HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 5.25.2
Town of Los Altos Hills
Planning Commission Meeting October 4, 2007
Memorandum
Date:
October 4, 2007
To:
Planning Commission
From:
Brian Froelich, AICP, Associate Planner
Subject:
Height Ordinance
Town height requirements currently regulate structure height in two ways:
• 10-1.504 (a) maximum vertical structure height of 27 feet.
• 10-1.504 (b) maximum overall building height of 35 feet (highest point to lowest
point along building line)
Section 10-1.227 defines structure height as follows
"Structure height" shall mean the vertical distance at any point from (i) the natural grade
which existed prior to grading for the proposed structure, (ii) existing grade indicated on
an approved grading plan, if different than the natural grade, or (iii) the proposed building
pad if excavated below natural grade, whichever elevation is lowest, to the highest part of
the structure directly above.
With several recent projects the building height requirements have become a topic of
discussion and some confusion for architects and home owners.
The building pad generally is excavated below the adjoining natural or finished grade.
With the current standard, buildings with slab foundations can be designed taller than
buildings with a pier and beam type of foundations because of the depth of the area
excavated below the building for crawl space is included in the height measurement.
If a basement is proposed, the pad measurement does not apply and buildings with
basements are measured from adjoining natural or finished grade. Also, the current height
requirements to not address daylighted basements.
SUMMARY
Staff requests that the Planning Commission form an Ad Hoc Committee comprised of
one or two Planning Commissioners, staff, and several local architects to study the issues
related to the definition of structure height and report back to the Planning Commission
with possible amendments to Section 10-1.227.
Attachments: Section 10-1.227 and Section 10-1.504
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