Item 3 - Desk Item with Exhibits.16529 Marchmont
PREPARED BY: Erin Walters
Associate Planner
Reviewed by: Planning Manager and Community Development Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6872
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
MEETING DATE: 12/08/2021
ITEM NO: 3
DESK ITEM
DATE: December 8, 2021
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Requesting Approval for Construction of a Second Story Addition to an
Existing Single-Family Residence on Property Zoned R-1:8. Located at 16529
Marchmont Drive. APN 532-09-033. Architecture and Site Application S-21-
028. PROPERTY OWNERS/APPLICANTS: Brendon and Mary Cassidy. PROJECT
PLANNER: Erin Walters.
REMARKS:
Exhibit 17 includes additional public comment received between 11:01 a.m., Tuesday,
December 7, 2021, and 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 8, 2021.
Exhibit 18 includes the applicant’s response to the neighbor’s concerns.
EXHIBITS:
Previously received with the December 8, 2021 Staff Report:
1. Location Map
2. Required Findings and Considerations
3. Recommended Conditions of Approval
4. Project Description and Letter of Justification, dated January 14, 2021
5. Color and Materials Board
6. Site Photographs
7. Story Poles and Neighborhood Context Photographs
8. Consulting Architect’s Report, dated March 22, 2021
9. Applicant’s response to the recommendations of the Consulting Architect, May 5, 2021
10. Consulting Architect’s Report, dated May 26, 2021
11. Applicant’s response to the recommendations of the Consulting Architect, Sept 7, 2021
12. Consulting Arborist’s Report, dated May 5, 2021
PAGE 2 OF 2
SUBJECT: 16529 Marchmont Drive/S-21-028
DATE: December 8, 2021
EXHIBITS (continued):
13. Applicant’s Outreach Summary, dated August 16, 2021
14. Development Plans
Previously received with the December 7, 2021 Addendum Report:
15. Additional Materials Submitted by the Applicant
16. Public comment received between 11:01 a.m., Friday, December 3, 2021 and 11:00 a.m.,
Tuesday December 7, 2021
Received with this Desk Item Report:
17. Public comment received between 11:01 a.m., Tuesday, December 7, 2021 , and 11:00 a.m.,
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
18. Applicant’s Response to Neighbor’s Concerns
From: David Mortaz <>
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2021 11:18 AM
To: Erin Walters <EWalters@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: 16529 Marchmont Drive - Proposed Monster home
EXTERNAL SENDER
Hi Erin,
This is David Mortaz and I live at next
door to the proposed plan to build a monster home at the
Subject address. I am writing to express our serious
concern about height and width of the proposed addition.
This addition will severely impact our privacy an d
shadowing where the 2nd story height will prevent us
from installing Solar Panels on our roof!! This is a serious
concern given the continued spike in Utility cost and our
plan to go off grid.
Because of the giant (protected) Trees on our property,
rooftop surface that's suitable for Solar Panel is at a scars
at best. The massive width and the height of the
proposed plan will limit our ability to use the surface of the
roof adjacent to the project to generate enough electricity
to power our home!
Also, the proposed height will prevent our Master
Bedroom from getting any sun! I have taken some
photos on the amount of Sun that Bedroom currently gets
which will be completely gone if the project is approved
without modification.
EXHIBIT 17
Would appreciate it if you could register our concerns with
the proposed plan and explore alternatives to minimize the
damage the plan will have in our ability to enjoy our home
in privacy and peace.
Thank you for your consideration.
++++++++++++++++
David Mortaz
From: Janhavi Gudal
Sent: Tuesday, December 7, 2021 12:29 PM
To: Erin Walters <EWalters@losgatosca.gov>
Cc: Mary Cassidy <marycassidympc@gmail.com>
Subject: 16529 Marchmont Drive, Los Gatos
EXTERNAL SENDER
Hi Ms. Walters,
We live on upper Marchmont near Hill brook School. We saw the story poles & sign at
16529 Marchmont Drive, Los Gatos. We checked out their design plan & think their house fits in well
with other homes & is a great addition to our neighborhood.
