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02 Staff Report - Accept Staff Recommendations on County Referrals (42)MEETING DATE: 6/7/99 ITEM NO. COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT DATE: June 2, 1999 TO: MAYOR AND TO V COUN FROM: TOWN MANAGER SUBJECT: ACCEPT STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS ON CITY/COUNTY REFERRALS REFERRAL NUMBER LOCATION A. Projects Outside Urban Service Area: None. B. Projects Inside Urban Service Area: None. C. City of San Jose Referral APPLICANT REOUEST RECOMMENDATION REFERRAL City of San Jose 99-1 NUMBER City of San Jose Application PDC-99-01-006 LOCATION Southeast corner of Los Gatos -Almaden Road and Union Avenue Santa Clara County Assessor Parcel Numbers: 527-44-014, -015, -016 APPLICANT LGA Associates Limited Partnership REQUEST Rezone property from Commercial zoning to a Planned Development zoning to allow the construction of 15 courtyard style two story houses and demolish two existing commercial buildings. (Continued on Page 2) PREPARED BY: LEE E. BOWMAN PLANNING DIRECTOR Reviewed by: a r' AttorneyFinance Revised: 6/2/99 11:14 am Reformatted: 10/23/95 PAGE 2 MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL SUBJECT: COUNTY REFERRALS June 2, 1999 RECOMMENDATION Authorize Mayor to send letter opposing development to City of San Jose Council. C. Status of Previous Applications: None Attachments: 1. Letter to General Plan Committee and petition regarding project, received April 21, 1999 2. Letter from Planning Director to City of San Jose, dated May 3, 1999 3. Letter from City of San Jose, received May 19, 1999 N:\DEV\CNCLRPTS\6-7SJ.REF 16 April 1999 General Planning Committee ATT: Mike Burke PO. Box 949 Los Gatos, CA 95032 ;cc Q SUBJECT: Zoning Changes for parcels #527-44-013; 527-44-012; 527-44-011 from a C-1 to R-1, Single Family Residence. Dear Mr. Burke: Enclosed you will find a copy of a petition sent to Erwin Ordonez, Town of Los Gatos Planning Department requesting the Town to re -zone the above mentioned subject properties from a C-1 zone to an R-1 zone -single family residence. This petition comes at the heels of the proposed zoning change for the San Jose properties located at the southeast corner of Los Gatos -Almaden and south up Union Avenue (parcel numbers 527-44-016; 527-44-015; 527-44-014). The intent of the petition is to improve the neighborhood with up -scale single family residences. We are opposed to the current style of single family residences currently being built in the Town of Los Gatos that have retail/business on the ground level and residential on the above floors. It would also behoove the Town of Los Gatos to annex the adjacent San Jose properties to ensure the services and visions of the Town are installed and maintain consistently with the surrounding Los Gatos neighborhood. We respectfully request the committee give great thought the above mentioned and we respectfully will present this issue before the committee on 28 April during the General Planning Committee meeting. Sincerely: C�-J�J erC Teresa Meisenbach 261 Howes Ct. Los Gatos CA 408/371-6322 ATTACHMENT 1 April 2, 1999 Erwin Ordonez Assistant Planner Planning Department Town of Los Gatos P.O. Box 949 Los Gatos, CA. 95031 Dear Mr. Ordonez: I ask that Los Gatos review the possibility to change zoning of the Unzen property from commercial to residential. 258 Union Ave , previous tenant O'Shea's, and 246 Union Ave, tenant Soft Test. It has come to my attention that San Jose Planning Department has plans from LGA Associates to develop 15 single family dwelling units at the property now owned by them at Los Gatos Almaden Rd and Union Ave. At this time the property consists of Fultons Glass, Nigels Bar-b-que, and a multi -unit building. Also involved would be the residence of 14960 Los Gatos Almaden Rd. I also understand that LGA Associates was interested in purchasing the adjacent property occupied by O'Shea's and Soft Test, to include this in their residential development. I am in agreement with this project, and see it as a positive improvement to the neighborhood. This would provide continuous single family units east of Union Ave. At the present this is a disjointed parcel of unsightly commercial units and two billboards. Also with the planned expansion of the Downing Center, across the street, this would provide good closure to persisting problem properties. With the Unzen property included in the development, what looks to be a traffic problem with the proposed plans, can be resolved by a single