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It was a relatively easy night at the Saratoga City Council meeting on May 7, with members adjourning before 11p.m. and the public scattering out intermittently. But it was a disappointing night for two appellants who appealed a planning commission's decision granting separate neighbors the right to expand their properties.
One such application involved a resident who requested the council deny a variance allowing a neighbor to have a 25-foot long concrete wall on his property. All council members were present and voted unanimously to uphold the planning commission's original decision.
In another case, the owner of the property on 14165 Victor Place was allowed to continue with plans to add a second story unit to an existing one-story home, despite an adjacent neighbor's claims that it will "limit the natural beauty" of the neighborhood, making it unpleasant.
The appellant also said that the proposed second-story would compromise her privacy because the location and height of the windows would allow the neighbors to look into her yard. Councilman Norman Kline said he didn't see any real issue with privacy because the windows would only look into the neighbor's side yard.
In addition, members gave their input on ways to address the window and privacy issue. Vice Mayor Ann Waltonsmith said that obscured glass windows work great because they allow people to look outside but prevent others from looking inside.
At the end of the discussion, the appellant and the applicant lightly shook hands while walking out of the theater.
Also present at the meeting was Assistant City Manager Lori Tinfow, who updated council members on the new Saratoga Library project and requested that they authorize an increase of the construction budget to $14,750,000. According to Tinfow, the library is expected to open to the public in approximately two weeks.
Tinfow and the chairman of the arts commission also requested council to provide direction regarding a possible art exhibit inside the library to celebrate its opening. They discussed issues regarding public art policies, including liability insurance, additional lighting needed to illuminate art pieces, and protection and supervision services.
Under new business, Public Works Director John Cherbone requested council to approve a lease agreement that would allow El Quito Park visitors to use the parking spaces at the West Hope Presbyterian Church. A member of the El Quito Park Task Force stepped up to the podium to thank Cherbone for his efforts in achieving this long-time goal. All council members voted to grant the request.
The next city council meeting will be held on May 21 at 7 p.m.
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