Special to the Town Crier
The Los Altos Hills City Council unanimously approved a proposal to settle the longtime inconsistencies in the Matadero Creek Subdivision's conditions of approval.
The subdivision was set up to be sparse and open, and limitations on development area, building coverage, and roof-line elevation are more restrictive than in the rest of Los Altos Hills. Over the years, however, the rules have become inconsistent and confusing, partially because of changes in the town codes, officials said.
The proposal to set up consistent rules for building in the subdivision was developed by Planning Director Curtis Williams and the planning commission. It would clarify how the maximum development area is calculated. The proposal also specifies that if the new formula would reduce the allowable development area on a lot, the development area will remain what it was before - so no one will lose development area.
The city council meeting last Thursday was well-attended, and nearly everyone who spoke supported the proposal.
"I am delighted to get some degree of consistency," Rick Ellinger said.
"Thirty years ago, I was looking for a place to build a house ... I wanted a place that was rural and open." Ellinger bought property in the Matadero Creek subdivision in 1984, and he said he had tried to track the conditions of approval in the subdivision over 14 years. "I failed," he said. "I can't keep up. I am overwhelmed by the paper."
Bob Lefkowits outlined his reasons for supporting the proposal: "Nine people get more (MDA), my neighbors who don't get any more are in favor of (the proposal), no one gets less, it clarifies things - they've come up with a very simple, consistent proposal," he said.
Shabnam Jain disagreed.
"All the homes are already developed. What are we trying to simplify?" he asked.
Williams said, "The principal houses currently are developed, but there's always going to be additions and development area proposed."