Regards,
Janhavi
Sent from my iPhone
From: me dano <>
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2021 8:56 AM
To: Erin Walters <EWalters@losgatosca.gov>
Cc: Jennifer Armer <JArmer@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Re: 16529 Marchmont Drive - Update
EXTERNAL SENDER
Hi Erin,
Just the one fact that we are concerned about the loss of solar
power generation and that Brendon has kindly offered to pay us
for the cost of additional panels. I think it would be good to
include his email letter just confirming his commit to do
so. That's it, only that one item.
Thanks again.
Dan Kelly
On Wednesday, December 8, 2021, 08:44:54 AM PST, Erin Walters <ewalters@losgatosca.gov> wrote:
Hi Dan,
What would you like to be included in the Desk Item to Planning Co mmission for tonight’s
meeting?
Thank you,
Erin
Erin Walters ● Associate Planner
Community Development Department ● 110 E. Main Street, Los Gatos CA 95030
Ph: 408.354.6867 ● 408-354-6872
www.losgatosca.gov ● ewalters@losgatosca.gov
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT HOURS:
Counter Hours: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Monday – Friday
Phone Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday
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Town offices are now open. In accordance with the Santa Clara County Public Health Office Order, we REQUIRE
masks indoors regardless of vaccination status. All permit submittals are to be done online via our Citizen’s
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resubmittal, and issuance, please visit the Building and Planning webpages.
General Plan update, learn more at www.losgatos2040.com
CONFIDENTIALITY DISCLAIMER
This e-mail is intended only for the use of the individual(s) named in this e -mail. If you receive this e-mail and are not a named recipient, any use,
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Solar cost mitigation
From:Brendon Cassidy
To:
Cc:
Date:Monday, December 6, 2021, 06:00 PM PST
Dan, This email is to formally confirm that Brendon Cassidy will cover the cost associated with panel expansion in order to mitigate potential solar
loss associated with our the 16529 Marchmont Drive addition
Thanks so much we are very thankful you’re our neighbor.
Thank you, Brendon Cassidy
Sent from my iPhone
Architect
Tel 408 805 1328
Email Steve@Benzarch.com
Steve Benzing
12403 Fredericksburg Drive
Saratoga, CA 95070
December 7, 2021
Project: 16529 Marchmont Dr.
Member of the Planning commission & Planner Erin Walters;
This letter is in response to a letter you received on Dec. 7 from David Mortaz, who lives at
16515 Marchmont. His residence is located east of the subject property.
Mr. Mortaz makes the comment that the project is a “monster home”. The total square
footage of the proposed residence with the addition is 3096 sf, under the maximum allowed of
3333 sf
He states that the addition will impact his privacy. There are only 3 windows on the east wall
of the 2nd floor and all are noted on the plans to be obscure glass. There will be no privacy
impact.
He states that the proposed addition will impact his potential for solar panels. Solar panels are
most efficient on south facing roofs, second is east facing and third is west. The only shadow
that this addition will cast on Mr. Mortaz’s roof will be in the winter at around 3-5 pm on his
western roof. If he does contact a solar company for an installation, they will put the panels
on his eastern facing roofs, which the addition will not shade at any time of year.
In closing, Mr. Mortaz was contacted very early in the design phase of this project and
expressed that he had no concerns with the idea of a second story addition, in fact he even
stated that he had previously had plans worked on for his own second story addition. Mr.
Mortaz was contacted again after the design was closer to final and again expressed, he had
no concerns. My client feels that they have done due diligence and were very surprised by this
letter. Had Mr. Mortaz expressed any reservations about the project, meetings could have
been arranged to discuss them.
Respectfully,
Steve Benzing
Architect C-17985
Cc: Cassidy
EXHIBIT 18
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