To the San Mateo County Planning Commission
Regarding proposed two-story building on lot APN 047-208-100 at Avenue Portola and The Alameda, in El Granada.
We the undersigned, residents of El Granada, are concerned as to the size and scope of the proposed building, illustrated by the story poles on the lot.
The proposed building violates the design principles cited here - taken from the Midcoast Design Standards as published by the San Mateo County.
1. The purpose of the Design Standards is to encourage new single-family homes and additions...that are complementary with neighboring houses, the neighborhood of each Midcoast community, and the surrounding natural setting.”
Note that the two neighboring homes are small one-story cottages, and all other structures on either side of this block of Avenue Portola are also one-story.
2. Special attention should be paid to those transit or buffer areas where residential and open space land uses meet.
This intersection is the crossing axis of the Burnham Plan and is a key visual signature to El Granada. The size and setting of this building disrupts the balance and sense of openness at this central intersection.
3. A single building out of context with its site or neighborhood...can appear disruptive.
The height and mass of this proposed building is disruptively out of scale with its surroundings, and looks to distract from the overall appearance and harmony of the setting. It also significantly invades and compromises the privacy of its immediate neighbor.
4. The building does not fit with the County Zoning Regulations:
Development shall be located, sited and designed to carefully fit its environment so that its presence is subordinated to the maximum extent practicable.
We ask for and urge the Planning Commission to restrict the building of this substandard narrow lot to a one-story structure
Update: This substandard parcel proposes a building with a 19’ x 80’ foot print. Since it is a corner lot, the regulations (Section 6408.1) call for a setback of 5’ from the 167 Portola house and a 10’ setback to The Alameda. As it is, it has a 3’ setback both to the neighbor and The Alameda. We find that the project should not be granted exceptions on the grounds of not fitting the Finding (Section 6503) that :
“The proposed development is proportioned to the size of the parcel on which it is being built.”
Update: After two Design Review hearings the owners of the parcel has been asked to make major modifications if they are to get the recommendation for approval.
Alert: The other lot on Portola, between 149 and 167 Portola, is owned by the architect of the above design, Sean Freitas. This lot is even smaller, but apparently the owner wants a 28 foot building on that parcel! He is based in Livingston, CA, 115 miles away, see seanfreitas.com.
UPDATE: According to the County planning department website on June 16, the revised plan for the project is now a single story building, with a max height of 16’. My neighbors and I, and I guess the people who signed this petition can rejoice
Updates
March 28, 2020
The feedback from neighbors has highlighted just how much we all value the architectural harmony of our community. I am currently organizing the notes from our recent neighborhood meeting to ensure our concerns reach the planning commission with absolute clarity.
March 28, 2020
Reaching this level of support confirms that many of us feel a shared responsibility toward the character of our neighborhood. It is clear that the community values the scale and history of El Granada deeply. We now have a strong foundation to present our perspective to the planning commission.
45 Comments
I am a resident of El Granada and object to this size house built on such a small lot. This sets a horrible precedent and should never be approved by the planning commission. They are breaking their own rules which have been in place for decades.
This project is completely out of character for the location, especially with cottages alongside. It’s overbuilding on a lot never meant for such a monstrosity. Please reconsider.
It is insulting to see that this new structure will be allowed to build within 3 feet of the property line. This setback should not be allowed. Also, there is a horrid unarticulatied design, so it is one long straight wall running the length of the entire building. There is massing. It is quite clear that whoever granted the setbacks has not even seen the property in person.
The height of this proposed building, as seen with the story poles on the lot, is a concern, and should not be allowed. The proposed project is disruptive to neighbors and compromises privacy and view corridors. This building should be in compliance with Midcoast Design Standards.
The proposed design clearly severely impacts the immediate neighbor, to a crushing extent. I sympathize with the challenge of designing for a substandard lot, but this design so totally disregards the neighbors that it should be denied. We urge one story only.
Please listen to the residents of this area.
I’ve lived in El Granada on the Alameda for over 25 years and I oppose the proposed plans for this structure; they do not conform to the existing setbacks and height requirements set out for the neighborhood. The proposed two-story structure is adjacent to two single story homes and its extreme visual height variation relative to the adjacent homes will destroy the visual harmony of the neighborhood. The proposed setback and height of this structure are insensitive to the existing residents and their reasons for purchasing in the neighborhood. Although development in the area may be inevitable, it must not include neglect and disregard of setback, height and design standards set out for our community. As a resident of the neighborhood, I rely on the County and Design Review to conscientiously apply the existing setback and height standards for this structure and all development in the neighborhood to promote visual and community harmony.
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To the San Mateo County Planning Commission
Regarding proposed two-story building on lot APN 047-208-100 at Avenue Portola and The Alameda, in El Granada.
