Zoning administrator approves two-story addition at 108 Hillview Avenue

Zoning Administrator Stephanie Williams on Aug. 5 approved a design review application for a two-story addition at 108 Hillview Avenue in Los Altos, saying she had reviewed the staff report and the project plans and would approve the project subject to the recommended findings and conditions of approval.

Sean Gagos, senior planner with the planning division, described the application as “a design review application for a 233 square foot 1st story addition and 624 square foot 2nd story addition to existing residents at 108 Hillview Avenue.” He told the administrator that staff found the project complies with R1-10 development standards, that the design uses “articulated massing” and coordinated exterior materials to maintain neighborhood compatibility, that potential privacy impacts are minimized, and that the project is “categorically exempt from CEQA.” Staff reported it had received one public comment, which was posted with the staff report.

A project presenter supporting the application said the existing house is small for the current household: “It’s a 2 bedroom structure with about 900 square feet of habitable space, which was fine for the previous owners, you know, Randall and Deborah,” and that the family is seeking two additional bedrooms. The presenter said the lot is nonconforming at about 7,300 square feet in an R1-10 district and described design choices intended to be sympathetic to the Craftsman-style neighborhood while minimizing grading and retaining mature landscaping.

Williams closed the public comment period and stated she would approve the project as recommended by staff. The transcript records no roll-call vote, mover, or second; the decision was announced orally and implemented as the meeting action. The meeting was adjourned at 4:06 p.m.

Provenance: staff presentation and CEQA exemption noted by Sean Gagos; applicant/presenter remarks during public comment; final approval announced by Stephanie Williams.