TO:ThePlanningDepartmentCityofPaloAlto
From:SusieRichardson,353Addison,PaloAlto
November13,2023
Ilivenextdoortothecottageat949ScottStreetandIwanttoappealaPlanApproval.File number22PLN-00410.lneverthoughtitwouldbeindangerbecausethelotissosmallnoone wouldbeabletotearitdownandbuildanythingelse.Iwas,obviously,wrong.Itissurprising thatsomeonewhoalreadylivesonScottStreetwouldwanttochangeanythingaboutthe property.Itisperfectthewayitis.
ThereplacementplanIhaveseentakesalovelybuildingawayandreplacesitwithagarageon thefirstfloor.Afterthecottagehasbeenscrapedandaholedug,alargeroomwithlivingspace undergroundwillbebuilt.Therearemanyrulesagainstallowinganyonetodosuchathing,but ourPlanningDepartmenthasgivenittheokay.Therearesomanyvariances,theyoccur practicallyateverystageoftheproject.Inaddition.itviolatesthePaloAlto’sGeneralHousing PlanandtheSenateBill330.Buildingabunkerorbombshelterdoesnotimprovetheamountof housingintheneighborhood.
Theexistingbuildingischarmingwithlargewindowslookingoutonawonderfullittlegarden fromthelivingroomandoneofthebedrooms.Ithasaseparatediningroomandafireplacein thelivingroom.Weboughtthehousenextdoorin1972andseveralpeoplehavebeenvery happyinthecottage.
Ontheotherhand,thereplacementlookslikeanattachmenttoatracthouse.Thereisnofront yard.Theentryisasmalldoorthatopensintothegarage.Thestreetnolongerhasspacefor2 cars.Theentrytothegaragecutsawaythecurb.Thetreeintheparkingstriphastobe removed.Thesidewalkmergeswiththedriveway.TheconstructionisanightmareforScott Street.Puttingupwithconstructiononastreetwithonlyoneentranceisbadenough,butto addallthetrafficandparkingcreatedbytheparkmakesitacongestedmess.Ihavetomention onepartoftheconstructionIfindparticularlydisturbingistheinstallationofpillarsbeing poundedordrilledeveryeighteeninchesaroundtheexteriorofthebasement.Butthereisalso themajorinconveniencefortheneighborsofadumpsterparkedformaybeayear.Itreallywill beawful.
Iamaskingyoutopleasesavethelittlehouseat949Addison.Ithasprovidedanicehomefor manypeopleandIamsureitwouldcontinuetodosoifgiventhechance.
AndrewMartin940Scott StPaloAlto, CA94301
Garrett SaulsDepartment of PlanningCityof PaloAlto250HamiltonAvePaloAlto, CA94301 23March, 2023
Dear CityPlanningStaff,
I amwritingthisletter toregister concernsregardingtheproposedredevelopment andvariancefor949Scott Street, Filenumber 22PLN-00410.
Theplansfor 949Scott containmanyof therudimentarybuildingblocksfor ahouseonpaper butaredesignedinawaythat seeminconsistent withtheintendedzoninguse. I amconcernedthat,inpractice, thisdesignmaybelessof asingle-familyhomeandmoreof agarageextension. Assuch, thismaybereducing, not maintainingdensityandbeinviolationof theGeneral HousingPlanandSB330.
Inour neighborhoodmost houseshave"curbappeal" - that is, theyhaveafront door or clear entry,theyhavewindowsor somevisibilityfromthestreet, andtheyhaveafront yardand/or porch. Ifnoneof thesearemet, andif theprimarylivingquarters, kitchen, livingroom, areall underground,isit still aviablefamilyhouse? Isit consistent withtheGeneral plan? Wouldsuchapropertybethefuturehomeof anewfamily? Or, isit possiblesuchadevelopment wouldbecomeanextensiontoanearbyresidence–alarge, albeit veryexpensive, garageandbonusspace? SenateBill 330expresslyredefines"lower density" toincludeanyactionthat hastheeffect ofreducinghousingdensity:
“Lower density” includesanyconditionsthat havethesameeffect or impact ontheabilityof theproject toprovidehousing.
Onecouldassert, andtheCityof PaloAltohasarguedsimilarlyinthepast, that designingahousethat serves, ineffect, toformamulti-lot compoundviolatesSB330inwordor certainlyinspirit. Asdesigned, 949Scott maynolonger bearealistichomefor afuturefamilybut, defacto, anaccessoryunit for the935propertyandthusfurther reducedensityintheneighborhood.
In2008therewerethreesingle-familyhomesadjacent ontheoddsideof Scott street numbered935, 943, and949. Onebuyer thenpurchasedboth935and943, removedtheexistinghouses,combinedthetwopropertiesintoa10ksqft lot, andbuilt a5,500sqft home. In2019, anew owner bought 935Scott andtheadjacent substandardlot of 949Scott. Thetwohomessatunoccupiedfor four yearsuntil bothpropertieswerebought bythecurrent applicantsin2022,where935istheprimaryresidenceand949isadjacent.
