[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6164364,"mediaKeyId","5428792-793e998f8e2b5827b95a2f1bbcde533b","parentId",5428792,"title","Atherton council upholds planning commission, denies appeal of 94 Palmer Lane variances","audioSeconds",5052,"startMs",539000,"endMs",5591000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5428792-793e998f8e2b5827b95a2f1bbcde533b&start=539&end=5591","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5428792-793e998f8e2b5827b95a2f1bbcde533b/thumbnail_539000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6164364/California/Atherton-council-upholds-planning-commission-denies-appeal-of-94-Palmer-Lane-variances","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164364-fd5c6cf53135a8df966667285445cb40/orig.mp4?Expires=1770480819&Signature=YfXeq1nUrMAg7M0Jtj6fnJCNBtaHvyALydMriJR44Dc8Bzrktg8RivupnfeCgDQcG5iU028VjfzQr-FTuAwS8WZ98Mpvtfk-XWDYaOVBSpQTExULpI42klye4k9AJlKg5WvJFjywV9q37vJKs71vpYzC0jmYJ1hUN~0VGjhWu7ZWpnmBSSLi5d3casRUNmObCacL1sOvwGCewmwnKni8TrQoyUO0XXC1v1khkrIjaGku5l~iVB242pwBXnEuiSQ5WWNnPyrFRKfv~JVpgopjYdSfzMYladP1FIdKbYHJp02E6wQRxz0MYtxGfJwP5Nhx2lt0aMMvhAvDQw93FpI5oQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of Atherton CA","date","2025-07-19T11:44:54.527Z","article","The Atherton City Council on July 16 denied an appeal and upheld the Planning Commission’s approval of front- and rear-yard setback variances and tree-protection-zone exceptions that permit construction of a new single-family home with a detached garage and an 800-square-foot accessory dwelling unit at 94 Palmer Lane.

The decision came after a public hearing in which town planner Britney Bendix told the council the staff recommendation was to deny the appeal and affirm the Planning Commission’s action. “Our recommendation tonight is that city council deny the appeal and uphold the decision of the planning commission to approve requests for a front and rear yard setback variance, as well as tree protection zone exceptions that would enable construction of a new single family home with detached garage and attached ADU at 94 Palmer,” Bendix said during her presentation.

Why it matters: the property was created through an urban lot split under State law commonly referred to as SB 9 and now sits at 0.32 acre inside Atherton’s R‑1A zoning district. The owner’s proposal, as approved by the Planning Commission, would allow a roughly 2,961-square-foot primary residence with an 800-square-foot ADU sited in a way that requires variances to the town’s front- and rear-yard setback standards and exceptions to tree protection rules.

What the council heard: appellant Michael Templeton presented the appeal, arguing procedural defects in neighbor notice and contending the variances amount to a self-created hardship because the lot resulted from a recent split. Templeton said he received the mailed notice on or about May 19 and, citing the Bagley Act and the government code’s public‑notice requirements, argued that a May 16 mailing left him only nine days to respond to a May 28 Planning Commission hearing. He also raised privacy, noise, and tree-protection concerns and said proposed mitigation offers from the owner were insufficient.

The owner and project team — owner Andre (last name not provided), architect Kelly Johnson and land-use attorney Camus Steinmetz — told the council they had worked with the planning department, the town arborist and the fire department and had modified the design to reduce impacts. Andre said he had met with the neighbor and offered concessions including obscure glazing at second-story windows. “I was open to change the direction, for example. I was open to put, like, obscure glass on the second story,” Andre said.

Technical details from the staff presentation: the lot is a 0.32-acre flag lot; neighboring lot sizes range from about 0.12 to 0.77 acres; the prior larger parcel was created as part of the Barney Park subdivision in 1922 (a slide typo initially said 2022). Bendix reported the proposal complies with R‑1A side setbacks and floor-area-ratio standards, and that the variance request was limited to front and rear setbacks. The project team reported it would preserve heritage trees on site; the town arborist supported tree-protection‑zone exceptions for six coast live oaks ranging roughly 16–32 inches diameter at breast height with proposed reductions in the measured tree-protection radii.

