Item 2 - 15300-15330 Los Gatos Blvd
PREPARED BY: JENNIFER ARMER
Senior Planner
Reviewed by: Planning Manager and Community Development Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING DATE: 09/12/2018 ITEM NO: 2
DATE: SEPTEMBER 7, 2018 TO: CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE FROM: JOEL PAULSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SUBJECT: CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPLICATION CD-18-004 PROJECT LOCATION: 15300-15330 LOS GATOS BOULEVARD. APN 424-17-035 AND 424-17-036. PROPERTY OWNER: TRUSTEES OF THE MALKASON TRUST AND MARY MALKASON GST TRUST. APPLICANT: SAND HILL PROPERTY COMPANY REQUESTING PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF PLANS TO DEMOLISH AN EXISTING BUILDING AND TO CONSTRUCT A TWO-STORY MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING WITH BELOW GRADE PARKING ON PROPERTY ZONED C-1.
ROLE OF THE CDAC:
The Conceptual Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) advises a prospective applicant on
the overall consistency of a project with Town policies prior to submitting a formal application
and investing in the development review process. The Committee also endeavors to identify
the potential issues that will need to be addressed during the development review process
should the applicant wish to submit an application. The issues identified by the Committee are
not intended to be all-inclusive and other additional issues may be identified during the formal
development review process.
None of the Committee's comments are binding on the Town and in no way are they intended
to indicate whether the project will be received favorably by the various review bodies that are
charged with evaluating and deciding the application. As noted in this memorandum, if an
application is filed, technical analysis would need to be done during the evaluation of the
proposal. In addition, public input is a required and essential component in the development
review process. Notice has been sent to residents and property owners within 300 feet of the
project site. In addition to the public comments received at this meeting, all applicants are
strongly encouraged to hold neighborhood meetings to receive input as the design of the
project evolves should they decide to proceed with the development review process.
PAGE 2 OF 4 SUBJECT: 15300-15330 LOS GATOSBOULEVARD/CD-18-004 SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The applicant has submitted a project description (Attachment 3) and preliminary plans
(Attachment 4) for 15300-15330 Los Gatos Boulevard, a 1.9-acre property located on Los Gatos
Boulevard between Lark Avenue and Gateway Drive (Attachment 1). The property consists of
two parcels containing a single-story commercial building (Ace Hardware, a laundromat, and a
drycleaner) with a 105-space surface parking lot. The project does not include redevelopment
of the adjacent gas station located at the corner of Los Gatos Boulevard and Gateway Drive.
Key elements of the proposed project, as listed on the project description and plans submitted,
are as follows:
• Demolition of the existing commercial building;
• Construction of a new two-story office building with 80,000 square feet of medical office
space; and
• Construction of a 21-space surface parking lot and 331-space underground parking garage.
EXISTING GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING DESIGNATIONS:
1. General Plan designation: The two parcels have different General Plan designations.
The smaller, 0.3-acre lot is designated Low Density Residential, which provides for single-
family residential properties located on generally level terrain. It encourages single-family
residential development in either the standard development established by traditional
zoning or by innovative forms obtained through a planned development.
The larger, 1.6-acre lot is designated Mixed Use Commercial, which permits a mixture of
retail, office, and residential in a mixed-use setting, along with lodging, service, auto-related
businesses, non-manufacturing industrial uses, recreational uses, and restaurants. Projects
developed under this designation shall maintain the smalltown, residential scale and natural
environments of adjacent residential neighborhoods, as well as provide prime orientation to
arterial street frontages and proper transitions and buffers to adjacent residential
properties. This designation should never be interpreted to allow development of
independent commercial facilities with principal frontage on the side streets.
2. Surrounding General Plan designations: Mixed Use Commercial to the north and south
along Los Gatos Boulevard, Low Density Residential and Medium Density Residential to the
east, and Low Density Residential west.
3. Zoning designation: Both parcels are zoned C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial)
4. Surrounding zoning designations: CH (Restricted Commercial Highway) to the north and
south along Los Gatos Boulevard, R-1:8 (Single-Family Residential) to the west across Los
PAGE 3 OF 4 SUBJECT: 15300-15330 LOS GATOSBOULEVARD/CD-18-004 SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
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EXISTING GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING DESIGNATIONS (Continued):
Gatos Boulevard (San Jose Water Works), and R-1:8 and R-M:5-12 (Multi-Family Residential)
to the east at the rear of the property.
POTENTIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND ISSUES:
The following is a brief list of issues and topics for consideration by the CDAC. Staff has not
reached conclusions on these topics. Staff is identifying them here to help frame the discussion
and to solicit input. The main question for the CDAC is whether or not the applicant’s concept
for the project creates a high quality plan appropriate for Los Gatos in this location. If an
application is filed, staff would evaluate the technical issues.
1. General Plan
a. General Plan Policy LU-9.3 Encourage a mix of retail and office uses in commercial
areas, except in the Central Business District designation, where retail should be
emphasized and office should be limited to upper floors and other areas as defined
by the Town Code.
b. The smaller parcel is currently designated Low Density Residential. A General Plan
amendment would be required to allow the proposed medical office project.
2. Zoning
a. The project site is zoned C-1. Rezoning the property to CH would ensure consistency
with the General Plan designation of Mixed Use Commercial and the existing pattern
of Los Gatos Boulevard.
b. A new office building would require approval of a Conditional Use Permit under both
the current C-1 zone and a CH zone to ensure compatibility with the zone.
3. Parking
a. EXISTING: The project site is currently developed with a single story 19,825-square
foot commercial building (Ace Hardware, a laundromat, a dry cleaner, and one
vacant tenant space) with a 105-space surface parking lot.
b. REQUIRED: The proposed 80,000-square foot medical office space would require at
least 320 parking spaces (based on the requirement of one parking space per 250
square feet). Town Code also includes a requirement of six parking spaces per
doctor, so no more than 58 doctors would be allowed by the current proposal.
c. PROVIDED: The proposed project includes a 21-space surface parking lot and a 331-
space underground parking garage.
d. The total provided parking spaces for the proposed project would exceed the
current minimum required parking for the proposed use.
PAGE 4 OF 4 SUBJECT: 15300-15330 LOS GATOSBOULEVARD/CD-18-004 SEPTEMBER 7, 2018
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POTENTIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND ISSUES (Continued):
4. Design
a. The project plans provided do not include any floor plans or elevations for the
proposed building, but the conceptual site plan does show the general layout and
site access from existing driveways off of both Los Gatos Boulevard and Carlton
Avenue.
b. The building setbacks from Los Gatos Boulevard, Gateway Drive, and Carlton Ave are
all shown as 25 feet. The required minimum setbacks are 15 feet for front and side
abutting a street. However, depending on the height of the building, increased
setbacks may be required for areas that abut or are across the street from
residentially zoned properties.
c. The project site is located in the Los Gatos Boulevard District, identified in the
Commercial Design Guidelines, which were developed as a replacement to the 1997
Los Gatos Boulevard Plan.
d. Maximum height allowed is 35 feet.
e. Maximum lot coverage is 50 percent.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Public comments received by 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 7, 2018, are included as Attachment 5.
Attachments:
1. Location map (one page)
2. CDAC application (one page)
3. Project Description Letter (two page)
4. Conceptual Plans (three sheets)
5. Public Comments received by 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 7, 2018
Distribution:
Steve Lynch, AICP, Sand Hill Property Company, 965 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304
Trustees of the Malkason Trust and Mary Malkason GST Trust, PO Box 63939, San Francisco, CA
94163
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15300-15330 Los Gatos Boulevard
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Attachment 1
Attachment 2
APPLICATION FOR PROJECT REVIEW
CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
TOWN OF LOS GATOS-COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
110 E. Main St., Los Gatos, CA 95030
Phone: (408) 354-6874 FAX: (408) 354-7593
PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT CLEAR LY
PROPERTY DETAIL:
Address of subject property: 15300-15330 Los Gatos Blvd
Zoning Cl-Neighborhood Commercial Site Area 82,764 sf. (1.9 acre) APN 424-17-036
Existing use Commercial builidng -Hardware store
BRIEFLY DESCRIBE PROJECT:
CDAC review/feedback of preliminary plans for a new medical office building.
