Developer Jeffrey A. Morris’ project at First and Main streets cleared a key hurdle Aug. 16 when the city’s Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) voted 6-0 in favor of recommending its approval.
The 31,000-square-foot Class A office and retail project, which calls for the construction of a pair of two-story buildings connected by an enclosed span on the second floor, is now slated for final review by the Los Altos City Council.
The PTC’s approval came on the heels of a July study session in which several residents voiced their desire for a larger gathering space on the site, among other things. To that end, Morris presented a revised plan that featured a 39-foot-wide courtyard between the two structures, including an approximate 94-foot opening with recessed building corners on First Street.
The courtyard, 3,850 square feet, features public and retail seating, as a well as a 20-foot-wide water fountain on First Street.
Prior to casting her vote, Commission Chairwoman Phoebe Bressack commended Morris’ efforts in attempting to create a public gathering space despite limitations.
As part of his purchase agreement with the city, Morris is required to build at minimum a 31,000-square-foot mixed-use development on the 0.78-acre site.
“I really think the applicant did quite a bit, opening up what would be otherwise leasable space,” Bressack said.
Commissioner Ronit Bodner added that the project was “attractive” and “compatible.”
“Does it wow me or inspire me? It doesn’t, but that’s not the standard,” she said. “I think what you’ve done is going to be special here in Los Altos.”
Still, the commission’s approval came with some conditions attached.
As part of the conditional approval, the PTC requested the creation of an enhanced 3D rendering that better reflects the scale and detailed aspects of the development.
“We want people to know what they’re getting before they break ground,” Bressack said. “The worst thing is to have a citizen look at it go up and (say), ‘I didn’t know it was going to look like that.’”
In addition, the PTC is requesting final approval for the development’s signage program. That condition, in part, came after Morris sought to use the project’s signage at the corner of Foothill Expressway and Main Street to identity the project instead of signage that identifies the city.
Beyond those stipulations, the PTC also requested enhancements to the project’s tower elements and the rear of the structure facing Foothill Expressway, additional bench seating and bicycle parking and more artistic elements for the water fountain and other areas.
Public opinion appeared split during the hearing, with former Los Altos Mayor Jane Reed telling the PTC that more needed to be done to “maximize public space” for the site.
“For a number of reasons, it doesn’t hit the highest marks this community deserves,” she said.
Local architect Bill Maston added that the developer should be allowed the opportunity to develop a three-story structure, despite the city’s 30-foot height limit, thereby creating more public space on the ground floor.
“We are not giving the architect and developer the opportunity to maximize the site,” said Maston, adding that Morris “has been restricted from doing what he’s very good at” because of the height limit.
Downtown property owner and University Avenue resident Abigail Ahrens said she supported the project and that the focus of the development should be business instead of public space.
“This (area) is zoned for business, not a community park,” she said.
Los Altos Village Association Executive Director Nancy Dunaway added that the project shouldn’t be considered “the end all, be all” for downtown public space, favoring a more central downtown location instead.
