In some hills neighborhoods, people have renovated homes or built new ones, without telling neighbors first. That may soon change.

The city planning department and the office of City Councilwoman Jean Quan will hold a community meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday to address this and other building issues. Residents are welcome to share their views on proposed changes for new construction and renovation work affecting one- and two-unit residences.

The planning department is proposing to streamline building rules, as well as the application process for home building and renovation permits.

"We're trying to create one simplified design review process," said Edward Manasse, the design-review supervisor set to present the proposal at tomorrow's meeting.

A major change calls for homeowners to provide their neighbors with courtesy notices about construction projects before the planning department approves such efforts, Manasse said. Also, the city would require the homeowner or builder to post a sign on the proposed construction site.

"People will be less surprised by what takes place next to them," said Richard Cowan, Quan's chief of staff. "It will get neighbors talking to neighbors before construction."

Other proposed changes calls for shifts in the amount of space between homes and yards, as well as the height of fences. In addition, the department may move to exempt some alterations and small additions from the design review process.

The planning department staff will take more community input and recommend a final proposal to the planning commission's design review committee at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, in Hearing Room 1 at City Hall.