opposed ~o havt-S
additional apartments in Saratogas particularly the t~o (2) ami three (3)
story apartsent buildin~s,
RICHARD BENNETT~ 20531 Brookwood Lane, requested that he be allowed to
speak with reference to several applications since it was necessary that
he leave to attend another meetin8~ This request ~as granted, Phc, Ben-
nett stated: ..C~7 -, SALZBERG - l) he is opposed to this proposed eha~e
of zonin~ 2) there are many vacancies in existtn~ rental units in the
general area 3) feels that serious consideration should be given to Con-
dorainjure Apartments, so if this application was chan~ed to "Coudominium"
he ~;ould feel differently...C-49 - FAUGIiT - his statements with regard to
C-47 apply to this application, too...V-222 - SARATOGA IT - there is a
sound basis for the 30~ maxixaum height allowed under Ordinance NS-3 and
with available land area in Saratoga,dessert believe four-story apartments
are needed at this timeosoA-91 - BEllE LITE NEON SIGN COI~PANY - is opposed
to any neon signs in Saratoga,
NRS, DAVID BEEHANs 14131 Shadow Oaks Ways stated that with re~ard to the
need for apartments close to the Village for the benefit of older peoples
she felt these apartments ~ould be too expensive for older people.
DR. SALZBEPa stated 1) he is in sl~reement with people who want to keep
Saratoga attractive and residential 2) the proposed apartments in no way
conflict with this but reinforce and support s-r~ 3) he does not feel
this property is appropriate for single family residential since a home
in this low lyin~ area ~ould be a fishbowl home surrounded by apart~nent
buildin~s 4) the proposed apartments ~ould provide a Country Club atmos-
phere in apar~-= livir~ with the use of au=omebiles'min!mi~edo
LEON HOVIK submitted a newspaper article (San Jose Mercury-News, August 2,
1962) shovlr~ the type apartments planned. He stated 1) he felt that in
Saratoga they must build the type apartanent that would not detract from
the residential atmosphere which already exists 2) the property in ques-
tion does not lend itself to single f~r.~ly residential since the homes
would be well below the level of the street 3) he felt it ~as only fair
that the change of zoni~ he granted since they were asking for the same
zonin~ that already exists on both sides and across the creek. Chairman
Webster directed the newspaper article filed for the purpose of showin~
the type desire proposed by the applicant.
Since there was no one else present who wished to con~nent with regard to
this matter, Co~issioner Glenn moveis seconded by Cvumaissioner Crisp~
that the public hearin~ on C-47 be closed. ."-btion carried una~4rmusly
and Chairman Webster declared the hearin~ closed at 7:42 P. It.
Plannin~ Comtssion Hinutes - September 24~ 1962 - Continued
Ilo Ao C-47 - Dr. D. Ao Salzber~
C~sionerA~ierson stated that the SubdivisionC~.....~ttee had studied
these plans with Dro SalzberS and l~ro Hovik and had found them very at-
tractive and that, oE course~ the property ~ras quite close to the Villa~eo
He said, however, that after givi~ this matter more serious thought~ he
had become concerned about rezonin~ this p_~operty for apartments° He ob-
served that 1) the Plannin~ C~-.-..~ssion had recently recu~nended that the
maltiple zoning, except for that around the Villa~e~ be removed from the
General Plan Nap 2) the City Council adopted this recuw~ndation 3) the
Ccmnission sa~ no need to enlarge the multiple zonin~ around the Village
at that t~m~ 4) he felt it ~ould be a mistelm to add to the multiple
zonin~ in the PillaSs are~ ac this ttrn~ since the existin~ multiple ZOn~nE
appea~ed adequate°
A~ter further discussion, there was a motion.by C~w~issioner Anderson;
seconded by Co~m~asioner Johnson, that the PlanninS C~-~..tssion reconnend
to the City Council that C-47, Dro D° A° Salzber~, request for chan~e
zonin~ from E-1-12,500 to R-~-3,000, be denied ~or the reasons previously
stated by Commissioner Anderson. Roll call vote: Ayes: Co~m~ssioners
Anderson., Crisp, Glenn, Johnson, Hellumand~ebstero Noes: Noun. Absent:
Connnissionor Co~leyo Notion carried unanimouslyo
B° C-~8 - John Rodri~ues, Pierce Road - Request ~or Chan~e o~ Zonin~ from
K-1-40,000 to R-I-40,000 P-D, K-1-40,000 to R-1-20,000 and
R-I-12~00 to R-1-20s000
The public hearin~ on C-~8 ~ras opened at 7:50 Po ~o The Secretary advised
that a Notice of Hearing had been published and there,ere no written
munications on £ile° He briefly reviewed this application, then reed a
Staff Report pertainin~ to this
RALPH RAI~OI~A, representin~ the applicant, explained that the topography
made this chan~e o~ sonin~ desirable in connection with this acreage since
without it some o~ the untural beauty~ould be los~ in cuttin~ into the
hillside°
RONALD KNAPP, 13630 Surrey Lane, stated 1) Saratoga~s present zonir~
is good 2) he felt serious consideration should be given before it is
ehan~ed 3) reconnends ~urther study o~ the matter 4) requested t~?~- £or
the people on Surrey Lane to study the street pattern with regard to Sur-
reylane so they could decide whether or not they wished Co object.