APPLICANT :
NAME Sand Hill Pr operty Company, Steve Lynch
ADDRE SS 975 Page M ill Road
PHON E: 650-344-1500
CITY Palo Alto STATE CA ZIP 94304
NAME OF PROPERTY OWNER: (If same as above, check here n )
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., William Malkason and James Palfish each as Co-415-371-3454
NAMETrustees of the Malkason Trust and William Malkason as Trustee of the Mary PHONE: ______ _
Malkason GST Trust P .O. Box 63939 ADDRESS _______________________________ _
San Francisco CA 94163 CITY _______________ STATE ________ ~P _______ _
I hereby certify that I am the owner of record of the property described in Box #2 above, and that I approve of the action
"quested hece;,. ~
SIGNATURE OF OWNER~~~~ DATE 8.22.2018 111 •
&,if.tell .fl,(>y;,.,;70 . ti.I" WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. AS TRUSTEE .
ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM
I, the undersigned, fully acknowledge and un d erstand the Conceptual Development Advisory Committee is only an
advisory body and is not empowered by the Town Council or the Planning Commission to render recommendations or decisions
regarding land use issues.
I further understand and acknowledge that any statement by the Committee that a potential land use appears consistent
with Town Po l i cy is not an express or implied approval of a development project. A project may be rejected by the Planning
Commission and /or Town Council for incon sistency with Town policy or for other reasons in the course of the development
review process, includ i ng public input. .
I further understand and acknowledge that the members of the Conceptual Development Advisory Committee are in no
way bound i n their future review of my project, by th omments at this very preliminary state of project development.
SIGNATURE OF OWNE ~ DATE ~lz~.ut
161411,A. 164'</~1~"", vi' WELLS FARGO BANK, M.A. AS ~USTEE
* * DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE
PLPERMIT $2,966.00
APPLICATION No.-------PL TRACK 118.64
PLANAP 296.60
(Noticing Deposit) ,_PL=P-=E""R""'M"'"'IT...__ ___ -=5=0=0.,_,.0=0
TOTAL FEE $3,881.24
N:\DEV\FORMS\Plonn;ng\201 7-lB Fomis\CDAC App/icution.doc 7/01/2017
Attachment 3
SAND HILL PROPERTY COMPANY
August 22, 2018
Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
Town of Los Gatos
110 E. Main St.
Los Gatos, CA 95030
RE: Concep tua l Development Advisory Committee review and comment on reu se o f the Ace Hardware
site (15300 -15330 Los Gatos Blvd).
Dear Mr. Paulson:
Thank you for accepting our request for CDAC review of our preliminary plans. Please find attached our
application and draft site plan for a new medical office building.
The existing site is comprised of two parcel s totaling 82,764 sf. (1.9 acre) with a 19,825 sf. building. The
existing structure was built in 1960 and has a .24 FAR. The building is comprised of four space with the
main space (16,675 sf.) occupied by Ace Hardware. The building's three smaller spaces are occupied by a
Dry Cleaners (drop-off, pick-up only), a laundromat, and the third is vacant.
In accordance with the City's 2040 General Plan land use for the site (Mixed-Use Commercial), we are
proposing a profess ional medical building, similar to the Pa lo Alto Medical Foundation (P AMF) building
adjacent to the site. The land use designation allows for up to 50 percent lot coverage with a 35-foot height
limit and no maximum FAR. The site is zoned CI -Neighborhood Commercial, which envisions "areas
easily accessible and useful for retail, service, and administrative uses that faci litate the day-to-day needs of
Los Gatos residents." We have designed our preliminary site plan to be in compliance with current City
policies and development standards, including property setbacks and height requirements.
Comparable in design and scale to the P AMF building, we are proposing a two-story building, anticipated to
be 80,000 sf. (.96 FAR). The majority of the parking will be structured below grade with 331 stalls. On grade
there will be 21 spaces and associated bicycle parking. Our goal is to park the project at 4/1000 sf. ( l/250sf)
per Cit y code requirements. The concept plan has the building set away from the adjacent single family
neighbors, providing a larger buffer/privacy zone versus the existing building. Throughout the process we
will continue to give particular attention to the sensitivity of this neighborhood interface.
We look forward to hearing the CDAC's comments and to continue working with the City.
