Ballot measure could have dangerous consequences
This is ironic. The claim that “The Future of Downtown is in your hands” is exactly the opposite of what will likely happen if this proposed ballot measure passes. The ballot measure is poorly worded, ambiguous, and may very well lead to Los Altos’ Housing Element being revoked by the state. Why? The parking plazas, currently designated for possible high-density housing, would no longer be under city control, which could invalidate the Housing Element. This opens the door to Builder’s Remedy – the unfettered ability of developers to build what they want where they want with very little restriction. Instead of five-story buildings downtown they can build eight-story buildings. Or something even more extreme, like the 17-story tower proposed for the site of Mollie Stones in Palo Alto (paloaltoonline.com/news/2023/11/21/high-rise-development-proposed-for-mollie-stones-site-in-palo-alto) or the 40-story complex proposed for the former Sunset Magazine site in Menlo Park (sfyimby.com/2024/05/exclusive-renderings-revealed-for-willow-park-residential-tower-menlo-park.html).
It also means our R1-zoned neighborhoods, comprising the vast majority of Los Altos land area and our prized semi-rural feel, will be fair game for developers. Yes, they could build an apartment building on that 1/3-acre lot next door to you and you’ll have no legal means to prevent that. Don’t believe me? It’s happening already in Cupertino, who didn’t get their Housing Element approved in time. Check out cupertino.gov/Your-City/Departments/Community-Development/Planning/Major-Projects/20739-Scofield-Ave, where a five-story 20-unit condo project has been submitted for a 1/3-acre lot on a residential Cupertino street. Passage of this ballot measure will also almost certainly lead to lawsuits, likely costing the city untold millions.
One way or another, due to current state regulation, our parking plazas will almost certainly not exist in their current form 10 years from now. If this ballot measure passes, the parking plazas will essentially no longer be available for housing. R1-zoning in the rest of the city will be a likely casualty, leading to density throughout Los Altos rather than just in the few areas our Housing Element currently allows (downtown, El Camino and San Antonio corridors, etc.). If this measure doesn’t pass (or never gets on the ballot) our city council and staff will retain control and can bring about a much better outcome for the parking plazas while preserving R1-zoning through most of Los Altos. Don’t let the simplistic messaging of the petition seekers sway you – this ballot measure is a colossally bad idea. Do NOT sign the petition!
Bill Sheppard
Los Altos
Preserve the parking
As 42-year residents of Los Altos, we have always been proud of the beauty and accessibility of our downtown. A key feature is the surface parking behind the stores, and it baffles us why the City Council wants to replace it with a park, theater, and above-ground parking structure.
The existing surface lots, with their glorious Chinese Pistache trees, are already park-like and heavily used year-round by residents from Los Altos and surrounding neighborhoods. We would much prefer the city invest in caring for those trees and enhancing the existing landscaping.
Placing a theater in the middle of the parking area would surrender public space to a special interest group. The Los Altos Stage Company already has a building near the library with ample parking. If a better facility is needed, consider integrating a theater into the underutilized community center next door.
Parking structures are psychologically less welcoming and, for many, places to avoid – especially at night. Our treed surface parking, by contrast, feels safe and inviting.
If the Council wants to expand green space, we suggest redirecting attention to Grant Park, which is heavily used but whose improvements to date feel utilitarian. The North Los Altos corridor near El Camino is also underserved by neighborhood parks. Consider following Mountain View’s approach of purchasing residential lots as they come available and converting them to small neighborhood parks – a far greater impact per dollar than any downtown intervention.
Catherine Lu and H Keith Nishihara
Los Altos
