Hard to believe that there aren't a substantial number of homeowners in the areas affected who would not want their property burdened with a single story overlay.

It's hard to see that a single-story overlay wouldn't substantially affect the value of the property. Most of today's high values are about the land, not the house - effectively they are an option on rebuilding.

There's a middle option that makes more sense - have a clear set of guidelines about how a homeowner can add a second story without creating visibility issues. Window and tree placement would be the key issues.

While an overlay may not be the best idea for all neighborhoods or for the posters above, it seemed pretty clear that it is the right thing for the ones who spoke last night. These are Eichlers that are in good shape and situated to work together. There is value in protecting that. Representatives spoke for the groups of houses where it does make sense and where homeowners overwhelmingly support the change.

A possible compromise: grandfather those homeowners who do not want to agree to a 1SO. If they don't go 2-stories while they own the property, then the house converts to 1SO upon the sale of the property.

What is a one story overlay? Is that a 2-story house?. The term 'overlay' is the part I don't understand. Who pays the $8K, people in the neighborhood who want to maintain just 1 story homes in their neighborhood or the persons wanting to add a 2nd story?

@confused, the one story "overlay" is a change to existing zoning (that allows two story additions) that "overlays" the existing zoning with one that contains an additional restriction that homes within the area are restricted to one story. I con only surmise that they call it an "overlay" to emphasize that the underlying zoning is no different than other, similar, zones in the. It's. However, I am not a lawyer.

Existing neighborhood residents pay the fee.

Thank you Rick!

When they were initially constructed, most (if not all) of these Eichler neighborhoods were given deed restrictions that prevent any house on the property (whether remodeled or a tear-down rebuild) from having a second story.

For neighborhoods with a single-story deed restriction, the single-story overlay does not change the rights of the property owner. It just means that the City will not issue building permits for construction that is not legally permitted under the existing deed restriction.

I 100% agree with the concept of a Single Story Overlay [SSO] as a means for Mid Century Modern - Eichler neighborhoods to maintain the character of their residential area. Its a way of blocking the introduction of disproportionate new developments. It does not impact the way in which a current owner or new owner can redesign their one story home, it only prevents building a second story. This may not be a suitable process for different kinds of neighborhoods but it works well for Mid Century Modern. It is also has the advantage of being a simple concept to understand and enforce.
Hopefully the council will agree to the SSO and the SSO fee waiver as a way to protect one of Palo Alto's signature architectural styles.

Thanks David for your informative post. Do you know where I could read more about the deed restriction?

If true, that changes the way I feel about this issue - if its really in the deed and people are on notice when they buy and sell, then I have no problem with the overlay. I just had a problem with it when I thought people would be prevented from otherwise lawful 2nd story construction which would devalue the property.

So basically, people weren't allowed to build 2nd stories (in certain areas) but they did it anyway for all these years?

The overlay is utterly stupid. Multi-million dollar land value neighborhood with burdensome restrictions on what people can build.

The glass door Eichlers should just get curtains.

Ultimately this will be detrimental to property values.

First of all there needs to be a correction. Meadow Park bordered by Adobe Creek, Louis, Grove and East Charleston is single-story overlay. Adobe Meadows bordered by Adobe Creek, Louis and East Meadow is NOT single-story overlay that is why the correspondent from Adobe Meadows is confused.

I'm glad my neighborhood which is part Williams & Burroughs homes and part Eichler rejected single-story overlay. As generations change older neighborhoods that insist on single-story overlay may loose their property values over time because the a younger generation of homeowners like to remodel and create two story homes.

Or when the older generation (or their heirs) finally cashes out, we'll contract to build a massive McMansion for sale to the highest bidder, and heck with the neighbors we leave behind.

Privacy is a huge issue. An intentional part of their design and a huge part of the charm of these homes are the floor to ceiling windows with their wide sliding glass doors to the patio and yard. Specifying trees be used as a privacy screen is no solution at all. Not only do trees take at least twenty years to grow high enough, existing trees can be cut down, or might have to be if diseased or old. Perhaps if second story additions are recessed so there are no sight lines into adjoining homes a (including the rear) might work.

Someone builds up around our Eichler I will make it the most unappealing view ever...junkyard here we come!

Many suicides have been teens. The issue is school stress, not the tracks. They can find an open track. A Los Altos High gal jumped from a freeway ramp. Work on the schools not the tracks.