Sincerely,
~ Steve Lynch, AICP
Director of Planning and Entitlement
Sand Hill Property Company
965 PAGE MILL ROAD I PALO ALTO, CA 94304 I (650) 344-1500
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Cad ast ral map for assessment purposes only
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Effective Roll Year 2010-2011
II
CONCEPTUAL SITE PLANA2.0133.004 08.14.201815300 LOS GATOS BLVDLOS GATOS, CASAND HILL PROPERTY COMPANYKENNETH RODRIGUES & PARTNERS, INC.30' 0'60'15'Attachment 4
15300-15330
Los d
15300-15330
Los Gatos Blvd
±2 ACR E S
Jennifer Armer
From:
Sent:
To:
Subj ect:
Dear Ms. Armer,
Dene Kankel <denekankel @hotmail.com >
Thursday, September 06, 20 18 9:41 AM
Jennifer Armer
Conceptual Devel opment Advisory Co mmittee Meeting September 12 , 201 8
We are the tenant and co-owners of the Los Gatos Ace Hardware at 15300 Los Gatos Blvd. We are very
concerned about the upcoming Conceptual Development Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for
September 12, 2018. We found out about this through a postcard sent to the store. We were unaware that
the property was in escrow and have not been contacted by the owner or Sand Hill Properties . My 23,000
cu stomers also know nothing of this except for rumors now circulating because of the postcard sent to local
property owners.
At the beginning of 2018 we negotiated a 10 year lease with a 5 year option . It is our intention to remain a Lo s
Gatos bu siness for another 15 years and well beyond. It was a shock to find out that the property was being
prepared to be sold three months after our lease took effect. Although we are part of the Ace buying co-op,
we are a family owned and operated business that has been proudly serving and supporting Los Gatos and the
surrounding communities for over 40 years. This is our livelihood and we believe our store is a community
asset. Almost everyone in Los Gatos benefits from out store in one way or another. Even if people do not
shop in our store, their gardeners, handymen and contractors likely do. Our customers also include local
bu sinesses, places of worship, local school districts, parks, County Fire, and even the Town itself. We have
employed local high school and college students as well as senior citizens for the entire time we have been in
business . And we currently provide full and part time jobs for forty nine people. We are charitable and
support or sponsor many causes in the community, including all schools, LGEF , Los Gatos Athletic Association ,
Lions Club, Boy Scouts, Eagle Scouts, Girl Scouts, LG Robotics Club , local sports, Senior Nutrition Center, and
KCAT . We also support our local seniors and military customers with a discount .
Ideally we would simply move to a comparable, available space within the Town limits and continue the
business. However, in the absence of any viable new space to relocate to in Lo s Gatos, we are faced with the
choice of either going out of business or attempting to relocate to another town or city. If we were to
relocate, we would hope that our current customers would follow us and continue to shop at our new
location. However, this would require Los Gatos residents to shop outside the Town, thus undermining the
encouraged "shop local" ideology. Not to mention the loss of tax revenue for the Town. And we would be
heartbroken to lose our current customers and "regulars" we have cultivated relationsh ips with over the
years.
We recognize that it is the current Owners' right to sell their property. And we also recognize the fact that the
potential buyer will make every effort to derive maximum financial gains from the development of the
property. However, the current proposal will be substantially detrimental to us as the owners as well as the
entire community. Unfortunately we do not have a solution, and for this reason we felt it was worth making
our predicament known to the committee members as they consider the current proposal. If the town
approves this proposal, it will put us out of business and the Town of Los Gatos will lose an established long
standing business that has been serving and supporting the community for over 40 years.
Sincerely,
Dene' Kankel and Bryan Matsumoto
Co-owners of Los Gatos Hardware
Jennifer Armer
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Ms. Armed ,
Margaret Smidt < margaret.smidt@gmail.com >
Thursday, September 06, 2018 12 :01 PM
Jennifer Armer
No more medical offices!
I am writing to strongly encourage the town not to rezone the property around the Ace Hardware to medical offices.
Thi s area of Los Gatos is turning into one big medical complex. We have MORE than enough medical offices already. Thi s
rezoning will decrease property values for those of us living nearby, increase traffic, and take awY our local hardware
store, which has some of the best customer service I've ever encountered.
I lived for years in the East Coast. Towns like Los Gatos need to take a page from East Coast cities and learn the value of
mixed use development.
Turning this property into yet another medical complex will make this area of Los Gatos a less friendly, less
neighborhood-centric, and less pleasant place to live .
Please do not do that to us.
Thank you.
Margaret Smidt
Sent from my iPhone
Jennifer Armer
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
M s. Armer and CDAC Members,
Susan Kankel <s usankankel @co mcast.net >
Thursday, September 06, 2018 1:50 PM
Jennifer Armer
CDAC
Sept. 6, 2018
Unfortunately, I will be out of town on the 12th so cannot attend the CDAC meeting concerning the Ace store on Los
Gato s Boulevard. I do want to officially state my feelings and opinion for the public record .