entrance from Union Avenue and exit from Los Gatos Almaden Rd. I urge Los Gatos to work with San Jose and provide a complementary development. If the San Jose commercial property is redeveloped to residential property as proposed, the adjacent Los Gatos commercial property will definitely not fit in. Sincerely, Jeff Brown 239 Thomas Dr. Los Gatos, CA. 95032 cc: Ron Eddow San Jose planning department cc: LGA Associates April 2, 1999 Ron Eddow Planner Department of Planning City of San Jose 801 N. First St. Room 400 San Jose, CA. 95110 Dear Mr. Eddow: project: LGA Associates planned development of 15 single family residences at Los Gatos Almaden Road and Union Ave. I request to be informed when the environmental report is available for this project. I also request that a good neighbor policy exist between The San Jose Planning Department and Los Gatos Planning Department in the disclosure of this planned development. It is my concern that this project be completed and complementary in both cities. Please make this letter and enclosures a part of this project record. Sincerely, Jeff Brown 239 Thomas Drive Los Gatos, CA. 95032 cc: Erwin Ordonez Los Gatos Planning Department cc: LGA Associates April 2, 1999 Jeanne Anderson Operations Manager K T Properties 21710 Stevens Creek Blvd. suite 200 Cupertino, CA. 95014 Dear Ms. Anderson: I understand that LGA Associates, whom you represent, owns the commercial property at Union Avenue and Los Gatos Almaden Road in San Jose. 1 also understand plans have been submitted to the San Jose Planning Department for 15 homes to be developed in this location, and a change of zoning to RI. I am in agreement with the zoning change and the planned development of single family housing at this location. The existing commercial property has been an eye sore and the two billboards a nuisance. I see this as an excellent opportunity for neighborhood improvement. I understand that LGA Associates has contacted the Los Gatos Planning Department with the possibility of a zoning change at the adjacent property owned by the Unzen family. And that the planning department rejected the zoning change from C 1 to RI. I believe that a zoning change to RI of the Los Gatos property would be a vast improvement for the neighborhood. This would be complementary with your proposed project and provide all single family housing in an area now mixed residential and commercial. 1 believe that The City of San Jose and The City of Los Gatos can work together in this project to provide a non fragmented development. I have enclosed a copy of a petition sent to the Los Gatos Planning Department ,of neighborhood support to the RI zoning change and the development of single family homes in the location now occupied by aged commercial buildings and two billboards. Some ideas for consideration. If the Los Gatos property is included, an entrance in Los Gatos at the location of O'Shea's and an exit at the location of the 14960 residence would resolve traffic issues that will be of concern with the proposed roadways. Allow the established trees at the east fenceline of the Unzen property to remain. This will assist in screening some of the property changes. Homes in the San Jose parcel to match homes in the Los Gatos parcel, this to provide continuity across city boundaries. Homes to be of similar architechual design as the properties east of the 14960 residence if it remains profitable for the developer. Since el Jeff Br 239 Thomas Drive Los Gatos, CA. 95032 cc: Los Gatos Planning Department cc: San Jose Planning Department CALI►ORNIA ASSESSOR• • 2 0 0 V 0 0 0 i 0 TRACT Ns2978•.CAMEO PARK a0 a3NHSa3H w LL' ,of v 111'r.7 .00/ l SY'f f.l b C. 01 «f I AI 0 1 • I S 2 Po1 IQ M� I t►l su 10-54 S3MOH •I, rsi %°o5'S♦ 09 R Nf ,r loS1s •\� NI n I " • ,- 0113 l 09 I— 0, 2i L1r- zcr11 w l. ti 1 O Io 5 �1 1s ID �1 C' Pe N o. NI If 44) ./ I Cff1 h lilt 01b! '1I .•.,// ... b Lit tit _ i N� 10 °1�3NHS213H'''' °01 Ll.i "r �ti b1 fe,r ��'Qcsy� Vy:. I O �� of . o1,ie ftl -1N'x°- '- J N . 9° 1 &I.3 1 - �I I, '-1.1 31c a ` n�I b 8i<>< lI , 'i , 1!A \ V _ \ '9 9*, SS"H 1 L 9! C fnr. — c'1��_ •1 201 NI $a 401 � �1 — Yf1 h : a SPI • C0121 'iV Oa— — - J N3aVW1b—S01b9 SOl , Ir a Z 0 Z z '3A V N NA'7 • 1.2 4' 4 Z. ro April 2,1999 Erwin Ordonez Assistant Planner Planning Department Town of Los Gatos P.O. Box 949 Los Gatos, CA. 95031 Dear Mr. Ordonez: This is a petition for zoning change from C1 commercial , to RI residential single family housing: Property location 246 Union Avenue and 258 Union Avenue Los Gatos. The adjacent commercial property in San Jose is in planning for zoning change to R1 single family residences. The San Jose project will be removing the existing aged commercial buildings and two billboards, replacing this with upscale single family homes. It is our concern that Los Gatos seize the opportunity to expand this project across the city boundary for a complementary development. This will bring good closure to the persisting commercial property problems. 