C° J° BRABENACs 1338~ Surrey Lane, requested hxrthe~ expl~n~tion as to
why the topography in this area ~as a problemo l~ro Ramone ~ave a ~urther
explauntion.
I~ L° I. IEKCEII~ 13525 Surrey Lane, stated that it vas~orth~hile, he
to ~ant the chan~e fromR-I-40,000 to R-1-20,000 on one 5 plus acre
parcel to achieve the chan~e ~romR-1-12,500 to R-1-20,000 on the other
~ plus acre parcel° He further stated that he would not like to see a~y
of the large trees removed from the ri~ht-o~-~ay to Surrey Lane°
~un advised that they did not plan to remove any of the large trees,
Pl,nn~n~ Cu__lssion Htnutes - September 24t .1.9.62 .- Continued
IX, B, ~C.-.48 - John Rodri~ues
F~CE HITCBF~, 21100 Saratoga Rills Road, asked if a future connection
~ith Saratoga Hills Road was planned, Mro P~rn~na stated that this was
mentioned at a Subdivision Cou~ittee meeting and the developer was advised
against
Mr, Knapp stated there ~as a dangerous curve and hill at the point the
tentative map 4~-aicates that the new road will intersect Surrey Lane, He
urged that this be given serious consideration;
Co.-.'..lssioner Anderson advised that the City Engineer needed additional
irL~ormatidn in connection with the subdivision (SD-376), so they were not
prepared to take action on this application at this time.. He ~econ~neMed,'
therefore, that the change of zoning application also be continued until
the next meeting,
On the basis of this reco~anendation, Chairman I4ebster directed C-48 con-
tinned until the meetinE on October 8, 1962,
RECESS FROM 8:15 TO 8:30
C, C-49 - Homer J. Faught, Fourth Street (~ildwooa Park) - Request for Change
of _Zonir~ from R-1-15~000 to R-lq-3~000
The public hearing in connection with C-49 ~as opened at 8:31 P, ~l, The
Secretary advised that a Notice of Hearing had been published and there
were no written commun/cations on file, He read a Staff Report pertainin~
to this matter,
The applicant was present and apologized for the lack of a complete set of
plans but advised 1) single story garden apartments were planned with
parking below 2) plans were to excavate for the parking 3) these will be
rental units, but not low rental because of the lvxury type apartments
planned 4) three bu/ldings are pined w~th approximately 15 two-bedroom
units in each building 5) project will cost in excess of $1,000,000 6)
feels that the apartments must be one-story garden type because unything
else would be incou~atible with the nice residential area nearby,
CHAI~S ROBBINS, 19348 Monte Vista Drive, stated that he was Chairman of
a Citizens C~...~'..tttee on Parks and Recreation which has been in operation
for six (6) months, He said that the Cu..~..lttee was meeting Thursday, Sep-
tember 27th, and that several of the subconnittees would reconnend at that
meeting that Wildwo~d Park be acquired by the City of Saratoga av_A operated
as a park, He ~urther stated that he felt this reconnendation ~ould be a
part of the entire con~nittee~s report to the P!auning Co.'..-.ittee of the City
Council, so requested that no action be ta~:a~.~ which ~ould v,_~_ke it mere
difficult for the City to obtain this propez~y.