As a long -time re sident of Los Gatos, I know Los Gatos needs the hardware store It has served the community for 40
years and has supported community groups, schools, and events for all that time.
We do not need another medical office building -we are being overrun by them already; we need to retain the
Commercial zoning of the property, thus receiving needed tax dollars and needed products.
On a personal note, my late husband Gary and his partner Bob Allen opened this Ace hardware in the Kings Court Center
40 years ago; it was moved to the larger present property about 35 years ago .
The store is still in the family -it is locally owned and operated. It is important to our town that we reta in and support
businesses like these and not accede to the financial desires of faceless corporate entities that seem intent on
destroying u s.
Please retain the present zoning of this project's location for the good of Los Gatos.
Susan Kankel
99 Reservoir Road
Los Gatos, 95030
Jennifer Armer
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Jennifer,
sueling.cho@comcast.net
Thursday, September 06, 2018 3:29 PM
Jennifer Armer
Rezoning 15300-15330 Los Gatos Boulevard?
We hope that the city does NOT rezone 15300-15330 Los Gatos Boulevard to construct medical offices. Los Gatos needs
the retail that exists there.
Thanks,
Sueling Cho
15819 lzorah Way
Jennifer Armer
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
>
L D Hirschklau < larrideaneh@comcast.net >
Thursday, September 06, 2018 4:31 PM
Jennifer Armer
Fwd : Ace hardware on LOs Gatos Bl vd
> PLEASE maintain the property and zoning as is . Keep Ace Hardware, please. LO Hirsc hklau .
Jennifer Armer
From: "Albright Karla M." <km al bright@gma il.com>
Subject: ace hardware
Date: September 6, 2018 at 4:54:58 PM PDT
To: jarner@losgatosca .gov
Hello Jennifer
I am writing to express my opinion that our family really likes Ace Hardware and we go to it at least once a week or
more. We get excellent knowledgeable and personable service .
I understand that there is the possibility of a sale and hopes for rezoning. Please do not rzone . We do not need yet
another medical office building. We need Ace hardware . Especially now that OSH is going out of business .
Thank you for hearing my voice.
Karla Albright
110 clover Way
Los Gatos
From: Stacy Taylor <cagirlstacy@gmail.com >
Sent: Thursday, September 6, 2018 7:42 PM
To: Jennifer Armer
Subject: Save Ace Hardware
I would like to put in my voice to KEEP Ace Hardware and vote down yet another big building in Los
Gatos! I am unable to attend so I am sending this email.
I am already dreading the North 40 project and am saddened to hear that a local business like Ace is in
jeopardy of being closed.
I hope that enough people will show support for Ace to keep them in our town.
Thank you,
Stacy Taylor
From: KATHLEEN COOLEY <kd mcool@comcast.net >
Sent: Thursday, September 6, 2018 9:03 PM
To: Jennifer Armer
Subject: Re : Ace Hardware
Hi, I just was in my local Ace Hardware store on Los Gatos Blvd and read the shocking notice of intent to
build a medical building.
This is horrible and I am completely against this. Please note that North Los Gatos needs this hardware
store.
I can't make it to the town council meeting on Sep. 12th, so know that I want to keep this Ace Hardware.
Thank you kindly,
Kathy Cooley
15429 Benedict Lane
Los Gatos, Ca . 95032
From: Michael Hirschklau <michirsc@comcast .net>
Sent: Thursday, September 6, 2018 9:08 PM
To: Jennifer Armer
Subject: Los Gatos needs a hardware store with adequate parking
Sent from my iPad
From: amy lee <amywylee@yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 6, 2018 9:28 PM
To: Jennifer Armer
Subject: conceptual development advisory committee application CD-18-004.
Dear LG Planning committee,
I have concerns and am against the proposed plans to demolish an existing building and construct a two-
story medical office building with below-grade parking at 15300-15330 Los Gatos Boulevard. We have
too many medical buildings in this residential town and need the Ace Hardware neighborhood store.
Thank you .
