By Town Crier Staff Report

A group of Los Altos residents unhappy over recent changes to building setback regulations along El Camino Real are circulating a petition to put zoning changes in the hands of voters.

The North Los Altos Neighborhood Association launched a referendum effort this month to repeal a section of a recent Los Altos city ordinance that changes the definition of the term abut in the zoning code. The new wording reduces the amount of buffer space required between some mixed-use and residential buildings.

“Fundamentally, we think it is pro-developer and anti-homeowner,” according to the petition.

The city attorney asked the planning commission to change the zoning code language regarding the description of “abut” to make the intended law clearer before a three-story condominium project. Approximately 580 residents petitioned against the 29-unit project.

The planning commission voted against the changes. In September, the council approved the changes at the city attorney’s request in response to “a threatened litigation,” according to the city agenda.

Under the change, the term “abut” applies to residential properties that share more than 8 feet of common property line with commercial developments.

Neighbors said that a project should have setbacks if it touches any part of residential property.

“We believe the amendment was motivated by a desire to allow new buildings to be built as large as possible.”

The change puts back in place what was already on the law books previous to a revamp of city codes intended to make their interpretations easier, said Community Development Director James Walgren.