PaloAltohasmanyresidentswhoownmultipleproperties- whichiscertainlylegal. However, ifthepropertiesaredevelopedinsuchawaythat theyformacompoundwhereresidentsarenotoccupyingtheproperties, whereneighborshavefewer neighbors, thisshouldbeof concernfor theCouncil. Couldit bethat ina15year spanwewill gofrom3familyhousingunitstojust 1onthisstretchof Scott St? Furthermore, theproposedplansarenot consistent withandwill haveanegativeimpact ontheimmediateneighborhoodinother ways:
● Fromthestreet, theproposedplansdonot resembleahome, but rather agarageentryinSanFranciscowherethesidewalkblendsintoadoor withlittlebetween.● If approved, thissmall property(lessthan1498sqft) wouldbetheonlydouble-widecutoutonScott - withalmost theentirefrontageof thelot asentrancetothegarage.● Sincethelot issosmall, thefront setback, asdesigned, doesnot leavespacetoparkonwhat wouldbeadriveway- yougofromstreet tosidewalktogarage.● If approved, thedoubledrivewaywouldrequiretheremoval of twostreet trees- leavingthatsideof theblockrelativelybarren.● If approved, theproposedtwocar garagewouldtake2-3street parkingspots. Parkingisachallengeonthestreet duringthedaywiththecloseproximitytoScott Park, thebasketballhoop, andPaloAltoSub-Acutevisitors.
I wouldwelcomeareviseddesignthat hasmorefeaturesresemblingahomeandlessimpact ontheexistingneighborhood, suchasafront door or entryway, perhapsaone-laneparklet or singlegarage, lossof onlyoneparkingspace, lossof onlyonestreet tree, all providedoff-street parkingisreallyessential for suchasmall lot. If weweretogrant avarianceonthishouse, let it betohaveNOparkingason-siteparkingisn't reallycompatiblewithsuchasmall lot.
Thevarianceisanopportunityfor theCitytoensuretheproposedplansareinthebest interest ofitsresidentsanditslarger plan. Inthecaseof thecurrentlyproposeddesignfor 949Scott, Istruggletoseehowthe2-car garageconcept iscompatibleandmaybeinviolationof theGeneralPlanandSB330byeffectivelyreducingdensity.
Over 10yearsago, our familymovedtodowntownPaloAltobecausewewantedour childrentogrowupinaneighborhoodwithasidewalkandwithneighbors. Wearethrilledtohavetheapplicantsmoveinacrossthestreet, tohaveanother homeservingtreatsonHalloweenandanother familyjoiningtheannual blockparty. I holdout hopethat with949thereisor will bespacefor onemorefamilyinthefuture.
Sincerely,-AndyMartin
From: Andrew Martin
To: Sauls, Garrett
Subject: 949 Scott
Date: Friday, May 19, 2023 6:20:09 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hi Garrett,
I recently found that there had been some updates with 949 Scott. I was able to view a rendering of the second version and view the plans.
I wanted to share my feedback with you and the planning department.
1. The rendering and plans are not in-sync. The curb cut is larger in the rendering than plans - it is hard for people evaluate if not matching. (Or, perhaps I could have seen an incorrect rendering).
2. The proposed plans do not seem very residential in nature. A few examples:
- there isn’t a distinct pedestrian walkway from the sidewalk to the door - there is no roof element covering the front entrance. The existing structure has a small porch as do must other homes.
- the wide driveway and excessive paving leave little space for any front yard. - the front door leads to the garage
Zoning is meant to control use of land. Is this consistent with the zoning?
3. In addition to these points, the strongest challenge to the proposal is, once again, the intended use of the this property if these plans are approved. - a design that requires one to enter the garage and walk through it (so long as there isn’t a car inside) and the go down to the basement seems suspect given the current home. - as the submitters of these plans are also the owners of the adjacent 10+M property, does it seem like these plans are an extension of their adjacent lot or a real attempt at building a better single family residence? How common is it for a neighbor to support a setback reduction when both properties lie on the shared setbacks?
While the city may not be able to reject a set of plans based on an interpretation of intended use, they can certainly exercise the right to refuse any variances.
The approval of variances for this design by the city effectively endorses a reduction in housing and is contrary to the intent, and perhaps actual word, of both city code and state law (SB330).
If the result of this project were a new home that would enhance our neighborhood and provide a place for someone to realistically move into I would be supportive of granting variances.
Unfortunately, I do not see that in these plans.
Sincerely,
Andrew Martin
940 Scott
650-380-3405
From: Andrew Martin
To: Sauls, Garrett
Subject: Re: 949 Scott Street - 22PLN-00410
Date: Thursday, November 2, 2023 5:24:03 PM
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Thank you for the information.
