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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-16-1983 Planning Commission Minutes CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES DATE: T~'~s;'~'~'-'August 16, 1983 7:30 p.m. PLACE: Community Center Meeting Room, Allendale Ave., Saratoga, CA TYPE: Adjourned Regular Meeting ROUTINE ORGANIZATION Roll Call Present: Commissioners Crowther, Hlava, McGoldrick, Nellis, Schaefer and Siegfried Absent: None PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. UP-537 - St. Andrews Parish, Crestbrook and Saratoga Ave., Request for Modification of a Use Permit to allow playfield equipment and to allow asphalt surfacing and equipment for a playground, including basketball courts, volleyball courts, four square courts, swings and bars, and miscellaneous playground fixtures Staff commented that they have reviewed the submissions that were made last Wednesday and find them to be in order.. They noted that they were recommend- ing approval with the elimination of Conditions 1 and 2 in the Staff Report. They. yeDorted that the neighbors across.the street were notified of the fUl~ The public hearing was opened at 7:37 p..m. Warren Heid, architect, described the proposed Changes. He also discussed the walkway and indicated that this area would be maintained. as requested by the Commission. The corner barrier and cyclone fence were addressed, and Staff commented that the Commission may want to condition the fence to be 4 ft., to be consistent with the existing fence. 'They also suggested that the Commission may want to consider prohibiting organized sports play in the evenings or week- ends. Roger Evans, from St. Andrews School, spoke relative to the fence and organized sports. Discussion followed on putting a limit on the use of the field. It was the consensus of the Commission to not put a limit at this time, and if there are complaints it can be reviewed. It was moved and seconded to close the public hearing. The motion was carried unanimously. Discussion followed on the conditions of the Staff Report. Commissioner Crowther then moved to approve UP-537, per Exhibits "B", "C" and "D", modified to indicate where the asphalt is located, the Addendum dated 8-12-83 and the Staff Report dated 8-4-83, amended to reflect the elimination of Conditions No. 1 and 2 and the following additions:. (1) The' applicant shall enter into a Landscape Maintenance Agreement for th'e pathway area, (2) The fence shall be 4 feet in height, (3) The ball walls may be 12 feet maximum height, and (4) Landscaping shall be added so it is continuous along the cyclone fence on the street side, of a t.ype similar to jasmine. Plants to be approved by the Community Development Department. Commi.ssioner Schaefer seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously 7-0. ADJOURNMENT It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion was carried unanimously, and the meeting ended at 7:54 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Secretary RSS:cd CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING COB~ISSION MINUTES DATE:' Wednesday, August 10, 1983 - 7:30' p.m. · PLACE: City Council Chambers, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA TYPE: Regular Meeting ROUTINE ORGANIZATION' Roll Call Present: Commissioners Bolger, Crowther,' Hlava, McGoldrick, Nellis, Schaefer and Siegfried Absent: None Minutes Commissioner Nellis moved to waive the reading of the minutes of July 27, 1983 and approve as distributed. Commissioner Bolger seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. CONSENT CALENDAR 1. J. Lukes, 18900 Cyril Place, Request 'for Lot Line Adjustment Commissioner Nellis moved to approve the item above listed on the Consent Cal- endar. Commissioner Hlava seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously 7-0. BUILDING SITES/SUBDIVISIONS 2a. Negative Declarati'on SDR-15'41 Carson Heil 2b. SDR-1541 Carson Heil, 14781 Farwell', Tentative Building Site Approval, 1 lot, and Site Modificati'on Approval for addition on over 10% slope Staff reported that the applicant has not provided input that could be trans- mitted to the Sanitary District for their consideration of alternatives, as requested at the last Committ'ee-of-the-Whole. They indicated that it would be appropriate to continue this matter. BeCause of the timeframe, Commissioner McGoldrick moved to deny SDR-1541, subj'edt to receipt of a letter from the applicant requesting a continuance. Commissioner Nellis seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously 7-0. It was directed that this matter be con- tinued to August 24, 1983. