Item 2 - Addendum and Attachment 7
PREPARED BY: Jennifer Armer, AICP
Planning Manager
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 REPORT
MEETING DATE: 10/12/2022 ITEM NO: 2 ADDENDUM
DATE: October 11, 2022
TO: Conceptual Development Advisory Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Conceptual Development Advisory Committee Application CD-22-004. Project
Location: 405 Alberto Way. APN: 529-23-018. Property Owner: Randy Lamb,
LPG Development. Applicant: Greg G. Bucilla III, Bucilla Group Architecture
Requesting Preliminary Review of a Proposal for Construction of Two Multi-
Family Buildings in a Mixed Use-Project on Property Zoned CH.
REMARKS:
Attachment 7 includes additional public comments received between 11:01 a.m., Friday,
October 7, 2022, and 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 11, 2022.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachments previously with October 12, 2022 Staff Report:
1. Location Map
2. CDAC Application
3. Project Description Letter
4. Waivers and Concessions Letter
5. Conceptual Site Development Plans
6. Public comments received by 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 7, 2022
Attachments with this Addendum:
7. Public Comment received between 11:01 a.m., Friday, October 7, 2022, and 11:00 a.m.,
Tuesday, October 11, 2022
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From: Yang Liu
Sent: Friday, October 7, 2022 7:02 PM
To: Planning Comment
Cc: liu Yang
Subject: Concern on proposed project at 405 Alberto Way
EXTERNAL SENDER
RE: 405 Alberto Way- Conceptual Development Advisory Committee Application
CD-22-004. Proposal for Construction of Two Multi-Family Buildings in a Mixed-Use Project on Property
Zoned CH. APN 529-23-018.
To whom it may concern,
I’m writing to express my concern on the proposed project at 405 Alberto Way. The project includes
two 4-story (including garage) buildings that are too big and tall in this area. It will further lead to heavy
pollution in this already crowded area. Currently, there are one restaurant, one health facility, Best
Western Inn ,and four residual condominium complexes with only one single lane road out of this small
area. The congestions of traffic will be serious. Air pollution will certainly become worse. This will affect
not only people currently living in the area, but also the potential owners/renters in the proposed
buildings. So I strongly suggest that the proposal be revised accordingly.
Sincerely,
Yang Liu
ATTACHMENT 7
From: Eleanor Vogelsang
Sent: Saturday, October 8, 2022 4:07 PM
To: Planning Comment
Subject: written comments: CD-22-004 / APN 529-23-018
EXTERNAL SENDER
To: Los Gatos Conceptual Development Advisory Committee
Re: CD-22-004 / APN 529-23-018
We are longtime proponents of dense living and adamantly believe the Bay Area and Los Gatos need
more housing options – particularly with greater affordability options. However, the proposed
development at 405 Alberto Way (CD-22-004/APN 529-23-018) will cause more problems than it solves.
The population increase that would come with the addition of 54 units and the general design concept
cannot be supported in this neighborhood as it currently exists. Following are the specific problems we
see with the current design:
(1) Egress and volume: there is only one way in and out of Alberto Way. Adding 54 units
without increasing the availability of other avenues into/out of the neighborhood strikes me as
woefully short sighted to manage traffic flow. Given the ongoing increase in use of delivery
services, I do not see how this small street can support the addition of 54 additional units
ordering from mail delivery.
(2) School + Commute Traffic impact: traffic in the mornings between commuters and parents
getting their kids to school already bottlenecks both on Route 9 and LG Boulevard.
(3) Parking: this is already a terrible issue on our street almost every evening and on weekends.
Asa restaurant staff and patrons already use up a good percentage of the available street
parking on days they are open. This already leaves few options for current residents who have a
need to park on the street, as well as decreasing the availability of parking for visitors.
