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Home My WebLink About0176.095@ City of Palo Alto City Manager's Report TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL FROM, CITY MANAGER AGENDA DATE: Marc. 20, 1995 DEPARTMENT: ptallllial .ud ComlllDDity E.viroDm •• t CI'rIR: 1 ":95 SUBJECT: APPEAL OF WNING ADMINiSTRATOR APPROVAL OF VARIA!'ICE NO. 94-V-iS AND CONDmONAL USE PER.l\fIT NO. 94-UP-40 AT 14S7 EDGEWOOD DRIVE REQUEST This report addRsses an apJ>e8I of. Zoning Administrator decision, which approved a Use Permit and VariJInces foe • second living unit (cottage), with cooditioos thai alkiwed the cottage \0 be Io<ated I () feet away from the edge of the flood """trot easement !iDe. whic& would be 10 feet into the required rear setback. and the O\'eralI fIooI' area 00 the site 1<> be 5,865 square feet. which is 165 square feet over the maximum square fooIage allowed. Two neigbbon appealed the Zoning Administrator's decision, based upon the belief thai no hardship cxiSIlI 00 the site and Iha! an Increase in floor area and an encroachment into the ....... setback would result in unsiglnly ()\'erbUl1ding cf the parceL RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends thai the City Council: Deny the appeal and :lpbold the Zoning Administrator approval of. variance and conditional use permit foe the Jocalion aud coostruction of. second living unit (cottage) approximalely I() feet from the edge of the flood cornroI easement line II the """ of the JlI"lS!ClIY, where a 2G-fuot setback from the easement nne is odIerwise required, and • total fooor area. Iix the main bouse and cottage combined, of 5,865 square feet. where 5;100 square feet is the maximum oIherwise allowed. The Planning C<>mmission w:onunends !hat the City Council: Deny the appeal of the use permit for the cottage and the variance for 165 additional square feet of floor area and approve the .ppe3I of tile to-fOO! rear ...... ." <-!.:-' --.~ ". : ".-.-.. -.:: .. ya:d oocr<>a<:hment This ... "tion would ,,,suit in the cottage being !.>cate4 20 feet Ii'om the easement rille, whkh rocnp!ies with rear setba<:k ,equireruel!ts, IIld • t.o!aI floor area. for the main bouse IIld ro:tage combined, of 5,865 sqUare feet, where 5,?OO sqoan: feet is the maximum otherwise aUowed. POLICY IMPUCATIQNS There "'" !\Yo existing City policies that are r.!evant 10 this application. The first is Policy I in the Housin. Element of the existing Comprehensive Plan. The poIi..")' states !hal the City shooId ·maintain !he general Iow-density c:harac!Cr of existing single family or .... • This policy is tiJrIher expressed as • set of R-l design standa:ds for single-famil", houses IIld cottages. The secood policy is Policy 2, Program 3, in the Housing Element of the Compreben sive Plan, which slates that the City should "Coolinu. the cottage provision in the R-I zones, elb"llring that new devek>pmenl fits in with !he existir,g single-family properties .• It has been the geoeral practke of!he City ro allow second units when !here would be no advene land use impacts 0[ deIrlmcnIal effects ro adjace<>t pro;>erty in the area as • resIllt. That are 00 polides in the current Pal<> Aft" Comprehensive Plan whicb require specific setbacks from the top of creek banks for single-fam:ly !looses iIC cottages. There are approximately 181} single-family porcels in !he City of Palo Alto which di=lly abut creek. .. It should also be noted that single-family bouses wnstru..'1ed in groups of three 0< fewer at a time are exempt from !he Caf.f<lmia Enviroomcnbl Quality Act (CEQA). A cottage wbich would be located 3(} feet away from the top of. ac.k bank does oot trigger the need for an eovlronme:lial .... ss=nt. Lastly, th. project is consistent ,.ith the Sa~ta Clara Valley Water Di..<Irict poli<:ies !!lid requirements that prohibit any develcpment within 20 feet of the top of • creek ba.'lk. Al'.bough the Water Dis1rlct setback is intended to provide room for creek mainten~ ratbet than creek preservation in • natural stale, meeting 0[ .Kceed"mg !he setback val als<> cootrlOOte \0 less diswri>ance of vegetation and wildlife assoc,ated with & "reek. The Zoning Administrato< approval would result in most of the cottage being 4{) feet away iTom !he lop of!he crock bank (20 feet away from the easement line), except for the northwest comer, which would be 30 feet away from the top of the I>a.-.k (len feet away from the easement line). The attacbcd Planning Commissioo report provides further discussion about each of !he above policy implications (sec the anathed Planning Commission staff rq>orl elated February 22, 1995). ~_T ___ ;:. ,.'-.; . , .. ~ -"_"'i .'. ' ~. \ -: -;---. -. --~~ -----_.-- I • r· EXJ:CVf~ The foIlow'.ng chart summarizes \he .. lklwed, req=ted end approved setbacks end fIooc area 00 \he site. The ll!ached Planning Commission staff repon provides more detatl abou! the criginaI proposal. \he modified app"",al granted by \he Zoning Administrator ond \he appeal of \he Zoning Administratuc'. decision (see \he attacbed Planning Oxnmission sIldI report, dated February 22. 1995). •••• ./JIowed Approved By , .> ...... By •.... IUJquesied bv Zooing i.···~· Code Adminis!ratot: Rear Setback 20ft. 2 It 10 ft. Floo£ Area 5,700 sq.ll 6,027 sq.1\. S,S6S sq.ft. House Sq.Fl. 6,000 sq.ft. 5,161 sq.!\. 5,005 '"l.ft. Cottage Sq.Ft. 900 sq.1l S60 sq.ft. S60 sq.!\. Distance 40 feel' 22 feel 30 feel at from closest point TO!' of Creek Bank • 2O-foot SCYWD easemCl1l plus 2O-foo! required rear se!back. Building Permil for Main House: Recommeoded by PIannin . .. g ··Commission 201\. 5,865 sq.ft. 5,005 sq.ll S60 sq.!\. 40 feel' A building permit was issued f<JC lb. m'liD bouse, as reduced in size by the Zoning Administrator's approval conditioos, in lat. December 1994. The permit was issued because \he main I>ousc, by itself, meets an zoning end de\'e\opment requirements !Or \he R· 1 cflSlrict. A building permit C8I1II()( be issued for the cO!U!Se unti1 at'.er \he appeal is ~led upoo by the City Council. Summary of Planning Ccmmission Hearing: The Planning Commission heard tho appeal oflhls item ()Q February 22, 1995. Meeting minules are included In the March 16, 1995 packet for Cily Council information. Six CMR:176M .... ]0(5 <. -",' -' ~-,--(,.-~' " . ~-~ ;:::~,'~'~"~,~: .>.~ . ~ "~~ . .::: .. people spoke againsl!he voriances for the increased FIoO< Area Ratio and encroachment into the rear selb8ct. Three of the people speaking Igaillst the variance were neighbor., ODe was ftom the Santa Clara CoonJy Creek CcaIitioo. ODe was from the Santa Clara County Aoduboo Society and GQe was an interested resident. The neigbbodlood residents were eoncemed about overbuilcfmg on !he ,ite and the City no! adhering 10 the R-I requirements developed in the late 19805. The representatives from the Creet C<Jalition and Audubon Society and the inkrested res'.dent were concerucd about the potentia! itnpact on the creel;: ond wildlife habitat They staled that existing >etbacb, measumI fi'om the edge of easements, arc !he Iools anl1able 10 ~ cree1<3 and sensitive environments in the absence of <lIher Comprehensive Plan policies. All of the speakers o9Posed \0 the variances want !O see existing regulatioos implemented. The fOllowing three people spoke in favor of the variance application as modified by the Zooing Administrator: the architect. the appIkant. and an interested resident. The arcbit:ct discussed his design philosophy for the boose and cottage and the fact that the main bouse bad • large setback from the fioot property Ii"" in order to fit into !be neigbborbOod. lk ncted that the cottage would no( he visible from !be street and woold therefore not have a detrimental impa<:! 00. the neighbors. n. also noted that the creek and easement reJlrescnled a physka! constraint 00 the sile !hal presented a hardship when designing the hoose. The app1icAnt ,pole a""'-'l bi' desire to bave his parents live in the cottage and that it is important in his culture \0 take care of elderly parents. The interested resident also spoke about the importance of caring for the elderly and thal the applicant W3II!ed \0 live in Palo Aho because of the scbools and desirable community Jik. The Planning Commission rewmmended that the City Council approve the Use Penni! for the coua.,oe and the variance for 165 squaro feet of additional f.o.R. but deny the variance fOr a leD fi:>o! intrusion into the rear setback. The recommendation also included the requirement that revised plans be submitted 10 !he Planning Deportment for approval as coofirmation that they coof<xm 10 all pertiJwnl requirements. Alternative actions for the City Council to coosi<kr are included in the attached Planning Coromlssioo staff report (see the attached Planning Commission staff report, dated febnuuy <1. 1995~ flSCAL IMPACf 1bere is no fiscal itnpact 10 the City regarding any of the actioos 00 the appeal. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSFSSMENI. Single-family houses built three or fi:w ... at a time are categorkally exempt from the CaIOOmia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). CMIU"," Paz. 4 0(5 '7 ----~-_"":---.-' -. A'lTACHMENTS PlcDning Commissioll Staff Report, with ~ttachments. dated f cbrua:y 22, 1995 .. ~ !rom Tom Sloan, cIaIed 0c10ber 27, 1994 . ~. Cap}' of ZooiDg Administrator approval of variant. 94-V -\ S, dated December 1 S, 1994 e. Copy ofZooing AdminiSlralor approv.t of use permit 94·UP-40, dated December . IS, 1994 cI. Appe8J fcrm and petitioo 10 Palo Alto Cily Council. dated December 27, 1994 e. ~ irom Richard And=oo, SCVWD, dated February 8, 1995 t: Minutes from Zoning Administrator November ! 7, 1994 and December I. 1994 public hearinga J-~ in opposition !O the proje.."t h. LetteB in support of 1he project PREP ARID BY; Usa Grote. 7.,0 ... ing Administralor DIlPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW; K~:f{(fj£~k?h7 Director of Planning and Community Eovirorunent e<:: Ms, Boonie Miller Stein, 1449 &lgewood Driv., Palo Alto CA 943<) 1 Ms. Deena Mcssar, 1024 Emer.;on Street, Palo Al'.o CA 943<)1 Ms. Sassie Lee. P.O. Box 51892, Palo Alto CA 943<)3 Mr, Charles Stevens, 1431 &lgewood Drive, Palo Alto CA 943<)1 Ms. Roberta 0, McXee, 1491 Edgewood Drive, Palo Alto CA 94301 "'.t. Henry COOan, 1425 Edgewood Drive, Palo Alto CA 94;01 Mr. Tom Sloan. 2SS N. Market Street, '255, Sao Jose CA 95110 Mr. Sinh T. Nguyen, 1457 E.dgewood Drive, Palo Aho CA 94301 :;. - hgesors '. - PLANNING COMMISSION SFAFF REPORT TO: PLANNING COMMlSSiON FROM: Usa Grote, Zoning AdministrafDr AGFNDA DATE: Febcuar)' 22. 1995 SUBJECT: Appeal of ZoningAdministrafDr Approval of Variance No. 94--V-lS and Conditional Use Permit No. 94--UP-40 at 1457 Edgewood Drive, Palo Alto, CA. RHCQMMENDATION Deny !:be appeal and upbold the Zoning . .a.dminislrafDr approval of • variance and <:OIldilional use permit for the location and coostroction of a second living unit (Collage) approximately 10 feet from !be edge of the flood control easemenI line at the rear 0( the propettj. ~'here a 2O-foot setback from the easement line is otherwise required. and a total fIoo< area, for !be main bouse and cottage ccmbined, of S,865 square feet, where S,7()() square feet is the maximum othetwlse allowed. BACKGROUNO Site Cha\"ocleristics: The site is • fiat, reclaDgularly shaped parcel ...-ith San Francisquil<> Creek running aIoog its lxlct (oorthenI) edge. II is an excepOOnalJy large lot. The gr= lot size is 19,000 SQ1IMc fed, but the Delloc size is 16,500 square feet becal1S<! there is a 2O-foot-wide flood wntroI easemeDl measured from the lOp of the bank southward into the property. The zoning ordinance does 110( penni! area within an easement 10 be cakolated into the overall size 0( the lot. III addition. WileR ea..<emenlS eJUst, required selbacks ar~ measured from the easement line rather !han from the property line. . .-' . • -_.~ .• L '~_ .' . '" The applicant orlginalIy awlie<l for • 11Se permit for a detached cor"'ge on the sire, and a variance so !hat the COllage would be Iocaled 18 feet wo the required rear selback. 