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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-12-1970 Planning Commission Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA PLAI'~qING CO~.~IiSSION M!NUTS E TL',~: Monday, 12 January 1970, 7:30 P.M. PLACE: City Council Cha;nbers, Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, California 95070 TYPE: Regular Meeting I. ROUTINE ORGANIZATION The meeting was called to order by Chairman Norton. A. ROLL CALL Present: Co~Tmnissioners Crisp, Kraus, Metcalf, Norton, and Smith. Absent: Commissioners Bacon and Lively. B. MINUTES Commissioner Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner Kraus, that the reading of the minutes of the 22 December 1969 meeting be waived and they be approved ascdistributed subject to the following changes: page 4. .under III. SDR-831. . .paragraph 9. . .line 2. . .change the "between" to "beyond"; motion carried unanimously. C. ELECTION The Secretary advised that it was again time to schedule the yearly election of officers for the Planning Commission. Chairman Norton stated that the election of officers for the year 1970 will be held at the meeting of 26 January 1970. II. PUBLIC HEARINGS. A. C-125 - r~te C. Pronger, Lomita Avenue -' Request for Change of Zoning f~om "R-l-10,000" (Single-Family Residential) and "R-i-40,000" (Single- Family Residential) to "R-1-20.O00" (Single-Family Residential~.. Chairman Norton opened the hearing in connection with C-125 at 7:35 P.M. The Secretary stated the Notices of~ Hearing ha~ been mailed and published and then briefly reviewed the subject application. M~s. Noeggerath, realtor, present to represent the applicant, stated that the General Plan of the City of Saratoga calls for "R-i-20,000" zoning for the lots in this area; therefore, the applicant feels that the subject application is appropriate at this time. Mrs. Pronger, the applicant, was present but had no further comments. No one else present wished to comment. Chairman Norton closed the hearing for the evening at 7:41 P.M., directed C.-125 continued to the next regular meeting and referred same to the Sub- division Co~nittee for study. · B. UP-178 - Joanne. Ernandes, Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road - Request for Use Permit to Allow a Day Care Nursery - Continued from 22 December 1969 The hearing relative to UP-178 was ~e-opened at 7:42 P.M. -1- Planning Commission Minutes - 12 January 1970 - Continued II. B. UP-178 - Continued The Secretary stated the applicant did submit 1) a communication stating that bus service will be made available in order to alleviate traffic and 2) some statistical information Which indicates there might be a need for this use in Saratoga. The applicant then read 1) a supplement to her communication affirming that bus services would be provided and containing a request for a change in the originally proposed play area and 2) a letter of recommendation wirtten by MLrs. Jeanne M. Machado, Nursery School Program Instructor .at San Jose City College, and stating that Miss Ernandes would be very capable of offering a beneficial program in the proposed nursery school. Mr. John P. "~rlais~attorney, representing the residents of the area opposed to the subject applicatiox{, stated that 1).. ,he had a petition signed by approximately forty neighb0rs"(~0_.hOuseholdsJ in the vicinity opposing this request 2) the prop6~e'd"nursery school is a commercial endeavor bdt does not require commercial zoning 3) there is no need for a nursery school in this area; therefore, children will be transported from other areas and this will cause an increase in the traffic problem already existing 4) this use would not qualify as a public necessity and is incompatible with the surrounding area and 5) for the reasons stated above the subject request should be denied. The Secretary read the_..petition submitted by ~Lr. Marlis stating the reasons for the neighboring .residents' opposition to the proposed nursery school. Mrs. Helen Eriksson, 13180 Pierce Road, stated that 1) the entrance road to the subject location is most definitely a traffic problem and any increase in traffic would add to the problem and 2) the nursery school located on Cox Avenue presents traffic problems since the parents, in order to pick up their children, park in the street and tie up traffic. The Secretary read the Staff Report dated 12 January 1970 recomm'end~ng that' the subject Use Permit be denied. ' ............... Co~mnissioner