@Jean,

Good info. And it makes sense since I see buildups in the Adobe-Meadow area, some of which are just boxes plopped on top of a home like mine. I guess you'd call that the Mid-Century Modern Ugly architectural style. I built out and it's wonderful. I've Zillowed the area and mine is valued higher than many of those buildups and I think any future buyers will be attracted to it for the design that I did for the two additions I made. It's a great home with no stairs to climb. Some people would be attracted by that I'm pretty sure.

To "peppered"- "Eichlers should have curtains" - do some research. Many do now depending upon their configuration and the afternoon sun. Can't wait to see your "new stucco box" design with lots of gables, curtains and granite counter tops. Will really blend in well in an Eichler neighborhood. BTW, are you from SoCal where the mansionization disease began? Now it's infecting Palo Alto.

Many believe that the privacy of Eichler back yards is of more value than simply adding more square feet and a second story so everyone can watch each other from the upstairs bedrooms. There is no evidence that SSO leads to reduced property values. And there are more important things in life than property values.

@Steve, just look at how efficiently buyers value 2 class of Google stocks: Symbol GOOG and GOOGL. Both class of stock was at the same price one year ago at split. Guess which class of stock has the voting restrictions.

"And there are more important things in life than property values."

Tell that to the many homeowners who have no pensions or have minimal 401K savings. I don't think it is a reach in saying that a Palo Alto home is the most valuable retirement asset most people have.

About 15 years ago a citizen's committee studying the comprehensive plan came forth with the recommendation that all second story side windows should be opaque glass or be placed high up so you cannot see out into your neighbors house or yard. This recommendation was adopted by the City Council and is now code.

Because of this restriction side windows are either opaque or placed high up so you can't see out, and are usually windows of bathrooms. Therefore, I can't understand why residents of Eichlers are complaining they are overlooked.

@Jean - there are multiple new 2 story homes on our street, none of them have only high windows or opaque windows on the second floor. Were these restrictions for homes next to Eichlers only?

Tell that to the city please. The two new second stories in my back yard and the 2 new tear downs on our block all have either transparent windows or balconies on the second story.

@Jean - per the City's guidelines - "Use smaller upper floor windows and/or selective glazing at privacy sensitive locations. " That doesn't mean that all second story window need to be small or opaque, I would assume "privacy sensitive locations" would be bathrooms and perhaps bedrooms, so windows should be placed directly across from either of those.

Everyone in Palo Alto and beyond is entitled to an opinion on this matter. However this effort is focussed very narrowly on neighborhoods that are still predominately Mid Century/Eichler and where it needs 70% [although other numbers have been stated but all lower than 70%] of the people in that neighborhood to agree with the zoning change and to sign a form to present to the Council. Its an opportunity for a small group to maintain their clearly defined neighborhood to keep it consistent over time. As such in practical terms it does not affect anyone else. In terms of property values many claims have been made they will be negatively impacted however there is no consensus on this and many people have shown reports that disagree with this opinion. Also, if it were true it would affect the very people supporting the SSO, indicating that they value maintaining their neighborhood more than squeezing the last dollar out of it.

Gethin, you nailed it. If you don't like Eichlers, feel free not to live in one.

The SSO is not just for Eichler neighborhoods. Any group of property owners in Palo Alto can apply for a SSO from the City. It is expensive (many thousands of dollars). There is a lot of paperwork to do. And most of the property owners must agree (70%?) to apply for the SSO. My neighbors and I have talked about applying for an SSO because of the real estate Frenzy in our neighborhood.

I live in the Ventura neighborhood between Page Mill Road, West Meadow Drive, Alma and El Camino Real.
Most of the houses are 50-60 years old on small lots. In the last few years, I have seen Buyers come in with cash, pay $1 million plus to tear down one of those oldies but goodies, and then build monster McMansions to maximize their real estate investment. When my neighbors and I went to a the City to inquire about one two story McMonster House, we were told by a Plan Checker that building a 2 story house would increase the value of our homes. She also suggested that we sell our homes and go live in an apartment. I was so appalled by her comments, that I complained in writing to her Supervisor. The 2 story McMansion was approved despite our objections. If we had a SSO, it would not have been possible to build a 2 Story house

Ironically, the Owner can still build a large house on a small lot even with an existing SSO. Just one story.
I live between two Construction Zones. Both project designs have 4BR, 3Baths, FR with 1 Car garage. One is a 2 story while the other project is a 1 story design. While I am not a Luddite, I do feel that the Real Estate Frenzy has degraded the quality of our lives in our neighborhoods and in our city.