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Published on 09/21/1998 All articles from this issue

Letters to the editor

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Claims Civic Association distorts by omission

I am writing about the latest "newsletter" of the Los Altos Hills Civic Association.

I put the word newsletter in quotes, because the paper is a propaganda sheet whose purpose is to destroy the planning process in our town. And it is virtually impossible for the average citizen to see through the misstatements in this sheet, mainly because they are distortions by omission. Let me give some examples.

The sheet raps the town for denying the Kerns their "three- bedroom home on their 21-acre lot with an approved building site." What isn't stated is that:

1) The 21 acres is the side of a cliff. At subdivision (in 1988) the town council recognized at least two possible building sites, a necessity before approving a new lot. It did not approve either. Building sites are not approved at subdivision time.

2) The town council, in 1992, did approve a house on the lower part of the lot.

3) To get to the top would require a 1,100-foot-long driveway with an average slope of about 17 percent and retaining walls in places 12 feet high.

4) Our city engineer and our city planner both strongly recommended denial because, among other reasons, the driveway would cut into an extremely steep slope, and because of the potential drainage problems on such steep terrain.

5) The Kerns have refused to accept the denials of the town council and continue to try to develop the upper lot.

The sheet raps the planning commission for denying the Lambert house on Olive Tree. What it doesn't say is:

1) That the applicants refused to make any changes to their plans at the planning commission. The planning commission was placed in an "approve as is, or deny" situation.

2) The accompanying draft report recommended denial, or approval if changes would be made.

3) The council asked essentially for most of those changes.

4) My "no" vote was based on my belief that applicants should not be allowed to ignore the planning commission. There should have been no need to come to the town council.

I urge all residents to read any publication put out by this "civic" association with a great deal of skepticism. Their track record is perfect in their consistent distortion. Please call council members or staff; look up articles in the Town Crier; ask people who regularly attend council and planning commission meetings before accepting as fact anything that you may read from this organization

Elayne DauberLos Altos Hills council member

Los Altos Hills or Beverly Hills?

The upcoming election for City Council provides a clear distinction in positions between the candidates. Those who are for maintaining balance between community and individual property rights versus those who would abolish the planning commission and pathways committee in favor of unrestricted development.

It has been my pleasure to serve as a planning commissioner in Los Altos Hills for the last year. During that time I have developed a great appreciation, not only for the excellent work that the Planning Commission has accomplished in maintaining a balance between community and individual property rights, but also for the dedication and hard work of the other members of the planning commission who have served far longer than I. While our town staff of professionals does an excellent job of enforcing local building codes there is a great degree of latitude when siting a house so that it meets the design guidelines and is in harmony with the immediate neighborhood. It is in this regard that the planning commission serves its valued role as "neighbors," not paid professionals.

Our town ordinance regarding construction are the most liberal of similar communities on the Peninsula, allowing for house sizes of 6,000 square feet, up to 27 feet in height, and total development area of 15,000 square feet on an acre lot. These structures, if placed on a hilltop or in neighborhoods of predominantly older single-story residences, would easily overwhelm the neighborhood, dominating the landscape to the detriment of the community at large ... hence the need for the design guidelines, and public input at the planning commission meeting.

Integral to the rural atmosphere that makes Los Altos Hills one of the most desirable communities in North America is the interlaced network of meandering paths that allow children, joggers, and equestrians to travel from neighborhood to neighborhood and for access to the open space that surrounds our community.

The choice is simple: Beverly Hills or Los Altos Hills. Thankfully, the candidates have finally made their positions clear. Some want to eliminate the planning commission and abandon the pathways. Others support the planning commission and pathways. The choice is now yours.

Richard A. AurelioLos Altos Hills

Clarification on Matthew Vand case

In a Sept. 15 article, the Town Crier mentioned a letter I wrote to a Santa Clara County judge regarding the case of Matthew Vand. I feel compelled to clarify the contents of the letter.

There was nothing in my letter to vindicate Matthew's inexcusable behavior. I found the incident reprehensible and I was horrified to learn that it occurred in my home. My heart goes out to the young girl and her family. Matthew is being rightfully punished, as he should be.

Matthew was a student at Foothill College when he answered a room notice that I had posted at the school. He stayed here for a little over a year (in 1996-97), helping with the yard and the animals. He had excellent references from another Los Altos Hills family and from his employer of two years.

Last December, when he was no longer living at our home, he was arrested for having a sexual encounter with an under-age teen. I only learned of the incident in an apology letter from Matthew received in August 1998. It was then that I found out that the incident had occurred at my home over a year ago when I was out of town.

Matthew profusely apologized, expressed deep regret for the incident and asked forgiveness for betraying my trust. He exercised very poor judgment, made a terrible mistake, and is suffering the consequences. My letter to the judge regarding Matthew was documentation of Matthew's behavior experienced by me and my family at my home.

Toni Casey

Los Altos Hills