Crisp moved, seconded.by Co~mmissioner Metcalf, to close th~ hearing at 7:56 P.M.; motion carried unanimously. CommisSioner Smith moved, seconded lby Commissioner Crisp, that the Staff Report dated 12 January 1970 be adopted and the subject request for Use Permit to allow a nursery school be~'~l'led on the basis that the findings required by Section 16.6 of Zoning Ordinance NS-3 cannot be made and for the reasons stated in said report; motion carried unanimously. C. V-342 - Grand Auto Store, Prospect Road - Request for Variance to Allow Additional Sign Area Chairman Norton opened the hearing relative to V-342 at 7:58 P.M. The Secretary stated the Notices of Hea.ring were mailed and briefly reviewed the subject application. Mr. Barber, present to r~present thle applicant, stated that t-he proposed variance is an attempt to provide some identification on the front of the building. Th~ '~SeCretary explained that the applicant feels that if the variance were grant'ed 'the ex{sting problem of placing signs in the window would be eliminated. Chairman Norton stated there has been concern relative to the broad expan- sion of glass in the subject store and with the interior signs used the entire store could be construed as one large sign. Chairman Norton further stated that'he could see the feasibility of a front identification sign if the applican[ did not already have a free-standing sign which, he felt, should provide sufficient identification. -2- Planning Commission Minutes 12 January 1970 - Continued II. C. V-342 - Continued Commissioner Metcalf stated that .the Grand Auto Store received thelast approval for a free-standing sign' in the City. No one else present wished to con~ent. Chairman Norton closed the hearing for the evening at 8:02 P.M., dire.qt..~.d V-342 continued to the next regular meeting and referred same to the... Commissioner Crisp, on behalf of the Variance Committee, arranged an appointment with Mr. Barber for an on-site inspection for 9:30 A.M. on Saturday, 17 January 1970. III. BUILDING SITES AND SUBDIVISIONS A. SDR-831 -.Ralph Anderson, Q~,ito Road - Building Site Approval - 2 Lots - Continued from 22 December 1969 Chairman Norton explained that the problem existing in connection with this application was whether to cut doom one row of trees or attempt to leave the. trees and only widen the road beyond the trees. .,C~mmisS_ioner Smith read a '~_~b_diViSion'.c~mmit. te_e.'R.ep0~_t_'dat'ed~.i2 re. Commending that 'B~{i~'{'ng Site Approval b_e granted only upon the condition that a 26-foot street to City Standards be constructed on a right'i~fi'Way of 30 to 40-feet offered for dedication to the City. Commissioner Smith then stated that t~e Subdivision Committee, Planning Director, and Public Works Director had visited the site and unanimously agree with the recommendations made in the aforementioned report. Mr_? ..Anderson, applicant, in answer .to an inquiry from Chairman Norton.relative ._.tq..d~._ai_nage,°~tate~ that'l) the access 'road peaks about 15-feet.to .the west .... pf.__h.is property '2)" there is a gentle' slope 'of about 12 to 15~feet and 3) the two lots are in deep enough to take off the additional amount of run-off..~.',~ Mr. Howard B. Bennion, resident of the .area, stated that 1) the applicant lives right across from the Bennion~ residence 2) drainaee may come a little to the east of the subject property a~d does drop doom 3) this causes the homes t° be pushed. Way back and .W.ould not .permi.t a home_.on there .str_e. et .~equirement was .made_~ kng~y-~. only last w_eek and 5) until that time he was aware of only. a_26-f~ot road..Width .requir?ment. Chairman Norton inquired if this proposed building site would hamper the development of the Flatter property located in this area. Commissioner Smith advised that if the road width requirements are not enforced 'it will be difficult to develop the Flatter property.. SUCh deveiop~ ment would furth'er increase the ingress and egress traffic as the separate"'." 15-foot access ~0 tha_t property would not be acceptable for mor. e than .one lot. Mr. Anderson submitted a 'eon~nunic~tion recommending that si~e approval be granted to SDR-831 with the following conditions: t)The access road be widened to 26-feet from the easterly boundary of site 1 to the turn-around. 2) That the City permit a :naximum of two additional lots to be served by the access road. .