Los Altos Hills residents Bill and Betty Kerns will be allowed to move forward with controversial landscape plans for their Francemont Drive property, but not before beefing it up and increasing the maintenance deposit by $20,000.
The Kernses will be allowed to move into their already completed house after completing the landscaping on its northeast side.
In short order, however, they must also screen its north side, subdue the exterior lighting on its north and east sides, put an earth-tone stain on the retaining walls that can be seen from offsite and screen 75 percent of the walls’ visible surface with landscaping.
The couple said they hope to move in by April 1.
Bullis lease
The council unanimously agreed that Mayor Emily Cheng and town staff will assume responsibility for negotiating a lease with the Los Altos School District for the fields at the former Bullis-Purissima School. The terms of the lease must meet State Park Bond Act requirements to qualify for State Park Bond funding.
Solicitor regulations
Solicitors in town now must obtain a permit that requires a background check, including a look at the applicant’s criminal history.
The unanimously approved amendment to the municipal code was prompted in part by complaints from residents who had been harassed in early January by aggressive magazine salespeople.
The new ordinance also allows residents to post a “no solicitation” sign at their home.
Parking districts
The council unanimously approved the establishment of preferential parking districts in town and specified a fine of $25 for parking violations in those districts.
Cable upgrades
There is no bad news on the Comcast Cable upgrade, Kathi Noe reported.
The town’s director of government relations and franchising said that fewer than 400 homes are now “underserved” and that the cable upgrades will be completed by the end of April.
Pathways
Chris Vargas presented the Pathway Committee’s recommendation that it hold public hearings of the first draft of the updated pathway map.
Vargas said residents will be notified of the meetings.
