Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-25-1968 Planning Commission Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING CO~4ISSION MINIr£ES TIME: Monday, 25 November 1968, 7:30 P.M. PLACE: City Council Chambers, Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California TYPE: Regular Meeting I. ROUTINE ORGANIZATION A. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Bacon, Crisp, Kraus,.Lively Metcalf, Norton, and Smith. Absent: None. B. MINUTES Con~missioner Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner Crisp, that the reading of the minutes of the 12 November 1968 meeting be waived and they be approved as distributed to the C~minission'sUbject. to the following"'ChangeS'i"' page 2. .add to paragraph 1. .under II. E. UP-160. "The Secretary stated there were no further communications and no one in the audience wished to comment "' page 4. .paragraph 2. . .under III. A. SD-759.. .delete in line 3.. "and a revised tentative p; ...,a~e 6. .paragraph 4.,..line 2..under..V!!.'~'.~]'jCha_n..ge _t~e~'~ord_'~.j"/'."...~'V.~'.Ti "demo.l~6~gn{'~g" to "demOlishing" page 6.'..paragraph 6.. .change to rea~....t.~ .... " " "Chairman Norton suggested the Secretary review the literature and work out a method by ~ich the Subdivision Committee can be informed relative to applications that may include a significant structure that may possibly be demolished "- motion carried unanimously C. PRESENTATION OF AN AWARD BY THE COUNTY PLA~rNING POLICY COMMITTEE. Chairman Norton introduced Dr. Thomas N. Fast who was present to bestow to the Planning Commission the Urban Development Intergovernemental award for meritorious contributions to intergoVernement relations. Dr. Fast stated that this award was presented chiefly because of the ~fforts of Commissioner Kraus and former Commissioner Kasner while"they served on the Planning Policy Committee of Santa Clara County. He further stated that this award w~s presented to the Planning Policy Committee on 24 October i968 by a Regional Administrator of'the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. i~LCOME COmmISSIONER BACON .' Chair~n Norton welcomed newly assigned Commissioner Bacon who was appointed at the City Council meeting of 20 November 1968. Chairman Norton stated that Commissioner Bacon has extensive experience in engineering and engineering management and the Planning Commission is very happy to have him as a member. -1- Planning Commission Minutes - 25 November 1968 - Continued I. Di ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIR~N Chairman Norton explained that the election of a new Vice-Chairman will · fill the vacancy left by the untimely death of Commission Johnson. He further stated that the term will expire at the end of January, 1969 and then declared the nominations open. Comanissioner Smith nominated Commissioner Lively as Vice-Chairman of the ConnniSsion to the end of January, 1969, with Comanissioner Crisp seconding the nomination.-. Commissioner Lively nominated Commissioner Smith as Vice-Chairman of the Commission, with Commissioner Metcalf seconding the nomination.. Commissioner Smith stated he would have to decline the nomination because of his responsibilities as Chairman of the Subdivision Cormmittee. Commissioner Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner Kraus~ that nominations be closed; motion carried unanimously. It was moved by Commissioner.Crisp and Seconded by Commissioner Smith, that'the Secretary be directed to record a unanimous ballot for Commissioner Lively as Vice-Chairman of the Commission until the end of January,~1969; motion carried unanimously with Con=nissioner Lively abstaining. Chairman Norton, on behalf of the Planning Commission, congratulated Cormnissioner Lively. = COI, R.IITTEE APPOINTMENTS Chairman Norton made the following committee apointments: SUBDIVISION COM~MITTEE GENERAL PLAN COM2~ITTEE Commissioner Smith, Chairman Commissioner Lively, Chairman Commissioner Bacon Commissioner Metcalf Co~issioner Crisp Commissioner Smith VARIANCE CO~iTTEE DESIGN REVIEW COMiMiTTEE Con~nissioner Crisp,' Chairman Commissioner Metcalf, Chairman Commissioner Lively Commissioner Kraus Commissioner Kraus Commissioner Bacon ilo PUBLIC HEARinGS A. UP-i58 - Seminaries & Institutes of Religion - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Allendale Avenue - Request for Use Permit to 'Allow a College of Religious Instruction and Worship - Continued from 12 November 1968 The hearing relative to UP-158 ~s re-Opened at 7:45 P~M. Th~ Secretary stated the following residents filed letters in opposition'~o the said application: 1) Mrs. D. L. Shrum 2) Mrs. Bradner L. Hisey 3) Mr. &Mrs. Jack Vance 4) M~. &Mrs. Leland R. Fry 5) Arthur W. Pryde 6) Mr. & M~s. irwin Federman '7) ~. & ~s. John E. Basanese .. 