Second Story Addition going up in SM Highlands
There is a second story addition being put on a home in The Highlands. Right on Bunker Hill which had been a pretty pure street with one or two exceptions.
Does anyone have any idea of what these people are doing and if they are at least keeping it somewhat modern? I sure hope the surrounding homes don't have any floor to ceiling windows that will be open to the new 2nd story view.
The home backs up to the hillside but I feel for the people next door to them. *sigh*
There is a second story addition being put on a home in The Highlands. Right on Bunker Hill which had been a pretty pure street with one or two exceptions.
Does anyone have any idea of what these people are doing and if they are at least keeping it somewhat modern? I sure hope the surrounding homes don't have any floor to ceiling windows that will be open to the new 2nd story view.
The home backs up to the hillside but I feel for the people next door to them. *sigh*
A Mr. Lee bought the lot that an Eichler once sat in Neighborhood 2 in Foster City (see post "Foster City Eichler home fire- Is that an Eichler?" by Nelson for more details). He wants to build a two-story home that will loom over our single story Eichler neighborhood.
I spoke in opposition to it at the February 1st Planning Commission Meeting. The Commission wants to set a precedent to promote 2nd story additions to Eichlers!
Why do we tolerate this? I was reading the Fall 2001 Eichler Network Newsletter about the fight of residents of 9 Palo Alto Eichler neighborhoods to get single-story overlay zoning that would ban such additions. This overlay zoning began in 1992. In Charleston Meadows, 79% of residents supported the overlay! The City Council responded. Sunnyvale neighborhood of Fairorchard has temporary ban on second story additions. The Cupertino neighborhood of Fairgrove of 220 Eichlers has the special zoning of R1-e Eichler Single Family.
In more direct response to the original post, the same newsletter article stated that there was a "Quality of Life Committee" working with the,” nearly 800 Eichlers" to ... explore "ways to work with the county and maintain the character of the neighborhood." What happened to the committee?
I'd like to here from others who have experience in getting this type of zoning. I'd especially like to here from Foster City Eichler owners who want to protect their/our neighborhoods from looming second story additions and new two-story construction in our neighborhoods. It seems possible to prevent if we organize and speak out.
Please e-mail me at fcloonie AT comcast DOT net.
There is a second story addition being put on a home in The Highlands. Right on Bunker Hill which had been a pretty pure street with one or two exceptions.
Does anyone have any idea of what these people are doing and if they are at least keeping it somewhat modern? I sure hope the surrounding homes don't have any floor to ceiling windows that will be open to the new 2nd story view.
The home backs up to the hillside but I feel for the people next door to them. *sigh*
The county permit office informed me when I called that they had a permit and that they were not required to inform neighbors of their plans to add a second story.
My husband and I would be interested in assisting any efforts to limit second story additions in the Highlands if any such movement exists.
carmagi wrote:There is a second story addition being put on a home in The Highlands. Right on Bunker Hill which had been a pretty pure street with one or two exceptions.
Does anyone have any idea of what these people are doing and if they are at least keeping it somewhat modern? I sure hope the surrounding homes don't have any floor to ceiling windows that will be open to the new 2nd story view.
The home backs up to the hillside but I feel for the people next door to them. *sigh*
My husband and I live next door to this house and are very unhappy about the addition because our dining room and kitchen floor to ceiling windows now look right out onto this second story addition. It is not a modern look, and it is not in keeping with the neighborhood homes at all.
The county permit office informed me when I called that they had a permit and that they were not required to inform neighbors of their plans to add a second story.
My husband and I would be interested in assisting any efforts to limit second story additions in the Highlands if any such movement exists.
I'm looking for allies to fight a second story additions in Foster City. The city notified me by mail because I live within 300 feet of the proposed 2 story. The plans were presented at a "Study Session". Another study session is coming up. However, I was the only one speaking in opposition at the last Study Session.
The fact that your neighbor or neighbor to be did not consult with you does not bode well.
If the second story addition will cast shadows on your property, you may want to consult a solar installer. The is a new California law referred to as the Solar Bill of Rights. In a nutshell, it can block neighbors from building in such a way that their construction will interfere with your solar installation. A small photo voltaic system could cost $11,000 or so. Many installers will do free estimates. I can provide contact information for a solar installer upon request. I sugest you look into it. If San Mateo County want protect you, maybe this state law can.
fcloonie AT Comcast Dot Com
Opps put the wrong e-mail address in my post it should read
fcloonie AT comcast Dot net
NOT
fcloonie AT Comcast Dot Com
The Bunker Hill second story going up is poorly designed. Our San Mateo Highlands neighborhood is a mixed bag - some beautiful remodels in the Eichler aesthetic are taking shape but they don't seem to be enough to balance the out-of-character remodels. Maybe the Eichler section of the Highlands neighborhood should try again to limit second story additions or at least push for design review w/ public hearings. A 14-foot height limitation was presented, among other options, in a neighborhood survey distributed 2-3 years ago but it failed to gain enough momentum.