2 3 ? :s Co dos 9s-03' fl e-1 (frail( LLi c]LiE -14 e c c- - GE-Pq z45 -77)-orvv\s t6+ / G ` #-fiGrlr�`L � .Gez��C9zt � 3 5Lt.t-`1'''' (CMAele( -?;;1 71(. 4)1,24&2' fLYkIVI"A3 O q2L& 2 5 /,i.�/r74s ,7z_ Lc, /co z,/ Z 7 Thr-, z 01- (. ‘6, .-e-J/&-e-as) U c�� ��n N„„rin Lid a �� � ��y��. L��C���� ,C\A. �JC 61/14 a&4 Y71_ s . 2 d7 Zr?4 , . 4964citsd April 2,1999 Erwin Ordonez Assistant Planner Planning Department Town of Los Gatos P.O. Box 949 Los Gatos, CA. 95031 Dear Mr. Ordonez: This is a petition for zoning change from C1 commercial , to RI residential single family housing: Property location 246 Union Avenue and 258 Union Avenue Los Gatos. The adjacent commercial property in San Jose is in planning for zoning change to RI single family residences. The San Jose project will be removing the existing aged commercial buildings and two billboards, replacing this with upscale single family homes. It is our concern that Los Gatos seize the opportunity to expand this project across the city boundary for a complementary development. This will bring good closure to the persisting commercial property problems. 3,b0 0.4 oligV ,COS ( 1..05 C' C(K i -Z L05 G'u ,Da l/rVf AJ /V. 216 Liv‘;ecvl Af r--k.. 1\luvle,5 fi 11( L fica),) u/u7cA) 4-Uk CAt5 1/_us I1�1 a-2ir ‘111 IXSt e.e7 y ►� ► cam. Pirl) (Li (2>c_\, .-io rk co .8R %wS clt!DS Sc 2fk LJvS69-..11 2C I .%tuw-e C Los C,i37,)5 5-63 Yoh awes _ L12S Gars ;4 63z Cam? �. �.k3 -n a (2I ea C-4- I0s E) S CA s03 t ' �C/,�os OcVL/.4/ off I �-✓ES c T' Zcs � c:�: C-4 2�c /6- ie G r1% S )1(1, !✓(_- '� -?j l-tC-2S' i1G� C � , L . C� . C , -9S AA VP -LE -RI PRt-\KUSTeR (''''3)R LIN lc kj 1117g `.z-Z L& GAS aS I( I \ Il !t It II �� April 2,1999 Erwin Ordonez Assistant Planner Planning Department Town of Los Gatos P.O. Box 949 Los Gatos, CA. 95031 Dear Mr. Ordonez: This is a petition for zoning change from CI commercial , to RI residential single family housing: Property location 246 Union Avenue and 258 Union Avenue Los Gatos. The adjacent commercial property in San Jose is in planning for zoning change to RI single family residences. The San Jose project will be removing the existing aged commercial buildings and two billboards, replacing this with upscale single family homes. It is our concern that Los Gatos seize the opportunity to expand this project across the city boundary for a complementary development. This will bring good closure to the persisting commercial property problems. % �' 4.,57_,J-- /✓n!�{r G 7Z j A44�A'A /I;7 -•° 7"/ o J TOWN OF Los GATOS PLANNING DEPARTMENT (408) 354-6872 May 3, 1999 James R. Derryberry, Director City of San Jose Department of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement 801 N. First Street, Room 400 San Jose, CA 95110 RE: PDC 99-01-006 LGA Associates 15-unit residential development at the southeast corner of Union Avenue and Los Gatos -Almaden Rd. Dear Mr. Derryberry: CIVIC CENTER 110 E. MAN STREET P.O. Box 949 Los GATOS, CA 95031 This correspondence is in response to the City of San Jose Draft Negative Declaration for the above referenced project. Based on our conversation, I have asked my staff to compile the enclosed list of comments/deficiencies regarding this project for the City of San Jose's review and response as allowed by the California Environmental Quality Act. Additionally, given the location of the project site and its relationship of being an "island" surrounded by impacted land uses, which are mainly in Los Gatos, it would seem logical and preferable for both agencies to have this property annexed to the Town. If you should have questions regarding the above reference application, please contact Associate Planner Erwin Ordonez at (408) 354-6875. Very truly yours, Lee E. Bowman Planning Director enclosures: Response to Draft Negative Declaration Copy of SJ Mercury News Article cc: Jeff Brown, 239 Thomas Drive, Los Gatos,CA 95032 Teresa Meisenbach, 261 Howes Court, Los Gatos,CA 95032 v Ron Eddow, San Jose Planning Department f Darryl Boyd, San Jose Planning Department LEB:EO C:1 ECQOIDRRFTSILETTERSISJ-PD2.LTR ATTACHMENT INCORPORATED AUGUST 10, 1887 h COMMENTS TO CITY OF SAN JOSE DRAFT NEGATIVE DECLARATION FILE NUMBER: PDC 99-01-006 PROJECT LOCATION: Southeast corner of Union Avenue and Los Gatos/Almaden Road. