CC MIN 1970 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

135 Robert S. Rossman, 11 Springdale Way, Redwood City, ex- pressed a desire for more detail on the proposed amend- ments. At the request of Mayor Bury, the Planning Director reviewed the proposal, pre- senting a series of slides, including graph showing relationship between per- centage of average slope and minimum lot area in square feet, and a number of views illustrating examples of hillside development, which in many cases were austere and lacked imagination in planning. In his comments he noted that the higher the density, the wider streets must be, and felt wide streets were not in keeping with the char- acter of hill areas. He indicated that what the Planning Commission tried to do was to suggest flat areas for smaller lots and that hilly, larger lots would have the same density as under present RH-20 zoning. Another suggestion was clustering of units, which would allow higher density, and still if properly planned would permit an agreeable environment. He indicated flat areas could be reserved for thorough- fares, with access to more remote areas by way of narrower streets. He concluded that the nature of the proposal is to control the character of development in hill areas. Dr. Werner Salinger, 155 Birch Street, stated he had been on the study committee concerning the two matters being con- sidered, noting the Planning Commission concern with pre- serving open space, with which he agreed. However, problems involving streets, soils, slopes, etc., were complex, and he advised of a comprehensive study contracted to private con- sultants by the City of Palo Alto, which he felt would be of value to the City if Council could be persuaded to withhold decision pending results of that study. Councilman Arnett responded that he understood that preliminary reports would be available in phases, but that it would be almost a year before the final completed study is out. He questioned what the study could offer which is not already avail- able through the Planning Commission's efforts. Dr. Salinger acknwoledged that it was possible nothing would be gained, but felt that delaying decision might give an op- portunity to study the local situation in light of the out- come of the Palo Alto study. Councilman Petersen questioned what could be gained by taking information from a neighboring community, in view of effort and time invested by City's own staff in studying our own local problems. Councilman Henderson indicated she was prepared to proceed, but expressed interest in the study by Palo Alto and hoped that Dr. Salinger would, if possible, make such information available to Council and Staff. Mr. Rossman spoke of his many years of arguing in favor of lower density on hillsides, without too much encouragement, so was pleased at the current efforts of the Planning Com- mission and Council. He thought, however, that the propos- als did not go far enough; that since most of the hill pro- perty was already subdivided, it was possible a developer could come along and a density problem would result. He felt more consideration should be given to the proposed ordinance with regard to density standards, and that it might be well to instruct Planning Commission to conduct a general study with the idea of submitting a general plan, followed by a public hearing. He expressed concern that unless there is assurance of density control, it was conceivable that a future Council might be more inclined to make less restrictive decisions as to development than the present Council. He felt the "cluster" developments were acceptable, if regulated as to steepness of slope.