Browse archives: 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995

Published on 10/13/1999 All articles from this issue

Council denies appeal of 2-story for Berry Ave.

printer friendly version

By Joanne Griffith Domingue

Special to the Town Crier

In spite of their own concerns about the house fitting into its neighborhood, the Los Altos City Council gave a green light to a two-story home for Berry Avenue.

At its Sept. 28 meeting, the council denied the appeal of Miraflores Way resident Steve Schaper. He objected to a proposed house for the corner of Miraflores and Berry as "a trophy home" with brick columns, chimneys and a slate roof that would "invade the privacy" of his mainly one-story neighborhood.

Plans for the proposed 3,293-square-foot home include a 746-square-foot second story. The square feet do not include the basement with bedroom, billiard room and sunken patio.

City staff called the house a "good neighbor design because it responds to the existing character of both the Berry and Miraflores sides of the property." Building and planning technician Shanta Frantz said Miraflores Way was a consistent character street with one-story ranch homes that used similar building materials.

"With a slate roof and columns, I'm having a hard time saying it fits in with the neighborhood," said Councilman King Lear.

He said it was "very difficult for me" to see how a house "so large" fits in with one-story homes. The proposed home "really is three stories, but it meets all codes," he said.

Mayor Lou Becker said he liked the design but it "doesn't conform very well with the neighborhood."

Senior planner Jim Mackenzie agreed that columns are not typically found on Miraflores. "But Berry could handle them because the neighborhood is more transitional," he said.

Residents, however, wanted the council to stop designing homes.

"I'm concerned about the 'build by neighborhood,'" said Berry Avenue resident Serena O'Farrel.

That "leans heavily against individual property rights," O'Farrel said. "I am against the way elected officials are voting on individual projects. They should vote on ordinances."

Project architect Duncan Todd, who spoke as the agent for owner Susan Freedlender who was at her home in Virginia, said he had done "a diligent job and met all zoning."

He said that Los Altos is one of the "toughest groups we deal with.

"The guidelines are too stringent. The regulations are tough - but we've met every one. In fact, we've exceeded them. We are under every restriction. Therefore this is not overbuilding," he said.

Council members considered sending the design back to the city's architectural and site control committee.

Instead they gave the house a green light and unanimously denied the appeal.