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Published on 08/07/1995 All articles from this issue

LAH council rejects policy on limiting circular driveways

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By Clyde Noel / Town Crier Staff Writer

The Los Altos Hill City Council last week rejected planning commission recommendations for limiting circular driveways, noting that such driveways are commonplace in the town and that such limitations go against council philosophy.

Mayor William Siegel and other council members asked Aug. 2 that the staff reflect the council's approval of circular driveways unless there is a safety problem determined by the city engineer..

"I am dismayed at this micro-management," said council member Bob Johnson of the planning commission's proposal.

Council members April 19 requested the planning commission to provide a policy that could be used as a supplement to the town's residential design guideline.

On June 28 and July 12, the planning commission discussed town policy regarding double access driveways with the intent of allowing such driveways. Commissioners offered an eight-point program with the intent of minimizing curb-cuts and decreasing access points for safety reasons.

Council member Sid Hubbard related that more than half of the driveways in the town are circular drives. "A single entrance, where you either back in or back out, ends up with more development area for parking. We don't need this policy outline. The only time double access drives should not be allowed is when we have a safety condition."

"You don't have to prove whether it's better or worse to have a circular drive," Siegel said. "It's up to the staff to determine whether a double access drive is unsafe."

With council approval, Siegel instructed the staff to come up with a policy guideline that allowed double access driveways except when the staff determines there is a safety problem.