HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.2 SupplementalJuly 2, 2014
Planning Commission
Town of Los Altos Hills
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
Dear Planning Commissioners:
SUPPLEMENT
AGENDA ITEM
Distributed:
Adolf Pfefferbaum
26911 Dezahara Way
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
I have reviewed the most recent plans for
"LANDS OF EDWARD SHARP AND ODETTE HARRIS:
26958 Dezahara Way; FILE #77-14-ZP-SD"
to be discussed at the July 10, 2014 Planning Commission meeting.
JUL 0 2 2014
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
As was pointed out by Town staff, the submitted landscape plan does not include the berm
specified in the Site Development Permit.
Point 21 of the permit states:
The Grading Plan shall be revised to show a five (5) foot landscape berm in the front yard
area. The berm shall be as close to the front property line as possible in compliance with
Municipal Code Section 10-2.407. The berm shall be parallel to the front property line and
extend from the driveway to the northeastern property boundary. Two (2) copies of the
revised Grading Plan shall be submitted to the Planning Department, prior to acceptance of
plans for building plan check."
The applicants are well aware of this condition as the minutes of the May 3, 2012 Planning
Commission Meeting note: "Dr. Harris supports the inclusion of a berm to mitigate the visual
impact of the residence."
Many neighbors vigorously opposed the initial Sharp -Harris construction design due its negative
impact on the surrounding views - most particularly mine. In recognition of this fact, the
Commission directed Sharp -Harris to reduce the height of their proposed construction, eliminate
chimneys and construct a berm. These were pre -conditions to the approval process designed to
mitigate the impact of the construction on neighboring views. Sharp -Harris supported these
modifications at the time and there are no grounds to eliminate or change them now.
In light of the above I respectfully request the Planning Commission reject the current proposal,
require the applicants to abide by the permit conditions and their agreement noted above, and
instruct them to install the required berm.
Sincerely,
Adolf Pfefferbaum
cc: Suzanne Avila, AICP, Senior Planner
July 3, 2014
Planning Commissioners
Town of Los Altos Hills Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
26379 Fremont:Road
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
* Z SUPPLEMENT
AGENDA ITEM # . Z
Distributed: - j
JUL 0 3 2014
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
Subject: July 10, 2014 Hearing - Lands of Sharp/Harris — 26958 Dezahara Way — File #77-14-ZP-SD
Dear Members of the Planning Commission:
This letter is being written regarding the above -referenced project's proposed landscape screening submittal. The
submittal presented by the property owners omits the.five foot berm required as a condition of approval by the
Planning Commission on May 3, 2013 and subsequent approval of Town Council, specifically Condition #21.
The berm requirement was to mitigate the negative impacts of both bulk and height of the proposed two story home
in the established neighborhood. This was part of the compromise offered by the Planning Commission and agreed to
by the property owners [Sharp/Harris] in order to obtain approval of the project in its current configuration. That
evening they were supported by both their architect and contractor as all the conditions for approval were considered,
and agreed to:by them. This included the five foot berm.
As neighbors adjacent to the project, view preservation and maintenance of privacy for existing neighbors in the
design and building of the home have been of paramount concern. Nothing has changed in this regard. The initial Staff
Report dated May 3, 2013, indicates: "The Environmental Design and Protection Committee commented that the new
residence will need substantial screening on three sides."[Town Committee's Review section].
In consideration of the Sharp/Harris submittal for landscape screening, we wish to ask the Planning Commission to:
1] Enforce ALL the conditions established when the project was approved and that the neighbors have relied upon as
the good faith compromise reached with the Town, i.e. the berm installation at height originally specified, roofline
reduction, removal of chimneys.
2] Require landscape screening not be substituted as an alternative but rather be used as a complement to the
required 5 foot berm given the mass and height of the home from the street and west/east orientations.
3] Require the approved plantings — on date of installation:
a - be sized to immediately mitigate the height and bulk of the house from the street;
b — be of the species that will not impede views without regular trimming and
maintenance from the street, west, and east view orientations. This is generally a height that will not
exceed the height of the roof.
We have not been approached by the property owners as adjacent neighbors for discussion.
Thank you,
Mark and .Kathy Scheible
26946 Dezahara Way
Los Altos Hills, CA