HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.1 Supplemental (2)Setback Encroachments
in Los Altos Hills
Ay, setbacks, isT
But to my mind, though I am native here
And to the manner born, it is a custom
More honour'd in the breach than the observance
With apologies: Bill Shakespeare - Hamlet, 1602
Is there a problem?
Take a walk around town and just look...
if.
Setback Encroachments
in Los Altos Hills
1) Direction from council =*
a) Planning Commission —Look at the code
b) Staff —Look at Administration/Enforcement
2) We can tweak provisions of the code
3) We can tweak the process of how the code is
administered/enforced
4) We can do both
5) We can do nothing
d
-.a
Why Setbacks?
10-2.102 Purposes.
To permit reasonable development of land while
• preserving the natural scenic character of the town,
• protecting the natural amenities,
10-2.701 Purposes.
• To insure that the site, location and configuration of structures are
unobtrusive when viewed from off-site;
• That scenic views are retained;
• That buildings do not dominate the natural landscape;
• That ridgelines and hilltops are preserved;
• That the siting of structures is consistent with ... grading,
drainage, and erosion control.
( 15, Ord. 299, eff. December 11, 1985)
It is intended that the provisions of this chapter be
administered with. such purposes in mind.
( 15, Ord. 299, eff. December 11, 1985)
Tweak The Ordinance — One Approach
1)' Develop detailed modifications (including exhaustive "Bill
of Particulars" detailing permitted exceptions) to the
ordinance to mitigate identified problems
2) Postcard notification to all town residents - "Modify set -back
ordinance to permit certain..."
3) Hold Public Hearing
4) Perception of "Weakening protection of rural environment"
5) Overwhelming public opposition
6) Possible result - effort abandoned or relegated to "back
burner"
Ir.
Tweak The Ordinance — Another Approach (1 of a)
Title 10 - Zoning & Site Development
• Article 1. Title, Scope, Purposes and Interpretation
• Article 2. Definitions
• Article 3. Establishment of Districts and General Provisions
• Article 4. Nonconforming Uses and Structures
• Article 5. Area, Coverage, Height and Setback Limitations
— 501 Minimum Parcel Size
— 502 Development Area
— 503 Floor Area
— 504 Height Zoom In, Next 2 Slides
505 Setback Lines
— 505 Antennas
— 507 Fences, Gates, Walls, Columns
508 Estate Homes
• Article 6. Off -Street Parking
• Article 7. Residential -Agricultural District (R -A)
• Article 8. Open Space Reserve District (OSR)
• Article 9. Upper Neary Quarry Lands
• Article 10. Appeals, Variances, Conditional Use & Development Permits, and Amendments
• Article 11. Administration and Enforcement
Tweak The Ordinance — Another Approach (2 of s)
First of 2 modifications
10-1.505 Setback lines.
The location of structures with respect to property lines, street rights-of-
way, and easement lines shall be regulated as follows:
(a) No structure, nor portion thereof, other than driveways, including
necessary backup areas; walkways; minor ornamental garden structures,
subject to the height limits specified in Section 10-1.504(f); minor utility
structures subject to size limitations specified in Section 10.1.504(d-
1) and esthetic limitations specified in Sections 10-2.102 and 10-
2.701; fences; driveway light fixtures, limited to one fixture on each side
of a driveway, for a maximum of two (2) fixtures per lot, subject to the
height limits specified in Section 10-1.504(h); or underground utility
Tweak The Ordinance -Another Approach (s of s)
Second modification
10-1.504 Height.
(d) Ornamental Garden Structures. Ornamental garden structures without
roofs and which do not exceed six (6) feet in height may be located
between property lines and setback lines provided they do not exceed
three (3) feet in height when located in an area bounded by the center line
of intersecting roads or easements for vehicular access, public or private,
and a straight line joining points on such center lines eighty (80) feet
distant from their intersection.
(d-1) Utility structures. Utility structures, including storage sheds,
rubbish enclosures and play structures, which do not exceed ten
(10) feet in height and one hundred (100) square feet in floor area may
be located between property lines and setback lines provided they do
not exceed three (3) feet in height when located in an area bounded
by the center line of intersecting roads or easements for vehicular
access, public or private, and a straight line joining points on such
center lines eighty (80) feet distant from their intersection.
Or We Can Tweak the Process
(How to handle Exceptions or Infractions)
Incoming
• variance/Permit request
• Complaint Received
Triage
Minimal Minor/Reasonable
(in terms of setback
intent)
OK'd By Staff
Exit
Permit Issued
By Staff
Appeal?
Major/Unreasonable
(in terms of setback
intent)
Denied By Staff
Planning
Commission
Per Guidelines on next c!�o
w� �
Suggested Guidelines (Briefly)
Minimal
• Below 6 ft in height
• If more than 50%perimeter enclosed, then max 50 sq ft footprint
• If less than 50% perimeter enclosed, then max 100 sq ft of
impermeable footprint
Minor/Reasonable
• Portion of silhouette projecting above 6ft must be less than 15 sq ft
• Max height 10 ft
•
lf more than 50% perimeter enclosed, then max 100 sq ft footprint
• If less than 50% perimeter enclosed, then max 200 sq ft of
impermeable footprint
Major/Unreasonable
• Anything not covered above
Setback Encroachments
in Los Altos Hills
So now what?
1) We can tweak provisions of the code
2) We .can tweak the process of how the code is
administered/enforced
3) We can do both
4) We can do nothing
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