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Hearing officer approves Barley Hill Road addition in Los Altos Hills with tree-removal and lighting conditions
Summary
The town approved a 1,351-sq.-ft. rear addition at Barley Hill Road (SD25-0051), imposing conditions to remove three blue gum eucalyptus trees, alter exterior lighting, and plant a 15-gallon California native tree; the approval is subject to a 21-day appeal period.
A hearing officer approved a site development permit for a single-story addition at Barley Hill Road in Los Altos Hills, subject to project-specific conditions including removal of three blue gum eucalyptus trees, relocation/identification of certain exterior lighting fixtures, and planting a 15-gallon California native evergreen at the western property line.
Jonathan Fox, the project planner, told the Fast Track hearing the application proposes a 1,351-square-foot addition, a covered rear porch and patio, 106 cubic yards of grading and would result in a floor area and development area near the town's maximums. Fox also described the exterior-lighting plan and recommended, as a condition of approval, removing a non‑door‑associated light and identifying the location of outdoor ceiling lights so staff can confirm compliance with the town's outdoor-lighting policy.
Several attendees urged the applicant to address vegetation near the rear of the property adjacent to Highway 280 and raised dark‑sky concerns about skylights. One resident said, “I just think it's a fire hazard,” citing uncleared vegetation behind the berm; the hearing officer and staff pointed neighbors to the Fire District's home-ignition-zone assessments and possible rebate programs. Fox said the project was routed to the town's Environmental Design and Protection Committee and the Open Space Committee; both recommended removing certain eucalyptus trees and favoring native plantings. Fox explicitly recorded the condition: remove the three blue gum eucalyptus trees prior to final inspection.
Hearing Officer Jay Bradford summarized staff's recommended conditions and said, “With those recommendations from staff, I will approve this project subject to the conditions of approval set by staff.” Bradford announced the decision is subject to a 21-day appeal period beginning the day of the hearing.
The decision adopts a categorical CEQA exemption under Section 15301(e). The approval document requires removal of the specified exterior fixture prior to building-permit issuance, identification (and staff review) of rear patio ceiling-light locations, removal of the three blue gum eucalyptus trees prior to final inspection and the planting of one 15-gallon California native evergreen at the western property line. The hearing record shows no public comments were filed before the hearing; public commenters spoke during the hearing and raised concerns that the conditions aim to address.
The hearing officer closed the item and moved to the next project. The project record and conditions are available from Town planning staff; the 21-day appeal period was announced at the hearing.