2 feet southward from the edge of the flood easemem liDO. In addition. the applicant originally reqlle$l.ed that the IOI3l fIooo: area 00 the parcel equal 6/Yl1 square feet, which is 327 square feet over !he maximum 5,100 square feet allowed (see Attac"""'nt I. Letter cf application, dated Oclober 2?, 1994). Zoning Administrator Decision: The Zoning Administrator approved a modified Variance and • modified Use Permit for the COllage, with c:oodIDoos tb2l improved the IocaOOa of the cottage so thaI it wOIIld be 10 feet awa,. from the edge of the flood comrol easement line, which would be 10 feet into the required rear setback, aoo reduced the overall fIooo: area on the .ire SO 5,86S square feot, which is 165 square feet over !he maximum squat. fooIage allowed (see Attachments 2 and 3. respectively, dated December IS. 1994). The following chart summarizes the allowed, requested and approved setbacks and floor area 00. the site: Allowed by Cede Itear Selback 21) 11:. floor Area 5,700 sq.fl Hoose sq.Ft. 6,000 sqft. Cottage Sq.Ft. 900 sq. ft. Requested by AppIka!g 2 It 6,fJ27 sq,ft. 5,161 sq. ft. 860 sq.ft. ;ri Approved by Zoning Administrator 10ft. 5.865 sq.ft. S,OOS sq.ft. 860 sq.ft. 2122195 Page 2 '.' · .. Appeal: Two neighbors appealed the Zoning AdministralO!:'s decision based upon the belief that 00 bardship exists on the site and tbal an increase in floor &rea and an ellCroocbmeDl inlo the rear setback .... ouId result in unsigbtJy overbuilding of the pucel (see Attacbmetlt 4, Appeal form and Pe6tioo. dated December 21, 1994, 10 Palo AI10 Cily Council regarding 94-V-lS). Al1hoogb the appeal form indicates an appeal 0{ boll! the Use Permit and Variance, it appea.n IlIat 1he objection focuses on the variance for additiooa! floor area and the . eJIl.-roacbmem into the rear setback. It sbooId be DOled thai the petition is DOt dated and that the project descriptioo provided in. the pe&ion atIlIChed 10 w. appeal describeS the appticant's original proposal and oot !he Zoning Administrator's approval, ,,"'icll reduced the floor area OIl the site and ilIo..-rcased the setback from the edge of !he easement. It is DOt Iawwu from reviewing the pe!i6oD whether all the signatories object'" \he Zoolng Administrator"s awroval N if !hey ooIy object to the original proposal. The two neighbors tbal filed the appeaI cIefuliIely object 10 the Zoning AdmiDistralo<'s decision and have stated verbally thaI the petition signatories also obl~ 10 the Zoning A<ftninjstralo<"s decision. Building Permit for Main ~: A building penni! was issued for !he mall> house, as reduced in. size by the Zoning Administrator', approval coodiLioos, in late December 1994. The permit was issued because the main bouse, by irself, meets an zoning and developmenl requirements fur !he R-l district. A building permit cannot be issued for the cottage until aftet the appeol is acred upoo by the Cily Cowx:iI. POlEY IMPUCATIONS There are two existing City policies WI are relevaDI 10 !!lis application. The 6m is Policy I in the Housing Elemelll of \he el<istlng Coolprebensive Plan. It states that the Cily sboold: "maintain \he general \cw-<lensiiy character of existing single-family areas. This polley is further expressed as a set of R-I design standards for sillgJe-faml1y houses and cottages. These standards help assure that DeW deve10pmeDI and cottages are canpatible with surrounding deveiopmeDL The standards include having street access from I driveway in common with !he main residence, the cottage being arcbitectur.illy compatible wilh \he main residence and having par1dng screened from off-site views. 2122195 Page 1 ' .. " ,-. __ ::").'i->_~ _ c. The serond policy is Pol;.,,. 2, Program :;. ill the Housing Elemeru <>f the Coolp!ehensive Plan, which states Chat the City should: 'Continue the cottage provision in the R-l zones, ensuring that new <icv~Iopme'" fits in witb the existing single-family properties". It has been the general p<aCIia of !be City 10 allow second units wbon there would be no adver>e land use impa<..1s as a result The poIential impa<.1s are a.<Se5sed by de termining whether an d<:vekymenl requirements b2ve been met, including: !be panmg requ1rement for !be main house aod !be cottage, setbacks, beigbt limits. size limits. and orieruation of the cotIa3e away from neighboring properties and IOwan! the main bouse on the same site_ There are no policies in the curreDl Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan which require specific setbacks from the lOp of creek banks for single-family l>:>USeS or cooag""_ There are opproximateTy 180 single-family parcels in the City of Palo Alto which direaly abul creeks. This nmnl>er represents a reladveTy minor poIelllial impact on creeks within the City_For !his reason. i! is unlikely lila! specific creek ..,tba!;ks on single-family lois, over and above the SanIa Clara Valley Water Districl (SCVWO) and city yard selbacb Ih3tare already in pIJIce. will be rer.oounended by staff in !be future aJthoogb any guidelines ~.hcoming through the Coordinated Regional Managemen! Plan (CRMP) ~ will be favorably eoosidered. 11 sbould al!o be noted that single-faml1y houses COIlStructed in groups <>f Wee or fewer at a time, are eXeIDpt from the California Enviroomental Quality Ad (CEQA)_ They are exempt because !hey do DO! have enough of an impact OIl !be na!Ural environmeDl 10 justify completing a.., enviromnetl<af ..... sment. A cottage. which would be locaUld 30 feel away from the lOp of. creek bank, 00.. DO! trigger the need for an environmenta1 assessmcoL Lastly. the project is coosistelll with !be Sc\·WD policies and requirements that prohibit any development ",ithin 20 feet of the lOp 0( a creek bank. Although the Water District setback is intended 10 provide room for creet maintenance rather !han creek preservation in a natural stale, meeting or exceeding the setback will also conttibute 10 less cflS~ 0( vegetation and wildlife associated with a creek. The oonage in the subject application, as cooditiooed by the Zoning Administrator, woold he 30 feet .way from !be lOp 0( the creel:: bant, 10 feet more !han requited by the SCVWO 600d cootrol easemeoL The SCVWD has confirmed thaI !he project, as conditioned by the Zoning Administrator, is accepIlIble 10 !hem (see Attac1unelll S. \euer from Ricbard An&rson. dated February 8. 1995). 2i22195 fage 4 ,. Then: are three findings that must be made to approve a \'ariance (Palo Alto Municipal Code 1&.90.(50) and two tirJdings Iilat must be made 10 approve I use penni! (Palo Alto Municipal Code 18.9(1.060). The variance and use permit finding' and c:cOOitions, as made by 1hc Zoning Administrator, kK !his application are attached (see Attachments 2 and l, respectively). The discussion belvw summarizes !he rational used to male. each 0{ the required findings. Variance riDding Nc>. I: The first finding is that Ihe site is pnjque. ill that iI bas exceplional 0< extraordinary physicz) COIISIr2mts or characteristics that do DO( apply generally 10 pr~ in 1lle same district and wbiclt prevenr one or more zooing requirements from being met. The Palo Alto Zoning Ouidebooi: foe R-l property references creeks bisecting silos as a unique si!uation (page 29 of !he Guidebooi:) and ~ that condition as an e.ample of grounds foe making the first o{!be three required findings. There are unique cimlmstanCCS on Ihis site because the creek and flood control casement reduce the size of !he usable lot area by 2.497 square feet (from 18.995 square feet 10 16.498 square feet). and the SIaDdanI »fool rear setback IIlIISt be measured from !he easement liue. no( !he property \IDe. which ;:reates. in effect. a 4O-fool tear setback from the lOp of !be creek bank. Most lots in the R-t zooing dlsIric1 do no( contain. creek. If1hc lot size and SC!back foe Ihis site were calculated in !be stmdard manner foe !he R-I(929) zooing dis!rict. !he proposal would meet the fIoo< area a!!d setback requirements. Variance FiDding No.2: The secood finding is that the variance is necessary for !he preservation and enjoyment of. substantial property right. and 10 prevent umeasooable property Joss Of Il nllf'N'Ssary hardship. There is a reasonable e><peetaOOo in the R·I (929) zoning ClSm..."Ililal • property <)Wr""r can build up 10 the maxi tuum fIoo< area allowed on the site. and that. if the site is large enough and use permit findings can be supported with sufficient evidence. an accessory living unit. Of COllage. can oIso be built. If the subject site was a typical R·l(929) parcel witboot • creek Of easemeDt. il could accommodate 6.448 square feet 0{ floor area. and !be rear setback and fIoo< .. ea maximum woold DO( have 10 be violated. Al10wins 5.685 square feet of floor .... and I IO-fool encroachment intn !he required 20 fool .... setback, throoglIlhe variance process, preserves !he p<operty owner's rigbJ: 10 bave a boose and cottage, appropriately sized fOe his p<opcrt)'. . '-.; 2122!9S fageS I j '."," -, -~ -.~---, ':"',' o Variance Finding Nc>. 3: The third variance finding stipulates that the varl.ance canoo( be detrimental or injuriau. l<l property or improvements in the vicinity or 10 the public health, safety, general welfare or coovenien<:e. The additiooaI 165 square feet that would be available 10 the property owner as a result of the Zoning Administrator"s approval would !lOt be perreptible to the average pefliOQ \'iev,ing the site from the sidewalk or street. The 16S additional square feet amounts l<l one room with 12 .. 14 fool dimensions or just UDder the size of • one car garage. which is typically 200 square feet. Smc., the main boose meets all zoning requi,-ements. the additional 165 square feet is attributed 10 the COllage, which sits at the back of the site behind the main boose. The cooage would 001 be visible from the street or sidewalk because it is behind the lllliln boose. It woold be 00 more visible l<l Imrnenlate neighbors than if the site was in compliance with all zoning requirements because boll> side setbacks are being met. The on-site parking requirement for both the main boose and the cooage I1as also been met. [ocreasing the rear setback 10 ten feet .. nows the cottage l<l be more closely crienled ",ward the main boose and away from neigbboring booses, in addition 10 provicfmg on addition2J ien feet from the lC9 of the stream bank. Reducing the size of the coaage or :furtber increasing the setback would 001 further reduce impacts on the creek or neighboring properties. It should be noted that there are several odIer sites in !be immediate area that have existing cooages at the back of the parcel. Many of Ihese cooages appear 10 have been built 30 or 40 years ago. prior 10 current regulations. These cottages have e>.isted for many years witbout a OOIiceabl. detrimental Impact on the surrounding neighborhood. It sboold also be noted that • garage or storage shed could be loc.>ted within L'>e 2(HOO( rear setback. Such. structure would .1111 have 10 be out of the 2O-fOO! flood control ea.=nI. but could be loc.>ted al edge of the ea<eiOOn! line. Accessory Slr",,1lJre.