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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-11-1967 Planning Commission Minutes · " SUMMARY OF MINUTES .... . CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION ' '.. . TIME: Monday, 11 December 1967,'7:30.P.M. · ... "l' . 'PLACE: City COuncil. Chambers, Fruitvale AvenUe Saratoga Calif.orni~ .. .I...'ROUTINE ORGANIZATION '.. "..' "'.". Present:.. Commissioners JohnsOn, Kasner., McFail,'Nor, ton,".O'Rorke and. Smith." .. '." "."' .Absent:. Commissioner crisp. ' """ .' ." Commissioner.McFall'moved', seconded by Commissioner Smith that the' ..., . .' .reading Of the minutes of the'27 November 1967 meeting be waived and · .: '.... " that they be 'approved as distributed to the Commission; motion carried ...... : 'II. PUBLIC HEARINGS. .' .... "' '.. A. C-].i0'-. Franklin Homes Company, Fourth Street at saratoga Creek - . ... .Request for Change of Zoning from "R-M-4,000X"' (Multi-' ... .. Family Residentia]) to "R-M-3,000" (Multi-Family Residential) : .. '.:. Chairman' Norton opened the. pUblic hearing .at 7:32'P.M. 'The' Secretary .. .' ..." 1) stated the Notices of Hearing were mailed and a Notice.:w~.s published · '.' 2) briefly reviewed this application 3) read a statement of reason sub- "'.' .... mitted by the applicant and 4) read two (2') communications one received '..' from Mr..A.A. Dempsey (owner o'f the subject property) and .the other' from. .. .= Mrs. Zara van 'Wichen, S~cretary-Y~nager of the Chamb'er of CommerCe both ...- .. .... . filed in support of the subject request · .'..'.. '. " '......The Secretary~ in answer to 'an inquiry from Chairman Norton, stated th'at · " .. 1) R-M-4,000X Zoning required'at least a one. acre'parcel in order to :' "proceed with a development and 2) the .R-M-4,000XZoning requires 4,000 =. ......'. .. square feet =of. site,fbr..:eaUh=dweil~ng.unit. ..... :. Mr. Franklin, th'e applicant, was present.and advised that 1) he is a .... ....' . t. resident of Saratoga 2) this.request is not for a' Change of Zonin~ but '.'..'. .': rather a change in density 3) .a~.zbning:of~R:M-.3,.O00'.".~ouldL.':..= · . .proVide Saratoga with fine apartments 4) fourteen (i4).units' per acre · . .'. '..would .provide.low'density with a large percentage o'f green acreage're- ':'.. " .... ..." maining for a park like appearance 5) this' property is located on ..=....:': ... Fourth Street between Springer and Saratoga. Creek about one-half block .' from downtown Saratoga 6) this property is almost completely surrounded 'by zoning other than.single family residential 7) fencing wi'll be pro- =. . vided.so the residences located on Springer Avenue. will not be disturbed · . 8) traffic on Springer Avenue will not be increased since' the proposed' ..... ~. ..entrances for the subject. development will be On FoUr'th Street 9) a. '.'.. .. '.-. 'crash barrier and a fire'exit is. planned for location'on Springer Avenue ".'..~.'......... 10) other areas were Carefully checked before deciding. upon the subject ' property 11). Sarat'oga needs a'Retirement'DeVelopment rather than a.Con- :. !' dominium because a lot.of the Senior Citizens cannot remain in Saratoga = once they no longer need or want the responsibility that goes with the :....,. ownership.of a .large home 12): Saratoga i's one of the finest communities. ... ... in theBay Area.with. only a'very few apartment dwelling'in the area; .' · ... therefore luxury apartmen~ are feasible and 13) every aspect of the .. entire community was discussed' and it seemed to make sense that an apart- '.."' · -.: ment house of the proposed.design would be suitable for.this area.. 'PlanninS Commission Minutes 11 December 1967 - Continued II. A. C-110 - Continued ' In answer to an inquiry from Chairman NOrton, Mr. Franklin explained ...' '.' .. .. that if the property were developed under the R-M-4,0OOX Zoning it would be. impossible to provide 1) sound proofing 2) cabann area ... · 3) 'extra rooms 4) .lakes 5)" recreational areas and putting green .: .'