Staff position on notice: City attorney Mona (last name not provided) and staff told the council an affidavit shows the notice was delivered to the mailing vendor on May 12 and mailed May 16, exceeding the 10‑day notice required by the government code; staff said they had in fact provided 12 days of mailed notice and posted usual online and physical notices. Mona said the government-code mail presumption supports the town’s notice compliance.

Council action and outcome: After questions and discussion, Mayor Lewis moved and Vice Mayor Holland seconded a motion to deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commission’s approval. The council voted by roll call to deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commission findings; the motion passed unanimously (Council members Widmer, Degolia, Holland and Mayor Lewis recorded “yes”; Council member Hawkins was absent). The council also found the project categorically exempt from CEQA under the town’s cited minor‑alteration provisions as stated in the motion.

Discussion vs. direction: Council members discussed options for additional neighbor concessions such as landscaping, screening and potential relocation of entrances, but the council made no further formal directions to staff to require additional plan changes before the project proceeds. Several council members urged continued good‑faith attempts at neighbor coordination, and staff noted that landscape screening and precise planting plans are typically reviewed and enforced at building-permit and landscape‑permit stages.

Next steps: The council’s decision affirms the Planning Commission findings; staff will prepare draft findings consistent with the council’s decision for final adoption and the project will proceed to permit review according to the town’s usual building and tree-protection permit processes.

Attributions: quotes and technical attributions in this report are taken from the July 16 council meeting transcript and staff presentation, primarily statements by Town Planner Britney Bendix, City Attorney Mona, appellant Michael Templeton and owner Andre. No information beyond the meeting record is asserted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Meeting July 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Atherton City Council on July 16 denied an appeal and upheld the Planning Commission’s approval of front- and rear-yard setback variances and tree-protection-zone exceptions for a new home, detached garage and an 800-square-foot ADU at 94 Palmer Lane.","taxTitle","Atherton Town, San Mateo County, California","taxId",72378,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6164359,"Council adopts permit‑parking on Maple Avenue and Ashfield Road to ease town‑center spillover",530,6035000,6565000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5428792-793e998f8e2b5827b95a2f1bbcde533b&start=6035&end=6565","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5428792-793e998f8e2b5827b95a2f1bbcde533b/thumbnail_6035000.jpg","/articles/6164359/California/Council-adopts-permitparking-on-Maple-Avenue-and-Ashfield-Road-to-ease-towncenter-spillover","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164359-e473ac471b8f45779b6b3c3e6359a310/orig.mp4?Expires=1770480819&Signature=Y-akgZnVacGuYZeC2-XhhDqPz7E7IiXtssQYDV3R6nnzS~Nfx81SoMeEz9vqB1-nITQWMz3ID1HXGpVUcIrT2wZ33HrvVkrAyzC-rqIm3H9cqSE9a7qOWfPfmFyswa8gw0B2NuFtgSLnAffEmNFp74qAVs2WcKdXUFf~HBdBiS0VKAzG6nQJrC679LwTkz4GyV7-1gcwNlPWOBsjzdtMUIflHBQErK17kFdlcDFhs3YsGpSt~oe3H~aZ4gCULX6uvq5eF~jItN0vNx1FVTpKQbkPRLRfiuvDVUhHsJskdbsCWQhdofqkhnnmat-oEVEfzDibx2H7TnaM20zNosFDwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Atherton City Council approved a residential permit‑parking program on July 16 that covers Maple Avenue between Station Lane and El Camino Real and Ashfield Road between the Town Center and El Camino Real.

The council adopted a staff resolution setting permit hours Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with holidays excepted. The program will issue six permits per residence; the town will also provide temporary permits for visitors through dispatch. Town staff said the program responds to growing daytime parking demand from the Town Center and library.

