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Published on 08/31/1998 All articles from this issue

News Briefs

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1930s cottage won't be protected

Being quaint and old was not enough.

At its Sept. 1 meeting, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to deny a 1930s country cottage, in an unincorporated corner of Los Altos, a spot on the county's Heritage Resource Inventory.

Neighbors have lobbied for listing the Bane House on the inventory, speaking at hearings and meetings since April. The county's Historic Heritage Commission had voted unanimously to recommend adding it to the inventory.

The property owner, Saratoga developer David Wilson, hired consultant Bonnie Bamburg to evaluate the property's historical value. Following the National Register's guidelines, Bamburg concluded that the "eclectic cottage," which has been "significantly altered, affecting the architectural integrity ... does not represent any category of a recognized style, ... quality of craftsmanship or unique materials."

Wilson plans to tear down the house, which is on a parcel that includes three sub-standard but legal lots, and build "three small houses with front porches," he said after the meeting.

LAH holds meeting on circulation plan

Los Altos Hills will conduct an information meeting at 7 p.m., Sept. 17, at the town hall to review the draft circulation element of the General Plan. The circulation element outlines the town's policies regarding roadway and right-of-way requirements. It must be consistent with town policies regarding pathways and bike routes.

The circulation element has not been updated since 1975. The revision will incorporate the existing scenic roadways element of the General Plan.

Key issues addressed by the updated circulation element include: maintenance and dedication of private roadways; right-of-way widths; and regional traffic problems.

Following this information meeting, public hearings will be scheduled before the town's planning commission and city council.

- Town Crier Staff Reports