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 15-unit residential development. COMMENT #1: The Draft Negative Declaration has incorrect information for the project location. The County Assessor Parcel Numbers noted: 527-04-014, -015, and -016 are for parcels which do not exist. This referenced County Assessor Parcel page is for a hillside area in the Town of Los Gatos. It appears the correct County Assessor Parcel Numbers for the project site noted are: 527-44-014, -015, and -016. COMMENT #2: The project has potentially significant impacts to Transportation/Traffic/Circulation which are not addressed or noted in the Draft Negative Declaration or accompanying Initial Study. Page 58 of the Initial Study incorrectly notes "No Impact" to Item 15. (d). City of San Jose Planning staff has verified that a traffic study has not been prepared for this project and therefore no analysis has been prepared concerning the safety and impact of project related traffic entering or exiting on to or from Union Avenue, a major "regional access to State Route 85". Currently, during a.m. and p.m. peak -hour traffic periods the north -bound left -turn and center travel lanes experience long vehicle queues. Given the number of units in the development and the orientation of the three project driveways on Union Avenue, south -bound left turn movement from and into the development will have some impact on traffic safety and vehicular circulation. What is this impact in terms of safety and added delay or congestion? (Note: The Town of Los Gatos development standards do not allow vehicles to back out on to major roads due to safety concerns, this standard should also be applied to this development). COMMENT #3: The Site Plan provided to the Town notes that the project applicant is proposing off -site parking. The Town does not allow off -site parking and requires all developments to provide required parking for dwelling units and visitor parking on -site. The Town's parking standard should be used as the significance criteria for evaluating the appropriate parking to be provided by this project. If this project fails that significance criteria then this aspect of the project should be considered a significant impact under CEQA. The Town opposes any proposed off -site parking for this project given the current configuration of Union Avenue and the existing peak -hour congestion. Page 1 of 4 COMMENT #4: The project will have a significant effect on the Aesthetics of the project site because it will degrade the existing visual character of the site and its surroundings. The site is bounded to the southeast by a tract of predominantly single -story single family residences on minimum 6,000 to 8,000 square foot lots. The insertion of massive, two-story structures on small lots is aesthetically incompatible, will be a significant negative effect, and will greatly detract from the visual streetscape and character of the surrounding land uses. The scale, bulk, and massing of these structures is inconsistent with the surrounding residential neighborhood. Additionally, this type of development runs contrary to the newly proposed residential review standards proposed by the Planning Department (See attached S.J. Mercury News Article on Tuesday, April 6, 1999). COMMENT #5: The relationship between the close proximity of the houses proposed (minimum of 8 feet) and the proposed ratio of dwelling unit square footage to lot size (FAR) per unit (54 to 57 percent) is a significant effect on the Aesthetics of the project site and will degrade the existing visual character of the site and its surroundings because it is not compatible aesthetically with the surrounding residential area. The surrounding residential neighborhood is predominantly single -story single family residences with a minimum side yard set back of 5 feet (10 feet minimum between structures). Additionally, the existing residential neighborhood has an average FAR of between 20 to 31 percent. The increased height and square footage of the dwelling units, the bulk, incompatible scale, and massing that result if the proposed project is constructed represent a drastic departure from the existing visual character of the site and its surroundings. COMMENT #6: The development plans do not show an actual height for the proposed residences. They show a maximum height of 30 feet