~. ~.' and 6).the proposed' park areas; whereas, with the R-M:3,000 Zoning .., all the amenities could be.establ-ished. He further stated that the '...' ~.. people occupying these apartments would be good loc'al citizens since · ..... they would Just be moving from their big homes into smaller dwellings. · ' Chairman Norton inquired if the applicant had consi'dered while making. · . ..:.,.... his study the provisions.made for the proposed apartments near Paul '... '.. Masson Winery. " '.'.. Mr. Franklin answered that 1) this had been considered 2). it was .." ':' 'found that with the growth rate experienced by Saratoga more unit8 .. other than the two (2) already mentioned could be Supported' and 3)' the ......:.....'.......... :":~... one .proposed near Paul Mass0n and the subject proposed. development would · be so' far apart they could only be c0mpetitive;' . ' :" .' .. The. Secretary, in answer to an inquiry' from Commissioner O'Rorke,. ......: stated 'there is one other parcel zoned R-M-4,0DOX in this area · .. (adjo'ining the property Under'discussion) but it has never been ' ""."'.';: .". shown on the General Plan since it was zoned that way.'before the .. .... ..,. Citywas incorporated and has been zoned' that way ever since.. Commissioner O'Rorke inquired'about.the type of people that'would be ." .. living in this development. '1 Mr. Franklin answered that 1) the' units.'wOuld be occupied by a) retired : ....... people b) executives and c) eXecutives.with Children who are at'least' · "' '..' fourteen (14) or fifteen (15).years of. age and up..2) .the rentals"would.'_ . ' be approximately $200 to $325 and'3) there will.be.n0 single units.as "... " : .. Mr. Marburg, applicant's architect, 'explained that '1) in order to '..-. . make the prOjeCt interesting it was necessary to break it'up into One .-.' ..... .'.' ' (1) and two.(2);story'structures and 2) the land is sloped in such a .. .. .'.... way that the two (2) story. structures cannot be distinguished from the "" :".' "C' 6ne (1) story structures 3) it would be feasible to'haVe twenty (20) units per acre on the subject property'and 4)'the exhibits' submitted · .'.='.'. .showed the elevations intended for the property.' " Commissioner Smith inquired'if the .number Of uni't's could' he"reduced and' ' ~ .... ' .. ... '1 still produce a feasible'plan. .. " Mr. Franklin explained that 1)'it would not be possible to reduce the ' number'of units since the project would then become financially impractical . : 2) the exhibits presented were the results of several months work.and · "..-. ~'."."':". 3) a contemporary design was considered'for. this'development but then . ... 'it was decided Saratoga is not the place. fOr. contemporary'architecture. ' .." ..~.. Chairman. Norton stated that. the d~signs Shown on the exhibits were mos't impressive, but there still. existed the'question .'of "zoning and what · .~".... :. ....."'l effect the' increased density Would have on the .cof,~f,~nity. .. Mr. Ma'rburg~ architect, stated t~at very'receBtly hi's firm received . .." : an award fo~ planning ~ development very similar to the one. under ... discussion. '. Planning Commission M{nutes - 11 December 1967 - Continued II. A. Cili0 -·ContinUed · · Mr. Franklin, in answer to an 'inqUiry from Chairman Norton, advised ....... '.. . ~.z .. that with the R-M-4,000X Zoning the rentals would be about.S25.00 · ·· ·· more a month but the amenities would be greatly reduced He further ~... stated that the mortgage company would not finance a development with .... ' the present R-M-4,0OOX.' 'L Commissioner.McFall 'stated ~hat 1) the Subdivision. Committee did 'meet ~.... with the applicant 2) the exhibits presented pretty much reflect the · '.""' "'.' . suggestions.made by the Committee 3) the architectural.schemes requested' ... by the Committee seem to blend quite.attractively with the'proposed site' 2"',".'......'."