Chief (presenting officer) summarized the proposal and staff recommended adoption of the resolution. He said the town will post signage and allow a two‑week education period after signs are installed before routine enforcement begins. “Each resident is going to be receiving a letter, with six permits each and also instructed how to get temporary permits if they need from dispatch 24 hours a day,” staff said.

Exemptions and enforcement: the council confirmed delivery and service vehicles (for example, marked pool‑service, landscaping and maintenance vehicles) will be exempt if parked solely in front of the premises they serve; construction vehicles will be exempt only when parked pursuant to an approved construction operations plan. The council clarified childcare/nanny vehicles will not be a general exemption because the town cannot reliably verify such status in the field. Tickets will be processed through the court system; the standard parking citation amount cited by staff is $41 per violations per vehicle code schedule. Staff said enforcement will be complaint‑driven initially with some proactive enforcement to achieve compliance.

Council action: the motion to adopt the permit‑parking resolution was moved and seconded and passed unanimously. Council members asked staff to ensure clear resident notification, the sign order and the enforcement grace period are implemented and to work with residents on practical exemptions for obvious on‑site service vehicles.

Implementation: public‑works staff will order and install signage after the council’s decision; there will be a two‑week education period after sign installation before routine ticketing. Staff will mail the permits and instructions to affected residences and will provide temporary permits through dispatch to accommodate visitor needs.

Attribution: technical descriptions and program details here are derived from the July 16 meeting presentation and staff comments.","Atherton’s City Council voted unanimously July 16 to create a residential permit‑parking program on Maple Avenue and Ashfield Road to reduce daytime parking spillover from the town center and library.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6164345,"Council appoints Sophia Tang to Environmental Programs Committee",459,5553000,6012000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5428792-793e998f8e2b5827b95a2f1bbcde533b&start=5553&end=6012","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5428792-793e998f8e2b5827b95a2f1bbcde533b/thumbnail_5553000.jpg","/articles/6164345/California/Council-appoints-Sophia-Tang-to-Environmental-Programs-Committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164345-a5740859240f636bd8440c8a0482a011/orig.mp4?Expires=1770480819&Signature=YUK9GXPJsEhd5XymcIn~vTgz8Nd7o215c7zUvrvKIxWboLAoDZmtrDJYWU4j2kyt8bzOkXeG8gb~6DmkXQPoE6gv2pripsTdGRs-xIm4kLhP2F254N6~CJDxALUN-HZjPPhZLN-T75RHCrWgEXuTx~inY-DZnrZcnHyzRBSwOngibTx8LFiVgNjgk21DWkgqSedbrvc7RhpJQD0acOi-RA44hyZWWayscjsLBR43rDIbZgM09sS1ZCOirCV0IDywH3vNotqmmVmeRecFMdVu3RsAOsyQf5QOiwH45o2RBVuGYGdLNcBz1JJysIfm2snsarHfRu~tFwatT9TXDVwTkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Atherton City Council on July 16 appointed Sophia Tang to the Environmental Programs Committee.

Tang introduced herself to the council, saying she recently relocated to Atherton from Vietnam and described a professional background that includes manufacturing, digital media and real estate, with examples of sustainability practices such as wastewater treatment systems, recycled materials and energy‑efficient appliances. “It’s my great privilege to call Atherton my home, and I feel a great sense of responsibility to contribute to our beautiful hometown,” Tang said in brief remarks to the council.

Staff and council noted Tang’s availability to attend the Environmental Programs Committee meeting the following day and the candidate indicated willingness to accept a term expiring in June 2028. The motion to appoint Tang to the committee was moved, seconded and passed by voice vote; council also confirmed she could attend the next EPC meeting.

Implementation: staff will notify the committee and update rosters; Tang will be eligible to serve in the term discussed and will receive staff orientation as customary for appointed committee members.