> sucb as ganges and slorage sbeds are seen as less intensive uses than living space. and bave. therefoce. been allowed 10 be located within selbacks, as long as they are 7S feet from the fiO!ll property line and not within easement areas. The Zoning Administrator believes that the additiooaI 10 feet of set'bacl from the easeme!ll line will accommodate the additional activity or impact that may occur from the cottage use, as opposed l<l • garage O£ storage use. . -.,., .' - 2/22/95 Page /; ,-' ' . Use Permit Fmding No. I, The fin! use pennlt finding is idellIicaI 10 tlle !1Urd vorlance /indin8. Please refer 10 Variance finding No. 3 for a discussion of why the Zoning Administrator made the finding. Use Permit Finding No.2: The secxmd lISe pemUt finding staleS tbal the application shall be conducted in a 1l!alIIle[ compatible with the existing Comprehensive Plan and i" accordaDce with !be Zoning Code. k referenced in the Policy Implications section of thIs report, the cottage is compab1>le with Policies I and 2 of !be Housing Element, which call for maintaining the cbarac1ei' of single-family neighborhoods and for !be allowance of second units as long as !hey do DO( result in detrimenIaI impacts on the surrounding neigbbodlood. The propo6<Id cottage meets !be inteIlI of !lie C<>mprebensive Plan policy and also meets the design ~ found in the R·t :ronlng guidelines. puhr" Pvticjpatkm Two public beirlng.s on !his item were held by !lie Zoning AdminiSirator. The first one 00 Nuvember 11, 1994 was COIIIinued at the request of one of tbe neighbors because she bad DO( bad enougll lime 10 study !he plans and make comments 00 them. The second hearing was held 011 December 1, 1994 at which time approximately ten people from the neighborhood attendecl. The ineeting minutes have been atrached for Planning C<HI1IIlission review (see Attachment 6, meeting minutes da!ed November 11 and December I. 1994). A variety of \ellers have been received about Ibis issue and ha vo been at!al'hed for Planning Commission review (see Attachments 1 and 8, leners in oppo<!itioo and letters in ouppor1. respectively). The lettcrs in opposition 10 !he project star.. that granting the variance would result in 100 much developmeCl on the site and could negatively impact the creek. The letters in support of the project Slar.. that a bouse and cottage on the site is a reasonable request and that !he property 0WilCr> are responsible people. 2122/9S Page 1 ~';.'-.. , .. C\ ~"i'J The Planning Commission can recommend one of die following actioos lo the City Council: I. Deny die appeal and uphold die Zoning Administrator approval of 94-V-IS and 94-UP-40. base<! en the attached findings and ron<f!tioos; 2. Deny !he appeal and modify !he Zoning Administrator approval 10 rocform lo die applicanl's original ~est; 3. Deny the appeal and modify die Zoning Administrator approval as deemed approprillte for the specific site cbara."terlstics; or 4. Approve !be appeal and do not allow any addi600al square footage 00 the site over and above !be 5.700 maximum allowed, and do not allow any eocloacl'dnelll into the rear selback. FISCAL IMPACT Thete is no fiscal impaI:t to tbe City regarding any of the actio!ls on :be appeal. S~famiIy houses built Ihree or fewer at • time are categocically exempt from the California Environmen!al Quality A<1. (CEQA,. STEPS FOLWWlNG APPROVAL Proceed lo the City Count..i1 00 March 20. 1995 for fmal acOon on !he appeal. AU6CHMF.NTSJEXH!BlTS: I. Letter from Tom Sloan. dated October 21, 1994 2. C<lpy of Zooing Administrator approval of variance 94-V-15. dated December IS. 1994 3. C<lpy of Zoning Administrator approval of use permit 94-UP-40, dated December IS, 1994 4. Appeal form and petition lo Palo Alto City Council, dated Deceml>er 21. 1994 S. Letter from Richard Anderson, scVVtTI, daled February 8, 1995 6. Minutes from z"nlng Administrator November 11. 1994 and December I, 1994 public bearings 1. Le!!ers in opposition 10 the project 8. Letter5 in support of the project ----0--..,,----. -~ -. 2/22195 Poge! COURTESy COPIES: Ms. Boonic Miller Stein, 1449 Edgewood Drive. Palo Alto CA 94301 Ms. Deena Mossar. 1024 Emerson Street, Palo Alto CA 9430 I Ms. Bassie Lee, P.O. Box. 51892, Palo Alto CA 94303 Mr. Charles Stevens. 1431 Edgewood Drive, Palo Alto CA 94301 Ms. Robcr+.a O. McKee; 1491 Edgewood Drive. Palo Alto c." 94301 Mr. Henry Cohan. 1425 Edgewood Drive, Palo Alto CA 94301 Mr. Tom Sloan,. 2SS N. MarIret Street,I2SS. San Jose CA 95110 Mr. Binil T. Nguytn. 1451 Edgewood Drive, Palo Alto CA 94301 Prepan:d by: Lisa Grote, Zooing A<lminisqa1O< Project PIanoer: Lisa GroIe. 200ing Administr.itor DivisioWDepartmeIll Head Approval: Nancy M. l.ytIe. Chief Planning Officii!! ". U2219S Page 9 METRO OESIGH GROUP ~ 27, 1994 CIT'! <:E Pl\!D AL'lO I'LMIIDIl 0EPARD!!Nr R1.MlL'DI AIIm.lE 25() pi>.u:) ,":po, CA 94301 5IJBJOCT: VJIRIAN:E Ill'PLlCATIOII USB ~ JtPl'LYCl'II'lCti 1457 EI:GKXD AVENUE pJiID .J\!..'IQ, -cit.. Vl'oI!IMCE ~ @~ RECEivED OCT 27 ~ ~OF"' AllDCOMWImDEVaQPlecr '}'f-«p-I.{ 0 '1'(-V-IS WE ME N'PLYIN:l roR A \~ TO ~ A GlJES'l' a::<rT1GE WI'lHIN A REJ;;OJIRID REl\.o. YARD SE'l'llAO' AID IN ElICESS <::E 'Ill>; AI.UK\EIL!: E .A. R. VUE '10 Tt!E SITE I S PRCJKI:MI'IY '10 SAN ~ O<EEX. 'n!E ~. IS AN EXP'-"1Ni'.T1~ <::E HOi 'llIIS Al'PLIamcti RlI A Vl\I!IA!O: mrs J>J.L CF THE a:N>ITKN5 J<B;;u.lMD Fa< 1\I?PFO.'AL. 1. I FlNJIIC!D. 1 rnEI!E KET BE BE ~ tJNtlSUAL AID UN!(.U: NOJr =5 PI<OE'EBl i. SAN IlWCISI;;(JTIQ = IUS nJRCQ:;H THE REAA OF nus PROPEPTY CREM'DG SETfOI\CI( RFQ..'IRE>ell'S ~CH ARE !Dr 'lYPlCAL C£ AIL THE aMS M.a<G E:XZCX> a-J'lE. IN ACCtTla<, =S P.'I!iITCiv.R PllCftRI"i t'APERS 'l"X'JID THE REM ro A SCl'!EIIIll\T ~ REAR \:J\R!) LO!' WIDl'H. 2.} FlNDIN:i 1<0. 2 UPaI GWn'IN:l 'DIE VAIUJ\NCE, IT IOJID K>'<' GAANl' nus PKi'ERl i OilIER ANY SPfl:IAL PRI\.= WI' CllRREffl,y .ENJCWID BY crnEK NElGtfEOOS. l'HIS PROPEI<.I:t HAS AN ~rJE i<E!\R S>:lWCR ruE 'IO rom 'nlE s.c. V. W. D. E1IS&i>Nl' MD MID THE AOOn'IQI OF A REAR SETBACK. '!HIS EXCESSIVE SEl1lI\CK ~ IS !Dr =ID roR SO<E C£ = NEL~ 1'.lLH> ~ UUW. Ir IS BECI\l:sE <::E '!>lIS ~"I' 'nOO' THE !'.A. R. IS SO l«Sl'IUC'!'I\'E. IN AtOlTIOO, THERE SED!S TO BE Q.,'ITE A FEW <mlER GUEST CJ:1I.'IX;FS IIi THE WlmIA.."'I! . ..".", !.IXATED 'l'CWl\RD 'llIE REAA CF THEIR PkA1!ORtlES. 255 N, 1.1ARKET SL SUITE 255. SAIli JOSE CA 951)J· TELEPHONE (4081 260..£650· F,A,)( ~.1('e, ::6.0-6656 l.) F!Klll'C 10. ) FlN1\LLf. WE FEEL THl\T tRti GRI\Nl'lID 'l1llS "'71';.L\.~. IT w:u.o N;JI' ~ '!'itE REAL'IE .. SAFE'I"( AN) Wtt.f"ARE OF ~N'! ex 1HE NEIGI!l'a<S. n!E SE"lWO<S flO! EXISTll'C m:H:RlY LINES WILL ~ OR EJ(C'£ED THE ~ ~. 'DiE S'l'I'!\lctI.J< "IUJlD KIi" IMPl'CI" 'DiE ~"IRD<INlS OF n!E S.<:.V.W.O •• WE PIR<1'1' Al'I'LtO'trIQ( 'nlE aN>ITIQru, = PeR<IT Kl CUTh-rs 1II<E l\P?L"!1N:l Fa< IS '10 ~ A QJEST COi'T1'GE OF SEO ~. IT. 13 THE REI\R ~ CF THEIR LOr. IT w.ru. BE tOCATm !lEIUW iREIR ~ 1".0 - S"Ia<X IlESIDENCE (QJRl'.ml'L! IN RJ< BUIIDll'C IlEPl\Rn1WI' FUN OlEO( PRCCESSINO). WE FEEL mM" nus ~ IS BEST SUlTlO) FQ;l 'mE = =_ Fa< AU. 'ruE NEIGIlOC.llS tiIIlOl Ba<Ofl\ THIS SITE. 1IIW CIn!ER iOCATICti Fa< 1>;E GtJEST 8CUSE WE =m. p= 1iN ~ = A SIllE'IM!) StTBI'D<. nu; n<POSIN3 a< 1'HJ;: NF.IG!l!O<S VIE>iS A>D PRIVlCY. A GJEST = IS CJ:flSI.STAI<l' wrn; WE 0JRRn<T I EXlSTll'C PESlmtrIAI. 3CNDI:; NS'I"K"i' • (;UESl" IUlSES AS W!'ll. AS OIlIER ASSES&JfIY S'l?JL--ruRE$ eM BE mJND 13 THE !lEAR CE >WIY NU~ .PR<l?E':RTIES. -nuS GIlEST COI'I2'a: S!WL NEVn< BE usm ,S A Rmru, U,"IT. IT IiIIL !OiEVER. BE USED Fa< an: OF TeN< GVE3TS fl«M Tn!E "" TIME. El'CH CF 'mE NElGlBCPS K'\lIE 1Wl TIlE 0PP0RT\JN11Y "ro """lIE>< n!E PLANS FCR = SITE AND AAf IN SllPPCt<T CE IT. S!OJU> EU AAVE Nr1 ~ ~, PLEASE [QiI'T 'HESITATE 'l'O CAt.[,. IE 1<r: {40S1 2e~ -6650 AwflCOtioil Nc>_ 94-·Y-15: 1457 Edgewood Drive Variance 94-V-lS is ~ fo£!he location and CODSIrIl<:tioo of I second living OM (COItage) approximatcly _ feet from lite flood coDtrol easemeD! II !he rear of the prop<rty. where I twenty fool setbaclc from !he easement line is oIhcrwise IeCjUlted. Combinod wilh the proposod main dwelling. construction of the «>Cage woo!<! result in • tela! fIoo< area of 5,865 ~ feet. IS per modified plms, where 5,699.5 square feet is !he maximum C>Ihc"""" allowed, It 1457 Edg.,.·ood Drive, R-1 (929) Zone District, Polo Alto, CIIlfontia_ The project is approved based on the following tiMings and Is 5I!bjecllO !be conditioDs Iisred below_ - FINDINGS I. 'lbere are exepIiooal or extraadlnaIy circ:unlslallces or coalitions applkable 10 !be property involved !hat do DOt apply seneraDy 10 property in !be same district in !hat San PlIDCIsquilo Creek runs across the =r thirty-ooe 10 thirty-nine feet of !he .itc. 1bcrc is a tweD!)' fool. -.ide flood COO!roI easeme!l! on !he .itc, meosured from !be top of Ihc cn:ek bank, wiIhiIi whiclJ _ CIIID()( be builL 'lbere is an additiooaIlWenty fool. seIback from !be edge of !he easetDem within which habitable ~ canoot be Ioca!l:d (-&iIh minor ~'r.eptjoos ~ minimal inlrosioos into RqUirec! tiCIbacb)_ The 2,497 square feet in the cm:lc and easement areas CIJIDOt be ca"",)atn! into !he overall square footage of !be oite. 94-V-15 Igldsk The above faclOn =uh in. reduced " .. raDio! size (16,498 square feet instead of 18,995 square feet), whicIl has !be following impacIs: I) reduces !be buildIng area 0( !be .ite; 2) !1:duces !be all<>wed floor area of structure!; 00 !be site to 5,699.5 square feet from 6,448.5 ~ feet; and 3) prevents !be rear setba<k requimneDt from being met; 250HamillrnAvenue rObll1'5O PaWAftt"CA.94.l.13 ~32Q.24ll 415-329.224DFax ".: December J S. 1!194 Page 1 2. The gnnting of the app!icaoo.. is aoces.wy f<x lbe presen .. 1ion and oqjoymellt of a substAntial propor1)l rigbI of lbe 1Wlic&JJt, and 10 prevent umoasooable proper1)l Ios.s 0< unnec. '53'Y hard!!lip in Ihot =S" ~ allowed as C<lnditiooal ..... ie lbe R-t "'run, 6"_ "" pa=1s 10,000 square feet or larger. The net size of lbe subject sile, wilboullbe CRd and e&Semenl area, is 16,498 square feet, whick exceeds lbe miWrown 10,000 square foot requirement. Not granriJ>a lbe variances, as coOOitiooed below, "ould proven! the =go from bem, • size comparable 10 _ cottages in R-t zom"8 .rJStricts and aDowed b)' lbe Z>O!liD8~· 94-V-1S !gldsl<: 1be main house 0:1 lbe sile, as C<lnditiooed beloW, would be 5,005 oquaR feet. whick meets an applicable lOlling requiremeDts includm, flIling below lbe 6,000 <quare foot lIl>ximum size runlL 1be cottage meets an OWli<:ab1e ZOIlm, RqUirementi except the I'IIeoIy foot rear se$acl: requimneDI. whic:ll cannot be mei because of the creek location and easement width. The CRd and .. area ~ 'the amooDt ol floor area lba! "'" be buill ()Q lbe w. <hnrin8 lbe variances, as couditiooed beloW, is necessaI)I fur lbe IWIicaDt 10 ..yoy lbe reasonable use of lbe propor1)I, whiclI includes. primal)' c!welliq and • IOC<lDc! living unit; tDd The granting of die applicotion will not be ddrlmeo<al or iIlJwious 10 property or Improvements in lbe vicinity in Ihot, as coaIitiooed below,lbe cottage would be approximately tea feet from die edge ol the fIooc! CODIrol easemoll! line and approximately thirty feet from !he "-'I' ol the creek l=k. The illctea>ed <IlsIm:c from the creek (~Ight feet more !hoD the original request) will provide grealtr prote.."tion for lbe creek and will ~ lbe amouDl of the >-.riance 10 lbe floor ~ requiremerl by 160 square feet 5C lba! lbe I0I3l floor area 00 the sire ",ill equal 5,865 square feet, whiek is 166 square feel over lbe maximum anowed, and 160 square feet less !hoD lbe original 326 _ feet requested. The main boc.. .. I.Dd cottage will 00( be closer 10 oeighboriDg properties thaD onfu:arily allowed and wi not have grealer vls!al impact !hoD <>rdi=iIy allowed. The graOOng of lbe vatialns, as conditioned below, will resuh in • project which COOlplles .. irh aD z<roing teqUimnenU except Ihot I len foot oea..cl< from the fIooc! COD!roI easement rme will be present rather !hoD a I'IIeoIy foot seIbacl<. and lbe overan floor ~ CD lbe sire will be 166 sciuan: feet greater thaD ordinarily anowed. December IS, 1994 P.,.2 -:--;-.~--:-!: - '.-,. ,; ~"-.-. CONDITIONS I. The Ihr<e car PRi< oboWil 0!I1!Ie plans ICImpCII receh-..:l NoYeU1lJer 10. 1994 shall be reducc4 by 160 oquare feet {8 wide " 20 deep) 10 IboI IllO sang. IJccomea • two car pnge willi room for stor .... and \he ~ Iiu af!be eWn bouse IJccomea S.OOS >quaIO I'ec:t. This rcvisioa shall be Albmitted IIIllO limo af building permit epptication and shall be IllbjeclIO Ib: !Mew and IJIPRlYal af IllO Zomng AdminisIralOr and shall 1M)( 1eQUl>1: • public !>arq. ,. The cottase _ on IllO pIaDI 0Ilmped. n:ceiwd N<MmI>cr 10. 1994 shall be """"" e;pt feet IOUlhwml, toWlld IllO maiD bcNoc:, R:OUlIiDa ill I tee fool rear seIbacIt from IllO floo<! ooDIroI easement liDo. This reviiioG shall be IUI!InkI<d II \he time ol building permit applkalion and shall be subjcd 10 IllO review and lWM'a1 of!lle Zooing AdmiDlsIraIor and shall II<!! ~ • pubf", ""*'iDs. J. T ..... DIII!lbemI 1,2,4 and S on !Ile pIaDI SIampcd n:ceiwd 101"""""'" 10. 1994 shall be mami-' I11III ~ usn" IllO ~ 0UIf1DOd in I!Ie repon ci!led: 'T,... P' .... "'lion and Protection PI!n'. submiaod by hmco M. McCIemIlaa. ASCA. _ October 20, 1994. 