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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-06-1980-Land Development CommitteeLAND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES DATE: Thursday, March 6, 1980 - 9:00 a.m. PLACE: Crisp Conference Room, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA TYPE: Regular Meeting I. ROUTINE ORGANIZATION A. Roll Call Committee Members Present: R. S. Shook, R. S. Robinson, Jr. and Commissioner Laden Staff Members Present: K. Kerdus, D. Trinidad and D. Wimberly B. Minutes The minutes of the February 21, 1980 meeting will be reviewed at the next meeting on March 20, 1980. II. SINGLE SITE APPROVAL PER ORDINANCE NO. 60.05 A. SDR -1449 - Steven Sundquist, Sobey and Ten Acres, Tentative Build - Site Approval - 1 Lot; continued from February 21. 1980 Staff explained that the Committee had reviewed this map at their last meeting and had expressed concern about the amount of grading required for the proposed house and its potential impact on the hillside area. Mr. Sundquist, who had not been present at the last meeting, submitted sketches of his proposed revision to the original three -story structure. He explained that the residence would only be two stories and that the roofline would be 3 ft. lower. The Committee questioned Mr. Sundquist on his design and moved and seconded to approve it in concept, subject to receiving revised drawings clarifying his proposal. The motion was carried unanimously. III. PUBLIC HEARINGS /SUBDIVISIONS A. SDR -1448 - Ronald Haas, Bainter and Austin Ways, Tentative Building Site Approval - 3 Lots; continued from February 21, 1980 Staff stated that a new map had been submitted on the site, showing two lots on one of the existing parcels. This map is being sub- mitted to the Sanitation District and the Water District for their review and, therefore, Staff recommended continuance of this item. The public hearing was reopened at 9:15 a.m. Mr. Mel Wright, of Redberry Drive, requested an answer to his letter to the LDC regarding the 4,000 sq. ft. guesthouse. The Committee explained that the guesthouse may be a moot point, since it was no longer shown on the present map. It was directed that this item be continued to the next meeting of March 20, 1980. B. SDR -1451 - Dr. Norman Baker, Marion Avenue and Springer, Tentative Building Site Approval - 3 Lots Staff explained that the applicant was requesting Tentative Sub- division Approval for three lots at the ends of Marion and Springer Roads in the R -1- 12,500 zoning district. The major concern was the proposed access. Since both Springer and Marion are deadend street - 1 - LDU Minutes - 3/6/80 SDR -1451 (cont.) Page 2 systems with 15 or more lots, the ordinance requires through access. However, the applicant proposed two cul -de -sacs with an emergency access easement to the edge of the subject property. The public hearing was opened at 9:45 a.m. The applicant's engineer, Bill Heiss, stated that the proposed project would be beneficial, in that it would provide a cul -de -sac for the end of Marion Road. Additionally, this project would begin to provide a cul -de -sac or turnaround at the end of Springer. Mr. Eric Livesy, of 20685 Marion, stated that the people on Marion were against any type of through access. Their reasons for the opposition were 1) the narrowness of Marion Road at its entrance to Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road, and 2) the desire to keep a rural type of street rather than a public through road access. Mr. Livesy pointed out that trucks and cars wanting to use the road as through access had been a problem on the street, and that he had been forced to put a chain across his driveway. He also stated that he was against homes being smaller than his on Marion Road. Curt Voester, of Burns Way, stated his opposition to the project. He explained that any development would increase the drainage problems in the area, as the development on Canyon View Drive had subjected the subject property's swale to huge changes in flow. Additionally, the development of the Jim Day parcel had had adverse effects on the drainage. He requested that an EIR be made on the property. He pointed to the severe erosion, the lack of room for emergency vehicles, and the rural environment,with its vegetation, as needing study. Don Bernardo, of 20544 Marion, stated that in 1970 he had moved onto a rural, quiet street. His concern was that his house sits 10 ft. from the road and, with increased traffic caused by a through road, the impact would be great. The emergency access would only lead to condemning land for through access on a street that was not intended to handle through access. He felt that his house would suffer and that the development would unnecessarily ruin the area. Don Swartz, of 14277 Springer, stated that he had spoken with most of the property owners in the area, and that not one person was for through access. He noted that at least 20 cars on the weekend try now to use the street for through access. Mrs. Mary Donovan, of 14231 Springer, stated her opposition to the future dedication proposal shown on the map for Springer Avenue. She said that she and her husband now enjoy a view of the trees, birds and squirrels in the area and the proposal would change that to blacktop. Additionally, they were opposed to any sort of through street. She questioned the Committee as to whether- they could guaran- tee that the emergency access would remain just that. Mr. Shook stated that the Committee could not guarantee that the emergency access would never become a public street; they could only guarantee the intention of the current City Council. Mrs. Donovan then said that, whether the street was emergency or public, she was opposed to a through street. Mr. Livesy added that private trespass law didn't guarantee that you could stop anyone on an emergency access road; you may only ask them to leave. Mr. Shook then stated that the City would have no intent to remove the barrier. The LDC discussed the ownership of both Marion Road and the end of Springer. Mr. Robinson observed that the subject proposal would create homes encircled with pavement. Mrs. Laden stated that the project was infeasible, due to the 15 -lot requirement, as well as - 2 - 1 LDC Minutes - 3/6/80 SDR -1451 (cont.) Page 3 the lack of ability of the applicant to acquire the land required by the roadway conditioning. Dr. Baker, the applicant, stated that Marion now deadends in his front yard. He was proposing to provide a partial turnaround that would be maintained. Additionally, he would not be increasing the density on the street while improving it. He felt it made sense to allow three homes without an emergency access. Mr. Bernardo stated that he had to maintain his road. Mr. Voester added that Dr. Baker had bought the property with full knowledge of the problems involved. Mrs. Laden commented that she felt it was not a developable cul -de -sac. It was moved and seconded to close the public hearing. Mr. Robinson moved for denial of SDR -1451, per previous LDC decisions and based on inconsistency with the General Plan. Mrs. Laden seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The applicant was informed of his right to appeal within 15 days. IV. MISCELLANEOUS A. 23- 18 -59- Ronald Cone, Mt. Eden Road, Review of County Conditions 78S of Tentative Building Site Approval prior to Annexation to City of Saratoga - 2 lots; continued from February 21, 1980 Since no new information had been received on this item, Staff recommended that this item be continued. It was directed that it be continued to March 20, 1980. B. SDR -1348 - Steven McVey (Gilmore), Request for Modification to Site Development Plan - 2 lots; continued from February 21, 1980 It was directed that this item be continued until such time as a revised map is submitted by the applicant. C. SDR -1370 - George Day Construction Co. (Irany), Mt. Eden Road - 1 lot - Request for a One -Year Extension Staff recommended that this item be continued to the next meeting in order for conditions to be developed similar to the recent adjacent site approvals. It was directed that this matter be con- tinued to March 20, 1980. V. ADJOURNMENT It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion was carried unanimously. Kathy K' dut, Secretary KK:cd