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. GPA-83-2-A - Consider Amending the General Plan designation of various parcels Staff explained that 'this'matter has had much review and Item #10 was discuss- ed at the last study session. Discussion wa's held on Item #25 (Napkin Ring), and it was determined that there would bel a separate resolution, GPA-83-2-B to cover this item. Commissi'oner Nellis moved to adopt Resolution GPA-83-2-A, recommending approval to the 'City Council. of all items in the Staff Report dated 8-3-83 except .Item #25, making the necessary findings. Commissioner Hlava seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously 7-0. Commissioner Nellis described Resolution GPA-83-2-B as the item referenced as Item #25 (Napkin Ring) in the Staff Report dated 8-3-83 and moved to recommend approval of that item to the City Council, making the necessary findings. Com- missioner McGoldrick seconded the motion, which was carried 4-3, with Commis- sioners Bolger, Crowther and Hlava dissenting. - 1 - ?lan~ing Commission Page Me~ting Minutes 8/10/83 4a~ Negative Declaration - SDR-1540 - Floyd Gaines 4b. SDR-1540 - Floyd Gaines, Request for'Tentative Building Site.Approval, 4c. A-879 Design Review Approval, and Variance Approval to construct six 4d. V-616 (6) townhouses which maintain a front yard setback of 19 ft. where 25 ft. is required and an 11 ft. retaining wall in the RM-3,000 zoning district at the northerly corner of the Fourth Street Stairway and Oak' Street Chairman Schaefer reported that this item has been at several. study sessions and a public hearing. She noted that the items of concern are (1) retaining' wall material and appearance, (2) Fire Department's request to have two 5 ft. walls, (3) variances, (4) access, and (5) planting strips. It was noted that the project leader and civil engineer had not arrived and this item was continued to the end of the public hearings.. The public hearing was then opened at 8:40 p.m. Sergio Ramierez, project leader, gave a presentation on the landscaping. Dis- cussion followed on the planting of the p.roposed trees and the effect on the wall. Mr. Ramierez offered to submit wr'itten reports from experts in this field. He also discussed the possible 'lowering of the walls and moving the garage. Commissioner Siegfried commented that if the Fire Chief wants '~O~'.~f~·. walls the building would have to be moved.2 ft. The Civil Engineer addressed the material for the wall and indicated that the~ probably would use slump stone.' He discussed the appearance of the wall and also questioned the condition in the Staff Report relat'ive to access. Commissioner Crowther questioned the planting of eucalyptus trees next to a slump stone wall, their survival in that ~location using a plastic cone, and the adequacy of the proposed 6 ft. planting strip. He pointed out that if it is changed to a minimum 10 ft. strip, as recommended by Staff, it would change t'he whole design of the building. Commissioner Schaefer stated that she would like to see ~.a~i~ 6~ some kind ~of natural stone on the wall. Commissioner Nellis indicated that the appearance. land screening of the wall are important tO him and he would like to see the landscape-.~proposal come back to the Planning Commission for formal review. Commissioner Crowther suggested that the ~ity bring in a ~]~Etf.~I.~u'~a'i'.c'o~I.· suitant, paid for.by the applicant, to advise the Commission regarding the plastic cone, survival of trees, type of trees, and ~nsuring that the plans are adequate. Commissioner Hlava commented that if the wall and a reasonable planting strip. cannot be worked out, then the alternative is to redesign the building. Chairman Schaefer summarized that the followi'ng ]has to be further addressed: (1) material and. appearance of the wall, (2) planting strip in between and on top (what plantings and what the change 'to the plans will be), and (3) resolu- tion with the Fire Chief relative to the design of the wall. There was a consensus to have everything come back to the Planning Commission, including the' landscaping, and that a ~!.~0~.~l~'f~j~'~~ consultant will be retained to .review adequacy of the plans submitted by the 'appliCant. Because of the timeframe,'Mr. Ramierez requested a continuance of this matter. and indicated that he would submit a letter to that effect. It was directed that this matter be continued to a study session on Septembe~ 6, 1983 and the~ regular meeting of September 14,'1983. It was not'ed that .th'e applicant can g~t in touch with Staff if they feel they ~ou!d have everything ready at an earlier meeting. 5. A-895 -~C. ThOmas, 14511 Chester Aven~e, Request for Design Review Approval to const'ruct a twO-stor'y Single family residence Staff explained the' application. The public ]hearing was opened at 7:55 p.m. No one appeared to addres's the 'Commission. Commissioner Hlava moved to close the public'hearing. Commissioner'~cGoldrick 'seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously 7-0. Commissioner NelliS moved to approve 'A-895, per' the' Staff Report dated August 4, 19.83 and Exhibits "B", "C" and "D". Commissioner Crowther seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously 7-0. ..