4. ·A perm;t shall be ob!ained from !be Santa Clan VIIIcy WaIOr DisI.'icI prior 10 ~ af my project COIISttUo."tion. s. ConsIruction coDlluct<d widlln !be city riglll-oC· ..... y must ba\'e I Permit 10< ConsIruction in !be Public S!reoI. and must be obWnod from !he DopartmenI af Public Woo.. prior 10 ~ af ""ode. 6. The puking requ/Itd for both the maiD bouse and tho <oILag. shall be COIlStt1!Cted prior 10 IinalIing !be buMmg permit for !be projccL USA GROTE Zomng Administrator Dale: December IS. 1994 94-Y·1S 19ldol< Dec<mber IS. 1994 Pagel .. ' ,. This fonn does .not constituJe !he variance for which application ...... mode If ibc appIica!ioD is approved ODd if nO appeal from !his decision is filed b~ .ny person firm, .,.. corponIIlou Iffc:cje<f by !he decision on or by ~ U, 1994,)011 will receive • tq>y of)'OIIr pennit in !he ma!!. If d!ls oppIicariOll is DO( decided 10 )'OO!' satisfaction, IIle <lecisloo ... y be appealed k> !he Planning Commission by filiDg an oppeaI application w;m !he Planning Oepartmonl and City Clerl< on 0< be!<n !he above ruen60ned dale. 94-V-1S Igldsk Soseph M. Colorma, Planner Ms. Bassie la, P.O. Box SI892. Palo Alto. CA 94301 Me. CllarIes Stevens. 1431 Edgewood Dri>e, Palo Alto. CA 94301 .M •. Bonnie Stem, 1#9 Edgewood Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94301 Ms. Roberta G. McKee, 1491 Edgewood Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94301 Mr. Hemj Caban, 142S Edgewood Drive, Palo AII<>, CA 94301 Mr. Tom S!oon, 2SS N. Mm:et Street, 125S, San kso, CA 95110 Mr. Binh T. Nguyen. 1451 Edgewood Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94301 December 15, 1994 Page 4 Application No. 94-UP-40: 1451 Edgewood [)ri,. Use Petmit 94-UP-40 is .ppro>ed for !be Ioca!ion and construction of • _ Ilving unit (1XlIbge) approximately len. feet from !be flood e<>otroI .. sewent at !be rear of !he ptopa1y. VIhcR • tweDIy fool ~ from tho cascmcnt IlDe is l'Il>erwlse required. C<>mbin<d wldI!he~ main clwelfu!g, cons:ruction of !he =8" woaId result in .1O!aI fIoo< ..... of 5.S65 square feet. as 1'"' mocIified plans. 1l'I>ere 5.699.5 square feet is !be maximumolhetwise allowed at, 1451 Edgewood [)rive. R-t (929) ZoDe DisIrlct. Pal<> ~1to. Califomi The proj«;1 is approved based o. tho folkl ... .tlI finlfmgs and is subject 10 !he CODdiIions Ilsted below. I. The propooed use at !he proposed location ",ill DOl be _tal or injurious to properly c< improvemenIs in !be .;cinity. and will not be <letri!llelll8l1O!be pu1>!lc health, safety. gener.tI ",.lfare c< convenience, in !bot, IS ~ beb"'. !be cottage 'IKlIlld be appro_I, teD feet from !be edge of !be flood cooIroI easement 1ine and approximately IbIrty feet from !be lOp of Ibe creek bonk. The increased cIistmcc from !be aeek (eight feet more than !be original mquesQ will provide JR1.1er proIe<:tiOn for !be croei: and wiI1 reduce !be IIDOWIf of Ibe variance 10 !be fIoo< a= requimDenI by 160 square feel "" that !be lOIlI! square fooIagc CD Ibe site will equaJ 5,865 square feet. ... iIicIJ. is 166 square feel O\"Cr !be maxim1an allowed, and 160 square feel less thaD Ibe original 326 square feet ~. The main boose and coaage will IlO( be clo$er \0 oeighOOring proper6es than ordinarily allowed and ",ill DOl have greatcE visual impact than ordiIwi1y allowed. The granting of !be variances. as cooditioncd be1<>w. will resuh in • ~ wlliclI complies with all zoning ~ exccpc tb2t • leD foot se!baclc from !be f100d cooIro! •• SM"'1lI !iDe will be pteSelll nlber thaD • tweDIy fool setback. and !be "venJI floor area en !he site will be 166 square feet greater than ordinarily allowed. Variance fIndings for """ setback and floor area lm addressed in Variance Permit 94-V-IS. SHJP-40.lg 250Hari!kJr.A'll'l!nue PO b 1Cl:B:l PakAho,CA 96D 415.329.244l 415-329 22t::rr-tDI December IS. 1994 ""go I 2. The proposed use ..... J1 be Iocoted and conducted in • manner in ac<:<:>rd ",ith!be Polo Alto Comprebensive Plan and !be p!l~ of TJtk 18 of !be Palo Ahe> Municipal Code, in that secood livins units an: coosidcml affordable bowing in !be Oxnprebensi .. Plan and arc C!lCOIlr'Iged .... here possible. and are allowed bribe Title 18 {)(!be Municipal Code (Zoning) IS wDditionally pennitted uses on lots greater Ihan 13,000· &qI'&<" feci in R-I(929)· zo!!iDg dIstricts. The oubjCCl site is 16,498 square feci without !be crcci: and flood C01JIroI ~'" artI. All oIber zonins requirementi lIe met with !be exception of rear setbICl: from !be flood C01JIroI easement line and ovenll fIo.x area on !be she. Variaace fjn,fllli" fer Ibese two iIl!ms are _ in Variance PmniI 94-V -15_ CONDiTIONS '- 2. 3. 4_ • The three car garage silo"", 00 !he plans stamped r=ived Noyember 10, 1994 shall be ~ by 160 &qI'&<" feci (8 wide 1 20 deep) so that !be gange becomes • two <at garage with room fer otorage, and !be ovenll size {)(!be main howe becomes S,005 square feet. This revision shall be Rlbmlltecllt !be lime {)( l>uiIQID8 permiI application and sllalI be subject 10 !be .. ,iew and approvol of !be Zoning Administtator and 5baIl DO( RqUire I pubrx: bearing. The cottage sIlown 00 the plans stamped recelved No,,,,,,bez 10, 1994 sIlal! be .m<Wed eight feci SOUlh .. 'Itd, IOw<U1l the main bouse, ...wring ill • ten foor rear <eIback from the flood CODIroI easemenI line. This tevisioo shall be submitted at !be lime cf building penni! appIicaoon and sh.aII be subject II> !be .. view and approval ()( tbe Zoning A.tmjojslrator and sh.aII DO( require. public bearing. Trees !IIIIl1bered 1,2,4 and 5 Oil the pIl= stamped teeeived November 10. 1994 shall be rna;"",;""" and pro«ecto! usill8 !be meIhocIs ootflned in !be repo<IliIIed; 'Ttee Preservation and ProI:<:tion Plan'. submitted by lames M. McClenahan, A.St::;A, dated OcIOl>er 20, J 994. A penni! ,ball be obtained from !be Santa 0 .... Valley Watu District prior II> commenr.em.:nI 0( any project coostru<;tion. NLL"!lber amended on February 15. 199510 accurately retlecl!be requiremenI for the R-I(929) zoning district. 94-UP40.lg Decembez IS, 1994 Page 2 :"". s. ConIsInIction cooduc1<d ,.i!hin tile ~iIy right-<>f.w.y mUS! have • Permit for Construction in tile Public S<rcct, and must be obtained from tile Department of Public Works prior 10 ~ of .. ort. 6. The putiDa mjuiml for both tile main bouse and the COllage sI1aII be COIIStnJcIed prior 10 finolling 1be buildIns permit for tile project. q~~_A-t<)R USAGROm Zo!Jing AdmInisIntor Dale: Dc=nbet IS, 1994 This form docs DOl constltute the use permit for ,.11k!> application '>'as made If 1be .ppr_ it; opproved and If no appoaI from Ibis ~ision is filcd by any pen;on firm, or CO<pOrlltion affected bj the ~islon 011 or by Dc=nbet 27, 1994, Y"" will Rcehe • COP)" of your permit in themai!. I! Ibis applicatioo is no! ck<:Ided 10 )'cur satisfac!ion. the ~isIon may be appeaJed 10 tile Pianning Commission by filing an appeal eppIication _ !lie Pianning Dcpar)melll and CII; CIett O!l or befon: 1be lbove tneIl!io!l<d date. ;:co Jo<oph M. Colonna, PI.anDer Ms. Bassie Lee, P.O. Box 51892, Pak> Alto, CA 94303 Mr. Cbark:s StevetlS, 1431 Edg<"'ood Drive, Pale All<>, CA 94301 Ms. IiomJie Sreln, 1449 Edgewood Drive, Palo AI.", CA 94301 Ms. Robena O. MclC.ee, 1491 Edgewood Dri-.e, Palo Alto, CA 94301 Mr. Henry Cohan, 14ZS Edgewood Drive. Palo Alto, CA 94301 Mr. Tom Sloan, 255 No Milk< Street. 1255. San 1o<e, CA 95110 Mr. Binh T. Nguy .... 1457 Edg<wood Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94301 Dc=nber IS, 1994 Page l :' .. CITY Of PALO ALTO om •• 0111>0 City CIetI< ' APPEAL fROM T>IE DECTSIOH OF ZOHlfIG ADMINlSTR .. TO!! f'hone,J/'S) 3:a.'~,...,.,'2. aI-9'fl-3~1 Zip Name d """"'11)' 0wrEr (i' other !han awenanQ _-"S,,-I!::"'LH~_T,",----,a,-< .. <t,-",v~y"'KUtl,,--___ _ PropeI1)' CNmo<'. Address I Ita, !"O ~ IS Q {!" -"'Au A,", _ .:/I, # .... ,,'" Street CIty Zip Tho dedslon d 111. Zoo/ng Administrator cIiot"; Decem &!'& I S-,.~ ~!he appI'lCaI1on oI_-_--'-r .. QU,II1"'--"(-'L ... yAN"'!'~,_~_,,_-,---------for. ' I/U ~ (otiginaI aWoca,-.!j _~. ice ~\lt'-'iOwas --~.z; ... ""!,,,..-c=cJ.;::..;--~' "llereby aweaTed for !he ~ <ik5!aeniedJ :easans Slated ;, !he Onached letter Qn tfupl'ocare). DaIe _____ , Cfr( COUNCI'_ OEastON: Dale _ ~.."..,.. aro/or Cood'IIlons: .-2- 3- oL S. Slgnatur. c;f ,o.wen.,t Approved __ _ Oenied ___ _ o..n"'" ___ _ '.' RESIDENTS' G~UP TO PROTECT EDGEW~R1VE FROM OVERBUILDING Petition to Palo Alto City Council Reference Variance Request 94-V-15 We. the undersigned residents of the 1400 blod of Edgewood Drive, Palo Aito, petition the Palo Alto City Council to rejE<:t V"riana Request 94-Y-1S. This variance would ~uvolve the construction at 1451 Edgewood Drive cf two s.tructures, a large, 5161 square foot singIe·family residence ... plus an 860 square foot smal1e!' residence. on one lr.A. The combined floor' area of the two residences, totaling 6027 S4,1Jare !eet.. will exceed the FAIl limits for th:. properLy by 327.5 square feet, Of: almosL 6 %. This p.-operty, O<le of the smaller lots on the block, bas very recently changed hands. The Il£W oy.,;ner intends to raze the exj~tiog residence, and constI1.K:t t."*1e two [jEW home_s by .encroaching into the rear setback. Vie are deeply concerned about establis-hing ncw precedents for density o(TesX!ence floor j:reas in our neighborhood. T~ City 0( Palo Alto has est.:lbrL,bed the f AJl rule in ocder to pi'event unsightly overbuilding on residential lots. Yle a-sk that you refuse to pennit the floutlng of these rules lIo'()en it is dear that no hardship exists. It is obvious that the Jot was purchased lIIitb the in'!:ention of seeking a variance to build 'larger fk:xx areas than P<llo Alto'"s i1oc>r area regulations permit. Pnnt name Slgnature · .-:;~ . . -. " RESIDENTS' ~OUP TO PROTECT EDGEWa DRNE FROM OVERBUILDING Petition to Pal<> Alto City Council Reference Variance Request 94-V-lS We, the lladersigned res1denlS rX tM 1400 block 0( Edsewood Drive, Palo Alto, petition the Pal<> Alto City Council to reject Variance Request 94-V-1 S_ This varlanc~ would Involve tbe construction at 1457 Edgewood Drive 0( two structures, a large, 5167 5qU3.re foo( smgle-family .resk1ence. plus ;an 860 square foot smaller resk5en..:e, on one lot. lbe combIned floo< area rX!he two residences, IOtaling 6027 squaTe reel, will exceed the fAlL n.-nilS foe this property by 32705 square feet, e>r alm<>st 696. This property, one 0( the ."",!ler lots on t..'le blocJc, has vor". recently cbanged bands. The new owner intends \0 T3Z1! the existing residence. and construt.:t the two ne ..... homes byeru:rooching into the rear setbadc.. We are deeply concerned about estat>11shing new precedents ~ <:I-en5ity "(,[. f'"e-sidenC?e floor are .. in our neighborbood. The City of Palo Alto l\", establisbed the f Ai<. rule in rn-der to prevent unsightly overbuilding on re!!lidential kJ.ts. We ask that you refuse 10 permit tbe flouting of these rtltes ,,"'ben it is clear that no hardship ed~ It is -obvious that the lot ""'as purcha..--ed with :{be intention of seeKing a vari.lnce to buIld larger flooc areas than Palo Nto·s fkx>r .&!.fea reguloloons permit. Fdlnwy 8. 199) Mr. JosepII M. 00I0nn0 PWmIni Dtvisioa CiIy of Palo All. PosI Office B<u 102.50 Palo Aho. CA 94303 Dear Me. Co!oana: RECEIVED FESIl91995 ,~ DisI!ict ~ revie.....<l Il'~ WIised site p1an foe tbc Nguyen r~ locale<! at 1457 Edgewood Drive. Palo All., APN 003-11-061, File !14-UP-10, ,...,ived bJ lIS on January 12. 1m. San Franci5quit4 Creel<, • District flood coo!r¢! facffity, runs Ibrougll \he rear pon;oo of !hi, site. The site would !lOt be subject 10 floOOing in the event of • i penoen! flood. The DisIrict b$ I flood control oasemeot across the rea, portloo at this site 10 allow 10< Ibe iqirovemetll llld mainlcruncc at tbe creek. The si ... plan adequately sho .... tile timir. at the Dismct'. easemeot. . The Ioadoo ofll>e propo5ed guest cottage is acceptable \0 Il>e 0istri<1.. Upoo re<:elpt of final cIeveIopmeal plans. the Di51rict will issue • permit. Two 5eI:s of final development plans should be seD« foe ()Ilr rcW:w and :sst.a;1Ce <:i I pennit prior !Il die start of coostruction. Please ref""""", Distrlo:t File Number 23032"" M",. comspoodcnce. A!Jy quest;ocs may be referred 10 me aI (408) 265-2607, •• Ietlsi<lll 2319. R.iclw:d M. Anderson A.ssisIanI Engineer II Desigo. Coocdinalioo Division n: Mr. Tom Sloan Metro Design Grou!' 2j~ NOI1iI Max'kel Street.. Suile ~.5 San Jose, CA 95110 l\PI'L!O\rJ(JI 10. M-tP--40. 