Amy
Sent from my iPhone
From: Chris Kankel <ckankel@kk de sig ngroup.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 6, 2018 9 :46 PM
To: Jennifer Armer
Subject: 15300 Los Gatos Blvd
Hello Ms Armer,
I am a life long Los Gatos resident and business owner who recently found out about the pending sale of
the property at 15300 LG Blvd. Based on the information I have received , the current building that
houses Los Gatos Ace Hardware is proposed to be demolished to allow for the construction of a new
medical office building in its place. The possibility that a long standing Los Gatos bu siness that ha s
supported our community for decades and provided goods and services to all Los Gatos residents will
simply cease to exist in order to make room for another medical office building is not only saddening,
but also dismay i ng to me .
There are currently two hardware stores in the Town, and LG Ace is the largest and most accessible. If
Ace closes, the Town will be left with one small hardware store located in a relatively inconvenient part
of town. On the other hand, there are currently multiple medical office buildings in Los Gatos. I don't
know how many there are exactly, but I can count at least four on Los Gatos Blvd just off the top of my
head. Based on the current medical insurance industry structure, it's likely that Los Gatos residents do
not necessarily go to the facilities in town, and it equally likely that people from out of town come to Los
Gatos only to go to their doctor.
I respectfully ask that Planners, Commissioners, and Council members consider if the loss of a long
standing business and community fixture is worth gaining another medical office building serving people
outside the community. How many medial office buildings does the Town need? At what point does
the Town become a medical clearing house for the South Bay? Will a medical office building instead of a
family owned and operated business improve the Town? Will it generate more tax revenue?
I accept that change is inevitable. But I also believe that change should be carefully considered and for
the right reasons . Thank you for your consideration and for the efforts of all those involved at the Town.
Regards,
Christopher Kankel
California Landscape Architect #4051
Kikuchi + Kankel Design Group
61 E. Main Street, Suite C
Los Gatos
From: Shirley Welch <curlsky@ya hoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 6, 2018 10:05 PM
To: Jennife r Armer
Subject: Fw : Rezoning of property 15300-15330 Los Gatos Blvd
Jennifer~
I went to Ace Hardware today, located at 15300 Los Gatos Blvd . and saw a sign at the entrance
that there was a proposal to rezone this property from retail to office. This would close down
Ace Hardware among other s maller busi nesses located at this address to bui ld yet ANOTHER
medical office bui lding. I cannot begin to tell you how up set I was to think that Ace Hardware
cou ld po ssibly be closed . I have been a loyal customer here for many, many years. The location
is convenient, the selection of products they offer is vas t, and the workers there are
knowledgeable and pol ite. Others agree. It consistently has over 4 stars on Yel p. I n fact, 1 work
in a m edical office building in Los Gatos, and when the bui lding mainten ance folks need a part
they all go to Ace! Also, it appears that many local high school stud ents are e m ployed there,
giving them valuable work ex perience. Over the years Lo s Gatos has turned its e lf into a town
that ha s very few bu s ines ses that provide useful item s that people need in everyday life. Ace has
these items. Jus t look at what the cus tomers are buying. They'e not just "window s hopping",
t hey arc walking out with items they have purchased to be used for the improvement of their
homes and properties. Now with O rchard Supply closing, there will be an even bi gger need for
stores like Ace. Not everyone shops at Home Depot.
Please let these businesses continue operati ons at this location.
Shirley Welch
From: Jeff Morris <jeffreyjaymorris@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 06 , 2018 10:06 PM
To: Planning <Planning@losgatosca.gov >
Subject: Ace Hardware: The next neighborhood theft
Please, please, do not allow the developers to again (N40) damage our neighborhood (RE Ace
hardware store). With OSH gone now it is even more of a requirement to the local
neighborhood, both residents and supporting vendors. The tiny store in southern LG will be a
giant (additional) traffic jam, they won't be able to handle it. Most will just turn to Amazon
which just makes things worse as there will be even more jobs lost (although the rich people
and the porch bandits will do well). I suspect home maintenance expenses will escalate and
then building maintenance, safety and aesthetics will be generally minimized.
In addition, I feel it's odd to have rows and rows of medical buildings when so many are
considering or have left town. Many people are either unable to afford or are simply afraid to
go to the doctor anyway due to the insurance complexities and financial risks.
Plus , the traffic on Los Gatos Boulevard (south) and Lark Avenue (east) is almost intolerable
now, there are accidents almost daily and horn honking is endless. If this goes in combined with
N 40 it w i ll indeed be horrible gridlock.
Please , respectfully, pardon my rant and add my vote(?) against this heartbreaking step
backwards.
