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Editorials
Demolition proposal adds welcome rules
If the planning commission has its way, there's one word that's going to be banished from construction sites where remodels are taking place. That word is "Oops."
With its recommendation for amendments and more precise language regarding demolitions in the town's zoning code, the commission has served notice that ignorance of the law is no excuse for turning a remodel into a demolition.
The town council, which must vote on the recommendation, is likely to be more than receptive to this effort to spell out requirements and penalties for abuse of the code. The council has spent a good deal of its time this past year trying to figure out what to do when contractors have torn down walls that moved a project out of the realm of remodel and into the much more complex realm of demolition.
By spelling out in more precise language what is allowed and not allowed, the recommended changes should be welcome to those planning work on their existing homes, as well. Too often, homeowners have discovered the hard way that one more wall has meant the difference between a relatively simple process and a much more costly one involving public hearings and outraged neighbors.
Also welcome is language that requires contractors and developers who are planning to remove more than 40 percent of the exterior walls in a remodel to meet with the town to review engineering plans. If the remaining walls are structurally sound, contractors will no longer be able to tear them down and then claim after the fact that the walls were not structurally sound.
And just in case there's any doubt about the rules, particularly with historic homes, the new language proposes posting a notice on construction sites making it clear that no deviation of approved plans will be allowed on property on the Historic Resources Inventory without prior approval.
What's more, there are penalties for unlawful demolitions, which on homes with historic preservation status, can add up to 10 percent of the property's assessed value. In today's real estate market, that can add up to a pretty penny.
It should make the word "oops" a lot less attractive.
Happy Holidays
It's the time of year when everyone turns a little nostalgic, some get downright saccharine. Hardened journalists generally steer clear of such emotions, but those of us at the Los Gatos Weekly-Times just can't help ourselves when the holidays roll around.
Maybe it's the twinkling lights in the Town Plaza or the friendly faces of the merchants. Maybe it's the people bundled up with their families taking carriage rides through town. But we just feel all warm and cuddly when we think how fortunate we are to work in this community.
It makes us want to wish all our readers and advertisers the very happiest of holiday seasons. And so we do.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
