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Published on 06/30/1999 All articles from this issue

Conundrum in the hills

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By Fred E. Osterlund

Other Voices

Los Altos Hills has certain characteristics that differentiate it from neighboring towns. This differentiation is positive and healthy. LAH is known for its large parcels, extensive pathway systems, and the natural rural atmosphere. These traits set us apart from Palo Alto and Mountain View, which do not have these features in their makeup.

I firmly believe a LAH resident who has lived in this community for any length of time intimately understands the subtle features that set our town apart from others. My concern lies with the relentless assault by a willful group of established and newly-settled residents who visualize a much different set of characteristics for our town. Their vision is something close to a nouveau riche Beverly Hills with privacy walls, security gates and palm trees.

In the past few years, I am sure you have become aware of the massive scale of many of our residential projects undertaken in town. These projects have begun to change the face of our community. They have pitted neighbor against neighbor. But at what cost?

Some will oversimplify the debate and make it a tree huggers vs. developer type of issue. It is more subtle and insidious in its approach. What is happening is the systematic dismantling and erosion of our ordinances and covenants, which have, up to this point, protected all of our property rights. You would have a difficult task indeed to convince me that someone in the Hills, who resides on an acre parcel or better, wants or desires to have their privacy compromised by an insensitive design feature allowed to go forward next door. A glaring example would be driveways or turnarounds that encroach into the 30-foot side yard setbacks. Previously each neighbor would maintain existing vegetation or new plantings to mitigate the impact of the new construction, but not any longer. The end result of such encroachment is the proliferation of more perimeter fencing (not interior fencing) in our neighborhoods. Is this what the residents want in their community?

The latest area of attack focuses on our conservation easements, which can visually preserve natural areas for everyone's benefit. A typical CE would run along either side of a natural creek or stream A certain minimum width is necessary to maintain the vitality of the streamside flora and fauna. At the Town Council meeting on June 3, prospective residents and particular Council members attempted to drastically limit the easement along Hale Creek Several couples stated their desire to have a lawn close to the creek with their own choice of plantings. Unfortunately, fertilizer and herbicide, which go hand-in-hand with a healthy lawn, can wreak havoc with surface water in our waterways. These substances promote algae blooms, which can rob water of its oxygen-holding abilities to the detriment of aquatic life.

I am continually amazed by the actions of certain members of our elected Council. In one instance they will glad hand the ideals of preserving our rural heritage and in the next breath do their political best to short-circuit preservation covenants we have deemed essential to maintaining our town's unique character.

So how do we work to solve this conundrum? First and foremost, as residents and concerned citizens, we should become more involved in our town government. If you cannot attend council meetings or planning commission meetings, then join several of the community groups in the Hills. These organizations will give you their spin and perhaps the truth for you lies somewhere in between. Los Altos Hills is important to all who live here. Let's work to keep it the way we love it best!

Osterlund is a resident of Los Altos Hills.