-3- Planning Co~.mission Minutes - 12 January ].970 - Continued III. A. SDR-831 - Continued 3) That the entire access road be retained as a p~:ivate road, since those served by the access road desire it to remain private. 4) The applicant would agree with the City, as owners of substantial parts of the property served By the access road, that the approximately 20-foot street from Quito to the end of the 40-foot right-of-way would ~j.'· be maintained by those parties involved. 'Mr. Bennion stated that 1) the narrower road with the trees is desirable 2) they (Bonnions) have just completed their new home and were required to provide an 18-foot height fire clearance and 3) a 25-foot front yard .~setback was required and if the road is widened the front yard setback Will be decreased considerably. Mr. Lainpert stated that 1) he was considering the purchase of the No. 2 lot from M~. Anderson and 2) there has been a fire in this area and the fire truck,s were able to get in and out without any problem. Chairman Norton stated that the pr'.oblem of saving the trees was discussed at the last Planning Commission meeting and now the Subdivision Committee has recommended that some. of ~he ·~r~eS on the Hobbs_·property be sacrificed since none of the trees are in very good' condition. Contmissioner Kraus stated that he was in favor of saving these trees but in view of the Subdivision Coxmnittee report and its contents he would have to agree to the cutting of the trees in order to provide access for fire equipment. · The Secretary, in answer to an inq. uiry ·from Chairman Norton, stated the Building Site Committee Report dated 12 January 1970 could be amended to add the following to Condition II-B: "Curb and gutter ·only as required by Director of Public Works." Mr.. Bennion stated that they favor the 26-foOt road width, but do not want curb and gutter since they tend to' create~"a city at'mosphere and they moved · nto this ar. ea in order to live in. a country atmosphere. Chairman Norton advised that if the Public Works Department feels there is going to be a drainage pr~bl~_m then they will require curb and gutter. ~fit. Hobbs, neighbor, stated that 1) there was a mis,understanding in connect' tion with the trees and 2) he would agree that the 'trees come do~,m only on one side of the street, but he would not permit them to take them all down on his side. Mr. Neil Cabrinha, Quito Road, stated that 1) he wa...s about to enter into a purchase agreement with ~Er. Hobbs and 2) he woul~ just as soon have all the. trees stay in their present state. Chairman Norton stated that 1) all' the trees seem to be in the right-of-way 2) the narrowest point of the road bet~:een the tree!s is right at the entrance and 3) the possibility ~of. developing this property ~ithout ,removing any of the trees is remote. Coh,~aissioner Smith stated that ..' · the Subdivision C=ommittee ·considered taking out the least number of trees and if the reco~nenda'.tion made in the Subdivision Committee Report is not accepted then another on-site inspection of the property will be necessary. Chairman Norton stated that 1) the ultimate develop~.nent of this area will include three or four more lots; therefore, additioF~t street widening is needed 2) if the widening of the ~oad is not realized a necessary safety precaution will not be provided and 3) he felt he ~.,~ould have to agree with the recon~mendation made in the Subdivision Committee Report. 24- Planning Conmission Minutes - 12 Jan,,ar ].970 - Continued IIIo A. SDR~831 - Continued Commissioner Smith explained that the Subdivision Committee did recommend that a 26-foot road width be allowed rather than the 30-foot road width recommended by the Public Works Department. Chairman Norton reco~mmended that Condition II·-M be added to the Building Site Committee Report' relative to. SDR-831 as follows: "M. Trees styall be removed on North side only." Commissioner Smith moved, seconded by Commissioner Crisp, that the Building Site Committee Report of 12 January 1970 relative to SDR-831 be adopted ,____a__S ..