allowed and the height from floor to ceiling at each floor, but do not reference a total height for the building that is reference from a fixed point. What are the natural grade, existing grade, and finish floor spot elevations? From which of these three reference points is the 30 foot maximum height proposed to be measured? COMMENT #7: The stucco exteriors and box -like two-story elevations of the proposed project architecture are not compatible with the streetscape or character of its surroundings, and is therefore a significant aesthetic impact. Page 2 of 4 COMMENT #8: This project will have a significant effect on the Land Use and Planning for the site and the surrounding area because it substantially and adversely changes the type, density, and intensity of existing or planned land use in the area, and is incompatible with surrounding land uses and the general character of the surrounding neighborhood. The surrounding neighborhood consists of a tract of predominantly of single -story single family residences on minimum 6,000 to 8,000 square foot lots. The General Plan designation for the project site and surrounding area is 8 dwelling units for acre. The 13 dwelling units per acre proposed is incompatible with this density range. The fact that this density may be allowed through a Planned Development does not make it compatible. The Initial Study further notes on page 43 that "...There are no other planned developments in the area at this time." Even the existing commercial uses on this site are relatively low -scale single -story structures. The forced introduction of a higher density residential land use with two-story building masses is a drastic change from the surrounding land uses in the area. COMMENT #10: The Initial Study notes incorrectly that the project will have less than a significant impact with regards to the incremental effects of the project when considered in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects. The Initial Study could not reasonably or logically come to this conclusion because its analysis is lacking some very critical information. The Initial Study is serious fatally flawed because a traffic study was not prepared for the project (as verified by City of San Jose Planning Staff) and because it did not specifically consider the cumulative impacts of this project and other pending and approved projects in the vicinity. These projects include the following minimum that the Town of Los Gatos is aware of: a 44-unit single family residential development (SummerHill Blossom -on Blossom Hill Road near Union), a new 4,400 sq. ft. retail building (Downing Shopping Center -across from the project site on Union Avenue), a 12-unit single family residential subdivision -Verde Ct at Los Gatos - Almaden Road), a new multi -unit residential development (SJ project - Almaden and Coleman Avenue), and a new multi -unit residential development (SJ project -North of the project site on Union Avenue). The Initial Study is also flawed because it notes that vehicle traffic will decrease by 2010 (expectations for decrease due to RTE 85). Traffic counts prepared by the Town of Los Gatos note an increasing trend rather than a decrease as projected in the analysis (traffic on Blossom Hill Road alone increased from 15,000 to 17,000 ADT's from December 1995 to May 1997.) Page 3 of 4 COMMENT #11: The Initial Study also does not account for short-term construction related traffic impacts or propose any mitigations. Given the traffic at this intersection during peak -hours, construction related traffic impacts (deliveries, lane closures, detours, etc.) could be significant. Typical Town of Los Gatos standard mitigations include development of a Construction Traffic Control Plan which is approved by the Town Engineering Inspector. COMMENT #12: The Initial Study noise section is deficient because it only addresses impacts to future residents of the project and does not provide the surrounding neighbors any mitigations for the short term construction related noise impacts noted. Typical mitigations implemented by the Town of Los Gatos include modifying allowed construction hours to lessen the impacts to neighbors (9:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 5 pm on Weekends and Holidays) and requiring that construction equipment be muffled with the latest available technology. Additionally, the Town typically requires the developer provide surrounding neighbors a construction schedule prior to the start of work. COMMENT #13: The noise section of the Initial Study notes that windows should be kept closed for sound attenuation and that mechanical HVAC equipment be used. This could be avoided if the project were redesigned with fewer units, greater setbacks from Los Gatos -Almaden Road and Union Avenue, and the rear yards of all units oriented toward the shared property line with the adjacent residential uses to the east and southeast. This could also minimize or eliminate the need for the sound wall along Los Gatos -Almaden Road. Page 4 of 4 v AIM i me 77. 