On Thu, Nov 2, 2023 at 1:18 PM Sauls, Garrett <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi Andrew,
The City issued a decision letter for the application on October 25 but notice cards didn’t get sent out until October 26. As a result, the 14 day appeal period will continue through November 9. Should anyone wish to appeal the decision, they will need to fill out the attached form and send it to myself or those listed in the form, as well as pay the appeal fee prior to the end of business day on November 9 (5:00pm). If no appeal is received, then the decision will be final on November 10.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Best regards,
Garrett Sauls
Planner
Planning and Development Services Department
(650) 329-2471 | [email protected]
NEW Parcel Report | Palo Alto Municipal Code | Online Permitting System | Planning Application Forms & Handouts | Planning Applications Mapped
From: Andrew Martin <[email protected]
>
Sent: Thursday, November 2, 2023 12:54 PM
To: Sauls, Garrett <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: 949 Scott Street - 22PLN-00410
Hello Garrett,
Can you please provide me with an update of the approval timeline and variance process for the 949 Scott project along with relevant future dates / hearings / deadlines?
Thank you.
-Andy
650-380-3405
On Thu, Mar 23, 2023 at 3:41 PM Sauls, Garrett <[email protected]> wrote:
Sorry, Andrew. I think I read Scott in the title of the email and put that as the name instead.
Garrett Sauls
Planner
Planning and Development Services Department
(650) 329-2471 | [email protected]
NEW Parcel Report | Palo Alto Municipal Code | Online Permitting System | Planning Application Forms & Handouts | Planning Applications Mapped
From: Sauls, Garrett
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2023 3:40 PM
To: 'Andrew Martin' <[email protected]
>
Subject: RE: 949 Scott Street - 22PLN-00410
Thanks Scott. I read through the letter and will add it to the record as comments against what has been submitted so far.
Best regards,
Garrett Sauls
Planner
Planning and Development Services Department
(650) 329-2471 | [email protected]
NEW Parcel Report | Palo Alto Municipal Code | Online Permitting System | Planning Application Forms & Handouts | Planning Applications Mapped
From: Andrew Martin <[email protected]
>
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2023 3:25 PM
To: Sauls, Garrett <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: 949 Scott Street - 22PLN-00410
Thanks Garrett,
I reached out a few months ago and gave some feedback. They said they might take it to their architect, but I think this wasn't the case. Attached is my feedback.
Thank you,
-Andy Martin
650-380-3405
On Thu, Mar 23, 2023 at 3:16 PM Sauls, Garrett <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi Andrew,
I have not received any resubmittal from the applicant.
Best regards,
Garrett Sauls
Planner
Planning and Development Services Department
(650) 329-2471 | [email protected]
NEW Parcel Report | Palo Alto Municipal Code | Online Permitting System | Planning Application Forms & Handouts | Planning Applications Mapped
From: Andrew Martin <[email protected]
>
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2023 3:16 PM
To: Sauls, Garrett <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: 949 Scott Street - 22PLN-00410
Hi Garrett,
Has there been any update on this proposal? If not, I have an official letter to send to register my issues.
-Andy
On Fri, Jan 27, 2023 at 1:45 PM Sauls, Garrett <[email protected] > wrote:
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for letting me know. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. At the moment, we provided comments to the applicant on January 13. I haven’t heard back from them about those comments so I imagine they are working with the homeowner on it.
Best regards,
Garrett Sauls
Planner
Planning and Development Services Department
(650) 329-2471 | [email protected]
You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important
NEW Parcel Report | Palo Alto Municipal Code | Online Permitting System | Planning Application Forms & Handouts | Planning Applications Mapped
From: Andrew Martin <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2023 12:51 PM
To: Sauls, Garrett <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: 949 Scott Street - 22PLN-00410
Hi Garrett.
Just FYI that I have reached out to the owners to talk about the project. I do have some concerns and will address them when we meet.
Please keep me posted on the status of this project and any scheduled public meetings or deadlines.
Thanks!
-Andy Martin
On Wed, Jan 4, 2023 at 8:39 AM Sauls, Garrett <[email protected] > wrote:
Hi Andrew,
Due to new copyright laws that took effect on January 1 we can’t provide unfiltered plan sets anymore unfortunately which is probably why you can’t access the drawings on BuildingEye. I have modified the drawings to include information that we can share and attached it to this email.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Best regards,
Garrett Sauls
Planner
Planning and Development Services Department
(650) 329-2471 | [email protected]
NEW Parcel Report | Palo Alto Municipal Code | Online Permitting System | Planning Application Forms & Handouts | Planning Applications Mapped
From: Andrew Martin <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 3, 2023 1:25 PM
To: Sauls, Garrett <[email protected]>
Subject: Fwd: 949 Scott Street - 22PLN-00410
You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hello Garrett,
I tried to view the application on the BuildingEye site but there was only reference to an electrical panel upgrade a few years ago.
Can you please send me all the plans/information regarding the proposed development for 949 Scott St. I live across the street.
Thank you,
-Andy Martin
650-380-3405