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Published on 07/21/1997 All articles from this issue

LAH residents bring some energy to a city outdoor-lighting policy

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By Clyde Noel / Town Crier Staff Writer

People don't like to be kept in the dark. A standing-room-only crowd of Los Altos Hills residents attended the July 16 city council meeting to shed light on a policy change.

At issue was the adoption of an ordinance that amended the Outdoor Lighting statement and clarified its language.

The intent of the policy change was to provide a more specific criteria for outdoor lighting, and assure that a minimum of lighting is needed for safety purposes and not adversely impact any neighbors.

The planning commission previously recommended approval of the new policy June 11. In the past couple of years, the commission has become increasingly concerned about excessive lighting on homes in Los Altos Hills.

"What you have is an anti-disabled policy that is being considered. Your policy would make every house in Los Altos Hills dark," said Abe Ostrovsky, who lives near Magdalena Avenue and Highway 280. "What you are doing is not safe. I don't want guys to hide in my bushes with a gun."

Hills resident Bill Evans said, "I have lived here for 40 years and you are straining too hard on us.

"I know your problem, but we do like to enjoy our property. You are going to far, and it bothers me that I am now breaking the law. We don't need all this detail."

Planning Commissioner Dot Schreiner said what is not being said tonight is the problem.

"We are building 7,000- to 10,000-square-foot homes in the hills, and (residents want them) to be lit up.

"There is a light on the first floor, the second floor has lights under the eaves, the trees are lit, the skylights are lit and the entire house is bathed in light.

When you have 35 light fixtures on one house, you have a problem.

"People don't realize the size of these homes and the cumulative lighting effect. Homes are now coming in still larger, and we have to do something about it," Schreiner said.

According to one woman who declined to give her name to the city clerk, "People work hard to buy a house in Los Altos Hills.

You need $2 million to $3 million to live here, and you should have a right to put in lights if you want. That's our business. It's the freedom that is expressed in our country."

Planning Commissioner Carol Gottleib said she has been effected by lights because of a neighbor's spotlight.

Councilman Bob Johnson said, "I can't vote for this policy as it stands. I'm impressed by the lady who said how many complaints have you had.

When we only receive six complaints in two years, I would only vote for a policy that would act on a complaint basis."

Councilman Bill Siegel said this policy works only with new homes, and it is only a guideline for a test of direction.

Mayor Toni Casey said she could not support the policy either.

"It is too detailed, it provides no flexibility, and it doesn't take into effect the elders and the disabled.

I feel that every light on my property is illegal. I have six flood lights that are not on timers and that's illegal."

The council directed the staff to redraft the policy and incorporate suggestions the audience provided.

The staff should contact a few architects to help reform the policy on lighting and return it again to the city council at a later date for a public hearing.