14RS, GEORGIA RIDER, 20610 Loreira Avenue, concurred with l~r. Robbins.
Plam~,inR C~leston Y~Lnutee - Sept~r~her 2/,a 1962 - Continued
llo Ce C-49 - Homer J, Fau~ht
DAVID BEENAN, 14131 Shado~ Oaks Way, stated that he felt this request for
change of zonin~ should be denied on the basis rJ~at suf£icient apartment
zonin~ exists in Saratoga at present, since the objectives are to keep
Saratoga a lo~ density area,
~S, RUTH O~NSm 14180 Victor Place~ and ~lS. EVE SYMON, Springer Avenues
concurred ~ith I~,
SA~I HEPaAI~EZ stated r_hat he felt Wild~od Park was a beautiful place and
should be acquired by the City° He further s~ated that ~hile he felt
Saratoga needed apartments~ he felt that the area already zoned for such
~ras adequate,
Since there %ms no one else present who wished to c~ma~ent with ragare to
~his matter, Cov~uissiouer Glenn moved, seconded by Co~issioner Johnsons
that the public hearing on C-49 be closed, 14orion carried unap{~-usly
and Chairmen Webster declared the public hearing closed at 8:45 P. M.
There ms a motion by Co.-...{ssioner Johnsons seconded by Co~missioner Glenn}
that the Planning C~.-..~ssion recommend to the City Council that C-49s Htm~r
J, Faughts request for change of zoning from R-l-15s000 to R-M-3,000s be
denied on the basis ~hat the same reasons and logic stated by Cummission~r
Anderson with regard to C-/~7 also apply to C-49. Roll call vote: Ayes:
Co~=nissioners Auderson~ Crisp, Glenns Johnsons Kellum and ~/ebster, Noes:
None° Absent: C~-.-..tesioner Cowlay° 14orion carried uuan{-~usl~,
D, V-222 - Saratoga Inns Saratoga Avenue - Request for Variance in connection
with Height of Saratoga Inn Apartments ..
The public hearing on V-222 was opened at 8:53 P, I~, ~he Secretary ad-
vised that Notices of H~-~tng had been mixed and there were ns w~itten
cou~nunications on file, He also reed a Staff Report pertaining to this
matter,
JOHN LONG was present to represent Saratoga lm and explained that they
~ould like to build four (4) pnnthonse t~pe apartments so that the roof
of the SARATOGA~ %xould not be visible ~rom Saratoga Avenue,
The Secretary mivised that the ordinance would allow a penthouse of
of the square footage of the ground floor of the building~ but the Variance
was needed to allow enough square footage to add an apartment on each
of the building,
l~r. Long advised that the apartments would be a combination of redwood and
glasss and that additional parkir~ space ~ould be provided,
I~RS° RUTH OWENs 14180 Victor Places stated that she was opposed to the
SEamring of this Variance.
P~ann$.n~ C~-~m~esion liL-mtas - September 24t 1962 - Cont.ir. med
II, D, .V.-222 - Saratoga I~n
C~m~issioner Anderson s~ated that the 30t height restriction was based on
ex~ensive study at the .time the Zoning O~dinance ~ms bein~ drafted and he
felt it would be a mistake to ~rant a Variance to allow a fourstory
ment building. He further stated that he felt it would destroy the rural
atmosphere of Saratoga, so he was opposed to granting the Variance,
There was no one else present ~ho wished to cormneat with regard Co this
matter, so Commissioner Johnson moved, seconded by Connnissioner Crisp,
that ~he public hearing on V-222 be closed. ~otion carried end Chairman
Webster declared the hearing closed at 9:O~ Pc
C~-.....4esiouer Johnson moved, seconded by C~mm4esioner Crisp, that V-222~
Saratoga Inn, request for Variance in connection with height of Saratoga
Inn Apart~nents, be denied on the basis that the findings set forth in
Section 17o6 of OEdinance 1~S-3 cannot be affirmatively ~adeo Roll call
vote: Ayes: Comm4$SionorS Anderson, Crisp, Glenn, Johnson, Kellum and
Webster. Noes: None, Absent: C~..~.issionor Cowleyo 14orion carried
zsrmn~usly,
Chairman Webster declared public hearings closed fo~ the evenin~ at 9~10 Pc 14~
subject to C-~8 being continued until the meeting on October 8, 1962,
Chairman Webster ~elcomed Councilman Drake ~o 2he
llI° .S_~.IVISIONS.A~D BUILDIN~ SITES
A. SDR-3~ - George Go Moustakas, Yessing Road - Building Site Approval -
~ Lots - Con~inued from September llt 1962 .