1457 I!IXE«X%> auvE ~ 10. M-V-15. 1451 mE«XJ) n<IVE O&e _t M-U'--IO and VOrlance 9.-"'-15 are ~ fer: the locatl"" and cnwtructl<li> of & -.end living unlt {cot~l ~o:<i .... tely ten feet fn .. the f~ cxmUOl _ at the rear of the property. >l>ere a twenty foot setboclI fr<a the ......... ,t line Is otherwise required. O:Ilbined Witll the p<~ malR ~llfD\l. OCIDStroctlon of. the cott_ ..,.ad re.-ult ID a total flOO£ ana of 5.865 square feet. as per ltC'lified plans. ~ 5.699.5 sq=e t .... t is the IlUlmD ot1>ar.dse allCWld at. 1451 ~ ill"ive. R-l (9291 zone llI&trict. Palo Alto. california. Usa Grote: the applicant is proposing to detrJ:ll is!1 the existIng single-faml Iy hcuse and COflStruct a, ne.t Baio reside."1.tial a...<el1ing under a Ses:-arate perrrJ. t~ "This i& also cat-eQOl'icaHy exarpt frCl'fl the califotnia Envir~\ental -Q.1aIity kt~ Is tl'~ awlicant here 00 that awlicatior'l'f OJt.ay. Me )'OU the applicant? No-.. Pm the ~r of the prcperty and. m".f arcni teet ~ 11 be here shortl1 11:0 repcesent me:. Lisa_-,Grs>te: Okay. There are a couple -of things that ..... e need to-Giscus;s. I bel1eve"\We: rece1\1'ed a letter today aSKing fO[' COfl.t inua."iCe of this bearing·~ Let ~ ree:.d fr.at to. you so you are aware Q[ it. It's date-,3 ~r' 17th. it"d directed to JOe COlonna ~ is sitting across tramme* It says: -'l'hant you foe our oonversati.oo this no--=ning: in ...tLich Y'O'':' explained to me If1!f I.egal rights ooncerninq the de-.reJcpnent of the 'v-ClpeIt! s: house «NaY f rem me at US 7 .E'.dgewood. ! had inteOOed to be present at the p.Jblic hee.rtog: today~ but find that 3: am unable to attend~ I am, therefiXe, requesting a -continuati-oo of this hearing so that I may have tIne to Eev1fM the pla,'1;s at the -ci ty hall and , • .t:tich wi II also qive me and seve.ral of nT.i neiQhbors another cha.'Y'....e to be pr-esen,t at the li'ee::tinq. .I '\1.'1 II say 1 al1t q:lPOSed tva variance of the flood: contra I easarent at the rear of the pcoperty. It the project were scaled ~ a bit to the ranqe of 4. to 5 thousand square teet there 1.'-:AJ:!,d "be no need foe thit; variance. I find the project especially untenab!e ·since the r.ouse rust sit slde-l,.,/(lYs 00. -; - Usa Grote: Okay. TI"::an)r: you. the 1Mf in the black ..nth the !otIhlte turtli.neck -""",ld you like to ope<k? ~Cohan ~ Grace YaflQ, aslced S!'e to-just Sl'.,.;.eak on hoar bE:1-:al L Her ccnce!'n is t."Joat her house is rloht next door" to the r-roposed building constructi~. and she's.ooocerned that thP..re could be an invasion of prl'vaCj' in te~-of reductloo In privacy Visually frag. t.."'le new' stn...'Cture. So I'm SUl,'e she W'Otlld like to evaluate end reY1ew the p!;ID!'; that would De sul:rl\itted. Li ~ Grct.!.: 0It2.1. iiaS ehe had a chance to? We do have a copy of the plans. If jI'QU·d like to care 'tIP :and ta)r;e a look. we can put them over here. Fjrst. I"d like to ask 1f the archltect ~uld like to sat anythinq for the owner? We 'have had a reque:ot foc continUance o~ the public hearinq in order to. allOW'" rrore nei~ tc-SOOIt &t the plan I!Dt"E: -closely. We received a letter toGaY and also one of the neighbors is here to say tJ'\.c.t srLe hasn~t :had enough tirre to really cons~der the plans and talk with the applicant and his a:rct,a~t to dlSC\,lS5 \tohat's being proposed. rhere 15 another 9'oC!fl:tl8T1CJ1 here ...tlc 'has :raJe the statarent that l1e's not in lave>[" o·f the· s;;Ians cof the proposals. S:> loJ'..=.t I'd like to do is offer the ardutect atl cppcrtunity te' responC: to Ll"..os.e: concerns r~ght :oow~ and then pert.aps indlcate if yet; ~i.lld a~e .... -: th tJ'.E: continuance. Tan Sloan: I'm Tan Sloan. the architecL "rat I'd like to do is" if it can be posSible in this focUfl'\, I'm in favo:;.r of contir,dng it~ 1:1 o-th~ W"2.caSr "''e dcxftt '\oant to o:rie in 'Wi th this project if tt,e people l"-.ave q\iestions. lo.'e .. -a.'l.t t.o be able to answr tl'lose I ight now. Is there serre for-elm .... bere \o.'e call -de tllat? Lisa ~~: I thinlt that 'We can. Actually. we should ~obably COC".tinue the: \ol)ole di6CU5slon foc t"1IoO 'Weeks, and then allow you an qJpOrtunity to-~t...'1er with the neighbors tr.at have concerns. there are a few-'Of t.hen here right now .. and there"s also-Bonnie Mi 1 ler St.el.o, -who lives at 1449 Edgew:JOd Drive. W'!O wrote in; 'Who-~ us a letter -saying she had sm.e concerns about it arid 'wanted to talk to you about it and look at tIle plans. So I w:::ou!d .. -cnt tC' -3 - continue tM hea.rl!')q to Ii! date certa.In to ~i~ you that tirre to talk thEm. Usa Grete: Okay. -,;e·ll continue this iten the:n to ~-ceOOer 1. 199- p.m ... and it .ill be in the Cou.~!l Conference Boc:n!, \r!kjjch is our ty~ meeti!')9 areai ....n.!c..l), is the roa"\ next doo!'. Thal1its. -4 - DB"MfR J, 1994 Lloa Grote' I'd lI"e to begin the Ilec8li>er 1. 1994 Zon!nq Mnln!.trator Hearlno-1'11\ J,1sa G!"ote. the City of Palr.> Alto 2.orlinq 1dr.lnl.,tratOl'. en lUi right 1 • .1oe COlonna. 5enlOl" Planner In the Plonnlr>;l DlYiSloo. Troay ... Mve five n ..... on the ~. so ..... cre OOlng to try to """-. thcou<Jh I t quickly. ThE! fJnt one is a OOJ:'lUnued item fran t..o 'Weell:s a90 at !4S1 F.dge.rI.xd t!:ive. The prn<:ess for to3al' is t.na.t the awllcant w; 1\ be Invited to give" b£1"f sunrary cl their proposaL then per::>ple fran the audience either in fav'Ot' of or opposed to the OWllcatloo will be InVited to speaJt. Then ....... 1I have sare dIalogue if that". necessary talkinq about conch tions o.f approval « possible con!ili<XlS. 1'he:n l'U close the public hearing; and i. have t<en days tv issue a wr£tten determination~ If you '-oIant to, receiv""e a ccpy of that ~itten detenninaUon. plel:lse fiB out 2; 1oh1lte card and ~'U p;.lt it In the file; and YOU:~ll BlJtanaticalf7 receIve a copy of the dete..~J.natioo~ If yoo~re on the aw!!catlon fotm. you don'l r.eed to f ill out the ""lt~ card. you'll qet <lflE! autanatica]Jy. Within ten days of that "-oTiUen determination if ¥OU'r~ not happy with the determination 0{' one cif tt~ tt'R'lditions of awroval. you ea..'1 appeal the -Oeci5'ion to the Plannino 'CarI'nlS$lOl'l. nat 'Wi 11 then.go on. to. the City council as .... lI. lind that appeal rrust be in writln\l. So ";th that we'll start with our first it8t'l "".deb is 1457 EdQ'ew::Qd Dr"ive~ It's t~ a Use Perndt; it~s 94-UP-40 ~~ 94-V-l~. It·s an application for B conditional u~e pe...""ll".1t and-'W.I"iance fOt' the IClC&tlon and. OOC1.stC..lCtloo Qt a se.::and liVing; unit proposed !o be located directly adj.e:cent to a flood control easement at t..~ rear of the pccperty .. lotIere a twenty foot setback is ot.'lerwi se rec;!\l ired. That·s ea:b~ned With a.Pl'~ !rain d...IellinQ 'tlnit .. and cor-.stNCtlc:n of a cottaQe ~!ch \oIOUld result in a total floor araa of 6.021 square feet \tIlere 5.699.5 square feet is the ce.xinun alI~. the appIi.CNlt js also propc5in.q to denoUsh the existiDQ single-fami ly t.ouse and coru;tr'xt a a new mala res1dential 'Unit under a separate permit. I ~>.Jld liKe the awlicant to cme tocwa.rd and 91ve a bcief 'S\.D"r'ti"a. of tl-.e application and then perhaps S\ZIl"l1a.rlze the <liscuos!on that oocurr~ bet><een the neighbors and yourself. And I clo - 1 - .. ' .: .' have iI coup!e of letters i:l".at 1 have received just today that I .... ill nee! to enter into the reoocd. Tarn SJoan: My rare 11 Ian SI,can and I'm the architect fc'r" the pcoject. Lisa Grote, I de> need to ask yOU t" please be quitE. 6()'" can hear the pnsentat ion. n-aa.'1Jt yoo. fan Sloan: What 'We are applying fO[' is a use ~...rm1t, first of all. to CCI1Stl"'.lct a guest bouse .. lolliCh 15 located iJ'.l the rear of tJ".e $)['C\?&ty. It IrE!etii the froo:t setback and certa.inly the side setbacks that are required. Wher. \lie do need a varIance is Coc the rear setback encroacl'r.'ent. This riOht here is the property line, and r.ome.l1y ...r.a.t you -..ouId have if there IHaS not a creek ~ here and the ea.!«!"ei"'lt. this .....:ould be the 20-fOC>t setback. SO essent!.alI, that strolCtura u-eet all the setback requireuents. But Viat we are required 'to. by city ocCl:inance is take setbacJts frern an easE!l'T'e1t 1 ine 10Ilich is efi.Selltiallyanother setback. So that puts us back this distance -40 plus another 20 -requires us to actu;l If tc have about a tiO-foot setback fran the rear property line. 50 tM5 is essentially -,.by 'We're asking f~ a variance. 'Ibe otlier thlno t.'ha.t happens here is because thl,S ,.square footage \ol1ic'h is 2500 square feet of area. If ~ _~e to calC".J.lata ti,;:.~t into-the equat ion foe l"oti D'IJCh bouse and -9Uest house 'we cocld build. we -..ould realIy not be a5"kinq for a variance at ail because this area is deducted fran the all~!e lot area. So findino nmber one, that you ha'.--e to M\I'I!:I sarethinQ unique a!:Jout the property is certainly rret. Irl fact. a stream on the site is actually outlined in the 2IOnIl'lQ' guldebJok as one of the re:a.suns you coo j d aSK foe a vari ance. Secondly. in granting' the variance. it says here "hosed on the uniqueness of the lot. the property a..ner Ooes not have tIle saJ'T'e develC,lffl"ent. ri7tt$. as OIoI1ers of typIcal lot.s. Certainly t."le ne~Qhbc..£s 00. the sam:!: si,je of Edgea.ood ~!ve, have the creek runninq t~'Qh the back of their property. But o...fuat happens is the creek rrodulates in and out of peop!e'-s property. SO essentially t.he easement is unusually large at this lot ...nere ot.her..nse :it tapers the street; it tapers down. \<"e.IJ' narrow. So 'We .... -e QOt a."'l unusually laroe section here • .And the nelQhbors across the strest real I? are nei~s but'yet they do IlVt have this penalty. if you WlII~ C'l:l their p!:openy. So I -"l- •• l_l " .. '-Z ... 1_.'\a, •• I..II.\::l:Ol!ll. do belleve thIs Is UI1~ to this property. And the third flndlnq that vou n:et ~ant in ot"6er to-~t tte varia..~ is t.he variance v..11 not be detr1lT'enta} to the r;urrol.UxH:'lQ pt'OJ)erty o.ners or residence~ Essent L15.ll y. we ~ -meetlng the Jide st:tteclr: requirEments 50 it·s our contention tr.at we are not unduly lnpactlnq the llEi~. on el ther .I~e . .t isa Grote: Ck\y. l'hanj[ you very rruch. Are there rerbers of the audi ence that would H'ke tOo s:peak: to this application? If you ooul-d start wi th your ..,.,.., and addr ..... SUsIe .Lee: Q-.ay. I'm sass!e Lee. I'm at 1210 Dana Avenue \ofUch is In Cr~ Park, the \IIO<ler<Il nel\lhlX"-rnooo, and I haVe ~ the ~le >1>0 ...."t to build t.Oe rouse foe over ten yaar. now. They are veri decent ~Io and very lcmog famlly. And the reason for the gIleS t house i. for hI s parent. >l><> 118y vi.lt then ftan tL"" to t!me. And so t.""Y>oWld like to have 0 quest house avallahle foc that purpose. And Mia.'!'} people tend to take: care of their, elderly. and $0 t.iat', the r&ason l;e would like to build the quest house. And 1 revle.ed the plan and I tho,q,t that it', beautifully put t_ther. SO I'm ic S\lllP'Xt of It, ~th llc~, Yes, l<eith llck..",.". I 've ~ the applicants for aboot 5 years no.; and he~s -oJerY interested in. nc-.rinQ' to Palo J...lto and this will 00 his pcimart residence. Ar.d aQain~ !IS he said~ the ~t !'louse is ;r,rimarilll for his .Parents -lotto are about 15 years -and 50 he can take ~e of than in their old age. U'1lcnc:wl 9:leaj:er fran. ~ Audience: Hay I ask the O'.air, does this buiJdinQ haVe • kitchen !& It? Usa Grote:-Yeti It WJUld. t1nJalOwn SPeaker: So it could be -used as a rental Ul"'.it? Lisa Grota: It <:ould be: used as a rental uni t_ -3 - Lisa Grote! It i$ £)er:rJssible. 