Attribution: candidate remarks are taken from the July 16 meeting record.","The City Council appointed Sophia Tang to the Environmental Programs Committee to fill a vacancy. Tang, recently relocated to Atherton from Vietnam, said her background in manufacturing, digital media and real estate includes sustainability work and educational outreach; she told the council she can attend the EPC meeting scheduled the next day.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6164350,"Council awards up to $2,000 for Senior Task Force mailer ahead of September expo",0,8611000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5428792-793e998f8e2b5827b95a2f1bbcde533b&start=8611&end=8611","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5428792-793e998f8e2b5827b95a2f1bbcde533b/thumbnail_8611000.jpg","/articles/6164350/California/Council-awards-up-to-2000-for-Senior-Task-Force-mailer-ahead-of-September-expo","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164350-0f1aefd2f3165fa3c34a182b98452ea5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770480819&Signature=HlqvuQ3dQOogTaHrfVP8s4~ECiktAJfm~g-Fqvkd9eQNK6EUE50T6uHyp7wI3twbhX~CBdYeHBsh9xj44nO3llRLc-BFqFcqHh~I3E-JplIVMhXWtTTqQQGDhtbPSAxKe9AwK2ovjE5QT6aVaBaHVQA02KLrwO2rt-xW98ZkXcwW-1sWfmvbv8lYTH7xR8eiE~D~V6adVkNDp1L9AZWS3SeAYFps3JPgVLiz-O3bepUua~IsUHu2t3ULs0~rJOFTDw617NpK6StVHO5mLphRYC8XQbuGYhVZOefh7WFPXdE9kgSrDGHJiRMiWex12OxhtlX0PAZa4MrbeSqs7GSw1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Atherton City Council on July 16 authorized up to $2,000 to fund a printed mailer for a Senior Task Force‑organized Senior Place Expo planned for September.

Senior Task Force members described an event designed to help older residents and caregivers explore aging‑in‑place options, home modifications, services and senior‑living alternatives. Joanne Sokolov, a committee representative, told the council the event will include expert speakers and an exhibit hall of vetted local providers and that the committee seeks to reach older residents through a postcard mailing because recent feedback shows many seniors prefer hard‑copy outreach.

Committee goals and event format: the Senior Task Force expects a mix of presentations and an expo format hosted at the Jennings Pavilion (the committee’s stated aim was to draw roughly 50–100 attendees). The committee said the library’s recently established senior resource area and prior seminars (for example, fall‑prevention sessions) demonstrated local interest and that a postcard mailer produced after Labor Day would be the most effective way to reach the town’s older residents.

Council action and conditions: Council member (mover) moved to provide up to $2,000 for the mailer; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The vice mayor asked that the committee update the postcard artwork and copy to ensure the mailed piece reflects the event’s substance and urgency; staff noted the final cost estimate in the staff report assumes printing and postage for the chosen mailing list.

Implementation: staff will process the funding approval and the Senior Task Force will finalize copy and vendor arrangements; the committee expects to coordinate library outreach and other channels alongside the mailer to maximize attendance.

Attribution: event details and budget request are drawn from the Senior Task Force presentation and staff report at the July 16 council meeting.","The council approved up to $2,000 to finance a postcard mailer promoting a Sept. 27 senior resource expo. The Senior Task Force said printed mail reaches older residents reliably and that the event will feature vetted service providers and informational presentations on aging-in-place and housing options.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6164354,"Council approves Park & Rec pick leball recommendation: four courts on Court 1, pursue donations for permanent courts",2030,6582000,8612000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5428792-793e998f8e2b5827b95a2f1bbcde533b&start=6582&end=8612","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5428792-793e998f8e2b5827b95a2f1bbcde533b/thumbnail_6582000.jpg","/articles/6164354/California/Council-approves-Park-Rec-pick-leball-recommendation-four-courts-on-Court-1-pursue-donations-for-permanent-courts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6164354-3b18ab2bfd48c106acb3669376ec3cbe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770480819&Signature=au0gaByFZ5NbiphrmmRKF8U7i89EfJxRh3sTN7m6IGehKVP5lYElySAl3l-i6l45Keve1NwFfmH3JoMo8nh~haKYOLMMZvFhmCyOogV5tSK4psj-AHJtrj2hZ7I2123VhAFAHX96itMLd1S-NBjYv2qZxD~qrDoEz-nrNqaviJ-1mZJTvH4hlGTmH7yooeOgB3y3pdcxjWGg09mCEonV~7pKRVdoJnlm58fCmrsPDVl-50W70p0EeHK4RDFd-BvTkrw1K50WYdVXpBsMG~zrav1wF~evsltj12sMkRg9SdPrkBYgoKWpZ3b-UpeNZpSPcS0H-yCR0I3Yr8Rwiv~Xjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Atherton City Council on July 16 approved the Park & Recreation Committee’s recommendation to increase pickleball capacity at Holbrook Palmer Park.

