HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 63-25 with Exhibit ARESOLUTION 63-25
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE TOWN'S
STORY POLE POLICY UNDER HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAM B-16 TO STREAMLINE
THE STORY POLE REQUIREMENT OR ALLOW ALTERNATIVES IN LIEU OF STORY
POLES
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Altos Hills maintains a Story Pole Policy that requires new construction
and certain remodels to be staked on-site, with height poles and netting erected, in order to provide
decision making bodies and neighbors with a visual tool to evaluate proposed construction;
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Altos Hills 2023-2031 Housing Element includes Program B-16, which
calls for development of a process to streamline the story pole requirement or to allow a visual rendering
to be provided in lieu of story poles;
WHEREAS, on July 10, 2025, the Planning Commission held a study session and directed staff to
pursue changes to the policy that would meet the requirements of Program B-16;
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public hearing on September 4, 2025, and
recommended approval of the proposed amendments to the policy to the City Council;
WHEREAS, the City Council considered the proposed amendments at a public hearing held on
September 18, 2025, at which time all interested persons were given the opportunity to be heard; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the Town of Los Altos Hills
hereby approves the amendments to the Town's Story Pole Policy, as set forth in Exhibit "A" attached
to this Resolution.
The above and foregoing Resolution passed and adopted by the City Council of the Town of Los Altos
Hills at a regular meeting held on the 18th day of September 2025, by the following vote:
AYES: TANKHA, BHATEJA, MOK, SWAN, TYSON
NOES: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ATTEST:
ka Birdsong -Miller, C,4 Clerk
RESOLUTION 63-25
BY: e.� - 7C___-11
Ka ita
___-1 ►-
Kavita Tankha, Mayor
LOS ALTOS Ri6LS
TOWN OF LOS ALTOS HILLS
26379 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 Phone: (650) 941-7222 CALIFORNIA
www. losaltoshills.ca.aov
PURPOSE
To request new construction and some remodels be staked on site and that height poles and fencing shall
be erected to provide the decision-making bodies (City Council, Planning Commission, Planning Staff)
and neighbors with a better visual tool to evaluate proposed construction.
POLICY
Story poles shall be used for the following types of applications:
• New buildings
• Second story additions
• Additions exceeding 900 square feet or increases in roof height
• Accessory structures (exceeding 900 square feet)
• Accessory dwelling units (if in conjunction with new residence or major addition)
• Driveway entrance modifications, sports court and pools (outlined with stakes and ribbon at
ground level)
• Open Space easements
• Trees proposed to be removed (marked with ribbons or tags or some type of obvious marker)
Exceptions may be granted by the Planning Department based on scope of work proposed.
Timing
Story poles shall be installed before the project is publicly noticed for hearing, and no less than 10 days
prior to the hearing date. Staff will inform the applicant when the story poles should be installed. The
story poles shall remain in place until the project has been reviewed at a public hearing, and the appeal
period has passed. If the project is appealed, the story poles shall remain until the appeal has been acted
upon. The applicant shall provide photographs of the installed story poles. Please note that public
notices will not be mailed, and hearings will not be held until the staking has been completed and
approved by staff.
Requirements
The project Surveyor or Civil Engineer shall determine the perimeter points of the proposed structures
for story pole installation. Story poles shall be constructed of rigid material such as lumber and metal
poles (plastic piping is not acceptable) and a two (2) foot wide band of plastic orange snow fencing
which must clearly outline the proposed ridgelines and eaves for the new structure, addition and/or
accessory buildings. In addition, proposed swimming pools, tennis courts, open space easements, and/or
driveway modifications should be outlined and marked with ribbon at ground level. Please note that all
trees proposed to be removed shall be marked with tape, flags, or other obvious identification markers.
Staff may approve alternative materials for story pole construction for minor projects. If you have
questions about materials contact the Planning Department.
Orange snow fencing at least two feet (2') wide must be erected to represent the roofline of the proposed
structure/addition. The fencing must be supported by height poles strong enough to accurately maintain
the outline and height as shown below (plastic piping is not acceptable).
The height of story poles should indicate the final height of the building (grading should be accounted
for in the height of the poles).
Exemptions
Single-family residences that -are no more than 19 feet in height and 4,000 square -feet in floor area, and
that do not -request variances or exceptions, are exempt from the requirements-- of this s policy. To qualify
for this exemption, the property owner shall provide a rendering of the proposed development, displayed
,adjacent. -to. the public hearing notice, ata minimum ..size ..-of 24' x - 3 C.".
Multi -family buildings that are no more than 19 feet in height and do not request variances or exceptions
are exempt from the requirements of this policy. To qualify for this exemption, the property owner shall
provide a rendering of the proposed development, displayed adjacent to the public hearing notice, at a,
minimum size of 24" x 36".
Story Poles
Post locations
2' fencing to cover proposed height