PC 11/03/76 - Laserfiche WebLink

UP-76-28, Thomas Richert/Casa Verde Nursery - application for a conditional use permit to allow a landscape materials business to be located at 5515 Sunol Boulevard, between the existing nursery and the City sewage treatment plant; zoning for the property is I-P (Industrial Park) District. The staff report was described by Secretary Harris. The Public Hearing was opened. Present at the hearing were Thomas Richert, 14270 Lora Drive, Los Gatos and Larry Billings, 2979 Chardonnay Drive. Commissioner Wood asked staff regarding the size and type of equipment allowed under the original conditional use permit for Case Verde Nursery. Some discussion took place regarding this matter, and Secretary Harris ad- vised that the applicant will be selling materials for landscaping, such as wood for decks, etc. All tools rented would be related to those types of activities. Commissioner Wood then brought up the problem of traffic control in and out of the facility. The other commissioners shared this concern. Staff indi- cated they did consider this problem, but because there is no assurance that this business would be permanent, and since the City does not have definite plans at this time for full improvements of Sunol Boulevard, they were reluctant to make Casa Verde Nursery put in any street improvements. Secretary Harris advised them that any variation from what is before the Planning Commission at this time would entail a new conditional use appli- cation, and depending upon what they are asking for, the new application may require street improvements. Chairman Butler stated that personally, he has no concern regarding use of heavy equipment in conjunction with this materials sales activity and feels the use is appropriate in the industrial area. Commissioner Wood emphasized his concern regarding lack of street improve- ments in the vicinity of the proposed use. Commissioner Doherty had a question regarding Condition No. 6, that a more specific date should pos- sibly be set for street improvements in the vicinity, plus appropriate wording to control access to the property. Mr. Sooby, Director of Engineering Services, stated that it would be staff's desire and understanding that any agreement for improvements would be so written to require improvements in front of the subject site when other improvements are done in the area or when deemed necessary by the City Engineering Department. Deputy City Attorney Levine indicated that approval could be given for the conditional use permit now, or the Commission may want to defer this matter to the next meeting to allow the Engineering Department to discuss this situation with the property owner. Mr. Larry Billings, owner of Casa Verde Nursery, indicated that they have been required to deed some 19 feet of their property for street widening, and would wholeheartedly endorse speed limits along that strip of Sunol -4-