Photo Elliott Burr/Town Crier

Residents could see multistory, mixed-use buildings along Los Altos’ First Street, which many hope will increase vitality downtown. The city council is scheduled to discuss the issue Feb. 9 and vote on it Feb. 23.

Buildings along First Street in downtown Los Altos could get bigger in the future, thanks to an endorsement from the planning commission.

The commission voted Jan. 21 to recommend that the Los Altos City Council increase the height limit on First Street buildings and permit mixed-use and multifamily housing on the north and south ends of the strip. Commissioners Phoebe Bressack and Kitty Uhlir opposed a nuance allowing change to the plan many years down the road.

Commercial real estate agents, developers and local building owners attended the meeting to support the plan. If the city council approves the measure at its Feb. 23 meeting, it would effectively raise the height-limit on commercial and mixed-use buildings from 40 feet to 45 feet, regardless of the number of floors. Passage of the plan could signal the arrival of larger buildings.

The proposal, a culmination of efforts spearheaded by the Downtown Development Committee, would also allow 40-foot residential buildings.

“Having ‘residential’ on the first floor is important,” said Jeff Warmoth, developer with the Sand Hill Property Company. “To come out of your door and walk your dog on the sidewalk creates a feel of community.”

Downtown property owner Kim Cranston, who just leased his 221 Main St. property to the U.S. Postal Service, said, there aren’t enough people downtown, “and that’s a problem.”

“Whenever there’s a vacancy in town and I try to recruit a retail store or a restaurant, the reaction is, ‘There aren’t enough people,’” he said.

Local developers are no doubt excited at the prospect of taller, mixed-use buildings, and 70.7 percent of respondents to a Town Crier survey in November reported they would support mixed-use, multistory buildings. Although it’s difficult to secure financing for commercial developments, residential projects are still very attractive, said Randy Lamb, owner of the post office property on First Street.

But not everyone is onboard.

“You probably couldn’t get elected dog catcher in this town if you support some of the things going on in this recommendation,” said a 34-year Los Altos resident, to the planning commission. “I think it’s a big mistake. … I don’t want to see Los Altos looking more like Mountain View or Los Gatos. … It disturbs me what you’re doing.”

Planning Commissioner Phoebe Bressack emphasized the urgency to revitalize downtown.

“I really want my town to survive. I want it to be economically viable,” Bressack said. “If we take time, we’re not going to survive.”

Commissioner Mike Abrams agreed.

“Looking at downtown, it’s in trouble,” he said. “We’ve got to get people living in downtown.”

Commissioners Randall Hull and Ken Lorell expressed concern that not enough residents had voiced their opinions.

“This will have a profound impact on downtown,” Hull said. “Hopefully, more residents who have concerns get the word out.”

Commissioners encourage the public to share their opinions at the Feb. 9 public hearing at council chambers at 1 N. San Antonio Road. A vote is scheduled Feb. 23.

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