~ Pl~h~.)ing Commission Page 3 ~Meeting Minutes 6. A-896 - T. Rose, 14595 Carnelian Glen Court, Request for Design Review Approval to construct an accessory structure where the combined floor area on site would be 5,327 sq. ft. and 4,800 sq. ft. is allowed Staff described the proposal. Commissioner McGoldrick gave an on-site visit report and inqui. red about 'the moving of the pool. The public hearing was opened.at 7:58 p.m. Paul McMullen, landscape architect, clarified that they were taking out the old pool and building it in a new'location. It was moved and seconded to close the public hearing. The motion was carried unanimously. Commissioner Crowther moved to approve A-896, per the' Staff Report dated 8-4-83 and Exhibits "B" and "C". Commissioner Hlava seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously 7-0. 7. A-897 David Myres, Parcel H, Farr Ranch Court, Parker Ranch, Request for Design Review Approval to construct a two-story single family dwelling Commissioner Crowther abstained from the discussion and voting on this item because of pending litigation. The proposal was describe'd' by Staff. They reported that the applicant has submitted a new plan that mitigates their concerns on this project and they recommended that Condition No. 1 be eliminated. They indicated that the appli- cant has also submitted a letter regarding Condition No. 5 relative to the amendment of the CC&Rs, and that is being forwarded to the City Council for approval. The public hearing was opened' at 8:01 p.m. No one appeared to address the Commission. It Wa's moved and seconded to close the public hearing. The motion was carried unanimously. Commissioner Nellis moved to approve A-897, per the Staff Report dated 8-4-83 "C" and "D-l"', eliminating Condition No. 1 Com- and the new .Exhibits "B'-i", . missioner McGoldrick seconded the motion, whicli was carried 6-0, with Commis- sioner Crowther abstaining. : 8. A-899 - Joseph Park, Lot #6-, Tract #5928, Masson Court, Request for Design Review Approval to 'construct.a two-story residence The proposal was described by Staff. They noted that there was a previous application on the site', and th'e new application reduces the amount of grading and has less impact. Commissioner ttlava gave 'a Land Use Committee report. She indicated that there was a fairly steep hill but the 'proposed house fits well into it, and she sees no problems. The public hearing was opened at 8:06 p.m. Dave Wilson described the new roof line and indicated that he would submit plans to reflect this. Marie Rose Gaspar, 14754 Pierce Road, asked for clarification of the location of the house. Staff noted that the location will be precisely as shown on the s·ite plan, which ·is ·approximately 80 ft. from Mrs. Gaspar's property line. Commissioner Hlava also clarified that the property had been staked for their on-site visit, and the proposed home is quite a distance from the property line. Commissioner Hlava moved to close the public hearing. Commissioner Siegfried seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Commissioner Crowther moved to approve A-899, per the Staff Report dated 8-4-83 and Exhibits "B" and "C", subject to receipt of an amended plan, "C-i" showing the roof line. Commissioner Hlava seconded the motion which was carrie~ 7-0. 9. UP-537 - St. Andrews Parish, 13601 Saratoga Avenue, Request for Modification of Use Permit to allow a playground with partial asphalt surfacing where all turf surfacing. was required This item was discussed at the end of the agenda, due to the fact that the applicant was late:. in arriving. Staff explained the application and stated that the applicant had submitted ':Planli-ing Commiss ion Page 4 Minutes 8/10/8.3 UP-537 (cont.) material today which would mitigate the concern of Condition #1. They explained that this is a'modification to the 'plans that wer'e previously submitted by the applicant. The required walkway wa's discussed, and the location of the asphalt and turf was explained.' The public hearing was opened at 9:31 p.m. Roger Evans, of St..Andrews School, explained that the plans were being changed because they now have 'the 'money to upgrade their existing facility. He des- cribed the uses and the 'changes being made. Father Sneary of St. Andrews stated that'they did not intend to restrict the neighborhood children from using the facilities. He commented that the soft- ball use would be no more intense than tllat during the last few years. He .urged the Commission to approve this so that the changes could be compl.eted before the beginning of school. Warren Heid, architect, addressed the previous 'landscape plan and the recent submittal. The p'athway was discussed, and Staff noted that, while the Commis- sion had not required a specific hard surface type of sidewalk or pathway, they did require that an area' be provided. Staff explained that the landscaping has now encroached into that area 100% and the sprinkling system has been installed immediately behind the curb and gutter. 