September 6, 2022
The City Council unanimously approved the Design Review, permit, and map for a new multiple-family development. A five-story building with 47 condominium units and two levels of underground parking will be built with a common area at street level in an L-shape to fit at the corner of 4350 El Camino Real and Los Altos Avenue. The proposal includes seven affordable units with four moderate-income units and three very-low-income units. A density bonus allows for increased building height and a reduced parking aisle width. The Council requested changes to the sewer size and minimal disruption during construction at the busy corner of El Camino Real and Los Altos Avenue. Public comment stressed concern with the height of the building and parking.
The City Council heard a presentation from the Environmental Commission on recommendations for municipal code amendments to upgrade the 2020 Reach codes in the city. State building standards are regulated by Reach codes that are used to curb greenhouse gas emissions and reduce energy use and cost. A large number of public comments are divided about updated Reach codes, especially whether natural gas appliances will be allowed for new or renovated construction or for broken appliances. The recommendations do not set a gas usage cut-off date, do not regulate electric usage at the sale of homes, and do not establish fines for use of natural gas. After much council member discussion, the Council directed the staff to study the financial impact of the accepted recommendations, make changes, and produce an ordinance for the city. If not completed, the City will re-adopt the 2020 codes. Final decision may be proposed at a November City Council meeting.
September 20, 2022
The City Council approved the Design Review, permit, and map for EAH Housing’s 90-unit multiple family residential affordable rental housing project at 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos. The housing has 88 affordable rental units: forty-five for extremely low-income, twelve for very low-income, and thirty-one for low-income. Two apartments are identified for management. EAH Housing buildings are designed with affordable, sustainable housing features, including electric utilities, solar power, EV facilities, and environmentally friendly building materials. Public written comment opposing the development objects to the 5-story height that looks over and may impact the privacy of homes in a single-family residential neighborhood behind the development. Public oral comment concerned the number of charging stations in the plan. Although financing is an issue to equip the garage to be charging station ready, the Council asked that more sites be prepared to accommodate EVs when they become less expensive, and renters change to them.
The City Council heard the presentation to sign a License Agreement with San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) for the Hetch Hetchy Trail in Los Altos. Tin this agreement the City will maintain SFPUC parcels between Los Altos Ave. and the Adobe Creek pedestrian bridge as a bike and pedestrian path that connects to Palo Alto, created when the Hetch Hetchy aqueduct was built between 1914 and 1934. Keeping the SFPUC parcels open as a bicycle and pedestrian trail is important to the public. However, a noticeable impact is likely to happen when the vegetation along the trail is cleared to keep roots from damaging the underground pipeline. Public written comment noted considerable concern for tall, older oak trees within the perimeter of vegetation management. Oral comment concerned the rights of the property owners abutting the trail and confusion about the width of the perimeter that affects the vegetation to be removed. Protection and maintenance of the SFPUC infrastructure is vital, and staff will work with SFPUC to maintain as much current vegetation as possible under the updated license agreement for vegetation management. However, the Council will postpone its decision until members can walk the path in person, along with staff, to understand the issues for maintaining and protecting the trail and pipeline.
Claire Noonan, Observer