Modern houses a modern monstrosity: Saratoga’s building codes maintain city’s appearance

February 3, 2016 — by Saya Sivaram

However, the comparatively lax building codes in Los Gatos and Monte Sereno have not managed to prevent a house, threatening the aesthetic of the street, from being built. And, even in Saratoga, where building codes are stricter, a similar home has sprung up on Fruitvale Avenue.

 

My street in Monte Sereno comprises of old, classic houses in varying shades of cream, dull red and warm brown. Oak trees dot each well-manicured front yard, and each home exudes a certain charm that contributes to the overall ambience.

But there’s a newly constructed house that’s been threatening the aesthetic of the street. It’s stark white, boxy and unsightly. The architects justify its awful existence by calling it “postmodern,” but I think that it’s just ugly. To top off its hideousness, the landscaping lacks trees, bushes or any sort of greenery. It looks like a windowless jailhouse, and I’m sure that everybody on the street — except perhaps the new owners — agrees it’s an eyesore.

However, the comparatively lax building codes in Los Gatos and Monte Sereno have not managed to prevent this house from being built. And, even in Saratoga, where building codes are stricter, a similar home has sprung up on Fruitvale Avenue.

It exhibits all the same characteristics as the home on my street: modern, bleak, and hideous.

In my righteous fury, I decided to comb through every single building code enforced by the City of Saratoga so that I could figure out how such a monstrosity had been permitted. After days of thorough research, I ascertained that the house of horrors was in violation of at least three of the main regulations enforced by Saratoga.

Exhibit one, as taken directly from the Saratoga Development Code: “New and older structures need not look alike, but should exhibit threads of commonality including building form, roof type and the relative size of windows, doors, entries, and other major building elements.”

Exhibit two: “The overall mass and the height of the structure, and its architectural elements, are in scale with the structure itself and with the neighborhood.”

And, finally, exhibit three: “Minimize large wall expanses without windows.”

Many people complain about the strict regulations in Saratoga that ban street lights, bright paint colors and railings for aesthetic reasons, but I have gained a new appreciation for the wonders that are these city codes. Saratoga is a beautiful community, one that boasts elegant homes and lovely foliage, and the codes only help to maintain the charm of the city, which is extremely important.

By having such structured guidelines, Saratoga is ensuring that neighborhoods maintain their appeal, and that the city itself continues to be a coveted place to live. As much as the good schools and general affluence contribute to the city’s desirability, the overall appearance contributes heavily to Saratoga’s allure.

In this sense, the Saratoga City Council has been stellar in terms of improving the image of the city, through its additions to the downtown area and preservation of the city’s greenery. The new sidewalks, benches and storefronts all fit in perfectly with the vintage feel of Downtown Saratoga, making their incorporation seamless.

The idea of building codes is not to restrict originality, but rather to ensure that the out-of-place ideas of one person does not aversely affect their neighbor. Having a strict code does more than just outlaw garish homes — it allows for a sense of cohesion in a community and creates an ambience that suits the greater good.

In my view, cities like Monte Sereno and Los Gatos should adopt strict building codes like Saratoga’s. By doing so, cities will ensure that their appearance will continue to be pleasing for all.

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