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Published on 07/31/1995 All articles from this issue

Go 'light on white' says LAH residential design guideline

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By Clyde Noel / Town Crier Staff Writer

The Town of Los Altos Hills adopted its present color board in 1987, but in the past year there has been increasing concern about exterior paint colors on new residences and remodels.

At its May 17 meeting, the City Council directed the staff to prepare a policy outlining when new construction of residences and fences would be subject to color restrictions. It also asked what the Town's color board would allow as an alternative. The discussion followed extensive Planning Commission review of exterior colors and "reflectivity" values.

Dot Schreiner, chairman of the planning commission, suggested the town limit the use of white during the city council's June 21 meeting.

"All the commissioners are in agreement to limit exterior colors on all new construction to 50 percent reflectivity and 40 percent light reflective value for roofs," Schreiner said. "Also, we recommend white trim be limited to window and door frames, eaves and under eaves.

"We are also in agreement that balconies, trellises, columns, garage doors and solid fences not be painted white," he said.

The Site Development Policy adopted by the City Council in 1991 stated the town will make every effort to see that buildings do not dominate the natural landscape.

Los Altos Hills mayor Bill Siegel said the town should be more open about paint colors. "I don't see this town as rural anymore," he said.

Council member Bob Johnson added, "Let's get away from that attitude (limiting colors) and get as close to the color they (homeowners) want."

Council member Sid Hubbard thought the color board was too regulatory and would not support the ordinance. Hubbard and Johnson both concurred that an option be included for choosing a color off the color board.

The following policy was adopted on the use of exterior colors for structures and fences:

• Exterior colors for new structures and remodels, including fences, shall match those colors depicted on the Town's color board. The board is available for viewing at Town Hall and shall exhibit a light reflectivity value of 50 or less. White trim shall be minimized.

Colors and reflective values other than those on the color board may be approved by the town's Site Development Authority. For more information on the matter, call Los Altos Town Hall at 941-7222.