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Published on 11/02/1998 All articles from this issue

Sherwood plan OK'd with 38-unit density

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By Joanne Griffith Domingue / Town Crier Staff Writer

The Los Altos Planning Commission voted 4-1 to recommend to the city council that the housing density for the Sherwood area of Los Altos remain at 38-units per acre as stated in the city's general plan.

The density question came up as part of the overall Sherwood Gateway plan for redevelopment of this northern part of town, centered around the intersection of El Camino Real and San Antonio Road.

A task force has been meeting since last January to consider ways to rejuvenate this area. The group recommended to the planning commission that the density be reduced to seven-units per acre.

After public hearings in August and September and a study session in October, the planning commission voted at its regular meeting last Thursday.

"The majority (of the planning commissioners) felt it was not appropriate to reduce the density and change the general plan," said Larry Tong, planning director for Los Altos.

"I feel very good about the end result," said Planning Commissioner Curtis Cole. He had toured Los Altos, looking at various densities, including some at 38 units per acre, and he liked what he saw.

Planning Commissioner Bruce Skov disagreed and voted against the 38-per-unit density for two reasons.

"We had a task force that came back with a recommendation, and we are not listening well enough to it," Skov said.

He also cited the city's vision document that says the city should not increase its density. "I say that density is what is current and not what is in the general plan," Skov said.

On that basis, "no one could build on a lot," said senior planner Jim Mackenzie. Or it would mean no one could build a multi-family "in a multi-family zone if they have a single family house." The Sherwood Gateway plan is tentatively scheduled to come before the city council Dec. 15.