April 12, 2022
The City Council held a lengthy public hearing on revisions to locational preferences and standards for Wireless Telecommunications Facilities” (cell towers) proposed to update the City cell tower facilities. Debate ensued because technology for wireless telecommunications facilities is moving away from large, powerful towers that are visually intrusive to smaller, less powerful facilities. So, a greater number of facilities are needed to provide enough coverage. Location standards range from preferred locations at non-residential sites and adjacent rights-of-way to least preferred sites which include rights-of-way along residentially zoned streets.
Los Altos is permitted to regulate the placement of wireless facilities on the grounds of aesthetics, traffic safety, and noise, but the City cannot regulate the placement of wireless facilities based on the environmental effects of radio frequency (RF). The public written and spoken comments were concerned with noise from fans used in 5G cell towers, unsightly poles that will decrease property value, fire safety from equipment for cells, conflict over preferred and not preferred locations for facilities, and alleged health hazards. The Council considered changes and directed staff to add them to the draft proposal including Planning Commission modifications. The resolution to adopt Telecommunications Facilities Design Guidelines is delayed until the May 10, 2022, City Council meeting.
The City Council adopted the mid-year 2022 Budget update with amendments. In review of the City’s five-year strategic goals, money that was uncertain a year ago is now available to address safe, diverse, affordable housing goals among other projects, and to address the City’s need for additional staff and City facility improvements.
April 26, 2022
The City Council unanimously approved a resolution to subdivide 705 Vista Grande Avenue into two lots. The proposed subdivision would create a 12,166 square-foot corner lot, a 10,120 square-foot interior lot, and dedication of new street frontage for public right-of-way along Springer Road. The subdivision is a development project allowed under the 2017 Housing Accountability Act which requires identification of existing and projected housing needs, of concern for Los Altos. The site is designated as a single-family, medium lot land use, which allows for a density of up to four dwelling units per net acre. The applicant’s request to create two, single-family lots, falls within that allowed density range. The Planning Commission recommended City Council approval.
The City Council approved by 3/2 another resolution for demolition of a one-story commercial building (La Scala restaurant) and construction of a fifteen-unit multiple family project at 376 First Street. The project is also allowed under the 2017 Housing Accountability Act which requires identification of existing and projected housing needs. Site development includes one level of underground parking with 23 parking spaces using mechanical parking lifts, 12 bicycle parking spaces, and a common useable rooftop area. Three affordable moderate-income level units will be offered in exchange for concessions to extend the building’s height and parking lifts for enough underground parking. Even with recommended changes in the design by the Planning and Complete Street Commissions, public objections continued about height and parking.
Current state density bonus laws are designed to increase housing stock, limit City Councils’ ability to restrict building height and parking requirements. Council members did require project modifications including more bike lockers, moving one below market unit from second to third story, and recommending a narrower landscape area at the property entrance.
The City Council asked the Legislative Subcommittee to write letters similar to letters from the League of California Cities as follows:
Oppose AB 2097 unless amended which would change residential and commercial parking requirements
Oppose SB 897 unless amended which would make changes to ADU and Junior ADU requirements.
On other state bills, Council decided to:
Discuss SB 932 to create a balanced, multimodal transportation network that meets the needs of all users, at the May10 Council meeting.
Support AB 2164 which would provide financial assistance to small businesses, as defined, for construction of physical accessibility.
The council briefly discussed AB481 signed into law by the governor in September 2021 to create more transparency, oversight, and accountability in the use and acquisition of police equipment which qualifies as military equipment. No Council decision was made as to proposed equipment funding, acquisition, or use.
Claire Noonan, Observer