Staff presentation and usage: Recreation staff reported the park’s pilot pickleball program began in January and has seen steady growth; the two existing pickleball courts are now used more than 200 hours per month. Staff described current pickleball hours as mornings daily until noon, evenings after 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and all day Sunday. Park and Rec reviewed several options and recommended a short‑term step to double court availability on Court 1 by repainting it as four overscribed pickleball courts while retaining the underlying tennis surface.

The council accepted that recommendation and approved a companion approach for longer‑term capacity: staff and council will pursue private donations to remove and replace the handball courts with two dedicated pickleball courts if funding is secured. Park staff provided rough order‑of‑magnitude costs in the staff report; no town capital appropriation was approved at this meeting.

Instruction and reservations: Because demand has been high, the council allowed pickleball instruction going forward but set operational limits. Instructors will be required to obtain a town business license and to provide proof of commercial insurance; the council directed that instructors should not be permitted to reserve court time for instruction in a manner that monopolizes available reservations (the prevailing interpretation from council discussion was that a resident key holder should manage reservations and that staff would require insurance documentation for instructors). Staff will work with Player Capital (the on‑site reservation manager) to refine the reservation process so walk‑on and reservation conflicts are reduced; Player Capital had agreed to reassign reservations among tennis courts where possible to accommodate walk‑on pickleball when Court 1 is not otherwise reserved for tennis.

Public input and concerns: Local tennis and pickleball players and residents addressed council. Walter Robinson, who helped convene the community dialogue, supported the four‑court restriping on Court 1 and urged a proactive donation campaign to build permanent courts. Some council members expressed concern for balancing tennis access, and staff noted Court 1’s dual‑use restriping preserves underlying tennis lines and allows a flexible, low‑cost near‑term increase in pickleball capacity.

Council action: A motion to adopt the Park & Rec recommendation — restripe Court 1 to four overscribed pickleball courts in the near term, pursue private funding to convert the handball courts to two permanent pickleball courts in the longer term, and permit instructor activity subject to business‑license and insurance requirements and reservation limits — was moved, seconded and passed unanimously. The council directed staff to coordinate with Player Capital to improve reservation workflows and to return to council if donor funding necessitates capital approvals.

Attribution: factual descriptions and quotes are taken from the July 16 council meeting presentation and the Park & Rec materials introduced by staff.","After months of growing demand, the council accepted the Park & Recreation Committee’s plan to increase playable pickleball capacity at Holbrook Palmer Park by restriping Court 1 to four overscribed pickleball courts, pursue donor funding to convert handball courts into two permanent pickleball courts, and allow instructional use under insurance/","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Atherton council upholds planning commission, denies appeal of 94 Palmer Lane variances

Council adopts permit‑parking on Maple Avenue and Ashfield Road to ease town‑center spillover

Council appoints Sophia Tang to Environmental Programs Committee

Council awards up to $2,000 for Senior Task Force mailer ahead of September expo

Council approves Park & Rec pick leball recommendation: four courts on Court 1, pursue donations for permanent courts