Owners Of Eichler Homes Fight To Preserve Palo Alto Neighborhoods
PALO ALTO (CBS SF) -- A heated debate over whether to allow two-story homes in certain neighborhoods of Palo Alto will come to city hall Monday night.
It's an issue pitting privacy against property rights.
The Royal Manor neighborhood of Palo Alto is the area at the center of the current debate, where 200 Eichler Homes are either being threatened or improved, depending on where you stand on the issue.
At issue are the possibility of second stories at houses, either by adding them to existing homes or demolishing the homes altogether and then building a new two story structure.
If you've ever been inside an Eichler, you know the floor to ceiling windows are a key design feature.
It helps to blur the lines between the indoor and outdoor space and makes the home feel light, airy and spacious.
Eichler lovers say a neighbor standing on a second story would allow people to see right into the Eichler Homes, eliminating any sense of privacy.
As a result, an Eichler Home could lose value. In this neighborhood, homes are around two million dollars.
On Monday night, the Palo Alto City Council will consider a so-called "single-story overlay," which would ban any second story additions or new constructions.
Richard Anderson is one of the original owners of an Eichler home and has lived in Royal Manor for 38 years.
When asked what his response was to people who say "just get some curtains," Anderson replied, "What would change the quality of the interior in particular. The amount of light that these glass walls will allow into the home is incredible. We grow plants and enjoy the inside of a home as much as we do the outside. It's like living outside. "
There are strong emotions on both sides of the issue. Neighbors are split and will likely be giving some passionate testimony at Monday night's City Council meeting.
The council will vote on the single-story overlay between 8:50 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. at Palo Alto City Hall.