31 1 Spring does an about-face .oval P I' JESDAY, APRIL 6, 1999 cit ces _ _ J o 'ii r C I Y �'3 r O jL. J- -_ y 92 7 V, ,x 'Q W 3 x 11-:: .-. — -cx -tva -•:' a a "..—O' 2 1" —"-- c.,—' a?' 'z., . .1 ''' : : ' - ; =7. Z . ' 7 . 7 : 07 : . :' 1 ' the 1 - 28- .,7 I ic i c d'.›Ta% 7:4L 1 >.- o r o - • gin- •� G _ = .� m i '� n° o > 3 o 0 ^ imt N a H O 9 hlua)4 3 0°,aoc44 -e43a 3 r _==-i =3 'v, vcd- ,. '�A5 3=- fix• cn a 0 E 41 y7.3 s 0• : E I, 0 0; �N O 5 Icy- 1 I - LL I 1 4: �I1 •� -ilk' �:: emit ;To: - ---1, �„- MAY-19-1999 13:13 SAN JOSE PLANNING CITY OF jAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING, BUILDING AND CODE ENFORCEMENT 601 NORTH FIRST STREET SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 95110.179E JAMES R. DERRYPERRY DIRECTOR May 19, 1999 Lee E. Bowman, Director Town of Los Gatos Planning Department Civic Center 110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95031 Dear Lee: 408 277 3250 P.01/02 PECE!VED viAY 1 9 1999 TOWN OF LOS GATOS PLANNING DEPARTMENT Re: PDC 99-01-006 LGA Associates 15-unit residential development at the southeast comer of Union Avenue and Los Gatos -Almaden Road, San Jose We appreciate your interest and cooperation in the review of the proposed Planned Development Rezoning for 15 courthomes at the southeast corner of Union Avenue and Los Gatos -Almaden Road. We understand from speaking to Edwin Ordonez of your staff that you are not protesting the Negative Declaration for the project. We are responding to the issues raised in your letter of May 3, 1999 concerning, land use, traffic and parking, architectural design, annexation of the subject site, and project implementation. The project is consistent with the City's General Plan Major Strategies related to housing, growth management, and economic development. The project furthers the City's General Plan policy of locating compatible residential development on infill sites near transit and commercial uses. We believe the proposed medium density residential use is an effective transition from the commercial uses on Union Avenue to the medium low density residential uses east of the site. The project would also buffer existing neighborhoods from commercial activities and traffic noise on Union Avenue. The proposed courthome design is a hybrid between single-family detached residences and townhomes, and therefore should not be considered under R-1 zoning standards. We feel placing traditional single-family residences on Union Avenue would not maximize infill development opportunities on the site. Single-family detached residential use would also require additional driveways and encourage an undesirable backout situation on Union Avenue. The City's adopted Transportation Level of Service (LOS) Policy specifically allows infill development of 15 or fewer single family detached residences to proceed without providing mitigation measures to satisfy the City's LOS policies. In adopting the Transportation LOS policy. the City Council found that such projects will not individually or cumulatively cause significant degradation of transportation LOS and will further other growth management goals such as reuse of underutilized sites for infill development As proposed, the project will not encourage illegal left turns onto, or from, Union Avenue. PLANNING DMSION (4081 277-457S IMPLF,MENTATION DMSION (408) 277-4576 BUILDING DIVISION (408) 2774541 CODE ENFORCEMENT (408) 277-4528 DIRECTOR OF PLANNING (40a12774754 FAX NUMBER(409)277J2A ATTACHNIFNT 3 MAY-19-1999 13:14 Lee Bowman LGA Courthome Project May 19, 1999 Page 2 SAN JOSE PLANNING 408 277 3250 P.02/02 The project should meet City parking standards which is the threshold for significance used for projects in the City of San Jose. The applicant has revised the project to locate required guest parking either onsite or directly in front of the subject site. To implement the rezoning, the applicant would be required to reimburse the City for restriping on Union Avenue to allow on - street parking and safe traffic flow. The project