Browse archives: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995

Published on 02/03/1997 All articles from this issue

LAH council, planning board spar over housing issue

printer friendly version

By Clyde Noel / Town Crier Staff Writer

The ongoing, often bitter controversy over housing development in Los Altos Hills took center stage at last week's joint meeting of the town's planning commission and city council.

Both bodies met Jan. 29 at Town Hall to discuss key issues that confront residents who come before them with their applications to build homes. The staff is set to come back with a review of a 1991 town policy statement at tonight's Los Altos Hills council meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m.

Town residents have been divided over two prevailing, conflicting concerns. Some residents fear overdevelopment of property and deterioration of the town's rural environment. Others, notably housing applicants, claim housing guidelines are too strict and arbitrary, and that the governing bodies are overstepping their bounds.

The main question set before the boards was: What is the town's purpose in regulating and reviewing house plans?

"Building a house in Los Altos Hills is not a popularity contest," said council member Elayne Dauber. "There is no reason you need 50 people to sign a petition to build a house."

Planning commissioner Steve Finn said, "It's an indication of the problem that we have in the hills. When you have to get 500 names on a petition so you can build a house here, it definitely means you have a problem."

"Nobody should build on a property that impacts the neighbors," Dauber said. "You should view your house in your neighbor's eyes, then there won't be a problem when you build in the hills."

References were made to a questionnaire sent to Los Altos Hills residents in 1989 asking residents if houses were to big, if the setbacks were right, and what they thought of the process.

Longtime planning commissioner Mary Stutz said problems arise when applicants envision their "dream" homes that are designed for a flat acre. "Then they buy a lot in Los Altos Hills that's on a slope and the size of the house doesn't fit," she said.

"We must exercise discretion. That is why we have a planning commission and a council," said council member Bill Siegel. "Otherwise the staff could handle any problem. As early as possible, you should show your plans to your neighbors."

"Newcomers come here from Cupertino, Mountain View and San Jose because they want bigger houses," planning commissioner Emily Chang said. "The Asians have the most problems. They meet the ordinances and neighbors complain they don't like the house. Maybe we should let the neighbors create the house they would like to see."

"We don't have houses approved by neighbors," council member Toni Casey said. "I hope we never will. You can't (discern) who is building a home. We can't discriminate against a developer who builds a 'spec' house in favor of a person who is building their own home."

City attorney Sandy Sloan advised officials to exercise discretion on the land and the use of the land. Regardless of who owns the property, the ordinance applies the same to each application, she said.

"The reason I am on the planning commission, I received such a miserable time when I built my house here that I applied for the commission and hoped to make things better," Finn said. "You are bucking what people are asking for."

"We have needed a unified policy ever since 1988," said council member Robert Johnson. "I am skeptical that we can do this and we can't go on because feelings are too strong - we aren't getting anywhere until we compromise a bit. We can't go on battering our heads against the wall."

"We need public input," Casey said. "If you are not on the city council or the planning commission, you don't know what is going on in this town. The best way to come to a consensus is another survey of the residents."

Planning director Curtis Williams advised officials it is critical to operate from the ordinances.

The city council made a policy statement in 1991 that stated each site must be treated separately. After Williams read the statement, the council agreed to have the policy rewritten with a new interpretation by the staff, and then have it presented at tonight's Los Altos Hills council meeting.