1"ilere h adeq'<late 1,;>t si2e there. It does need the CDnditi-onal tlSe .PErmit .. but it fs a pemjtted tlse. Is there anythJ!)Q else z'OU~.Q like to say"? ~~ I....as just ~ring if the Santa 'Ciara ~at~r District has awcoved the ~t becai.l£e -of the tact t.r..at the oottaQS vsry-~li rray jeopardize tr.e .tallillty <>f the land theta. I thin~ that snouk! be loolteoi int¢"o Lt5a~; Right. T.ne santa Clara water DistrIct did re;eive a cop" of. the ~lans_ They did lOOk at it. J,lsa GrQ:t--!.! Iheir response is -I' U Sl.I'rtI"ari:ze this -nthe District has a flood control ea~t across the rear portion of the site to allow for inprovenent and rraintenance of the i:r~lc. Tne Jimits of the eaS€!re.!lt should be s'hcwn on t.'t-Je plans. \J'lich they are. It says "'L'1e DIstrict "''ill need ::0- assess the itrpact the prc:pcsed guest house: ~ 11 hcr.R:! on the 5t.abllHy cf the <:reek bankS., and that ti'.ey ~!d de> tIwt prier tc the start c..f .coostructi-Cln .. pr'i-cc to the issuance of the buUdwq ~rmlt... T'ney don't raise red fiaQs O~ concerns. ~~: Tr:ey l'tdVen~t QOtt~'1 the p1an -...here the eaXr.-rent line canes in. that'S"\o61)' they haven't z-~ised au,! red flags ye.t. bfsa Gr~: It is mY understanding that t."'l::Ey re-:eived ill copy of th15 pla.,. We routad it to thEm. If you ¥,QUId lIke to look at this plan.,. you 1 re welcare. Q-~~:: I sp::lke to.Hr. A"1de.rson Y8sterdayr (I.e .did not receive the plan wi th the easement ! ine. -~ - ..Joe <:Olon.\,\&: l'~ spoKen with l',1.m. and he 'WaS satisfied i!lft'E:X tJllk:ing With me the flut tL .... that tr.e plans !lad been 6ufticiently chamed beca"",e Ile ~id &:end.we it Copy of the ea.serrent descrlpUon. I mltched that l..'p-with this plan Set. He wi l! receive anctt.er set of plans at that WiJl show tl'.e easerrEr.!t and will oJso do the enqlneerill9 on tho> proj<!Ct to ~. sur" that tile bank Is .table-~ or that there~s further ~SUIes that the applicant has to-take to Itab11 j 2e the beru: for the pr:o ject. ~ Speaker: I'd just like to. -say sarethlno else that .!ray not ha-..-e anything to cb 'With the 5tablllty o! H.E land, bet the hOuse tr.at is belnq deirollsbeQ is no 1J'ttE-than 2,000. 2,500 feeL The new riOUSe plus the oxtaqe 11 CNer IS~OOO .. and I tl'link that should be taken into oor.slderatiClrl. It happerls to be the srellest house on the block. project-.n.se .. and it E\.':n n.arraws in the bac<~ h\d the b:>use has to. be put sl,derways on the-ptCS'erty. 50 it wilJ be ~ stOf'les sIdeways -00 the ,Pl"Clpa-ty frClT\ the very fror:t edge to the very back edge of. the ~t y. And I Icnof.,.r it fits i r:. the legal lilrdta't.10ll$~ but -there are-ways-ot skirting the legal jUr .. i.tatioos~ arod that':::; W.I ~ see houses around Palo J..J to that are far io excess?f the size tl:ey sr.ould be tOE' t.l)e lot. l11at""s my ft:eUng abou,t it. And as o'9iwuA's"'oe have: to Uw wit.~ the aestt,eties .of the sltuation. That'"s a typj,:;alIy vert" specIal. 'Walderful lot 1."'.1 Palo Al to, and I thinJc 'We sholJld be very care:flli alx>o.t tl'at. BonnIe St~in~ M:Y narre is Bonnie Stein .end I Ii.ve two doors dot..n at l-4';:;' Edqewood Drive. Usa ~~: Okay. Thank yov. Yes_ fIarJ}; ___ ~: I ha~ scm: o:mrents. If you Ooc't D'Ilnd, }'11 use notes so-! can keep lrZr'seif oroani:zed. My name is HanJt COha.,..,~ I 1 ive at HiS £&;j~. nds prcperty C'tIa.nqed"hands loIithin the last four m:X1ths. Certai!""ily the ~'erl t... ... e nE!W' a...ne.r-~ -was aware of the various re.;trictions on it. 'Ihe fact tt.at the [ear lot. '\ol1fcb is substandard~ and the lot has a "excessIVE:" setback -5 - t I r~JjreTSlt certaInly should-haV'e ~ ... i ~ to tna Tle.I ~e.r~ I:'s w.r-:.':l\l5 U.a.t thIs perKIQ purchased thj s Jot i:l fl.l1.J ~Utloo a varianc-a w:;:.)IJ!d be Qraneed. 'Ihe o..nar is. not beIng faced 'With M'W ard \ll1kiJOW"l restrictions. He .horJld .have ~ the restnctIons 'Io.nen he ~t the prcperty. FL"iCing 3 - thJs 'VcU'iance reqAe6t j [ grCinted lrues a l'fClCkery of. Palo Al t">' Ei 2O( • .lnq requZatfGnS. Peep!e buy hares in the belief that the 'J:001~ regulatioos wiJJ protect-their lnterest in the future. if ,granted thlS variance .. i J 1 'becare a closet 1_1 l'I'ecedent t.''l3t can be utilized by in the future by Myooe """ w16heG to clI"C'l..ll'VeOt the rul es. Hi s pcClpC>6ed zs:tr.x:t'JXe, \ol!ich j s called the -ouest o;)ttaQ&,. "\IliC!n bas a floo!' u-.;a. of 860 square teet. ti.o bedroars. j lYing roan~ <lining: area .. kitchen end one bat.h .. is hardly a q.;.est cottaMJe· !'here.are sany ~bedrOClt!; ooodr::$ In Palo Alto that are 9!"eller than thjs . .J1oI,.i can tho: applicant state-this ~t oottaoe will never be used as a rental unit'? !J"l.3 ~ty can sold next yaar and tl'.e Pt"eSE:l.lt 2l:pplicar.:t has no control over t.he new buyer. E\J.rthet'ttr;:;;ce. n::::M I understand that ["ental un.:. ts are. leg=.J. xt ti'e statenent is: :rede ill the l'eqyest foe trle v-o=rjance and ~rcrru.sed that: tJ..;s property wiJ 1 never be used 8S a rental u..'1i t. anC that' Ii a t.is.:rus in thin air. And as a lI'IilItter of fact~ at tt,e last ueet.l.nQ ot this !learlr,q~ t.t.-e ne..t ~er told rna b..lmself that })e is Oulldin~ the place not as a quest ~e. l:r..:t as a han;; foe bl s If'Other a..'1d father. lheY iCl!:.a not .gomq to be therg frc,.~ i: ime to tiN'er t.'ley·re 9O'1nw to-be there ail the titre. I'll concbc!e by sayi::g I'd like )'00 to ~ider the ilTJ::rc:Ict of this req'"ues':. TI'!e 2OOjr.9 ar,d buL6:wq rec;;iuJatJons that have. be-=o-n P'lt Into piace In Palo Alto-alter 50 men """" I dent! 00 and p! anni n<;f. Hs.Lee: '!'he rec!,soo I saId ear] i:=r 1M:Ybe. fran t.i!T'E to tilTe is because his parents do haVe , chJIdren aHc:qe~ ~ and t:r'le parents do ] j'v-e wi th ciiff&e.nt Children at -different times~ .As tax as rentir,(} it as a renta,} 'piece of prOPerty, I have 1mc:INn Be."l and l'ina for If'Ol"e t..'ian 10 years and they a::~ V<=--tf. very s'uocessh! busIness ~le. a.Jd financially t.ney en:! qui te -...ell-t,,-Oo. 50 Z!'I'.i ~i.nj.on is --I lIev=o..r ticU9llt that they \o.ICIJld e.'1tertaln U'le ide3 0-£ rer~tinQ' that .. but beinQ then that they"re not here. I can speak that th~"y -6 - ·. ~!d DOt haVe the itJ.ter,tion of doing it fOl: flr,3flC'iaJ reasons. So that is the PoInt I wanted to JMJce+ ~les Ste'J'er.s:-Yes. 1"m Oiar!es Stevens frem 1431 EC~ Drive. a.nC: I just wanted teo say that rm In total agr~t With the vb)ections that RanX O::>han has just ""I~. Roberta G. Jok:iCee: 'You didn"t take my n.a.'Mi. Rob?rt.a G. 11cKee; rm at H9] ~ Drive. And I a9ree With)1r. Cohan also-. You ca..'1flOt quarantee that the next-door house 'Will not be using the -cottage as a rental 'Unit. Lisa GrOte: 'I'hank YQIJ.. There IN'=''-1"e two latter5 that I received this nomine by fax~ Q)e 1& fran Linda Elkind 1oIlo is writing-i .. opposition t.o the \laria.'1CE. request and use permit request. She says "Jt~s c'-ur u."lde=standl~ that the applicant seek&: a varlance to <:Onstruct a house l1Tld q'u.Est <:Cttac;e so tha.t the dwellirXJ '~stl"UCt1cn -will ccti'ia withIll .2G feet -of t~ '=.c.p of thoa~. San Franc!squlto Creo=>Jc banks are extrarel)' steep at :chis secUon . .?roo'leT'S 'alith llnstab~e banks.are eyj,cent tY the ,presence of sandbag ll..lling+" She t~lk.s ~t '"\hat 1£ tJ-.e sa...-.dbaqs faB. Furt.hermx"e .. tnEre is stronq pi.!b,I:c Sl.:ppr-...ct io: Palo Alto fcc the use of envjr~tally so;md ba."1k stabHlzaticn t~i~. For the record end fcc }'O\'.I" COflside~atlon. please deny the app1:lcatloo f~ a variance foe this project." Then I recelv-eQ a."1Otner letter f!"C:lti De."1a Mos$aI frem Creeks CoaLition in ,S?nta Clara County also in ~ltion to the variance requestr She "stT()ngly SUp:po£t5 the protectfon 0( l'rparlan f-.abitat and streams:. The CoD.Htion urges D"e to deny the request foe a variance. D"le siting of the -guest bouse 'Will likely darra.ge tIle re&..oood and bay trees at t..~ back of the property r These trees are esse!"Jt ial for 1000; term bank stabilization and hahHat protection. Though the bank is currently stabiU2ed by sand bags~ sand l::aqs do not last indefinitel)' and cou:d fail. -the bank is steep and high·~ So ttley are also in opposition. I looQuld Iik.; to - 7 - • '. BSle: the applIcant if yOQ have looke-j into the! flealth o.f these trees and aSK an a.rbxfst~s oplnlOO-about !he irrpact of the runstructfon CI\ t~.e trees. I~Joan: We J'Cepa.red an ,elxborist. r<2:PCCt. 60 we·w ta>::en a look at the riparIan usa as welJ a:s the back. arid ide...,tlfi€d by c~r tile tres and it~5 exIsting coodJtIon. ar4 .~ted -mt ... can do because they Ioant to pt"aIcte that further Qror..'th. It·5 followed by a set of ~ide:Hnes. Usa....2:;:Qi@: Okay. And this does Iriclooe 9Uidelines thi:.t the arrorist feels \oOuld protect the trees: tem §Joan: Yes. ~:I~_Grote: J.Jld you would not 'hav<e oojectlons jf t..l-lQse 'WE:re to beccr.'e oor.;('utJons of a.PPfVVa,l? 'feo Sloan: No, certainly Zl(}t. As a ::rater of fact 1 'nad requestee tIdt he ma.k~ th.lSe 1 eGQll1eI ida t ions . .Lisa_~_~: Alr[ght. l'he:n I Will take thls tlnde:--ccr.side:retion and isS' ... e a written detenrur.atlon 'Within 10 days~ ang. if you'd like a C09Y. ples.e fUi out a ""'J.te card . .And With that Z'U close public 'he:aIll'lQ jf there are no other <XlTtrlents. ~.k YOU. -8 - • A IT ACBMEl'II'T 7 Letters in Opposition to Project Mr .. .ice Colonna , lsttniag Dep4'rtme1l t Ci ric. Center 2SO Rami too Aveime Palo Alto .. a. 94301 leu Mr .. Colanna-: -._>--;. JONNlE MJl.LE.Jl STEiN 1#9t~or. .. e Palo lJ.to, c.W'omit: ,..301 " .... " ,-', .•.. .-.- RECEIVED NOY17&94 'g,,:=.;:~- 't'ha11t you fur our ccnve-rsatioD this morning h . ..a..iclt you ex pl&ined to :lie my legal rights collceming the development of the property a house away froD me at 1457 -Edgewood. Iliad utended to be Jln.s-e~t at the public hearbg today .. but . f"1Dd thet I UI un~le to attend. I 8ll~ thereforeJE requestia& • cODtinuatioD of thls heariRg 50 tllat 1 maT llave time-to re~ view tlL.e-,lans at the dtyllall and 'Which will also ,he _ and several of ay neighbors anot1:ler chance to be present at the meetinl~ J will .s .• Y I u "Prosed to a variance of the flood contral e&5t'J1ent at the rea"!' of the property. If the pNJect -were sedel! down • ltit to tbe DqEUI:fxn range of 4 to. S thousand squa:xe feet there liould be no need for this variance. I .find the project especidI,. untenable since the house lIUSt sit side ways on. t.'le property since the frl'Jrltage is about half that of .ost af the houses. on this \:lod:. and: a two-story tlIat goes back that far 11,1.11 be unsightly as is tie house ne~t to it at 1455 f07 vniCk we were DO~ iavit~d to a public hearing4 It's possiltle tlle.t)fr4 Sloan tllin"ks this i5 permissible since l4.S5 is built: that waf but P. not entirely sure uis :!..s with= La !eea1 liait$. (I will also r~searCk the building of taJs house lI'Iddl I never be ... was ay right to doJ 'lea.se adviae Il5 til the projp.c'ted next public bearit.g. iba."'ll. you. Sin~erely yours s ~Jr-U..~ Bonnie Miller Stein , , cCity CoUIU:i) tlf Palo Alto Civic C~ter 2~ Hamilton Avenue 'alo Alto .. C .... 9450J January 6. 1995 Inn~""V"Yi J,IJj 10 ms em IAN.\S£I'S tl<M Subject: 1457 Edgevood Oriv~: V.riaoce 'S4-Y-IS near Sir}'Ma.d:u: This letter is: iB response to tnree lettet's lo'e received today f'rom. meroers 0-£ the Nguyen {aIdly. Primarily. it must be .clear that the petition wn,ica was sub mitted to the Council vas n·:.lt simply the registration of a COTll FlaiDt from. me bot rather-the repL"esentatioo. or the majority of ial!l.ilies liYi:ng on £:'dgeyood DTlve~ Also-.I' of equal importance ... it DUSt be hown that ou!' initial ob jections to.-'-the requested' variance 'Were base~ solel,. on esthetic grounds. The letters_received imply t'h~t dar~er (perbaps racial i!lld ethnic issues) or selfis1\ ignorant mo-tives. prompted our peti tion to deny the variance~ We strongly object to tbe implied criticisms tkat ye are meanfisted.l' prejudiced bcmeowners. In addition to these troadeT issu~ is To~ Sloan·s erroneous state ment t.l:lat our objec:tiar.s ,,'ere. b3Sed on our aversio[1s to t..lte noise of ecnstru<:t.ion &r.d to "the buitdin, of mot-hel' cotta.ge alt.ogether on t~i5 streetr No o~.bo signed tne petition in~luding ~selyes has any objectiiou to either of these ConCErn.S~ I trust L~is 5atter ~an be ~yought to a sensible ~~d peacer~l soi~ tioo. We welcome the NeuyeI:l fa.roily ia all good spirit even if -we object to the design of tneir planned con&tructic~~ This is • democratic process and tbe implication of ~~fTieDdlT motives is simply not s~t.aifl:ab1e~ CC:. TO[l Sloan Lisa -Grote Ji~_ , TieD Nguye~ \-ery truly yours., ~~Jl~ Bonnie Y~ller St~iA u.a Grote Z . Admlnislrelor c::3 Palo AIIo Planning~ '"~<" --"'.' , -."