would also improve the County bus stop on Los Gatos -Almaden Road east of Union Avenue with a duck out and stress pad. The proposed project will unify three underutilized parcels by removing older commercial structures and advertising devices including a billboard. We do not believe the proposed architectural design will degrade the existing visual character of the site and its surroundings. The visual impact is not considered significant based on City of San Jose criteria. The City has asked the applicant to revise the project to address the massing and architectural design of the proposed structures by improving the articulation and variety of the facades facing Union Avenue. Further, we feel the massing of the proposed two-story structures will be adequately reduced with additional articulation consisting of one- and two-story elements. We dismiss the Town's concern with the proposed two story structures since there are two story residences and structures located adjacent to the site. We do not believe the proposed project is related to the "monster home" issue where new or remodeled single family homes have changed the character of established neighborhoods with architecturally significant homes. The proposed project does not use residential streets for access and is physically separated from adjoining neighborhoods. The subject site has been part of the City of San Jose since 1957. While we understand that annexing the site to the Town of Los Gatos would establish a less circuitous boundary between our communities, the property owners have stated their desire to remain in the City of San Jose. Therefore, we would not support annexation against the desire of the property owners. We have addressed the minor technical corrections identified in your letter such as the Assessor Parcel Numbers, and will ensure that standard conditions to reduce traffic, noise, and construction impacts are included in the subsequent development permit. A traffic control plan will be required prior to construction of any public improvements. If you have any questions concerning this letter, please feel free to contact Darryl Boyd, Principal Planner of our staff at (408) 277-4576. JRD :re Sincerely, .„ cc, James R. Derryberry, Director Planning, Building & Code Enforcement DRAFT TOWN OF LOS GATOS CALIFORNIA TOWN COUNCIL/PARKING AUTHORITY JOINT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY June 7, 1999/Minutes Council Agenda Date: 6/21/99 Item #: TOWN COUNCIL The Town Council/Parking Authority/Redevelopment Agency of the Town of Los Gatos met in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall, 110 East Main Street, at 7:32 p.m., Monday, June 7, 1999, in joint regular session. ROLL CALL Present: Randy Attaway, Linda Lubeck, Joe Pirzynski, and Vice-Mayor/Vice-Chairman Steven Blanton. Absent: Mayor/Chairman Jan Hutchins. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Given by all in attendance. CLOSED SESSION Town Attorney, Orry Korb, announced that Council had met in Closed Session prior to this evening's meeting pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(b), in one case and no action was taken. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957, Council met to discuss a Public Employee Performance Evaluation. No action was taken. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6, Council met to Conference with Labor Negotiator. Town Negotiator (Lead): Gary Rogers, Personnel Manager. Association/Employees: Town Manager, Town Attorney. No action was taken. PRESENTATION/MICHELE BRAUCHT/FINANCE DIRECTOR (00.44) Vice -Mayor Blanton presented the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association to Michele Braucht who was present to receive her award for high professional achievement. SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS (01.01) Informational report regarding currently scheduled public hearings was received and filed. COUNTY REFERRALS (02.47) Motion by Mr. Pirzynski, seconded by Mr. Attaway, that City of San Jose Referral 99-1: NUMBER LOCATION PDC-99-01-006 Los Gatos -Almaden Road and Union Avenue REQUEST Rezone property from Commercial zoning to a Planned Development zoning to allow the construction of 15 courtyard style two story houses and demolish two existing commercial buildings. RECOMMENDATION Authorize Mayor to send letter opposing development to City of San Jose Council. Carried by a vote of 4 ayes. Mr. Hutchins absent. Council accept the report concerning APPLICANT WA Associates Limited Partnership TC: D 11: MM060799