...: .. '.. and 4) the applicant has'been Very Cooperative. """' Chairman Norton stated that since this project would increase density .... . in .the City it should.r'eceive.serious'consideration'. He then closed "'... the hearing (8:05 P.M.) for~the'evening, continued C-ll0'to the next .. · . ...... regular meeting and referred' same· to the Subdivision· Committ'ee'for · , study .... "," ! . .. :' ... B 'Westbrook Improvement Association.- Prospect Avenue - Request to Annex · .-': ..... to the City of Saratoga the West- · ' ,, . brook Area Located.'Along'the North ':: ""' " Boundary of the City West'of Saratoga '.'.. ' Creek - Informal Hearin~" ... '.~" The Secretary stated 1). a Notice of Hearing was published 2) a request .: .... for' c'onsideration had' been Submitted by the applicant 3) 'the' request '..'. .~.. stated that 95% of the residents in the area indicated they are in favor " "' · ' of the annexation 4) eleven letters were submitted by the following 'f. "" " residents Of .Saratoga'stating they were in favor of. the subject request:' ..=.'" ..... ~:. '. a) Mr.. & Mrs..Robert L. Jordan b) Don and Shirley Mauntz ...... .. ...' .c) .Preston Eddy d) Father'Wm. Worrier ..' .... '.j.: e). R. E. Whitney '. ' f) Clyde Wilson .: g) Harry and Susan Mayfield h) . Dr. and Mrs. 'Earl Kading l,"" "=', .',,,, i), Mr's. Jean LaW l.. ])= John D.. McEnoe' ,. .,,'.,. ' ...... ," k) Brookview Home Owners Assoc.iat'ion. ,", .' .... "'.'.' · The 'Secretary then read the communicat'ion received from the Brookview "'.-.'.' " 'Home Owners Association urging favorable consideration for this request. : '." " Mr. Osc~r.Thurner, President. of the Westbrook Improvement AssoCiation, ...'.:;.'.:= " stated .that ']. the request'of the residents of this'area to annex is a very natural desire since most common interests and public'facilities .including a Saratoga postal'address, community athletics, pride in the · ".'" ..... · '.. .community appearance, COunty police protection, septic tanks, 'school · '..: '-.' ....'. 'districts(Brookview Elementary School., Westmont High School and West. ....-.'.. Valley Jr. COllege) are shared with Saratoga residents. ":'.'.":.... ':. He then' presented slides of the'.36-acre area Of Westbrook'showing ...'... ..... : 1) major streets and cul-de-'sacs 2) rural' atmosphere with no'sidewalks .." .. or 'street lights and 3) area map of Fire District shared by Westbrook :.."' and 'Saratoga residents.'. ~. ... '. Mr.' Thurner then stated thae he hoped the. Planning.CommisSion would' · '.-"': .1) agree that Westbrook fits'the character of Saratoga'2) conclude 'there would. be'no serv.ice problems involved since. sChools'and cultural '.' standards are.similar to those. of the Saratoga.neighbors and Saratoga. · '-...'. government' is the sort of government We 'wo.uld 'like for"Westbrook 3) not · decide to leave Westbrook stranded in San JOse.and 4)..bend.the boundary ..... line tO include'Westbrook in the Saratoga community.'.. ': ....'. '.. Planning Co~.~ni:;si~n Minutes - 11 'DecemBer ].967 - Continued ' ..'" ""' "' I!. '. B. Westb'ro0k 'Im~rovement Association - Continued ' ·: . ..z"f. ... Chairman Norton asked what 'l~qrticular advantage would be gained by · ~"'.. - ~.. Saratoga through the annexation Of Westbrook..' " · ' Mr. 'Tt{urner' answered the only outstanding· gain Would be the 'addition' '. ~ .of 92 families to the Saratoga community. '. '. ..."' Mr. Shelley Williams, Saratoga· Realtor as well as Saratoga property · owner and a resident Of.Westbrook, Stated; that 1) he purchased his . "'~" ."..i' ' 'home prior· to the inco'rporation of the City of Saratoga at' about the .' ...../..... '. .. same t~ne as the neighboring areas in Sarato'ga were being.develOped.. ":'." ' "' 2)' the resident's of Westbrook have ·maintained their property beauti-. .... .. ...... ... fully~ fought co~ercial zoning proposed by San Jose, fonned a West- ..~.' ....: .. brook Teen Club, participated in the Prospect Road' BeautifiCation ' ..i .=- .l Project, provided leadership in ~ny'church 'and school groups~. thereby .i i ' ' v integrating their beliefs'.with those of their Saratoga neighbors ... .:" ' · -' =' ...... 