Co~.m4ssioner Anderson advised that a revised map had been requested but
had not been received°
The Secretary read a letter from the applicantts engineer requesting a 30
day extension in connection with this application to allow adequate time
for revision of the tentative map.
Commissioner Anderson roared, seconded by Connnissioner Crisp, that the 30
day extension of time requested in connection with SDR-373, George Mous-
takas, be granted, the 30 days to begin September 24, 1962. Hotion car-
ried and Chairman Webster directed this matter continued until the meeting
on October 8, 1962o
Bo SD-376 - Jo. hn Rodri~uas& .Pierce Road - S;~.'.,~?~ion - 6~ .~o~s
The Secretary advised that the City Engineer had been unable to provide
the Subdivision C~..~..4ttee with recousn~ndations since he needed additional
information with regard to this application. He explained that there
a question with regard to grades and that the Cl~y Engineer had requested
a statement of policy from the Commission with regard to the 15~ limit.
Plen-4u~ C~nnissicn Ninutes- September 24s 1962 - Continued
Ill, B, SD-376 - John Rodrt~uee
Don llcKays exitnear £or the applicant, stated that they would like to be
able to use a ~rade of 20Z, ~hich an automobile could climb in high gear.
lie explained that this would prevent the severe hillside cuts and enable
them to preserve more trees and natural vaSeration. He advised that ha
had made an appointment ~ith Nr. S~eany to look at various hillside de-
velopments, and invited any of the Ccnr~ esioners who wished to
them. He £u~ther advised that he would like to see each case stand on
its o~n merit~ rather than have a set policy ~eith regard to this matter,
C~ua~lssioner Anderson moved, seconded by Cuu~..lAsioner Crisp, that the
Secretary be directed to advise the City Engineer that they ~ould like to
stay ~ithin the 15Z grade ~aere practical, but ~ould accept mare in un-
usual cases on his reco~uendation and a statement of valid reasons; motion
carried unanimously,
Chairman Webster directed SD-376 continued until the meetin8 on October 8,
1962,
Co .S.D.R-377 - B. Frank Gillette= Norton Road - BuilAin~ Site Approval - I Lot..
Cuu~lssioner A_~4erson advised that the City Engineer had requested ~ur-
ther ir~ormation before coedittontng this applications so recouphanded
that it be continued until the next
On the basis of this recomnendattons Chairman Webster directed SDR-377
continued until the meetinS on October 8, 1962o
D, SDK-378 - Jmnes A~ Rodri~uess Sobe.y Road - Butldtn~ Site Approval - 3 Lots
· he applicant mas present and expressed satisfaction ~lth the proposed
ooedttlons of approvals
~here ~as a motion by Cor~mtsstoner Andersons seconded by Comisstonar
Glenns that the tentative map £or SDR-378 (Exhibit As filed September 14,
1962) be approved subject to the conditions contained in the Butldtn~
Site Cou~lttee Report dated September 24s 1962; motion carried tmau4~u~ly.
IVo .DESIG~ REVIE~
A, A-90 - Jack Co Linda Incos Sarato~a-Sunuyvale Road - ~reliminary Approval -
Conxacrcial Buildir~
l~ro Bern~n ~xas present to discuss this application with the
Cuu~issioner Glenn moved, seconded by Co~mnisstoner Johnsons that prel~mi-
nary architectural approval be Sranted A-90s Jack Co Lind, lnc°s subject
to final architectural approval in compliance ~ith Section 13 o£ Ordinance
HS-3I motion carried ~nnuimouslyo
Planntn;; Cm~ntssion Minutes - September 24~ 1962 - Continued
IVo B, A-91 - Brite Lite Neon Sign C~any; SaratoRn-Los Gatos Roa~ - Des~
Approval - St~n ~ot Saratoga ~rke~ (S & H Green St;} ....
