Special to the Town Crier
Effective with its second meeting in February, the Los Altos Hills City Council will move its meetings from Wednesday to Thursday nights. The change was made by unanimous vote at the council's Jan. 6 meeting.
The council will hold its second meeting in February on Thursday, Feb. 18. Until then, the council will meet as scheduled on Jan. 20 and Feb. 3.
The council, on Jan. 6, voted down a proposed ordinance amending the zoning code mandating that at least two of the four required parking spaces on a site be enclosed in a garage. The city staff will return to the council with a report on the issue at a later meeting.
The proposal came in response to planning commission concerns that some properties were being developed to the maximum floor area allowance without a garage. Then, when subsequent owners felt the need for a garage, a variance was required.
Several residents, including Mayor Bob Johnson, raised questions about the impact of the proposed ordinance on unique and substandard lots, prompting defeat of the measure and a request for more study.
The council also directed the staff to develop recommendations on policy regarding repainting of homes in colors not listed on the town color board.
One of Los Altos Hills' conditions of approval for new and remodeled homes is that, prior to final inspection, their paint colors are in conformance with the city's adopted color board, said Curtis Williams, town planning director. It is unclear, however, how long those colors must remain on the home. Residents who repaint existing homes do not require city approval of their color choice, he said.
After resolving technical amendments to the draft Circulation and Scenic Roadways Element of the city's general plan, the council unanimously agreed to deter public hearing on the plan element's substance until the Jan. 20 meeting. The Los Altos Hills Civil Association requested the postponement to allow time to publicize the hearing in its next newsletter.
Also on Jan. 6, the council unanimously agreed to create a new subcommittee concerned with technology and utility matters including cable and underground utilities.
The council plans to finalize the group's mission at a future meeting.