3) the Prospect line d0es'see~ like a straight and.logical boundary ... · ' line for Saratoga but 'the people in Westbrook hope this line' can be .. 'moved since the United States .did move their boundaries to annex Alaska · . .'.' "'.7 and Hawaii '4) there· will be no cost involved in annexing Westbro0k .. : . ... .:. .. and if it is annexed, it will bring about $~,000 a year into the City "' .. and the residents of this area ibelieve .in paying their own way.. · ' .. "'..'. · .l."'..... Chainnan·Norton· sta~ed he did not Chink it would be ~ question 'of cost, '.l .. but .ratl~er if this annexation Would 'be good for the city. He then in- .. quired if any county areaS' adjoining this property may ask to be .annexed · ' ~ the subject area is annexed·. = '~"; " ' Mr'. Williams explained ·that in this general area, t'here were only some · ~' '..' "":' -z very ·small' areas· 0f County property. He further e}=plained 'that th'e · .'. "'.. "' residents of Westbrook are intertwined with their saratoga neighbors . · ....' :'for the following reasons: '1) 'low density 2)7 rural atmosphere ."' '=L 3) interest in music 4). mature adult· leadership a~ 5) . colon in- '..' · ' terest in public and official affairs~ He then requested the Planning ~." ..~' ."'.. ..".Co~issiOn to consider seriously and f~vorably the annexation 'Of West- ..... .. · ·.brook .so that 'the c0~unities can go. forward· with their· c~on' interests. "="' i.' '.'..... ~t the request of Chairman'NOrtOn, .. approximately Seventy (70) people stood to show they were in favor' of the"propOsed'anne:=ation. " '.' : .' ,Mr. Tom Harmen~ newly elected ~re~ident of the' Blue ·Hills Home ~ners' · ". .' AssociatiOn,·· stated· that·his organization fully supported the 'annexation " of the Westbrook area. ' ". ... " .. ~''. 1.ir~ David .Shaw, representing the Nortt~ WeSt Saratoga Home .Owners Association, ' .stated that they had much in colon with .the people from Westbrook and are' :' ... .in ~pathy with their'prOposal.and will support it as long as there were ' ='. 7'.~.. "i"." '7. no other reasonable .objectiOns~ other than the Prospect· Road line. ... ' . ": Mr. Bud BeaUdoin, local realtor 'and resident, stated that 1) 'he has · ": always been very interested in the Westbrook area and would like t'0 'go · ..'. '.L. ' '. on record as saying this annexation would be very ·good for Saratoga· ... .. 2) as. a citizen of SaratOga, he would b~ very proud to have Westbrook added .to the City· 3) . he hope'd the Prospect Road line.'itself ·will not · ..~ be the deciding factor . 4). ~the Los Gatos-Saratoga Board of Realtors· consider Westbrook as'part 0f its jurisdiction a~d .5) he hoped the Plan- " ""' 'ning Commission would look with favor on this proposal. .Alice Rawak, 12465 WoodSide Cour't, advised that 1) .in 'the Prospect Road '.. ~" ·area they sometimes feel· li!~e they live· on .the frontier . 2) · 'the residents " 'of 'this area ·have tried: to prese~e Prospect Road as a .reSidential street. :" "Planning Commission Minutes - 1,l December 196~ -:Continued II. B. Westbr00k"tmprovement Association - Continued i~z and have received tremendous'cooperation from the people in Westbrook' '. .3) the people in Wes'tbrook are good neighbors and always willing to " .... cooperate 4) it was a citizen of Westbrook' that conceived the idea ..... ,'. .. .. ...(and convinced. the CoUnty, San Jose and Saratoga) of'the planter media ..-.. for Prospect Road 5) Saratoga. would gain a lot from the type of "...-. citizens that can organize an idea and then persuade three jurisdictions '-'. (Santa Clara County, San. Jose and Saratoga) to agree on it. : ..' '~" }~ Dale Mclntyre, 12462'WoOdside Drive~ and president of Brookview· · ....!... ...: Home O~mers AssociAtion stated that it was impossible to. tell t'he ..... · .. difference when driving from.the Saratoga area where he lived into· .. ... "'. .the attractive Westbrook area. ..: .:'.. ".' . Chairman' Norton then closed the hearing and directed the Info'rmal " .. . . Hearing·on Westbrook Imporvement Association continued to the next regular.meeting and referred same to the General.'Plan Committee for · '.'