Thank you
Jeff Morris
Northern Los Gatos resident and local business owner.
Addendum, In my opinion an exit off of southbound Hwy 17 at Blossom Hill Road (east) would
ease a lot of the PM commute traffic on eastbound Lark and southbound LGB as a large percent
of this traffic is heading to this area (south San Jose/east Los Gatos/Blossom Hill Road). It looks
doable to me.
From: Steve Roon <sroon5@earthlink.net>
Sent: Thursday, September 6, 2018 11 :22 PM
To: Jennifer Armer
Subject: FW: NO to Losing ACE Hardware
Dear Ms. Arner,
I have been a Los Gatos resident for almost 30 years and there have been a lot of things that have
changed over the years. However, one of my anchors for the weekend has been my visit to Ace
Hardware on Los Gatos Blvd. They are locally owned and do so much for the community. Not only
providing an uniquely helpful service to guys like myself but more importantly, they have employed
lOO's of young teenagers to get them started on earning their first paychecks.
Please DO NOT allow another Los Gatos treasure to go away for another bland office building.
Thank you very much for your attention.
~
t) ! , , . '.
Steve Roon
119 Old Orchard Court
Los Gatos, CA 95032
(408) 981 3505
sroon5@ea rth Ii n k. net
From: Kathy Winkelman <kathywinkelman@gma il.com>
Sent: Friday, September 7, 2018 8:20 AM
To: Jennifer Armer; Karl Winkelman
Subject: Opposed to rezoning of Ace Hardware property
Hello and thank you for listening. We are almost 50 year residents of Los Gatos and have raised three
sons here through the local schools and volunteered the entire time we have been here to help to make
Los Gatos such a desireable place to live and raise a FAMILY. My husband Karl is currently an active Lions
member in Los Gatos.
To put MORE MEDICAL BUILDINGS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS NOT NEIGHBOR FRIENDLY. AND THE ACE
HARDWARE DOES MUCH MORE THAN OFFER WHAT WE NEIGHBORS AND THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
NEEDS HARDWARE WISE . THIS FAMILY HAS TAKEN OUR YOUNG ONES AND TAUGHT THEM HOW TO
WORK, THE GOOD FEELING OF EARNING INCOME AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.
These businesses are what make Los Gatos the wonderful community it is . In our neighborhoods we
cannot be swallowed up by progress, by medical buildings. Please do not take retail away from our area
Thank you .
Kadier~W~
Gioia Company LLC
4 0 8 .640.662 8
"J oy for Those W ho Giv e and Those Who Receive"
http://www.gioiacompany.com
Find Us On Facebook:
http:llwww.facebook.com!pages/Gioia-ltalian-Art-and-Products/112457388801734
http://www.velp.com/biz/gioia-companv-los-gatos-2 ?osq = gioia + italian +art+ and+ products
From: Kathleen Williams <lafromproperties@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, September 7, 2018 8:40:23 AM
To: Jennifer Armer
Subject: Ace Hardware location
Hello,
Los Gatos is changing rapidly . Traffic here is horrific. And the town continues approving new
developments which will soon make life in this town unbearable . The corner at Los Gatos Blvd and Lark
is already an absolute mess, with traffic backing up throughout the days for drivers attempting to turn
left at Lark . People pulling out of Gateway onto LG Blvd, hoping to get onto Lark have to pull into the
lane going straight and then cut into the turn lane at the last minute, cutting off drivers who have been
sitting in that turn lane through 3-4 light cycles. When the North 40 goes in, the Lark intersection will
simply be unnavigable in all directions.
The Gateway/LG Blvd intersection is in reality a part of the Lark intersection due to its close
proximity . Ace is part of the old charm that Los Gatons are hanging on to ... a functional store where
neighbors say hello to each other, that services our needs with a smile, and hires local teens. That type
of charm is going by the wayside with all the absurd development on slate for our small town. The
proposed building at the corner of Gateway will simply be the final straw that turns East Los Gatos into
the same dead-stopped traffic disaster that downtown has dealt with due to beach traffic on the
weekends. Please think carefully about the consequences of new development at this corner .... it will be
very bad news for Los Gatos.
We are not able to attend the meeting on Sept 12, however, we hope that our email comments are
considered.