~. Basher ~s present to ~ive f~ther deMils ~th reSard ~ ~his
applicatbn.
C~ss~r Cle~ ~v~, se~ by C~issio~r Jo~n, ~C appeal
be ~r~t~ A-91s Brite LiCe Neon S~n Cobany, as ~o~ on ~ibit A
the pro~t~e siSn ~hi~ ~s ~hibited; ~ion ~rried umi~ly.
V, ~3 BUS~SS
C~imn ~ebster advis~ that C;~eeioner G1; ~d offered his position ~th
the Su~ivision ~-.,.~ttee to newly appointed Co.--~ssioner ~il~r E,
R~ tha~ Co..~Mes~n~ ~1~ ~d ~re~ to acc~t, Because of prior c;~t-
ments~ however, Co~ssioner Kell~ req~st~ that ~e appoin~ent not ~ ~e
prior to October 22~ 1962, C~imn ~ebster, therefore, direct~ C~t
sioner Gle~s ~ be ~thdr~ from the Su~ivision ~ittee a~
sion~ ~l~s ~d~ effec=ive October 22, 1962,
~, 9~ BUSI~SS
A, SDR~371 - H, J, Ste~r~ E1 ~ito Way - Req~st for Reconsiderat~n oE
~itions - Conti~ed Er~ S~t~ber 11~ 1962
~ss~net ~etson read a report E~ the Su~ivision ~lttee per-
taini~ ~o this mtter,
After discussion~ there ~as a ~tion by C~se~ner Crisp~ seco~ by
C~iss~ner ~erson, t~ the rec;~datio~ oi the Su~ivision
~ttee in their r~or~ of Sept~ber 2~, 1962, pertaini~ to SD~-371, H, J,
Ster~rs be adored by the ~lsston; ~tion ~ri~
B, L~letter-To~ten D~e St~ios~ Pro~ec~ Av~ - ~queet for ~itioM1
Pe~tt~ Use in C-N Zon6 - Continu~ ~om September 1!.s 1962,
~, Bradnet ~s present to discuss ~his ~t~er ~thet ~th the
~e repor~ o~ the G~ral Plan C~!ttee ~th reEerence to this ~tt~
discussed by the ~iss~n,
~;issioner Cri~ ~ved~ seconded by C~m,,issio~r Glen, that the report
of ~he ~al Plan C~ittee, dated S~t~er 2~s 1962~ ~ith zeference
to the fewest of the Li~letter-Tot~en Da~e S~ios, be adopt~ by t~
Planni~ C~ss~n; ~tion ~rried
Plauntn~ Ce~ission Minutes - September 2~s 1962 - Continued
VII. COX~IUNICATIONS
A. EElTEEN
1. V-219 - State .,of Cali£otnia. Saratoza-Los Gates Road
The Secretary read a ietter from the State o£ California reSarding
the omission o£ 14r. Alltnger's name from the Ztst of property owners
~ithin 500 feet o£ the property under the subject Variance.
After discussion, Chai~nan Webster directed that the Secretary advise
the State that the Cmission would accept a letter £rom l~r. Allin~er
consenting to the action taken by the Cu~ulssion. 1£ no letter could
be obtained, however, the public hearin~ would be re-opened at the
State ' s expense.
2. SD-308 - Ce Le Longson, Canyon View Drive and Reid Lane - Request
for. Ex~.ension .
The Secretary read a letter from 14r. Longson requesting an extenofon
in connection with SD-308.
There wns a motion by Co.~.~ estoner Andcrsun, secomied by Cu~ss~oner
Johnson, that the request for an extension o£ one (1) year in con-
nection ~Ith 8D-308, C. L. Longson, be ~ranted, from October 9, 1962,
to October 9, 1963; motion carried ,,rmnimously.
CHAXBFAN WEBSTER DECLARED THE ~ETXNG ADJOURNED AT 10:30 P. M.
Respect folly submitted,
Stanley 1~. ~lker, Secretary
Saratoga PlanniD6 C~,~.lssion
v