." Mr.'Thurner then requested that the request for' annexation be continued "' passed the holidays., .... .. .'. .... In view Of the foregoing, Chairman Norton directed·this matter continued ... .... to the meeting of 8 January 1968 and instructed the Secretary'to'call Mr. Thurner when the General Plan Committee is ready with a report and · .' · recommendation. He then thanked all the residents'of the Westbrook area :.' and all the Saratoga residents who came on their behalf for their attend. ':' ' ance at this meeting and the spokesmen for theirexcellent pres'entations. · .:." A..SDR-710 - B. T Galeb SeagUll l~y -'Building Site Approval -'1 Lot'- · :...: .. Continued from 27 November 1967 "' . ".' ' Commissioner' McFall advised that in view of' the fact that the' VarianCe ..' '. .' relative to.this matter is now before the City Council for consideration and ...'. "'. 'j ' ".." "' has been referred to the General Plan .Committee by the City Council He .... :' .' further stated that it'is in the best interest of both the Planning Commission · " .. procedure and the applicant to permit the applicant to r~quest a temporary. withdrawal.' · ' . ..~,-... Mr. Ted Galeb,.the applicant,l'orally requested a temporary withdrawal and ...... stated he ·would submit a letter. confirming his request..·. .... · .: :' .. After discussion Chairman NortOn directed this matter continued off the' .'.. . agenda.until indication is received from the City Council'as to what they· .... ' intend·to do.aboUt the Variance' connection.'with SDR-710. " 'L' IV. DESIGN REVIEW· ' '. · A. "A-267 - Lady 'of Fatima Villa, Saratoga-Los Gatos Road Final Design · ReView - Identification'Si'~n · ' ... The Secretary briefly explained the exhibits'submitted in connection with .. this application and stated that all·the requirements. of the Ordinance have been met.' '. ..'..:-... "... COmmissioner O'Rorke moved, seconded 5y Commissioner Smith, that Final · .. i ..-. De~igni Review be granted for A-267 in accordance with Exhibits "A" and · "B"; motion carried unanimously ... · " -5~ ...... "' Plannin5 Conmission Minutes - 11 December 1967 - Continued " V. CITY COUNCIL REPORT " · ' Chair~n Norton gave a summary on ·items reviewed and action taken at'the· '· City Council meeting of 6 December 1967, with emphasis on items of particular .ii" ' "interest to the Commission. "'" VI. OLD BUSINESS A. A-197 - Church of the· Ascension, ProSpect Avenue·- Request for Review .".:. .' .. . .. of Parkin~ Requirements .- Continhed from 27 November 1967 · ·. ····. ·. COmmissioner O'Rorke stated l) this matter was referred t0 th·e Design · ..... .. . · Review Committee for study 2) . the Secretary, when the bond Was ready · ' ". '." ' '. " to expire contacted the church to notify them of same 3) the repre- sentatives of the church informed the Secretary that sufficient parking :. had been provided.for the seating.capacity allowed by the Fire Marshal '.'" · '. .... .4) the church. received Final Design Approval on the basis.of the plans .. '. .' ".originally submitted 5) the original plans indicated more' parking.than .. 2".'.~ "' is noQ provided 6) the.].and'scape plans were' viol. ated when an.area that. :.'~'..":'."'. 'should have been reserved for green lawn was paved.7) the Design' Review ...... · .. Committee'would like to meet with the applicant. and 8) a.new landscape ..... plan should be submitted by the. applicant. .. "' .... '.'..... " Commissioner Smith stated that' he.could See no.reason for requesting. a .' .... new plan.s'[nce-' one has' already been approved, but apparently ignored. ' Chairman Norton stated he was concerned by the fact that the Planning :. , Commission spends much time to study and'approve these plan only'to ',.. .,'~.. have them violated·so casually·. He then directed A-197 continued 'to the · .L.' .... . ·.