Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Heights topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council sends Williamsburg Lane height standards to planning commission, recommends 25‑foot house limit
Summary
After hearing residents and staff, the council voted to send Williamsburg Lane zoning back to the planning commission with a recommendation to consider a 25‑foot roof ridge limit for houses (barn/stable standards left unchanged). The motion carried with a 4–1 roll call; Mayor Daringer voted no.
The Rolling Hills Estates City Council on a recorded voice/roll‑call vote directed staff to return the Williamsburg Lane height standards to the planning commission with a suggested 25‑foot maximum ridge height for houses only.
Staff reviewed the history: the planning commission had previously recommended an 18‑foot height (floor to highest peak) and allowed taller barns; the council later codified 21‑foot house and 23‑foot barn standards. Council and residents raised concerns that Williamsburg Lane's distinctive steep roof pitches and dormered lofts make the current citywide standard poorly matched to that street's historic architectural pattern. Staff noted that variance is available for individual projects but recommended codifying a tailored standard to avoid routine variances.
Public commenter Geneva Calhoun urged recognition of Williamsburg's distinct character. Several council members argued a 25‑foot cap would be a reasonable middle ground to preserve character while avoiding a large outlier house (the highest house on the street was cited at about 29 feet). The council made a motion to send the matter to the planning commission with the 25‑foot recommendation for houses only; the roll call recorded at the meeting showed Council member Piper, Council member Msh, Council member Wilson and Mayor Pro Tem Black voting yes, and Mayor Daringer voting no.
Why it matters: The change would affect design rules on a single, architecturally distinct street and could reduce the need for individual variances by clarifying allowable ridge height and how roof pitch/dormers are treated.
Next steps: Planning staff will schedule the item before the planning commission, follow regular noticing requirements and, if the commission recommends changes, return the matter to council for first and second readings as an amendment to the municipal code.