'Therefore soon there will not be a suitable walkway the'r'e, and any approval should include the provision that the material be removed. Mr. Heid commented that this material had been planted in error and it is being removed for 10 feet. The legal noticing to the neighbors was discussed, and it was clarified that it only mentioned the asphalt material and did not mention the additional equip-' ment. Discussion followed on the use. It was the consensus that the use appears to be much more intense wi'th this application and the neighbors across the street should be 'notified accordingly. Bert Toevs, 13120 Via Madronas, urged the Commission to approve this application and stated that he feels it would be an important addition to that area. It was directed that this be 'continued to an adjoined regular meeting on August 16, 1983, and Staff was requested to notify the neighbors of the proposed use and changes. DESIGN REVIEW 10. A-898 Fox and Carskadon Center (formerly Blue Hills Center), Request for Design ReView Approval 'for a 'free-standing sign at the southwest corner Of PrOspeCt. Road and Sarat'oga-'Sunnyvale Road Staff explained the proposal, stating that it wa's not consistent with the sign program approved for the 'site or wi'th wh'at has been approved in that area. They also noted that there is an existing.sign wi'tHin the shopping center that does not conform wi'th the approved sign program. Martin Kramer, representi'ng Fox and Carskadon, gave a presentation on the pro- posed sign and submitted a sample. He 'indicated that they would like to con- tinue with the corporate colors. The height' of the sign was discussed, along .with the height and colors of other appro.ved signs in shopping centers. Commissioner Crowther commented that he feels thi's proposal is not appropriate, especially since thi'S is the entrance to the 'City. He moved to deny A-898, per the Staff Report. Commissioner Hlava seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously 7-0. Chairman Schaefer commented' that she feels the vote is unanimous~'b'ec~s~'.th~' trend has been to much'shorter' signs, less commercial and'more natural looking. Commissioner Hlava added that the Commission might be amenable to having the applicant put their diamond wi'th their lette'ring as their 10go somewhere on a monument sign, but 'not on a pole.' Commis.sioner.Siegfried suggested a mustard color with black letters 'in wood', which would preserve what the applicant is trying to do and would sti'll be a very at.tractive sign. The 10-day appeal period was noted. - 4 - ]~i, an~ng Commission Page 5 ~e~ti:ng Minutes 8/1.0/83 ' MISCELLANEOUS lla. Negative Declaration SDR-213 - Montrol Corporation lib. SDR-213 - Montrol' Corporation, 15065 E1 Camino Senda, Request for Site Modification for the cons.truction of a 13 ft. retaining wall, 2'8'0 s'q. 'ft.' .ga.zebo and 't'hr'ee fish ponds Staff explained the application and gave the history of the site, stating that much of the work was accomplished before .the City was aware of the construction. Commissioner Hlava gave a Land Use Committee report, describing the site and the construction. She' noted that there i's a possibility for some privacy impact to the neighbor, although 'at this time 't~ere 'is a lot of screening. She added that a great deal of grading has been done on this site.- Syl Tully,'civil engineer, explained that the'initial erosion damage was caused by an overburden when the house was 'built and grading materials had been placed over some unsuitable materials. Mr. Tully discussed the project and described the .ponds and the retaining wall. Commissioner Siegfried moved to approve the Negative Declaration for SDR-213. Commissioner Hlava seconded the motion, wh'ich was.carried 6-1, with Commissioner McGoldrick dissenting. Commissioner Crowther moved to approv6 SDR-213, per the Staff Report dated July 20, 1983 and Exhibits "B-i", "C" and "D" Commissioner Nellis seconded the motion, which was carried 6-1, with Commissioner McGoldrick dissenting. She indicated that she was dissenting b~cause 'of~the amount of unnatural materials used and she feels that the repairs could have been made without pouring so much concrete. COMMUNICATIONS Writ-ten 1. Letter from JoSeph 'and Sandra Politi, Requesting Reconsideration of Improvement Agreement for SDR~IZS9. The request was explained by Staff, and it was directed'that thi's item be placed on the 'Consent Calendar for the meeting of August 24, 1983. Oral 1. Commissioner Bolger stated that he had submitted his resignation, effective immediately, because of a conflict with priorities. He explained that he feels there 'should be '100% attendance by Commissioners, and the move of his office to San Francisco makes 'this very difficult. 2. Chairman Schaefer thanked the Saratoga News and the Good Government Group for. attending and serving coffee. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Hlava moved to adjourn to an adjourned regular meeting on August 16, 1983. Commissioner McGoldrick seconded the motion, which was carried ~nanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:S0 p.m. ..full~~ Robert 'S.~Shook Secretary RSS:cd