Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Development Review topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Waterways advisory backs transparent 6‑foot fence at 1750 Northpointe Parkway
Summary
City planner described a proposed 6‑foot transparent fence adjacent to Roseland Creek; after questions about setback, easement and a lengthy permitting timeline, the Waterways Advisory Committee advised staff it supports the installation and visibility the fence provides.
City planner Briscoe presented a proposal for a 6‑foot prism (transparent) fence at 1750 Northpointe Parkway that would sit within the 30‑foot creek setback adjacent to Roseland Creek and enclose the rear parking area of the Sonova photonics business. Briscoe said the planning department reviewed the project under CEQA and determined it was categorically exempt under 15303(e) as construction of a small structure. "The project in front of you today is Northpointe Fence Stall," Briscoe said, describing the fence location and the top‑of‑bank relationship.
Committee members asked how far the proposed fence would sit from the top of bank, how it would compare visually with neighboring fences and how vegetation maintenance would be accomplished. The applicant representative said the fence would be about 6–8 inches to the left of the concrete curb and roughly a foot and a half from a redwood on site; gates would be opened to allow maintenance access. The applicant explained that the application (filed June 24, 2024) was delayed while parties resolved easement ownership, completed surveys and obtained engineering review: "It took a long time to get that analysis done and confirmed," the applicant said, noting the team completed a quitclaim process with the adjacent property owners and that gates would be closed at night for security.
Several members praised the design’s visibility at the creek edge — commonly described at the meeting as providing "eyes on the creek" — and said locating the fence outside the stand of redwoods preserves the trees while addressing security concerns. One newer member said the lengthy permitting timeline felt dysfunctional and urged staff to consider ways to streamline the process for businesses. After discussion and a public comment that supported the design, the Waterways Advisory Committee recorded its advice to the planning department that it supports the proposed fence installation and the use of a transparent prism fence to maintain creek visibility.
What’s next: the committee’s recommendation is advisory; the planning department will incorporate comments into its decision materials. For more information, staff contact information was shown on the presentation slides and the planning department is the point of contact for follow‑up.