~men_d- 'ed~ and '~hat 'the ten~atiye' map' (Exhibit"'A'3"~"'filed 12 january i970) be approved. s'Ubj'e6t "~'6"[he ~b.4diti'6'ns se't fo'rth' in said'repOr't'and ·adOption of the Sub- division Conn~ittee Report of 12 January 1970 and the recommendations contained therein; motion carried unanimously. B. SDR-832 - David L. Mendenhall,.Mt. Eden Road - Building Site Approval - 1 Lot - Continued from 22 December 1969 Commissioner Smith recomnended that SDR-832 be continued to the next regular r~.meeting to allow time for further study. Chairman Norton so directed. C. SD-835 - Columbus-Founders Savings and Loan Corporation, Arroyo de Arguello - Subdivision Approval - 10 Lots - Continued from 22 December 1969 The. Secretary, in answer to an inquiry from Commissioner Crisp, stated that 1) tile Flood Control District advised that the creek channel in this area is established and would take little channelization 2) the do~:~stream channel has already been improved and it is not offensive and 3) the natural creek has been maintained. Chairman Norton stated that there has been some concern in connection with the lay-out of this proposed subdivision. Commissioner Smith stated that ~r. Falk, applicant's engineer, met with the Subdivision Committee and submitted a revised map showing changed lot lines which did not change tile building pads, but did make Lot 6 conform to the slope density ordinance and 2) the Subdivision Committee recommends that the original map considered at the meeting of 22 December 1969 be approved. ~ir. Falk, applicant's engineer, was present and stated that 1) the applicant would, also, like the original map Exhibit "A" approved and 2) the applicant expressed satisfaction with the proposed conditions of approval as stated in the Building Site Committee Report· dated 22 December 1969. Com2nissioner Metcalf stated that he preferred the second map since it does show Lot 6 complyin~ with the minimum requirement of the slope density ordi- nance.. Chairn.nan Norton indicated .that, he felt, the original map should be approved. Comanissioner Kraus stated that after s~'~ing both m~ps he would, also, reco,.,-nnend approval of the original map. Com=~.issioner Smith moved, .seconded by Co~maissioner Crisp, that the Sub- division ·Committee Report of 22 December 1969 relative to SD-835 be adopted and that the tentative map (Ez~hibit ."A", filed 28 NoVember 1969) be approved subject to the conditions set forthi in said report; motion carried with'- Commissioner Metcalf voting~No:' -5- Planning Commission Minutes - 12 January 1970 - Continued III.' D. SDR-838 - Vincent Figliomeni, Glenmont Driv, e - Buflding Site Approval - 1 Lot The applicant was present-and e>zp~essed satisfaction with the proposed conditions of approval. Co~mnissioner Smith moved, seconded by Co~nissioner Crisp, that the Building Site Co~mnittee Report-of 12 January 1970 relative to SDR-838 be adopted · '?'.... and that the tentative. n~p (Exhibit "A", filed 2 January 1970) be approved subject to the conditions set forth in said report; motion carried unanimously. RECESS AND RECONVENE IV. DESIGN REVIEW A. A-20____~4 - Robert H. Green, Big E, asin Way - Final Design Approval - Co~anercial Building Commissioner Metcalf explained that the e:cisting building is an apartment house and the applicant proposes ~o coni~ert the' g~ound floor of the"building .... into a shopping area with shops and 'still' main[ai'n siX' apartment units in the upper area. Commissioner Metcalf moved, seconded by Con~nissioner r~raus, that the Staff Report dated 12 January 1970 be adopted and that the request to convert the existing apartment building in connection with A-204 be granted Final Design Approval as shox,m on Exhibits "C" and "D" and subject to the condi- tions stated in said report; motion carried unanimo~sly. .B. A-310 - B. T. Galeb, Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road - Final Design Approval - Landscape Plan for Conmaercial ComDlex Commissioner Metcalf stated that 1) the Design Review Committee studied this matter is some detail 2) the Committee feels ~that the architect has done an excellent job in designing. these plans and 3) landscaping could not be required in the front area .(Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road) since the State Highway Department has not yet established their right-of-way along here. ;Con~missioner Metcalf moved, seconded by Commissioner Kraus, that the Staff Report dated 12 January 1970 be ad.opted and that Final Design Approval-be granted for A-3!O as shown on Exhibits "F" and "G" and subject to the condi- tions · stated in said report; motion carried Unanimo;usly. V. CITY COLrNCIL REPORT = Chairman Norton gave a summary of items reviewed' and action taken at the City Council meeting of 7 January 1970 with emphasis on matters of particular interest to the Con~mission. VI. OLD BUSINESS Apar'tment DensitX Commissioner Metcalf stated that 1) he has been approached by some residents of the City in connection with the Franklin apartments on Fourth ~treet and Springer Avenue-who feel that the Planning Commission permitted too great a density as far as this development is concerned 2) in retrospect he regrets that the density was permitted and 3) he {.