8) Mr. &Mrs. W. Currey 9) Wo R. Scheible 10) LaVell A. Des Bouillons " The Secretary read the letter filed by Mr. & Mrs. W. Currey. The points made against said application in the Currey's letter reflected the opinion of the other letters filed in opposition to UP-158. -2- plannin5 Con~mission Minutes - 25 November 1968 - Continued II. A. UP-158 - Continued Dr. Richard W. Lindford, applicant's representative, was present and stated he had no further com~nents. No one in the audience wished to comment. The Secretary read the Staff Report of 25 November 1968 recommending that UP-158 be denied. At 7:53 P.M. Commissioner Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner Crisp to close the hearing re~ltive to UP-158; motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Crisp moved, seconded by Commissioner Metcalf, that the Staff Report dated 25 November 1968 relative to UP-158 be adopted and that the request for a college of religion be denied in accordance with said report; motion carried unanimously. ~. Chairman Norton pointed out that the residents of Saratoga were not in favor of the West Valley junior College locating in Saratoga, but have now accepted th~ idea; however, the community does not have to accept proposed facilities related to college activities. B. V-320 - Dr. Michael Kowitz, Pike Road - Request for Variance in Connection with Front and Side Yard Setback Requirements - Continued from 12 November 1968 Chairman Norton re-opened the hearing re!ati~e to V-320 at 7:56 PoM. The Secretary read two coxEnunications received from Mr. B. Michael Anderson and }~. and Mrs. MoC. Berg both filed in opposition to the proposed variance. He, also, read a communication received from Mr. George P. Tobin (applicant's attorney) requesting that V-320 be continued to the meeting of 9 December 1968. CommissiOner Crisp 1) stated that Mr. Tobin should meet with the Variance Con~nittee and 2) recommended that, as a matter of courtesy, the continuance requested by Mr. Tobin should'be granted. Chairman Norton directed the Secretary to contact Mr. Tobin and advise him to arrange an appointment with the'Variance Committee. M~. Berg x, ms present and indicated he would like to be notified of any further hearing relative to V-320,. Chairman Norton explained that the.next hearing would be on 9 December 1968 and if anyone had any further questions they could contact the Planning Department. At 8:02 P.M° Chairman Norton closed the hearing for the evening, directed V-320 continued to the meeting of 9 December 1968 and referred same to the Variance Committee. III. SUBDIVISIONS AND BUILDING SITES A. SD-759 - Pete Rajkovich, Prospect Road - Subdivision Approval - 112 Lots - Continued from 12 November 1968 Commissioner Smith stated that SD-759 has been continued several times and the Subdivision Cormnittee met with F~. Emery (applicant's representative) and he stated that the property is now in escrow and should be in new ownership very soon. Planning Commission Minutes - 25 November 1968 - Continued II!. Ao SD-759 - Continued ~ Lambourne representing the applicant, stated that 1) the lengthy negotiations with the State Highway Department relative to this property is the reason for the delay 2) the new owner is now prepared to go ahead with this application 3) a new tentative map should be ready for review at the end of the thirty-day requested extension and 4) the property designated for use by.the State Highway Department has been excluded from further consideration as part of the subdivision. Co..~issioner. Smith 1) stated that M~. Emery, at the time he met with the Subdivision Con.~nittee, indicated that something definite could be presented to the Planning Commission for consideration at the end of thirty-days and 2) recomraended that this matter be continued to the meeting of 23 Dece~mer 1968. Chairman Norton so directed. B. SDR-767 - M.V.S. Company, Saratoga Avenue - Building Site Approval - 1 Lot - Continued from 12 November 1968 Con~nissioner Smith stated that 1) the extension relative to SDR-767 will expire unless the Planning Commission takes some action at this time 2) the revised maps (requested by the Subdivision Committee) have not been submitted and 3) the Subdivision Committee recommends denial of SDR-767. Dr. Warren Sturla, representing the applicant, stated that they just today received the requested map showing the alternate access roads. He then Submitted a letter' granting a thirty-day extension. Comanissioner Crisp stated that 1) the Staff spends a lot of time on applications that remain on the agenda for a considerable length of time and 2) there should be a limit as to how much time can be utilized for a small filing fee. Dr. Sturla stated that 1) they were very anxious to see this application concluded 2) it required considerable time and effort to come up with a complete plan on a project of this scope and size and 3) they have traveled all over the state looking at and comparing different projects of this type. Chairman Norton stated that 1) the Planning Commission did realize the difficulties involved in a plan of this type and 2) SD-767 will be continued to 9 December 1968 since the applicant did submit a letter of extension. C. SDR-788 - lawrence E. Pohl~ Glenmont Drive - BuildinS Site Approval - 1 Lot The applicant was present and stated he had reviewed the proposed conditions of approval and questioned Condition I!