Charles and Kathleen Williams
From: Jerry Salsbury <jsalsb ury @vaso n amanageme nt.co m >
Sent: Friday, September 7, 2018 9:04:49 AM
To: Jennifer Armer
Cc: David Burt; bryan matsumoto
Subject: rezone and removal of Ace Hardware
Jennifer Armer, Development Advi sory committee,
Jennifer I am all in favor of change but in this case I think it defeats the efforts of the town to keep locals
shopping in town. There has always been an argument that Los Gatos need s stores like Target or Costco
in town because there is no place for general affordable shopping. There wa s even talk a few years back
that this would be an option for the north 40. The Town and Chamber have been advocate s to keeping
locals shopping and supporting our community. We already have medical offices located all over town
but only one Ace Hardware and with this store gone many local home owners and businesses will be
forced to leave town and go to the San Jose Home Depot for hardware and gardening needs . I will be
unable to attend the meeting on the 12 th so I wanted to send this e-mail for consideration of your
committee and the support of Ace Hardware remaining in town.
Thank you for your time,
Jerry Salsbury
Area Supervisor
Vasona Management
El Gato Penthouse Apartments
From: Sam Weidman <s am we id ma n @sbc gl o bal.ne t >
Sent: Friday, September 7, 2018 10:23 :35 AM
To: Jennifer Armer; Planning
Subject: CDAC Application CD-18-004
Dear Jennifer and Planning Department,
I was not surprised to receive the Notice of a public meeting from the Conceptual Development Advisory
Committee regarding the plans to demolish the Ace hardware building and put up another two-story
medical building. I have been expecting the other bookend to Gateway Drive ever since the Sutter
Health Building went up on the South side of Gateway Drive, and I am not at all pleased with the
proposed development for this site. I am definitely against this proposed development for the
following reasons :
1. The loss of Ace Hardware would be one of the biggest losses to the residents and contractors
working in Los Gatos since the loss of the car dealerships. I see on a daily basis all of the home
owners and contractors that are in the store buying products and gaining valuable home repair
information from the employees that work there. I often see residents from the west side of
town in the store. With the closing of all the Orchard Supply Hardware stores, we would be
losing one more establishment that makes Los Gatos the friendly town that it is.
2. With the addition of all the new housing units going in at the North 40, you will be forcing them
to get in their cars to go to Home Depot or some other distant establishment to make their
purchases for the repairs they need, not to mention all the residents who currently walk from
Live Oak Manor. I see residents on a daily basis walk to and from Ace with purchases they
make.
3. We don't need another two-story medical building at the north end of town. We are being
boxed in behind more and more medical buildings every year. This new project would totally
wipe out what little view of the mountains we currently have as you travel west on Carlton Ave
to get to Ace Hardware or even to Gateway Drive.
In the event that this project does someday become a reality (and I certainly hope it doesn 't):
1. I hope and pray that you won't allow the construction to work through the weekends and
into the evening as they did with the Sutter medical building . I listened to pile driving and
banging into the evening seven days a week for more than a year.
2. Because putting in an underground garage requires the excavating of a great amount of dirt
and its removal, I need to be guaranteed that airborne dust and dirt is kept to an absolute
minimum.
3 . If Ace Hardware is forced out, I feel a great location for it to relocate to would be the old
Anderson Chevrolet lot at the corner of LG Blvd and LG-Almaden Road.
Best Regards
Sam Weidman
215 Carlester Drive
Los Gatos, CA 95032
From: Cass K <cass t k@g mail.co m>
Sent: Friday, September 7, 2018 10:35:09 AM
To: Jennifer Armer
Subject: Submission: Proposed project 15300-15330 Los Gatos Boulevard
We are writing to oppose the demolishing of the Ace Hardware store in Los Gatos. Ace serve s as an
informal community center and is one of the few accessible hardware and gardening centers in town.
The new proposed 80,000 square foot office building is not needed as we already have significant
medical office space in that area. If Los Gatos loses more of the amenities that makes it a residential
neighborhood, it will no longer be a community but an office park . Communities need businesses that
serve their daily needs
The height and location of the building will effectively block any view of LG Blvd and the mountains to
the west as you approach Ace Hardware traveling west on Carlton Ave. to Gateway Drive.
We oppose the rezoning of the property into a medical office space. The fact that the new owners of the
site failed to notify their tenants (Ace) of the demolishing *after* Ace signed a 10 years lease,
demonstrates that the property owner will not work with the community and has no care for the needs
of Los Gatos.
Cassandra and Catherine Kohler
408-371-4355