~ill'neVe~"again vote to approve a ....... 'm~!~".i".L'fa~m~_lY de~e!opment ~,~ith as high a' density. ' ................ . ........... Chairman Norton stated that 1) the literal zoning in the subject area would have allowed a higher' density than is currently being used 2) by allowing the existing density the applicant is able to provide some open-space area 3) these apartments were allowed because it ~as perfectly clear Saratoga needed apartments and 4) he considered these to be reasonable multi-family dwellings. -6- Planning Com_mission Minutes - 12 January 1970 - Continued VII. NEW BUSINESS SDR~831 - Ralph Anderson., quito Road - Request for Reconsideration of Conditiom The Secretary read a communication da~ed 12 January 1970 received from Mr. Ralph Anderson requesting reconsideration of Condition II-B as stated in the Building Site Committee Report dated 12 January 1970 in file SDR-831. Chairman Norton stated that the Subdivision Committee has studied this matter thoroughly and have stated that they feel further study would not alter their recommendation relative to Condition II-B. Commissioner Smith stated that the entire application has been stud~ed more extensively than was necessary. Commissioner, Smith. moved, seconded by Commissioner Crisp, to deny the subject request relative to Condition II-B as stated in the communication submitted by the appliCant;. motion carried' unanimously. VIII. CO~.~UNICATIONS A. I~ITTEN I. Invitation Chairman Norton stated he received an invitation from the Shell Oil Company to visit their hospitality room during the Bing Crosby Pro Am Golf Tournament, but he will not be able to attend and the invitation is available to any Planning Comissioner wishing to attend. 2. SDR-760 - Myra Benson, Boyce ~ne - Request for Extension The Secretary read the request for a one (1) year extension received from David Persing in connection with SDR-760. He then recommended that the subject reques~ ~e referred to the Subdivision Co~ittee. Chairman Norton so directed. 3. Redwood Trees The Secretary stated that a copy of'a letter (original addressed to Giant American Savings regarding their advertisement relative to free redwood trees) received from ~,~s. H. Weaver ~f 12417 Palmtag Drive u~ging all City Planning Commissions to disallow redwood trees to be planted in residential areas. ~ B- O~L 1. People Communication West,..Inc. Commissioner Smith stated that the Subdivision Co~ittee met with'a group called People Co~unication West, Inc. which-was formed to establish a ~op-In Center for the purpose of promoting dialogue and communication · . for people of all ages in a drug free atmosphere. He further stated that 1) a variety of professional people have been active in 'the formation of this group and will be available to advise and council people in need of help 2) this matter is too involved for the Subdivision Committee to handle alone and he would recommend a study session with the City Councii and Planning Commission in order to review this request and 3) a Use Permit application would be necessary for this use. The Secretary stated that 1) in a preliminary statement the City Attorney advised that this use would qualify as a community center and 2) the proposed location (old Cunningham house on Saratoga Avenue) may not be suitable for this use and' the applicant has been informed of this. Commissioner Crisp stated that the representatives of this group reported that the need for a ~op-In Center in Saratoga is urgent. Planning Commission Minutes - 12 Janujry 1970 - Continued VIII. B. ORAL ~ 1. People Communication West~ Inc. - Continued 'Chairman Norton stated that ~hen a formal application is filed a study session will be COnsidered. 2. Guests Chairman Norton acknowledged', with pleasure, the presence of Councilman Sanders, ~. Norman ~rtin of the Prides Crossing Homeo~er~s Association, ~s. Ottenberg of the League of Women VoterS, Mrs. Ruth Owen of the Good Government Group and ~. Hal Schaeffer of the Los Gatos Times Observer. He, also, thanked 'Mrs. Owen for the coffee. served at recess. IX. ADJOUR~NT ' Chairman Nortbn declared the meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M. Respectfully ~ubmitted, Saratoga Planning Commission -8-