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Published on 10/26/1998 All articles from this issue

Neighbors lose battle to stop 2-story addition

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By Joanne Griffith Domingue / Town Crier Staff Writer

Over the objections of neighbors, after 17 months of redesigns, reviews and appeals, the Los Altos City Council approved plans for a two-story addition to a home on Camellia Way.

This remodel became the poster house for one-story vs. two-story remodels in town, and many believe precipitated the review of the city's residential guidelines.

The latest design, which the council OK'd in a 4-1 vote at its Oct. 27 meeting, has been "changed considerably from previous versions," said David Kornfield, assistant city planner. In this final plan, the second story is smaller, the facade simpler, the chimney was moved to the side and a front dormer was changed to a gable, Kornfield said.

"They've done an excellent job of reducing bulk - with style, materials and windows much simplified," said Los Altos Mayor Kris Casto. "We gave direction, and they complied." For her, approval also became a fairness issue.

But for Councilman Lou Becker, who admitted the current plans are "good design," opposed the remodel because it was "not consistent with the neighborhood."

He said he thought the council needed to support the neighbors who wanted their street to remain single-story.

Eight neighbors spoke against the approval. Cindy Sidaris, who lives on Camellia Way and is vice-chairwoman of the city's design-guideline task force, wanted the decision delayed until the task force completed its work.

Others said they wanted to keep the street single-story, consistent with the ranch-style homes already there.

They worried that approving this two-story would be "precedent setting," and "open the flood gates" to more two-story remodels on the street.

At first neighbors opposed plans they thought would create a house that was too large, too ornate and too out-of-keeping with the one-story 1950s ranch homes on the street.

But during the 17 months of redesigns and appeals, the neighbors "escalated the request to no two-stories" on their street, said Councilman King Lear.

Currently two of the 31 homes on Camellia Way are two story.

"It's so hard to compromise," said Steve Yang, architect for the applicants Ken and Amy Chen. "We're trying - by meeting all the zoning ordinances. There are no side-yard windows and two narrow ones in the back."

The Chens wanted to add space by going up instead of out because they "need a safe play yard for their kids," Yang said.