By Kate Day
Residents protesting a proposed development on the former site of The Echo restaurant at Loyola Corners turned out to make their voices heard when the project came up for consideration at the city of Los Altos Architecture and Site Review Committee’s May 3 meeting.
Ten residents addressed the committee while others submitted letters. A petition with more than 44 signatures was also presented to commissioners, who were split over the project and decided to continue discussions at a later date.
“We’re not opposed to development, but this project is too large,” said Tom Ferry, resident and spokesman for Los Altans for Neighborly Development (LAND). The campaign group formed quickly when residents were notified of the meeting, Ferry said. “We want to work with the city and the developers so that we can address all our needs and concerns,” Ferry added.
The current two-story plan proposed by Charities Housing, a non-profit developer based in San Jose, consists of 2,750 square feet of retail space and 14 one-bedroom condominiums, including three moderate-income units. The 29,320-square-foot parcel, located near the intersection of Fremont and Miramonte avenues, backs onto Permanente Creek.
In a report published April 28, city staff praised the project for reflecting the character of the area but identified a few “major issues,” including recommending the applicant increase the front yard setback, omit the only first-floor residential dwelling and increase retail capacity.
Dan Wu, director of real estate at Charities Housing, said the organization was worried about the profitability of businesses if the front yard setback were increased. He added the project would be forced to reduce the number of moderate-income units if the first-floor condo was lost.
Residents expressed concerns about the project’s impact on noise, traffic, parking, privacy and the environment. Many residents objected to the 10 balconies at the rear of the proposed development. “Sound bounces around the creek,” said Debbie Skelton, who lives on Fremont Avenue. “It is not reasonable to impact my home in this way.” Several residents said noise from The Echo restaurant had been problematic in the past.
However, committee member Kate Disney said it would be a mistake to eliminate the balconies. “The creek is a huge asset, and this project won’t have the noise impact The Echo had,” she said.
Commissioners acknowledged in their motion residents’ concerns about parking . Since more than 20 percent of the proposed residencies are affordable, the state code overrides city zoning requirements on parking, allowing one space per condo, rather than one and a half. Resident Teresa Morris said, “The state rules are not appropriate here.”
However, city planner David Kornfield said fears that overflow parking would spread into residential areas were unfounded. “Parking problems might be exacerbated by this development - that’s what we have to study,” he said.
Committee member Kathryn Uhlir, who lives less than half a mile from the site, said she thought the project was wholly inconsistent with the city’s specific plan for Loyola Corners. “This is not El Camino,” she said.
Chris Block, executive director of Charities Housing, said the meeting had been constructive. “We will meet with residents and make changes based on their input,” he said.
Parcel owner Kay Mouney told the Town Crier she was anxious to see the site’s future settled. She supports Charities Housing’s proposal. “The creek should be shared, it’s so beautiful,” she said.
If approved by the architecture and site committee, the planning commission will consider the project before the city council decides whether to allow the development to go ahead. The process typically takes between three and four months. Kornfield said, “We’d like to see a project succeed there. Whether it’s this project or another project is a matter of it fitting in and addressing the impact.”
For now though, it’s back to the drawing board.