·next regular meeting·and referred same to the.Design ReView Committee' ".'..'.:'. ~.'.. for study. ... ..- ,.. B. 'PUBLIC HEARING FOR 'GENERAL PLAN '.' """" "' The Secretary stated that 15 January 1968 would be an appr. oprtate time. · .. '.. .. ... to schedule a public h~aring for the General Plan. . .. ,:.' ·Commissioner McFall stated· that 'he felt the first meeting for .the General ..... · . ': Plan should· be separate from the·regularly scheduled meetings.· .".... "!' Chairman Norton advised that he would not be available On 15 january 1968 : '. if the Final Exams fell due during that week. .He further. stated. he would · .' .check his calendar and contactsthe Secretary ~o 'infOrm him of his schedule.~ · ~... VII. NEW BUSINESS ':.' NONE ..' ':. VIII. COMMUNICATIONS "" ' A. WRITTEN · " .'.. 1. 'RE.QUEST FOR POOL SERVICE - Neale's Hollow "": "' "The Secretary stated that a communication had been recieved .from ....~.. '.'. .'-. Mr. Stone and co-signed bY clarence Neale requesting that.Pool : ...... Supplies and Services be added to the list of'permitted uses in .' '.'. Neale's Hollow. ' " " . :"'i ' After discussion, Chairman Norton directed this ma.tter continued ' "" " 't0 the next regular meeting and referred same'to ~he 'Subdivision " .... · . '. Committee for .study. He further directed that a .public 'hearing' · .. '.be set relative to this request. · .... · planninE Commission Minutes - 11 December 1967 - Continued '. :' VIII. A.. 2. LETTER OF APPREC'IATION" '.. Chairnmn'Norton thanked Eugenia =Walsh.., reporter for the Los- .. ~tos Times Observer,. for a.letter. received from her thanking · .. the Planning Conmission and.the City Council for their cooperation ..... and helpfulness throughout the past year. .. .'- .: "" "': '. . · B. ORAL .. ' " ' ' ' ". . ...'." ..' 1. .VISITOR'S COMMERCIAL · .' CommissiOner McFall stated that the Subdivisio~ Committee " . . ... ':' feels that consideratio~ should be given now to re-zoning .... .'..: for those areas designated Vistor's'CommerCial on the Pre~ ..... . liminary General Plan Map. ... ·: .' .. .. .. .:.': ,,, '. After discussion Chairnmn Norton directed the Secretary. to ... '.' "' prepare an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance providing .for .changing of 'areas to Visit0r's Commercial,.'... """' .. "2'. "MEETING OF 26 D~CEMBER i967' " ' ..' " ' Commissioner McFall suggested that all 'items that might be put on the 26 December 1967 agenda be postponed to the first meeting .... · .. in January of 1968. " The 'Secretary, in answer to an inquiry from Chairn~n Norton, -'. .. .stated that all preparations would have to be made for a meeting ". and it could only be cancelled if'a quorum were not present. '-. ..'. "' Chairman Norton explained that if the meeting is.cancelled due. ..' ..' .'.:. ." to lack of a quorum all matters will be continued to the first. · .. 'meeting in.January and then directed.'the Secretary to notify members of the'Planning Commission if some matter of urgent. .. importance arises .... ... '.' ..." Commissioner O'Rorke.commented that this was indeed the season ..... :" :'.'....".. " to be merry for the Planning Commission since they.reCeived a ..... : fan letter and nowmay.possibly have a.night off from a Planning " CommisSion meeting. '. . .-: · ,.:-:: · :. , ........ . ..' .... :...' : ." '3. GUESTS · : '. Chairman Norton acknowledged, with. pleasure, the presence of .".... ... .. Councilman Robbins,. ~s.. Owen and. Mr. Stepovich'of the Good ...'.".. "' "' .Government Group, Mr'. B. T. Galeb, Mr. Ted Galeb and Mr. Kerwin · . local residents. Mrs. Owen requested ~hat the Good GOvernment '..." . j ... Group be relieved from their. coffee servingduties at the meet- :'.;:' ing of 26 December 1967 ..... "' IX. · ADJOURNMENT · ' =. " · . The Chairman declared'~he meeting adjourned at 9:20 P-M.' · ' .= .'. RespeCtfully submitted, .. " " .... '!. . . . : .. . · . .: ... .' . . · . " . . Secretary "'. .' Saratoga Planning Commission '. '7-