-C (underground utilities) stating that the surrounding area is serviced by overhead utilities. Chairman Norton explained that the City's policy is to require underground utilities and the policy is only ~mived when it is the last lot in the area. Co~:-m~issioner Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner Crisp, that the Building Site Co~rmittee Report of 25 November 1968 relative to SDR-788 be adopted and that the tentative raap (Exhibit "A", filed 14 November 1968) be approved subject to the conditions set forth in said report; motion carried unanimously. pian~-~j_!$' Cz,-z~?,~ission Minutes -. 25 November 1'968 - Continued III D. SD-789 - David Arata.~ J~: Montalvo Road - Subdivision Approval - 6 Lots The applicant and his representative, Mr. Harry Lalor of Ruth and Going Engineering Firm, were present ,-',nc] after reviewing th~ pro'posed cc;~iti~Dns ~f approval stated that they I,~. !2!or, in answer to an inquiry from Chair~n Norton and Com=T, issioner l~etca!f, stated that the Montalvo Association had not been contacted ~etative to the subject building site. Chair~.n Norton directed the Secretary to ~il a copy of the proposed conditions of approval stated in the ..' Subdivision Co~ittee Report of 25 November 1968 to the Montalvo Association. Commissioner Smith moved, seconded by Com~is'sioner Crisp, that the Subdivision Co~ittee Report of 25 November 1968, relative to SD-789 be adopted and that the tentative ~p (Exhibit "A", filed 14 November 1968) be approved subject to the conditions set forth.~in said report; motion carried unanimously. E. SDR-790 - Mike Olavarri~ Vickery ~ne - Building Site Approval - 1 Lot Co~issioner Smith explained that i) there were some problems with the access road in connection with this lot and 2) a revised F~p has been submitted but the Subdivision Co~ittee did not receive it in time to review it prior to this meeting; therefore, a continuance ~o 9 Dece~er 1968 is reco~ended. Chairman Norton so directed. IV. DESIGN REVIEW A. A-294 - Grand of California, Prospect Road - Final Design Review - Automobile Supply Store Commissioner Lively briefly reviewed this file and stated that a report was ready. ~. Nielsen, property ~nager for Gran~ Auto, was present and stated he had no further comments. The .Assistant Planner read the Staff Report dated 25 November 1968 recormmending that Final Design Approval be granted for A-294. Commissioner Lively moved, seconded by CoEissioner Metcalf, that the Staff Report of 25 November 1968 be adopted and Final Design Approval be granted for A-294 as sho~ on Exhibit "A-2" and subject to the condi- tions stated in said report; motion carried u~nimously. B. A-299 - Grand of California, Prospect Road - Final Design Review'- identification Sign Cormnissioner Lively briefly reviewed this file and then stated, in answer to an inquiry from Chairman Norton, that the Design Review Cox~,ittee felt that a pole sign would best serve this building and would eliminate a lot of sign work on the building itself. Com_missioner ~aus stated that the applicant has been very agreeable in meeting the requests nmde by the Design Review Com.mittee for re-design of their building. The ~ssistant Planner read the Staff Report dated" 25 November 1968 reco~ending that Final Design Approval be' granted for A-299. -5- Planning Commission Minutes - 25 November 1968 - Continued IV. B. 