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Published on 12/14/1998 All articles from this issue

Sherwood plan raises housing density, traffic issues in north Los Altos area

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By Joanne Griffith Domingue / Town Crier Staff Writer

After hearing concerns about high density housing and disappointment with the consultant's help with the Sherwood Gateway Specific Plan, the Los Altos City Council asked for more time.

Instead of voting on the plan at its Dec. 15 meeting, the council decided to schedule a study session to discuss further the issues raised by the Gateway document.

The plan is "a heck of a great first step," said Councilwoman Kris Casto. "I'm in favor of the plan. It's a catalyst for change."

Not everyone agrees with her.

The plan is the result of six months of meetings by a citizen task force that met with a consultant during the first half of 1998.

The goal is to revitalize the Sherwood area in north Los Altos, an area that is a gateway to the town and home to successful restaurants as well as small businesses, apartments and cottages. The area is bounded by El Camino Real, Sherwood Lane and both sides of San Antonio Road.

At the council meeting, 21 residents spoke to packed council chambers, with speakers focusing on housing density, traffic and parking.

The city's general plan allows for a housing density of 38-units per acre in a 3-acre portion of the Sherwood area. The Sherwood task force recommended seven-units per acre.

The planning commission recommended that the council stay with the 38-unit density, which allowed options for affordable housing sites, to comply with state mandates.

Speakers supported both ends of the density issue.

For Mark Starr, who lives in the area, the high density would "destroy the residential area." He said he didn't like his end of town being an "officially designated dumping ground" for high-density housing.

Marla De Broekert, representing the Los Altos Homeowner's League, said the League supports the seven-unit density.

On the other hand, "The city must take its role in meeting its housing responsibility" for the region, said Jim Thurber, a former Los Altos mayor, who spoke for the higher density. "Silicon Valley brought us great prosperity. But without housing for workers, companies will move elsewhere."

Ben Leveroni, who owns the land that would be affected, supports the higher density. He said public transportation goes right past the site, and "you can walk to so much."

Other issues speakers addressed include the impact the higher density would have on schools, on traffic and parking.

"I want my area upgraded," said Marla Mooyman, who has rented on San Antonio Road for 17 years. "But I'm concerned about the reality of parking in the area."

So are the business owners.

Council members struggled with the housing density question as well as traffic and parking.

The city "needs to consider the legal ramifications" if it lowers the general plan's density, said Councilman John Moss.

Councilman Francis La Poll said he didn't want "to sell out one area of town."

"Good city planning puts housing on bus lines," said Councilman King Lear. "We owe it to our city to have diversity." He said density was not just a neighborhood issue, but "a city issue."