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It’s been rare in recent months to hear praise for Woodside’s residential design review procedures, but acclaim was heard at the Feb. 23 meeting of the Woodside Town Council.
The council unanimously approved amendments to the town’s general plan and zoning code, as recommended by the Architecture and Site Review Board and the Planning Commission, to allow a merger of two adjoining parcels owned by Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of the late Steve Jobs. Once notable for the Jackling House mansion that Mr. Jobs demolished after a decade-long court battle, the property will be home to a new residential complex of an environmentally sustainable character.
“(It’s) a testament to how much good planning can produce such a project, especially one that fits into the community so well … and it’s as green as a project can be,” said Councilman Tom Livermore, a former planning commissioner and member of the Architecture and Site Review Board.
“It was delightful,” Mayor Deborah Gordon said, “to see what a wonderful and thoughtful project it was.”
The plans include a 3,706-square-foot, single-story house, one wing with a vegetated “green” roof, and eight accessory structures: a sauna, yoga studio, two guest houses, a wine press, an olive press, a garden shed and a garden barn.
The complex will be subordinate to the land, using earth-toned stone and wood, and some walls of rammed earth, according to comments by Associate Planner Sean Mullin. The project includes a hot tub, plunge pool and swimming pool with three cabanas.
“This has been a very long road for us,” Ken Morrison, representing Ms. Powell Jobs, told the council and staff. “Since 2001, we’ve been working on this project and I hope that you’re happy with the end result that we have here. … I appreciate your support and guidance in developing a project that I think we can all be proud of.”