'A-299 - Continued Connnissioner Lively moved, seconded by Con~missioner Kraus, that the Staff Report dat.ed 25 November 1968 be adopted and Final Design Approval be granted for A-299 as sho~.m on Exhibits "A" and "B" and subject to the conditions stated in said re~ort; motion carried unanimously. RECESS AND RECON~TENE V. CITY COI,~.qCIL REPORT Chairman Norton suggested that a .new schedule for attendance at the City Council meetings, by the Commissioners, be prepared and distributed to the members of the Co~_~nission. Chairman Norton gave a sumx~ary of items reviewed and action taken at the City Council meeting of 20 November 1968 with emphasis on the following items: a) The appointment of Co-~-~-issioner Bacon to the Planning Con~ission. b) The City Attorney's concern that people may put in over-head utility poles prior to applying for Building Site Approval. C) A resolution adopted by the City Council encouraging the County Planning Con~ission to delay installation of power poles through the Saratoga Hills. ~ii~ The Secretary stated that t) County Commissioner Heid tried (unsuccessfully) to discourage approval of the proposed line cutting through the Saratoga Hills 2) the r:~tter comes before the Board of Supervisors. on 10 December 1968 and 3) PG&E feels these poles are necessary to pro- vide the Santa Cruz-Feiton area with badly needed electrical power. Com=~issioner' Metcalf stated that PG&E claims their plans have been known for quite sometime and that they have already secured 65% of the right-of-way. He further stated that 1) the City of Saratoga should do every- thing possible to keep these large poles from marching across the hills-2) the Saratoga Planning Cormmission should request the City Council to bring this matter to the attention of the ·CoUnty· Board of Supervisors 'and"the" Executive Officers of P G & E and 3) if these poles are installed it witl"·be a desecration of landscaping. Com2?.issioner Lively pointed out that roads will =have to be cut through the hills to service these poles and this will eliminate a lot of natural vegetation. After further discussion, Chairman Norton authorized the Secretary to inform the City Council of 1) the deep con- cern of the Planning Com.mission relative to this matter and 2) the Planning'Conm~ission recommendation for effec- · rive control of the landscaping in connection with the proposed power poles. VIo OLD BUSINESS A. SDR-783 - Ross Smith, Oak Street - Reouest for Reconsideration of Conditions - Continued from 12 November 1968 CoF.z~issioner Smith stated that Condition II-B of the Building Site Committee Report dated 28 October 1968 has been re-written; therefore, the Committee has prepared an amended report dated 25 November· 1968. -6- Piannin~ Con~nission M. inutes- 25 November 1968 - Continued Vi. Ao SDR-783 - Continued ~'~. Ross Smith was present and stated that I) he attended the Planning ConL~ission meeting of 28 October 1968 and requested reconsideration of Condition !i-B 2) the amended· report of 25 November 1968 reflects a change in Condition II-B and tb, e .~.same'_ .... :.' requirem,ent fbr an irrevocable offer of dedication for a 30-foot half-street on Oak Street and 3) in paragraph 2. o .of a letter dated !! November 1968 he explained that such a requirement has not been imposed on other residents of the area and 4) he did not feel it was fair to impose Condition !I-C of the amended report of 25 November 1968 on this single lot. Chairman Norton explained that this matter could be appealed to the City Council, but no exceptions have been m~de in similar situations. The Secretary explained that Condition II-C is only a request for an offer of dedication and does not involve an actual dedication at this time. After discussion, Co~aissioner Smith moved, seconded by Connnissioner Crisp, that the original Building Site Co.~nittee report dated 28 October 1968 be revoked and that the amended report dated 25 November 1968 be adopted and the tentative map (Exhibit "A", filed 18 October 1968) be approved subject to the conditions set forth in said report; motion carried unanimous ly. B. SDR-784 - George B° Clark, Houston Court - Request for Reconsideration of Conditions - Continued from 12 November 1968 Con~p. issioner Smith stated that the Con~nittee discussed this matter and feel that the Planning Commission should not deviate from policy in this m~tter; therefore, they recon~nend denial of the subject request. Chair~.~an Norton explained that if the request is denied it will be forwarded to the City Council and the appiicant will have an opportunity to present his request to them at that 'time° Chairn~an Norton, in answer to an inquiry from the applicant, stated that the Cor:,_~ittee did not have an opportunity to inspect the property. ~,~. Clark explained that 1) there were overhead electrical wires on the lot 2) there is an existing pole on the property that would serve no purpose tO him'if'.he".i~stalled underground utilities and 3) it seems unreasonable to require underground utilities for his lot in view of the fact that the neighbors have overhead utilities. Co~issioner Smith stated that if the applicant were permitted to use overhead utilities the additional wires would not improve the situation; however, the Co~ittee will go and look at the site. in view of the foregoing, Chairman Norton directed that SD~-784 be continued to 'the next regular meeting and referred same to the Subdivision Connnittee for further study. C. .G,.EORGIAN. HOiUSi~, Saratoga-Los Gatos Road - Request for Waiver of Underground Requirements - Continued from 12 November 1968 Co~missioner Smith recon'~ended that this m~tter be continued to allow time for the C.?plicant to arrange a meeting with PG&E and the Subdivision Con~nittee. Chairman Norton so directed. -7- Planning Commission Minutes - 25 November 1968 - Continued Vi. D. 