Photograph by Skye Dunlap
Jon Munson speaks out against homes that some residents say violate city building standards and infringe on neighbor's privacy.
Opponents to new 'monster homes' share frustrations
Residents demand that existing city guidelines be followed
By Sam Scott
An open meeting on so-called "monster homes" drew an overflow crowd to Sunnyvale City Hall last Wednesday. More than 60 people crowded into the small West Conference Room, so exceeding the room's capacity that some residents listened from the hallway.
Councilwoman Julia Miller called the informal meeting to give opponents of large new homes in neighborhoods of smaller houses a chance to let off steam. Anger about a new 3,665-square-foot home and garage being built on Wright Avenue on a block dominated by single-story, low-pitched homes has made the issue a pressing one.
A petition to council opposing the home garnered 56 signatures. Speeches against the house have become regular endings to recent council meetings, and at least one neighbor has retained an attorney to explore legal responses to the home.
People took turns speaking. No one spoke on behalf of keeping regulations as they are. Concerns about new developers intruding on privacy and neighborhood aesthetics recurred throughout the more than two hours of talks, as did calls for inclusion of neighbors in the permit-application process.
"We had no notification, no input, and no appeal," said Wilma Anderson, an immediate neighbor to the new house on Wright Avenue. "The only person with any property rights was the homeowner. When I found this out, it was like a seismic shock."
Anderson is infuriated by the new home, saying its high first floor windows look into her yard and through her large windows. Her property sits on a lowers pad than the new home. She said the difference in altitude exacerbates its effect.
Anderson's point was taken up by others.
"You have to consider the people in your neighborhood," a woman who did not identify herself said. "I don't think change should be foisted on me."
William Gaugler, the petition circulator, observed that many of the people in the room, like him, were senior citizens who have been residents for many years. He said they deserved better in their old age.
Councilman Jim Roberts pointed out that the city recently began notifying adjacent neighbors of applicants' permits for new two-story buildings and second-story additions. David Boesch, the director of Community Development, said later that the notification process would enable neighbors to view the plans and respond. Boesch did not attend the meeting on Wednesday.
Speakers also voiced concerns that the city seems to ignore its own regulations when it allows large homes to be built. They pointed to Sunnyvale's "Citywide Design Guidelines," a series of seemingly authoritative checks on designs. Some residents maintain the existing homes and homeowners' rights are violated by the new home. They demanded that an ordinance seemingly mandating the guidelines be followed.
"Those guidelines are egregiously, egregiously violated," said Jeffrey Forster, a lawyer hired by Wilma Anderson. "They are inconsistent in a very dramatic manner."
Vice Mayor Jack Walker said the guidelines were too vague to be enforced properly, a claim that drew mutters from some.
Walker, however, said he agreed with the general sentiment that there was a problem and said city council had failed to set appropriate policy.
Current policy changes may be in the works. City Manager Bob LaSala said a city study on the issue would be submitted to council in late fall. Part of the study will include a public hearing in August, he said.
Councilwoman Miller said she thought the meeting a success. She said she wanted people to know someone cared.
Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