We the undersigned, residents of El Granada, are concerned as to the size and scope of the proposed building, illustrated by the story poles on the lot.
The proposed building violates the design principles cited here - taken from the Midcoast Design Standards as published by the San Mateo County.
1. The purpose of the Design Standards is to encourage new single-family homes and additions...that are complementary with neighboring houses, the neighborhood of each Midcoast community, and the surrounding natural setting.”
Note that the two neighboring homes are small one-story cottages, and all other structures on either side of this block of Avenue Portola are also one-story.
2. Special attention should be paid to those transit or buffer areas where residential and open space land uses meet.
This intersection is the crossing axis of the Burnham Plan and is a key visual signature to El Granada. The size and setting of this building disrupts the balance and sense of openness at this central intersection.
3. A single building out of context with its site or neighborhood...can appear disruptive.
The height and mass of this proposed building is disruptively out of scale with its surroundings, and looks to distract from the overall appearance and harmony of the setting. It also significantly invades and compromises the privacy of its immediate neighbor.
4. The building does not fit with the County Zoning Regulations:
Development shall be located, sited and designed to carefully fit its environment so that its presence is subordinated to the maximum extent practicable.
We ask for and urge the Planning Commission to restrict the building of this substandard narrow lot to a one-story structure
Update: This substandard parcel proposes a building with a 19’ x 80’ foot print. Since it is a corner lot, the regulations (Section 6408.1) call for a setback of 5’ from the 167 Portola house and a 10’ setback to The Alameda. As it is, it has a 3’ setback both to the neighbor and The Alameda. We find that the project should not be granted exceptions on the grounds of not fitting the Finding (Section 6503) that :
“The proposed development is proportioned to the size of the parcel on which it is being built.”
Update: After two Design Review hearings the owners of the parcel has been asked to make major modifications if they are to get the recommendation for approval.
Alert: The other lot on Portola, between 149 and 167 Portola, is owned by the architect of the above design, Sean Freitas. This lot is even smaller, but apparently the owner wants a 28 foot building on that parcel! He is based in Livingston, CA, 115 miles away, see seanfreitas.com.
UPDATE: According to the County planning department website on June 16, the revised plan for the project is now a single story building, with a max height of 16’. My neighbors and I, and I guess the people who signed this petition can rejoice
Updates
March 28, 2020
The feedback from neighbors has highlighted just how much we all value the architectural harmony of our community. I am currently organizing the notes from our recent neighborhood meeting to ensure our concerns reach the planning commission with absolute clarity.
March 28, 2020
Reaching this level of support confirms that many of us feel a shared responsibility toward the character of our neighborhood. It is clear that the community values the scale and history of El Granada deeply. We now have a strong foundation to present our perspective to the planning commission.
45 Comments
The proposed building plans violate the setback standards and disrupts the visual harmony of the existing neighborhood; the plans as proposed should not be allowed to go forward.
I am a resident of El Granada and object to this size house built on such a small lot. This sets a horrible precedent and should never be approved by the planning commission. They are breaking their own rules which have been in place for decades.
This project is completely out of character for the location, especially with cottages alongside. It’s overbuilding on a lot never meant for such a monstrosity. Please reconsider.
It is insulting to see that this new structure will be allowed to build within 3 feet of the property line. This setback should not be allowed. Also, there is a horrid unarticulatied design, so it is one long straight wall running the length of the entire building. There is massing. It is quite clear that whoever granted the setbacks has not even seen the property in person.
The height of this proposed building, as seen with the story poles on the lot, is a concern, and should not be allowed. The proposed project is disruptive to neighbors and compromises privacy and view corridors. This building should be in compliance with Midcoast Design Standards.
The proposed design clearly severely impacts the immediate neighbor, to a crushing extent. I sympathize with the challenge of designing for a substandard lot, but this design so totally disregards the neighbors that it should be denied. We urge one story only.
Please listen to the residents of this area.
I’ve lived in El Granada on the Alameda for over 25 years and I oppose the proposed plans for this structure; they do not conform to the existing setbacks and height requirements set out for the neighborhood. The proposed two-story structure is adjacent to two single story homes and its extreme visual height variation relative to the adjacent homes will destroy the visual harmony of the neighborhood. The proposed setback and height of this structure are insensitive to the existing residents and their reasons for purchasing in the neighborhood. Although development in the area may be inevitable, it must not include neglect and disregard of setback, height and design standards set out for our community. As a resident of the neighborhood, I rely on the County and Design Review to conscientiously apply the existing setback and height standards for this structure and all development in the neighborhood to promote visual and community harmony.
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The proposed building plans violate the setback standards and disrupts the visual harmony of the existing neighborhood; the plans as proposed should not be allowed to go forward.