Neighbor raises landslide and SB9 concerns over potential ADU enlargement at 42 Santa Maria

During public comment at the June 22 meeting, Portola Valley resident Bart Dolmatch urged town review and neighbor notification before any change to the previously approved plan for 42 Santa Maria, citing safety concerns tied to a 1998 landslide that affected both 16 and 42 Santa Maria Avenue.

Dolmatch said the current approved design for 42 Santa Maria already exceeds the town’s 100% AMFA allowed area for the lot and that he had been told the owner might seek to enlarge the attached second‑floor ADU — possibly by up to about 400 square feet — through a ministerial SB9 pathway, which Dolmatch said could avoid ASC and public review. He asked the town to require (1) no expansion of the attached second‑floor ADU unless total AMFA remains unchanged from the most recent plan, (2) engineering analysis before any foundation or basement changes, and (3) notice and opportunity for public comment for adjacent neighbors within 300 feet before any approval is issued.

Staff and the commission did not act on the comment because no formal application to modify the approved plan was before the ASC; Chair Breen noted the committee could not comment on items not on the agenda but thanked Dolmatch for coming forward.

Dolmatch also named key players in the property’s history — saying the lots were later purchased by Tom Bland, who remediated the hillside and obtained approvals for new homes — and said he had discussed the matter with Jamie Bourne, the outside consultant associated with the 42 Santa Maria project.

Because no modification application was filed during the meeting, the committee took the comment as a public record but did not take action. The items Dolmatch requested (engineering review and pre‑approval neighbor notice) would need to be considered if and when a modification application is formally submitted.