'Santa Clara County Flood Control - Request for Approval of Abandonment of Easement - Continued from 12 November 1968 The Secretary briefly reviewed this request and then stated that the Public Works Director had indicated that the City had no objection to the abandonment of the subject easements~ Chairman Norton moved, on the basis of the Secretary's reports.seconded by Co~issioner Smith, that the Pl~'nning Co~T~ission approve the abandop_ment of the easements and that a letter and the Planning Commission Minutes relative to the subject request be for~arded to the Santa Clara County Flood Control District; motion carried with Co..~.issioner Lively abstaining. E REPORT - Re Service Uses in Con~unity Con~nercial (C-C) District Co~n~issioner Smith stated that this report, recon~nending that Plumbing' Shop and Pl,mnbing Contractors, Sheet Metal Shop and Sheet Metal Contractor, and Electrical Repair Shops and Electrical Contractor be added as conditional uses to Section 7.3(b) of Zoning Ordinance NS-3, has been prepared because of the newly established C-V Zone. After discussion, Co~issioner Smith moved, seconded by Cor.qnissioner Crisp, to give the subject report dated 25 November 1968 tentative approval and for~.~rd same to the City Council for their consideration; motion carried unanimous~ F. CONDiTiONAL USES Cons~issioner Smith stated that !) at the request of the City Council the Subdivision Committee has prepared subsection (g) for addition to Article 16, Section 16.3 of Zoning Ordinance NS-3 relative to tightening up the regula- tions on application for Conditional Use Permits such as convalescent homes, nursery schools, and churches in residential zones 2) the new requirement would involve submitting an accurate scale drawing (after required alterations) · of the building which would house ~he proposed use and 3) the Subdivisicn Co~nittee submits the aforementioned recomm~endation for review by the Planning Co~_~nission. Chairman Norton wondered if, by requiring the detailed drawings, the files would be overloaded with a lot of excess paper. Com=~issioner Metcalf stated he ~s not in favor of the proposed regulation and would like more time to study the matter. ChairF~n Norton requested Cormnissioner Smith to ~ite a full report relative to this matter for consideration at the meeting of 9 December 1968. VII. NEW BUSi~ESS A~D!eZNTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE The SeCretary stated that two new amendments to Zoning Ordinance NS-3 have been proposed as follows: h) An amendment to Ordinance NS-3, Article 3 in relation to minimum site area of minimum access street lots, and e.mending Article 10 relating to free-standing signs. Planning-Eommission Minutes - 25 November 1968 - Continued Viio - Ai,~NDME~rS - Continued b) An amendment to the Subdivision Ordinance NS-5 by requiring improvement of corridors, extending time in which to act on tentative maps, and amend- ing definition 'of subdivision. Chair~3.n Norton directed the Secretary to publish a Notice of Hearing for the meeting of 23 December 1968 for the amendment to Zoning Ordinance NS-3 relating to 1) minimum site area of minimum access street lots and 2) free-standing signs. He further directed that the amendment to the Subdivision Ordinance NS-5 relating to corridor lots be referred to the Subdivision Com_mittee for study and a report at the meeting of 9 Dece~er 1968. A.~E~iTTEN None B. Ot~L S.!ppe Lots Com~missioner Crisp stated that he would like to request, on behalf of the Subdivision Com=~.ittee, that an amendment be drafted that would re- quire applicants with lots' With very deep slopes to provide additional property for their buildin~ sit'~'s. Chairmn Norton 1) stated that he appreciated the Subdivision CoEittee giving this mtter their attention and 2) referred the mtter to the Subdivision Co~ittee for a draft after which it can be for~rded to the City Attorney for propert wording. Guests Chairmn Norton acknowledged, with pleasure, the presence of Councilmn F~qer, l~s. Dorothy Parker of the Good. Government Groupd, and Ottenberg of the League of Women Voters. He, also, thanked ~ks. PaCker for the coffee served at recess. ill. ADj'ODY~!,D~NT The Chairman declared the meeting adjourned at 10:10 Respectfully submitted, Stanley M.v Walker, Secretary Saratoga Planning Comission j -9-