|
Total Responses= 68
1. Given the small number of building applications, does the Town
need the additional layer of approval of an appointed Planning Commission? Los Altos
Hills has a Town Council comprised of 5 elected officials. It also has a Planning
Commission, which includes 5 appointed commissioners. From July 23, 1997 to July 8, 1998,
the Planning Commission reviewed 43 applications for new residences or major remodels.
This averages 3.6 projects per month. Town ordinances set specific building rules
(including maximums such as floor area per acre, height, and setbacks) and the Town
employs a professional planning staff to make sure the applications comply with these
rules. Currently, all applications must obtain three layers of approval: Staff, Planning
Commission and City Council. Which of the following two points of view do you most agree
with:
63 (92.6%) The extra layer of approval by the
Planning Commission is unnecessary. When the planning professionals on the Town’s
staff verify that a proposed home meets Town ordinances and there is no neighborhood
concern, it should be approved by the Town Council in a routine public hearing. If there
is neighborhood concern or a variance to the building rules is requested, the elected
officials on the Town Council should be the ones to review the project in a full public
hearing.
03 (4.4%) The Planning Commission serves a needed
function. Discretionary and subjective review by this appointed body should be required
for all new homes and major remodel applications, even if the proposed project meets Town
ordinances, is recommended by the Town’s planning staff and has no neighborhood
concerns. Three levels of approval are necessary for major remodels and new homes.
Added Written Responses:
01 (1.5%) Planning Commission is useful, but it’s functions
should be rethought. I think it should serve as an advisory group, recommending guidelines
and offering suggestions to homebuilders and remodelers, with recommendations to council,
but without the ability to deny or critically delay planning, as has been done too often.
01 (1.5%) In between. There are some meaty applications that need
more review than the council has time for.
I have lived here almost 50 years. Anyone should be allowed to use his or her property
as the owner sees fit unless it presents a danger or is clearly a nuisance.
2. Before the Town can reduce property owners’ development
rights, should they have to justify the reduction to the same degree as is necessary to
grant an increase in development rights? The Town’s Site Development Policy
requires the Town government to document specific findings (i.e. unusual circumstances) to
grant a variance to increase property owners’ development rights beyond the limits
specified by the Town. However, the Site Development Policy currently allows the Town
government broad discretion to subjectively reduce property owners’ rights without
specific findings. In these cases, property owners may not be allowed to develop their
property to the full extent allowed by Town ordinances.
Do you believe the Site Development Policy should be modified so that the Town
government must also document unusual circumstances in order to reduce property
owners’ rights?
58 (85.3%) Yes
05 (7.4%)No
02 (2.9%)Undecided
03 (4.4%) No Answer
|
Planning Commission Survey Results