Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Screening Lighting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Robleda Road screening and lighting plan approved with native‑planting and oak‑protection conditions
Summary
The Fast Track hearing approved the Robleda Road landscape-screening and lighting permit (SD25-0049) with conditions to stagger Loris nobilis plantings, incorporate additional native species, and coordinate with staff and an arborist to avoid planting and irrigation within the drip lines of large oaks; a 14-day appeal period applies.
Hearing officer Jay Bradford approved a site development permit modification for landscaping, exterior lighting, fences/gates and a second-floor deck adjustment at a Robleda Road property near the eastern border of Los Altos Hills, subject to project-specific conditions addressing screening plantings and oak protection.
Baghershri Thacker, the project manager, summarized the history of the parcel and related approvals (SD22-0086 for the new residence; PM24-0001 for a basement modification) and said the current application proposes landscape screening, adjustments to exterior lighting to meet prior conditions (three garage-level fixtures maximum), a compliant gate light, a 185-square-foot second-floor deck expansion and a screening palette that includes coast live oaks and a row of Loris nobilis. Staff noted existing oaks on the northern side and proposed native plant mixes for additional screening.
Open Space Committee members and EDPC raised questions about a buried drainage/creek easement that crosses part of the property and whether easement language on a neighboring parcel (established in late 2024) should be mirrored; Elizabeth (Open Space Committee) said the neighboring approval “says the intent of this easement is to allow for the potential future daylighting of [the buried creek],” and suggested consistency between the two properties. Staff said modification of an easement would require a separate legal process and that Valley Water guidance on daylighting could be shared with applicants.
Committee members also urged care to avoid planting and irrigation within the drip lines of mature oaks. A project representative and the project arborist said the proposed planting plan emphasizes drought-tolerant native species and temporary irrigation for establishment only; staff agreed to a project-specific condition to coordinate with staff and arborist recommendations to identify areas to avoid planting and irrigation within oak drip lines.
Staff requested a categorical CEQA exemption under Section 15304(b) and read project-specific conditions including staggered Loris nobilis plantings and addition of a California native species. Hearing Officer Bradford approved the permit as recommended and announced a 14-day appeal period beginning the day of the hearing.
The approval includes conditions to stagger screening plantings, add a native species, and to coordinate with staff to locate and avoid planting/irrigation within oak drip lines; the town will rely on future agency processes if daylighting of the buried creek becomes necessary.
