Meeting Minutes

Meeting Called to Order, 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers, San Carlos City Hall

1. Meeting Called To Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

Roll Call

2. Roll Call

Advisory: Elizabeth S.R. Cullinan, Planning Director, Stephanie Bertollo Davis, Associate Planner, Kristina Woerner, Assistant Planner, Greg Rubens, Deputy City Attorney

Commissioners: Jo Ann Iwasa, Chair, Steve Prehm, Vice Chair, Alex Phillips, Steve Divney, Lee Thompson

Approval of Minutes

3. Approval Of Minutes

a) Approval of minutes: April 18, 2005 Planning Commission Minutes

M/S Phillips/Thompson to approve the minutes with minor amendments. Motion passed 3:0 with Commissioners Divney and Prehm abstaining.

4. Public Comment

None

Public Hearing

5. Public Hearing

a) Public Hearing for the purpose of hearing and considering all comments of all persons interested in or concerned with the application of Vadim Melik-Karamov, VMK Design Group for Lidia Gronsky (property owner) for a Mitigated Negative Declaration, Grading and Dirt Haul Approval Certificate, Architectural Review, Conditional Use Permit and a Tentative Map pursuant to San Carlos Municipal Code Chapters and Sections 12.08, 15.36, 17.24, 18.116.130 and 18.124 associated with the proposed construction of a new, three-story, eight-unit condominium building at 144/150 Elm Street (APN: 045-312-040).

Chair Iwawa recused herself from this item and Vice-Chair Prehm served as the Chair.

Ms. Bertollo-Davis made a presentation on the proposal.

Vadim Melik-Karamov, VMK Design Group, on behalf of the owners spoke in support of the proposal due to the project’s consistency with zoning and the City’s General Plan, and noted that the front façade is compatible with the neighborhood because upper levels would be significantly setback from the street and minimally visible.

Melissa Chawla, 119 Acacia Court, spoke in opposition to the proposal due to setback, privacy, density, and visual impact concerns.

Mary Loise Snedden, 113 Acacia Court, spoke in opposition to the proposal due to concerns with visitor parking, construction vehicle parking, and excavation and ground stability during construction.

Denise Hart, 128 Elm Street, spoke in opposition to the proposal due to concerns with light, privacy and construction hours.

Andrew Cigolle, 256 Elm Street, complemented City Staff on a thorough project analysis and acknowledged an appropriate trend toward the development of multi-family projects for needed housing.

M/S Phillips/Divney to adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration. Motion passed 5:0.

M/S Phillips/Divney to approve the Grading and Dirt Haul Certificate, Architectural Review, Conditional Use Permit and Tentative Map. Motion passed 5:0.

b) Public hearing for the purpose of hearing and considering all comments of all persons interested in or concerned with the application of Alka Joshi for a Mitigated Negative Declaration, Grading And Dirt Haul Approval Certificate, and Exception Design Control Committee Review, pursuant to San Carlos Municipal Code Chapters 15.36, 18.28, and 18.116 to construct a 3,675 square foot single-family residence, with associated grading of 2,900 cubic yards of earth materials on a vacant lot in the R-1 (Single Family Residential) District at 2911 Appian Way, San Carlos (Assessor’s Parcel Number 050-204-350).

Ms. Kristina Woerner made a presentation of the proposal.

The project Architect presented details of the colors and materials as well as model of the project.

Tom Johnstone, 39 Cobblestone, noted concerns about public notification, size/maneuverability of earth hauling trucks, and damage to the public right-of-way associated with the proposal.

Ina Gottinger, 2821 Majorca Way, expressed concern with inconsistent Staff Report comments on slope stability and lack of existing landscape screening.

Andrew Cigolle, 256 Elm Street, questioned the consistency of proposed regulations for this project versus the 144/150 Elm Street project.

The project Engineer provided details on retaining wall height, storm water retention plans, and soil stability.

Commissioner Iwasa confirmed that Mr. Johnstone was on the public notification list.

Staff outlined the differences between existing soils conditions and project requirements/improvements, noted that varying conditions are appropriate between projects to reflect individual neighborhood characteristics, and stated their opinion that there would no significant solar impact.

In response to Commissioner Thompson’s concern regarding the solar impact finding, Staff clarified that the project was required to be "sensitive" to solar impacts.

Commissioner Divney expressed interest in establishing reduced construction/hauling hours.

M/S Phillips/Thompson to adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the project. Motion passed 5:0.

M/S Phillips Prehm to approve the Grading and Dirt Haul Certificate. Motion passed 5:0.

M/S Philips/Prehm to approve Exception Design Control Committee Review for the project (Motion passed 5:0) with the following modifications:

1. The addition of a requirement for a bond specifically protecting the public right of way for grading and dirt haul and construction vehicles/materials.

2. The modification of the Initial Study to reflect single family residential noise standards and sewer/storm drain capacity references.

3. The limitation of no more than 2,899 cubic years of grading throughout the environmental review and entitlement documents.

4. A revision to finding number four stating the finding that the project is sensitive to solar impacts.

5. The addition of a condition to the Code Compliance Certificate requiring that the approved landscaping be maintained in good condition for the life of the project.

6. The addition of a condition to the Code Compliance Certificate requiring that the applicant submit a revision to the landscape plan incorporating additional Oak Trees to the satisfaction of the Planning Department and South County Fire Authority.

Reports, Correspondence And General Information

Reports, Correspondence And General Information

a) Report on recent City Council actions

Ms. Cullinan informed the Planning Commission that the City Council had supported the recommended Circulation Element with several changes and continued the item to their May 9, 2005 meeting. She also informed the Commission of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation project update presented to the City Council.

b) Planning Commission comments or reports

Commissioner Thompson informed the Commission that the Athletic Field Use Committee met one more time since the last Planning Commission meeting and will continue to meet every Thursday.

c) Correspondence

None.

d) Planning Staff comments, reports and updates of current projects

Staff informed the Planning Commission that a new retail building at 1129 Old County Road was tentatively scheduled for the next meeting.

Public Comment

7. Public Comment

Andrew Cigolle, 256 Elm Street, stated that a 300’ public notice radius may not be sufficient.

Adjournment

8. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m.