Council smoothes way for single-story home remodels Council smoothes way for single-story home remodels (July 06, 2005)

By Rebecca Wallace

Almanac Staff Writer

The way will be clearer for many people seeking to build or substantially remodel single-story homes in Menlo Park, thanks to action by the divided City Council on June 28.

The new law will allow people with single-story projects on lots of at least 5,000 square feet to apply directly for a building permit, instead of heading for a public hearing at the Planning Commission.

Previously, projects on lots deemed substandard -- oddly shaped or too small to conform to their zoning district -- had to get a use permit from the Planning Commission, while projects on standard lots did not. Now all lots of at least 5,000 square feet will be treated the same, a move that supporters say brings equity to the approval process.

"This is fair and just," said Councilwoman Lee Duboc, who voted with Mickie Winkler and Nicholas Jellins. She said the plan would make it easier for residents to remodel their homes without going through a costly and time-consuming process.

The June 28 vote was to introduce the ordinance; a second vote is needed to formally adopt it, but this is typically seen as a formality.

Attempts to streamline home-building law always spark debate in Menlo Park, and this effort was no exception.

Opponents, including dissenting council members Kelly Fergusson and Andy Cohen, say single-story homes -- like two-story structures -- can harm an area's character or a neighbor's privacy. They say the human discretion, public forum and formal noticing of neighbors in the Planning Commission process are necessary to protect neighborhoods.

Most of the residents speaking at the June 28 meeting opposed the plan, such as Charlie Bourne, who said, "It's wrong to remove the rights and voices of neighbors."

Resident Anne Perlman agreed, saying of the Planning Commission process, "Neighbors need a venue in which we can work out our differences."

There were some supporters, including Sue Kayton, who dismissed residents' worries about their privacy, advising them to get curtains, fences or hedges.

Ms. Kayton also said the streamlining plan would keep the city from having to hold unnecessary commission hearings. She said several past hearings were sparsely attended and thus unnecessary.

The plan also requires all development projects with new vehicular access to an alley to get a use permit from the Planning Commission. Development on alleys has been controversial; some residents in the Willows neighborhood, for example, have worried that paving alleys could create added traffic.

For a staff report on the plan, go to menlopark.org, click on "City Council" and go to the June 28 meeting agenda.

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