Los Altos City Council – January 2022
January 11, 2022
The City of Los Altos City Council renewed its declaration for an extension of a Local Emergency due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. California state legislation AB 361 requires the city to adopt a resolution every 30 days extending a local emergency declaration to continue to allow legislative bodies to meet virtually. While under a declaration of emergency the city does not need to comply with certain elements of the Ralph M. Brown Act, which assures the public’s right to attend and participate in meetings of local legislative bodies, and to not hold meetings that are not in compliance with advance public notice. The Director of Emergency Services, the Los Altos City Manager, last reported on a need for extension December 7, 2021.
January 25, 2022
GreenTek Homes at 440 First Street requested Design Review approval and a tentative Subdivision Map to replace a commercial building with a three-story building of four residential condominium units, one level of underground parking for nine parking spaces, and a useable rooftop area. The project is categorically exempt from environmental review per the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. Since the applicant proposes less than five housing units, no affordable housing units are required to be provided. The structure, however, will increase the quantity of multi-family housing in downtown Los Altos to improve the city’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).
The Complete Streets Commission reviewed the bicycle, pedestrian, parking, and traffic elements of the development application and provided approval to the Planning Commission and City Council. The Planning Commission also recommended approval of the project with modifications:
- Reduce visibility of elevator overrun at the front elevation with higher gable.
- Reduce visibility of solar panel array by incorporating a trellis feature into the roof design.
- Provide additional tree landscaping.
- Articulate the front elevation, opposite to the gable.
Public speakers commented on increased First Street traffic and pedestrian/bicyclist safety. Council added more bicycle storage and vent hoods to mitigate smoke from rooftop barbecues as conditions for approval. The City Council approved the Design Review 4 to 1.
Claire Noonan, Observer