Publication Date: Friday, February 27, 2004
PLANNING
Less time for home review appeals?
Less time for home review appeals?
(February 27, 2004) Commission wants to make it easier for homeowners
by Don Kazak
Aiming to defuse months of controversy, the city's Planning and Transportation Commission wants to shorten the process by which one neighbor can delay approval of another's second-story home addition.
Statistically, the process Palo Alto homeowners undertake for approval to build a second story to their homes has worked out -- there were only four appeals of some 230 applications in two years. But those few appeals turned into nightmares for homeowners.
The commission voted unanimously Wednesday night to shorten the process when disgruntled neighbors try to hold up applications that otherwise meet city regulations.
Now, the process is drawn out through hearings with the staff. Under the plan approved by the commission, an appeal by unhappy neighbors will quickly go to the commission for a hearing and then to the City Council for a final decision.
"The biggest concern I have (about the process is) it allows one individual with a beef or an ax to grind to hold up a project for months on end," said Forest Avenue resident Bruce Knoblock, who has such an application pending. "It could be as crazy as 'I think you should be building a mud hut instead of a stucco house.'"
Homeowner Elizabeth Wong's first application for a second-story addition was appealed to the City Council, rejected, resubmitted, and appealed to the City Council once again before it was finally approved.
"The process was punitive and gave neighbors a chance to harass you," she said. "It takes tons of time and was a waste of money."
The three co-chairs of the citizens advisory commission that first drew up the process more than two years ago say they never intended to give neighbors veto power over second-story additions.
"The important thing is to get the appeal to the deciding body as quickly as possible," said John Northway, one of the three co-chairs. "The endless loops have not worked."
Annette Ashton, another co-chair, even suggested that the planning staff be given "very strong authority" to "turn back or discourage" appeals of projects that are not based on the program's regulations. "It would reduce a lot of angst," she said.
The proposed changes to the city's home review ordinance will go to the council later for final approval.
Don Kazak can be e-mailed at dkazak@paweekly.com
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