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Published on 03/30/1998 All articles from this issue

Commission considers process for design guideline review

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By Joanne Griffith Domingue / Town Crier Staff Writer

Soon folks at city hall will be reviewing the Los Altos residential design guidelines. The "how" and the "when" are still up in the air. But people agree on the need to get started.

"There is a sense of urgency to resolve this," said planning commissioner Chet Frankenfield at the Los Altos Planning Commission's meeting last Thursday.

Two issues are causing particular concern: what makes a consistent neighborhood and what is acceptable for a second-story addition.

If a resident on a street that is primarily single-story 1950s ranch houses wants to add a second-story addition, will that be inconsistent with the neighborhood? How many square feet and what design elements are OK for a second-story addition that allows a house to complement its neighborhood and not be an eyesore?

Neighbors disagree with increasing frequency over the interpretation of the existing guidelines. More appeals than ever are finding their way onto the city council agenda.

The planning commissioners discussed the process for reviewing the guidelines.

"The more public the better," said Planning Commissioner Richard Abdalah. He said he would like to hold public forums.

"Invite people to come and give public input," said Planning Commissioner Penny Lave. She suggested taking a look at ideas "floating around like CC&Rs for certain neighborhoods."

Frankenfield saw a need for "a whole series of meetings to get a good airing with the community."

Planning Commissioner Chairman Jeff Warmoth suggested devoting one or two meetings a month to this. "The planning commission is the right place to hold these public hearings," he said.

Larry Tong, Los Altos planning director, said that right now there is "not a whole lot of (staff) time available to devote to this." Three big projects, 401 Rosita, the North Entry Task Force and the Tree Farm, all are in a "final push" in the next one to two months and require much staff time, he said.

Lave suggested the planning commission could get started anyway, and "get the input. Then staff could add, analyze and make a report. It is important for us to give staff the public point of view before they do their analysis."

The planning commissioners will conclude their discussion of the process for reviewing the city's design guidelines at their April 16 meeting and will send a recommendation to the city council.