Commissioners approve third house in Alta Vista

By Kara Chalmers

Blackwell Properties, owners of a five-lot subdivision at 14000 Alta Vista Avenue, on Nov. 23 received design review approval from Planning Commissioners to construct a third house on the property.

The vote was split on Nov. 10, when the proposed residence first came before the commission. The applicant requested a second vote and came back on Nov. 23 with design changes that addressed the commissioners' past concerns.

A second split vote would have resulted in an automatic denial, but the house was approved 3-2. Commissioners Lisa Kurasch and Cynthia Barry opposed the decision.

The proposed two-story residence has a floor area of 4,197 square feet, less than the amount allowed when the Planning Commission approved the subdivision in June 1998.

In June 1999, when the Planning Commission approved design review of the houses on lots 1 and 2 of the subdivision, it was on the condition that the floor area be reduced to current zoning code. The applicant appealed this condition to the City Council, which reversed the commission's decision, granting the applicant the additional floor area for the two lots.

This time, in approving lot 3, a majority of commissioners granted the applicant's request for the allowable floor area.

Changes made by the developer after hearing commissioners' concerns Nov. 10 included decreasing the structure's height from 26 feet to 24 feet (to reduce its bulky appearance) and removing one of the two proposed chimneys. Still, two commissioners opposed the project.

"I'm still struggling with this," Commissioner Cynthia Barry said after thanking the developer for making the changes in height and roof design.

Barry mentioned that the area in which the house is located is a wooded glen and suggested that the house should be looked at in light of the surrounding natural environment, as well as the surrounding houses. She questioned whether the size of the proposed house would fit in with the natural setting without overwhelming it.

"This wooded glen is its own neighborhood," she said. "This is part of Saratoga's heritage. ... This is a real gem."

Commission Chairwoman Mary-Lynne Bernald and Commissioners Chuck Page and Erna Jackman voted to approve the project.

Sheriff's Report

Addiction to coffee

Photo: Christmas Cards

Saratoga Sampler

Sports Briefs

Los Gatos defeats Prospect in field hockey finals

High school tennis and volleyball

Saratoga National Junior Basketball selects All-Net teams