http://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/rghm/ap/Pages/main.aspx
the he Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act, or Special Studies act.
As an example, here in Indiana, we can get around paying for flood insurance if we can show we’re not really in a flood zone even if the lender’s expert says we are. Of course in the end it’s the lender’s decision.
It sounds like the plan commission is afraid you are close to a fault and if your addition was destroyed it would leak toxic fumes and 1.) sicken or kill everyone on your block, or 2.) possibly create a Godzilla-like creature off shore or in the fault.
“You can learn more about the potential of fault rupture by:
Asking the property owner or real estate agent to see any geologic report prepared for the site.
Checking the files of local government for consulting reports for nearby sites. Also, most fault investigations required by the Alquist-Priolo Act are on file at the Department of Conservation’s California Geological Survey office in San Francisco.
Researching maps and data on active faults at technical libraries at the California Geological Survey, U.S. Geological Survey, and universities.
Hiring a consulting geologist to provide a preliminary assessment of the fault-rupture hazard for a specific site (see the Yellow Pages).”
Hiring a consulting engineer sounds like your best bet. Then if things go tits-up, everyone can blame him/her/it.
Hope this helps. I would call their office every day offering to help resolve the matter. If they get tired enough of you, they will push your matter to the front burner just to get rid of you.
No, the ‘Special Study’ is the San Tomas Area Neighborhood Plan. http://www.cityofcampbell.com/DocumentCenter/View/167 The criteria are intended to provide guidance to applicants and consistency in design review.
Objectives
1. Ensure that the size of homes are in proportion to lot size.
2. New developments and additions to existing homes should be integrated with homes in the
surrounding area.
3. Ensure that projects in planned developments zones are compatible with the surrounding
area.
4. Use landscaping to enhance the rural characteristics of the area.
5. Establish criteria to determine larger than minimum lot size.
We don’t even come close to violating a single thing in this plan. We did a huge kitchen remodel (moving load bearing walls) last year. For this project we had to notify all our neighbors so they could comment on the plans. The stupidest thing of all is that the only two neighbors who could possibly be impacted by a change in our backyard are in San Jose (we’re the last house in Campbell). They were not notified by the Campbell planning department because they’re in San Jose.
It is mind-numbing. My Grandfather was a developer back in the 50’s and developed a lot of the neighborhoods off Blossom Hill Road. Lu-Ray Drive is named after my grandmother (Lucille) and my grandfather (Ray). Building, planning, demo, remodeling courses through my blood.