-.:-.. ~ .-, -:: Dena Mossar 1024 Emsrsoo Palo Mo, CA 94301 Oecember 1, 1994 The Sarli .. Clara Countl CreekS eoarrtion strongly supports !he pro1ection of lipariafl haMat and streams, and is pal1ictJlarty concerned !hat San Franci$QUl!o Creel< be preserved in its mostly-natural state. I understand flat there is a reqoesllor a variance !)elora you at t457 Edgewood. I llave recently vis~ed fie site and observed !he condition of !he stream bank. The CoaliIioo Uf9"S you \0 deny fie reqoesllor a variance 10 build a guest hoL_ lor lhe following roasons: • The siting of !he guest house will Hkefy dama~ ~'le redwood and bay trees at fie back of \he property. These trees are esseoliaT lor long-term bank stabilization and habitat protection. • Thoogh \he bank is currently stabllized by ..and bags, sand bags do not last i1cIefinitely and co..<fd fa~. Such fallure is oftetl catastrophic anQ Mure bank stabilization projects will require maximum selbacks from !he literal 'Iop-of. bank:" \0 enabla \he waler district \0 use lI<lViromlental1y'sound methods. • The bank is .. ery high and steep and. !herefore, vut"1erable \0 OOsfa.bifiza!ion. • We beITeve that !he Santa Clara Vaney Wale; Ois!rfct does /l(l( define IIood control setbacks as \he literal \op-<>I-bank, buI rather uses a formula which preserves \he a'lgle of repose necessary lor env'.ronmenlally·soun<! Ilood COOIroi. A study 01 !he topology of !his streIch of San Francisqulto Creek woofd be necessary before a varia"ce of!h1s nature could be granted wiihou( jeopardizing tilis well-loved r .slura! resoorce. ;.: ," ': ,,,-:. ;-~ "-.--~ " i.. • We lIank \IOU fo< oonsideMg oor concerns and as!< lhal \fOlI deny lie appllcanfs request to.-a variance at 1457 E6gewood. Sincerely, ~~ ~::-.- Dena Mossar fo< !he Santa Clara CounIy (".reeks eoarrtion • HoI\. liz l<r>.lss, MAyor City 0< Palo Alto 25-) Hamilton Palo Alto, CA 94301 ~ '.::'~' -,". ' -. -. ".'~'~~ .. : ~ . :' -- TEL NO.408 263-3523 Coyo(e Creek Ril'aricln S{dtion P.o. Box 1()27 • AIvi"'" CaliforniA 9SOO2 • (40!) 262·9204 Decl!l11ber 1. 1994 RE< 1'aro AIIG General tJ-u R .. 1ew • Na!v.,al R~!W_e. El.",e"t The C'>ty at Palo AIlo .nd the Coyote Creek RiparIan Stallon havoll'W'.y thlttgs 1."\ OxnmoR; we both share • concern fot the health and f"ture of Polo Alto', natural environmem aM we are boIh on the brW.lt 0( majoc .. OO •• V0<5. San Frandsquito ereek fea!v.res pron>.lnentJy In our shared effor'.s. We are nearing compl.tion oi. comprehensive ha1>1l3l i:\ventory 0{ San Fnncisquilo Creel< wllIch wm ~ delivered 10 the Gl)' In _11 1m. Thls two year un<:I<!rtJolclng involved tho .£fern; of ""aT1y 100 "01",,leer. (citizens !rom Palo Alto, Menlo Park and other surrounding commuro&s} working roc over 2.00 !Ioul't In iii<: ~k! and JOWlto<y to provide 1M ilrIl volunl<Cr~ ripari.n h;lbiM invmt<><y in the State. In fact. thi. rroi<ct (with fundIng from 1M US. EnvirorunenW Prolection Agfi><)' and I."" Sutta aA .. Valley w.ter District) is bel:Ig used .... model foe watershed inventory and IJlt"'iroring pnogrAlI18 throughout CalHonIla. As. direct oul<:ome 01 the San Franciqllilo Cre.-k St.-.... m Invent"'}' and OIht'r citizen-based eff<>ris Oed by the ~'rlend& 0{ San t'rancloquno C,."k1 ..... I<t$r..o plan.!ung team was usemblcd and has be"" very effe<tlve In getting .taltehol<1e .. Iog~ther kJ solve problems on the creek. Ag.un. thi. effort i. being used as model Eo< coordinated ~ management a1l<l plaMing programs in urblJ' ....... One.common thread runs through 51l of th"". ,·arious progrorns and thai js !h.t !he efforbl wl\lclt we and others have begun on San Francisqutto ercd, are part of. groundswell 01 interesl in p",.-.<:TVlng and restoring river. And streams, partk-.!arly ;" urban areas. Also. many regional and s;tate groups are looldng to ulccommuriitics .urrouMing Son Francisquito Creek foe leadership in problem ..,lving and resou",. protection. . , "'r" '1', r " o· • ;c' i1:S --. :,. .... .,-:-,. '.- TEL NiJ .40$ Z6S-!523- General Plan Commenll Page2of3 ", .-,: NQv 3-0 .g~ ~~l9 P.04 amor.g these deficlendes is the elimInAtion C>f the 100 roo< .. thad< requirement recottll!lP.Jlded by CPAC. Witl'.oul provisions lor setbacks and buffer zones, a creek', ultimate fate i& """" 0< less .. aled in c"",=to. Here', why. When buildings, roads, 0< any improved facility (a.-.d this could be • paved trail) is pl.<t!d 100 clooe 10 the edge ell nvet 0< otre."" soon.". or later, a. the flow of a';,'.,. chang •• (which IItiIII:il rivers often de) thoo< .tructure. "ill be tl-.reatened with destru.."tion by those same natural fo:<>s which 1;"'1' stlVorno alive and tunctionIng, Wo MVO seen It!lappen 0\"" and over again and )'Dtl would thInk by now we wookl !lave learned thl& lesson.. The flood~ C>f 1m have for<:ed entire Iowns to fir .. ny a"ept the roct wt rh'lm will a1ways ... in even when we thir.l< we ha~. th= controlled. It .. simply. m.>t!er 01 time. The Santa Oau Valley Water District coru;iden; the flooding potential along San Frandsqulto Creek the moe! potentially damaging in an ol Santa lli. ... County. The primary reason k" t'U. i5 that the volu"", c.( water ilt>wing into the O'H" during flood events is substantial enouS-" and th~ banl<s so rrodlble a.'\d the structures so near the edse of the cnlek wt a major flood event would ca\loe mil1io<lS of doll. r; in damages. , Th.r on!y W3iY .., avert thts situation in the fu:ture is fot-l.,,\)DUliunlti~ to re::ogniu thltf ~ cannot have a l\atural, biolcgkal1y functior.\n~ rin'! wlthout givl.ng 11 s"ff",ien! room to do w}-oatlt does "'Iu,any. m. require.. tha! devel-oped ..... , be kept back from the river Ol' stream 10 protect not only tile habItat thaI otream contaIN but 0100 II) ?rot~t human life and properly. One of the 0Ih"" thing< W! ha. become aw.rom fn'ID data collected durrng "'~r inventory is the impact of ~gjy innocuous 3cuvitk's wfum pc0-pl.c-arc aIlowC'd, to occupy a"",,s irnmedlillely adjacent 10 .trooms. Habitat degradatron has OCCUl'red !1t>U't people p1a.-iling nonnative pIar.ls as vegetative screens 0< for their ... thetic value. Many of these plants lw". inv.de<! tN! riparia~ conidor, <li'l't.cJ'd Ih .. n> liv. vegetation, and as I result,lIave lowered tN! capaci:ly of the habitallo S'J.pport ""live wildlife species. Our data clearly show d<><n"~ native wil<fdfe .~des dlverslly In areas impacted by nonnative v-ege1:ation.. In addition.. our monitors hav@ d..ie...~v.rfd illegal drains from swimming pool. and !lad:y_I'd. which <lny conlam!r.anls directly inl" streams. Tnese mciden!S 11. Ye beEn roported to the P"'F'" • uthoriti.,. tNt the fact i& that if peeple's backyard. wer. not right up ag.ir-st (0< ""metime. even inlo) the stream channel, tl-.eoe activities (illegal or not) wc;>;ld no! occur. Oearly there are J!W1y thomyleg.1 iss"". ""rrounding the requir<ment {e< setbock, and buffer zones, but there is ample data w~lch supports the conneclion {0<I1e .... 1 between issues of public health and safely.s wen as Oeon Waler Act mandates for maintaining the "benefid:~l uses" of public trust watl'"rWiJ)'s. L'\ closing. I thin!< the Cily C>f P':o Alto is In • position 10 snow courage and leaden;hil' in the or.a of natura! resource protection and eManameM. The City of San Jo ..• p~t ,:RS TEt. «11.40$ 5:JO P.OS '. GeMa1.J'I ... c-menla rase' of3 stw.ral yeau 4!ve1op\llg & set cl" design guldellnH for <!~elopm'!lt; adJa<:e1\l to rip&rian uea .. And while they .!opped ohort of requiring the !mp!emenla lion of the&e guldellrw ll\ a!1 Mrw.nce-lev.l 4ocwnent, they do proYl&! • good pr«edenl for oetbacb and bulfer zones. It Is ow-hope that the leading t';)k tM City of PAlo Alto IU\J played In CQtl5erVing lIS """""unity', ""funl """"""OS will coc,linlle through its relru;tatemenl of setback requiremenls In lls Certeral P'"",-Ii i$ .150 out hope thal}lOll .n<.! the tOlll of tho C<>Un<.iI will use the d.ta which we ,..,11 prest'lll to you Ohoctly,ID hell' go"ide you in!" JOUnd Jancluae declsl6m regarding one cl your moo! preciou. no!'".! tesOU.-ces -San Fralldsqullo Qeek. . P\easo let me knriw If 1 can be of any further help 10 you In yow-eff<>rts !o plan 10< the City'_ continued leadership in envlronmen!aDy responsible government. " CREsaNT PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION P.O. BOX #5 t 885 PALO ALTO. CA. 94303-0730 Februal)' 9, 1995 The Board of the Crescent Par\( Neighborhood fU 1 ;} 'SSS Association wishes to express its opinion about the issue ... ·. _ of granting variances which enable houses to be bunt'ln''''-T''J~''''"'-:C'-' excess of the FAR. limits. Approximately 1/3 of the letters and phone cans which we receive from residents of 0lX neighborhood coocern the loss of privacy and obtrusiveness of 'oversize" houses. A great deal of C()(JVl1IJ(1jty discussion and staff planning led to the CUfrent floor area ratio. We question the wisdoin of ignoring these estabtshed standards especlaf!y in the case of properties whkh would accorMlOdate a huge house without a variance. We trust that you WIll weigh carefuny the effect of approv'.ng such v-oriances Thank yoo for your . consideration. Sincerely, Margar t R. Feuer President, Cf'NA ATTACHMENT 8 Letters in Support of Project '.- January), 1995 Members of City CoIl neil Cily of Palo Al!~ 250 Hamih..aa A .... enue Palo MG, CA 94301 Re: Bin!> lIld Tie. Nguyen App1icalion No. 94-UP-40 1451 E<!g ..... ood Drive To Whom It May Coocem: 11_ Tort ur. ~ c:ornp..y P.O. s.::r.. 51e;.<: Pale "'10, CA 91303 !o.a 4153.2S-6083 .os ~2,&:)?JI Fa., .15 :!17-52&o Rl;'e"yV"'" JAN 9 1995 my IlAIWnnmrl I am writirlg thi3lener 10 express my frustration for my friends and furure lleighbors. the Nguyens. On December 1 ... 1994.1 attended l1le bearing for the Nguycns oco the Variance PerrrU"t for the cottage. There were a few ceighbors present. Based cn vro,at was discussed, my impression was that the prans wer-e an ... -ithin City cod~, Aft of tl,e objections were s' . .lfficientIy ansllw'ered. The leiler from iii< Cily dated December H, 1994, granted &oem toe Variar",. Permit with some conditions which they were wlHing ll1 comply. Then.. I letter of objection came from the same persoc who has objected berore. Now. another bearing., another month 10 co:lclude the bearing. How many times can the same penoe make the ~me appeal? Ai what point can tne Nguyens ronSidered Li.emsdves tJcing ".3:rra~sed? I have k"ilO'Jrn BrM and T~DI for mcore L~an 10 years through busi!"'>Css ,con-tarn and the last four }.-ears. we "ave became c'Tose personal mends. My observations ofBiM and Tien are that they are wonl1erfu1' par.ents co tlleir childre:n.lovln£ .and res.pectful 10 their parents.. good' entrepreneur .. kind and fair emp10yers to thei!" empioyees, and ilid'eed 6e un': cf peopJe anyooe WQlJld uke to l'!ave as t;ends and' neighbC'fs. ___ ~ Moving lo Pal'o Alto b" their children·s educaGoa has bt:en paral1lQunt for Blnh and Tlel\ Illey ha-~ looked .t praperti<s diligently 10< two year.. When they wund the bC<Jse on Edgewood. everyone. including me:~ was ex:l:ued. They II ere lJ'.akiog plans fOf l~elr future. Ariy unnecessary delay in construction means their lives must be put on hold. I wal'1-j to re -em!)n..~~E; tcat the,. wJl ID<l.Ke exedl::nr neiJ.-~txx-5 <md a d~finjte be]"le-fi~ to tile commwnity. ~~~"- ~ ........ .....-... .-oar ... ~"""'II 71G1!t __ 'EsIno~ 1tfL-. b Rr...--oa' Produ::151 ~ flll'gtSlere1 Fl'!:prtse!".tal",e for NYUFE Se-cU' i!,<"5 1m: 2'S M.etro ~'.e, s..'l&' ~ s~ Jo<.;e, CA 9~110 _"""C'''~'''''''''''~'''''I'"'''' /C" .... "",,,I u .......... -.u ...., ""-""'f!' c,q><)O"' ..... .... ~_"'C"'.,.. .. """ ".LJI'"i 50-:..,...". """ !.'~J........e " .. ~" ..... (lOt., Friday, D<cember 31, 1994 Members of C'lly C<Juncil City of N<> Alto Civic O:nrer 250 HamillOa Avenue Palo Alto, c., 9430 I BINH&TIEN NGUYE,V 1457 Edgewood Drfve PaTo Alto, CA 94301 Subject: rlguyen R~dence 14?? Edgewood Drive Palo Alto, CA 94301 Dear SirlMaclam: , - cn'lCii' f~tO .~LTO.C! tlH Cl(~J.·S DHK. S5 J~!i -& fH 12: 5S 1{1!'~'nv"l"\ JAN S. I99S flll' .114.'4):'11 ~ We wou1d ~lre r.o express our {)pWor. and concent for .our new borne project located at 1457 Edgewood Drive. Sir.ce _May .. 1994. our architec4 :Mr. Tom Sloan bas studied an fu.e requirements by me City of Pal.:> ArlO Building Department needed 10 desIgn our new llome+ Vle v.'er-e fof!owed all the ~ure.lhat oome,. by the City of Palo Alto. Before we submitted tbe plan ;0 City .for re\o'iew, W~ fla'.;e ffi4de effQflS to intr-odoce oursdves 10 !he oearoy neighbors and sho .... t1lem t1le plans. We ootice<llhat • few hooses around our new home an had <:ottages. We r.eccived some positive comments, but never bad any neg.tives again>! our plan. We bad. very po<iti,-e feeriIlg for tltis neighborhood; .. e !!lough! we had' chosen our future bmne in the best interests. roc OltT childree. aIld kIt our family wO'.Jld receive a warm we1come from OUf ne ..... neigbbon. November 19.~ 199~ we went to City Hi!!1 foc ii hem:r.g on cl1e Use Permit and Vaf"lMIt P~rmit for the cottage, There wa;s two faaulies present and a retter. I. On'! family was CQncemed tl-.a.t Ihe main flou5e 'has two stories, the mial.ier bedroom .. indows havin.g a dear v1eW of their s'.I,:i"11Inlflg pool. \Vlth friendly ieSponse ,.'e said we would pIan! redwood trees (co(" thel:-and OlJr pri .... acy. They seemed salisfted with t11e solution and indicated thitl Ole)' lias no problem with the cottage. Members 0( City c.,U"C@ December 31, 1994 page 2 2, O!le fan'.iJy ulced ""00 would be living in the co<t..age. W. replied that Our parents, ages 13 and 15 would :.e I<,in, in it. and !II.t is t"" A,;an tradition I<> Ial<e ~ 0( the e1lle!1y. 1"bey abo t<>mrn<:ntcd llIat they felt the!11l!in hooso was 1<>0 large. One 0( the City Council member reminded !!lern !!la! the hO\l:;e is nndet the allowance by the City~. We believe tIla! Ibis i. an llOOJlOl good IooIdng hoIlse ..,hic\ is fi:. nic~y in the ocigbborbood. 3. The letlet!rom Mrs. llor'.nie M"lI1er Stein, dated November 17, requested more time 10 r:'lo"kw the pIans. Beca'Jse the request from !>in. !!oMie Miller Slfin, the C~ rescbedule another blZing ()n o.:c.mber 1> 1994 at 3PM. Unf()JtUllatel),. we were unable 10 attend the he:anng due lO an mgent bu5ines.s trip. However. our arcbitect, Tom Sloan; our general consti'1JClOr. Bob UI:i1h eel" Construction; Keith Ac'kerman~ and Bassi Lee a friend fr¢m tne P'dlo Alto neiglJOOrhood~ represe1Jt~ us at the meeting. .Me. Torn Sloan and Ms. Bassie Lee will send In !etten oornIr'.enting aOOo..Lt L'lls meeting. On Dec.ember 22., 1'994 we received iI letter from the C)(y of Palo Alto indicating L'1at it will ,rant llS t'he Usc· and Variance permits with some concfi.t;ons: malo'Co me wttage 10 Ceet i.way from back yard by redua the three-car-garage 10 two-car-garaEe. We were onl1app:; about the (f'Ocfi.tiOllS but V-..ning to proceed'. An we want is '\0 make t\:eryone 't.?ppy. \0 bu1'd our bolne and move in, and to be frietld1y with our neighbors, t,i"bieR bas aI'A.'3. YS beeR part or our lifestyle. On Decembe, 26, 1994 the CRy Of J>-.Jo Alto issue the l"'rm!t fer t'>e main ~()Use ... itb .n the changes as lhey requested in the letter date December 22, ;lIna ... ·e planned 10 submit the cottage pIan in the next COI..1:rHe of days. - On December 28 1 1994 we gc;( the news thal we "Will received 3 tetter from the same person Mrs. Bonnie Miller Stein 11100 objecle<l aoo-Jt Ill. cottage. Again, \.'>e City scl\e<luled ~ hearing 10< Ianuary 24, 1995 ... 1<1 al", iMkated !!la! it may take another mooth after January 24 10 conclude (be bearing. It took liS two years Ie fir.& this property. Vie were very excited and "'ere greatly impres.sed .ith tl-.e neighbochood. Specially J. QUi" children they ..... 'ere plan.ning a lot for they future with Ibis house. Evee tho4Jgh the house is empty. 'Wo'e '\J;'outd"~t ~'ant the landscape tD become an .e)'esore for [he neighbors and bired 1. gar<je"~f to mainta.i.n tne y~d ev<:.ry ... '~el::.... \Ve ll.a .... e done everything we can think of to please OUT neigllbors. Vle ",,'ere trying to build a house will !:>ring more value 10 tbe (leignborb~ and 'i!S resldence. At tilis moment, we reel b.wt. We berJeve we have been treated badly and l!nfa:jriy~ \Ve '9.ere: feeiing mat we did no( 'ha\,/e any right 10 buiId a cottage foe OUr plrent eVCR though )lrs. Stein lias fler owned cottagr:. We could not bLIlld a big bouse while they bave big houses L'x:mselve5. "-" Member of Cil1 Council • . December 31, 1994 Page} During a pIlo<-.e coovenatioo bet"'"'" Mrs. Stein and Tom Sloan December 29, 1994, Mrs. Stein Kknowk<!goJ Iilal sbe has • guest cottag. bUl she pref<ned DO more cot"'g" in L'le neig~bodlood; she also incflCated tMI '~.e did noIlikc Iile noise of construction. II is obvious lbat Mrs. Stein', inren60n is 10 prolong ronstruction by GOIItinuous appeals. We hve los! ~ rnoctl\5 of valuable time in LIlls matter and w. certainly do nut lmow ,-be. we aIlI start to build our new home. Every mootll of delay cost us !housands of doll"" and has tied. us up our mentllly and emOlionally; with \IIi> sit .... tion bas aff""ted our ability Ie run our buSino.ss elJectivcly. 0'", daugbler Angell.a 14 Y"'" old and so. Brian 13 year old were depress. They asked DS so many questions lIla/llie ","r.;e]f did 001 know bow 10 explain, suck as is 11'..", anything .. 7OI1g 10 have cottage 10 taking care grand parents?; why they bave !hey OW<! cottage and w. can Dot'; !hey bave time fOr hearing and 'weal but how .boot us, we spend more l1'!an two boon everyday 'back and forth from blYJse '" school?; we -ca..-,. not ..., any friends a&r school, and many more ... We came to America because of !be disoncl freedom .nd peace of Ill. c""."try. As law abidirlg citi~ we have right to live a l'icxmaJ life. Thi-s lener is 10 request that 1ou~ the . Members of Che City Council. look past unreasonable objections and grant us permission to build the cottage wilhoot fu.."fller <lelay. Your attention atld a.ssi5taoce in this maner a..re greatly appreciated . . -~ ~--------.-------------- Sinh Nguyen c<: Mn. Lisa Grote Zcning AdminIstrator Tom Sloan A..I. A. Metro Design Group. 255 N. Market Street 1255 San lose, CA 95110 408-280-6650 Mrs. Bonnie Miller Stein 1449 Edgewood Drive Pal<> Alto, CA 94301 ClWCffl.lO l.llD.t" CITY ClER.'rS ()HICE <JS J/Ill-<) AM 9:: 2S Member. of CEy C<lUllCi! CII] of Palo Alto Civic Cent ... 250 HaJr.ilt"" Ayenue Palo Alto, CA 94301 Keith Ackerman 427 J N. First St. San Jose CA 95134 I eouId lih 10 speak ill SI.IfI'O" ofBinb I!)d TI1I!II Nguyea~!Ii oe"oIo' bome proj:ct III ]451 Edgewood Drhe in the city or P:aJo AiID. ~. NpJ:ye:a has :spent m'o) y-=af5 ~pting 10 find proJ::eI1}' in)'cut ci1} .'nm: h: -'':I0ll his !hmitj.' to ti:vt HaviJ.-!, bmC'dUs propen;ybe.~ klbuild'. De"it' home fat his fmW:y. The 4esigx dthis. house mc:ets. all olihc~!S dthc: Paro Alto Buikfins; Drepartmtnt A "atiance ~·\·-U bs beep aJlPW"".oo for this projecL Wuh this ~'1i a&itloaal appeals on ~ o;o~'C!red' pte\~ seem poiatfeSf. f ruge I1Ie C~· Cou.nc:if kJ CIO\'e ~ ill !his m:tac:t. A.drBtionaf detty is eostJy 1.O:r..1r. N~'9.. and iI. 'I\"OU1d be conside:ratt for tbe N~ duldtu. 10 be U. t1w:i.r DIr;W borne ill-the start or schoal in Scpteluber-. , Sunday, January 1. 1995 Members of City Council City of Palo Alto Civic Ce!>.ter 250 Hamilton Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94301 BRIAN NGUYEN 1457 Edgewood [)rfve P.1o AlIo, CA 94301 Subject . Nguyen Residence 1457 Edgewood Drive Palo Alto, CA 94301 . IX.' Mrs. l.isa Grote Zoning Administrator Mrs. Bonnie Miaer Stein 1449 Edgewood Drive Palo Alto, CA 94301 Dear Members of Palo Alto City Coooci!. CiTY Cf P,\lO "LTO.t}. CliY ClEP,,'S effie, 95 J~'l-& fll 12' 55 Itl!:CEJVl'T> JAN 5 _ 1m fll'I fI~Al''I'~ ~tt"" First I WOlJki liM to introducs mY';,e/f. my name is 8ri.an Ngvyen. Jam thirteen years old, and rm a sevooth grade studefll at Jorcfan MkJdIe Sr..hool I am veryconcemed about the house that my father, BinIl Nguyen. Is trying . to build and the cofd reactions from various neig/1txN-s. Most neighbors do not reaDy care of how or when my father will build the house, but some compTain about every singre detaif that Liley coukJ possibly complain abol.lt! The person that I am most concerned aboL1 is Mrs. Bonnie Milter Stein. She cornpTains that the house 100 big, and that we shouldnlhave a cottage in the back. She has a cottage in her backyard, and also has a big house, so wily canT we?!!!'! I ~st don1 ooderstand. .' INIIat I wo¢d reaFfy /ike 10 do Is go home rig/}( after school aoo do my homeworl< kJ Palo Alto eNfier than hailing to all the way back to San .Jose which wastes 45 mitwres of my time, ~etimes even an ho<Jr. My <Sister aoo I never get to go 10 ()#J( friends houses 10 do llomeworl< because our mo(her wook! have 10 wail f« us to r«lfsh up and IhM go home. Keep in mm that doing our homework takes about a couple of oo..~ to the least Maflj of my sister and my friends neller get to go to our house to do hcmewcri because their parems never have the vms 10 mle them. It is TeaUy hard for my mom to waAe us up at 6.·30 in the momillg, and taking us 10 schiXJI at 7.00. Doing that is jJst the /la/f of it for 00: she Ms 10 drop us o(f at scIIool. (l1en drive 211 t.'1e way back 10 worlc. then lea V'e wOO< earfyto pi;;;k us up, then drop us home, then drive back to work My mom gets 6fecj a 10t and she can't staild it anymore, I really get worried 8liout her sometimes. Gettkig d'Jwn 10 /he poin!, {j.Jst wish that yw cook! do somet/Jir,g about the compTainfs Regards. Brian Nguyen Friday, December 30,1994 Members of City Cooncil City of Palo Alt<:> Civi<: Center 250 HamiltO<! Avellue Palo Alto, CA 943() I ANGELLA NGUYl.N 14S1 Edgewood Drive Palo Alto. CA 94>01 Subje<:t: Nguyen Residence t4S1 Edgewood Drive Palo Alto, CA 94301 cc: Mrs. Lisa Grote Zoning Adm in; stratOf Ms. Bonnie MIller Stein 1~49 Edgewood Drive Palo Alto, CA 943O} Our Sir/Madam; RECEIV"" In regards to OIK father's letter, II1III writing my ow ... My name is Angena Nguyen. I am fO'.meea years old and a freshman at Pale Aho High School. 1 have wailed two years fOe I house in Pale Alro and at this role. I am sn1J counting. My family and r are frustrated at the negative reactions that some of our neigbbors are giving to a house so much like theirs. Each of their houses have two qualities that they don't seem to wanl our house 10 have; size and I cottage i!l the bad, yard. J don't Imow whal the city requirements are foc any of I~ ilems thar a boose should pn:>vide bul , 00 know that tlJe plans foe the boose do not exceed anyone of tlJem. In fact, we ba ve made SUIe to go beklw I~ alklwance as I precaution . . . -" > I don'l understand why some of our neigbbors (Mrs. Bonnie Miller Stein) want to minimize our hoose into ~ cardboard box with • roof. We've made so mllDy cbanges and have gone out of our way to satisty tbeir needs and not ours; even dIoogh we will be living in it As you might have read in my father's le!ter, our feelings for this boose have gone from ecstlli<: to hurt The neighbocs have made us feel as if they don't want us to beloog in Palo Alto or to live there .. And why DOt? As far as the bouse goes, !!lis is a solid case of irony. No matte.: wb3t Ms. Boonie Miller Stein says or dOes, she cannot prove a decent reasoo why we r.re DOt allowed to bave a back cottage or a large sized bouse. This is because she has those two things herself! In the case of city requirements, it is within reason foe me to say thaI the I-.oose has no "flaws", I know that we need neighbor input but Mrs. Borurie Miller is not the nearest neighbor and by means of private property, we will DOt be bothering her (e.g. wben ooe of our neigbbocs didn) want fOr os to be able to see her swiDllDing pool). W1Jy couldn't the City C'.ouncil just recognize that fact and permit us 10 build this bouse1 In condusioo, wbat I am trying to point out is Illal the neighbors Illat have negative feelings about the bouse bave no reasoo wha!sOever to push our home away. Regards, Angella Nguyen