Additionally, the unique nature of Alberto Way being isolated from access to other streets, there
are no easily accessible overflow parking alternatives. Finally, based on this design rendering, it
appears that the new facility would bogart almost all street parking immediately adjacent to the
buildings. If this is an accurate read of the design, you are not only adding 54 units but
effectively eliminating a good amount of already scarce PUBLIC street parking and making them
only available to residents or guests of 405 Alberto Way residents.
(4) Rise: the proposed condo structures are twice as high (4 stories versus 2) than almost all the
surrounding buildings. The change this will create both in aesthetics as well as the changing
lighting for surrounding neighbors will be a net negative.
While our town and region desperately need to add more housing options – and again, this should
happen with a focus on various affordability models – this specific design on this street is not the
answer. Alberto Way residents are eager for the vacant lot / eye sore to finally be developed, but the
final plan should be mindful of how this will impact current residents and the neighborhood as a whole.
A scaled back design concept that keeps in mind the neighborhood feel and aesthetic would be more
readily accepted by current residents and would be a net gain for Los Gatos. We hope you will seriously
consider rejecting this current plan and challenging the developer to return with something that is more
in line with the needs and desires of Alberto Way and Los Gatos residents.
Eleanor Vogelsang & Matthew Torres )
From: Traci Sussholz Wittmayer
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2022 11:13 AM
To: Jennifer Armer
Subject: Concerns regarding the 405 Alberto Way- Application Number CD-22-004
EXTERNAL SENDER
To: Jennifer Armer
Regarding: 405 Alberto Way - Conceptual Development Advisory Committee Application CD-
22-004 - Proposal for Construction of Two Multi-Family Buildings in a Mixed-Use Project on
Property Zoned CH. APN 529-23-018.
Thank you for the opportunity to share concerns regarding the proposed project at 405 Alberto
Way. While we welcome growth to our beloved Los Gatos community, the proposed industrial
looking buildings on our small, cul-de-sac residential street will create a crowded environment
that is "big city", vs the small neighborhood feel that we fell in love with when we bought our
home.
SAFETY CHILDREN AND SENIORS:
Alberto Way is a family community that houses families, children and elderly housing.
During the construction phase we have major concerns about safety with sidewalk closures,
construction vehicles, materials waste and a large increase of traffic in and out of our street.
Post construction, we will have a large increase in cars entering and exiting the new building,
which will impose additional safety risks.
NOISE & DISRUPTION:
Alberto Way is a quiet street. We all know each other, children play in the front together, and
we have gatherings with our dogs in our front yards. Many work from home, and over half of
our community are retired/elderly.
Construction of any kind, but especially of this size will be very noisy and will be for a long time.
This disrupts our calm street environment. It will also create a huge mess (physical and traffic)
on a very small street. Construction sites will also bring forward thefts for any
equipment/materials, and logically will also place the other homes in danger from these
individuals as well.
PARKING:
The street is not zoned parking. Most of these homes allow for one car parking, the remaining
needing to be on the street.
We have already seen a huge increase in street parking from the Asa restaurant (who’s staff
and patrons park on our street), which has forced homeowners Tuesday - Sunday to look for
parking in other neighborhoods and walk home, something which is not only unfair, but unsafe
in the evening hours.
This new development will logically also spill onto the street parking, regardless of any assigned
parking as it would be assumed that the situation for those buildings would be the same as ours
(more people/cars than parking spots).
TRAFFIC
Adding an additional 54 units of a 50 ft mid-rise residential building increases the number of
cars and vehicles to this one-way street with the additional UPS, FedEx, amazon and delivery
service vehicles to service the new mid-rise residential building residents.
In addition to the existing restaurant, health facility, Best Western Inn and four residual
condominium complexes on a single lane road will significantly increase the congestions of
traffic considering that there is only one way out of our street.
Waiting times at the light will be several times increased both in and out of Alberto Way. This
will also cause reduced air quality as many cars idling at the red light or rushing on the yellow
will produce additional emission to the air we breathe.
SIZE BULK & MASS and HEIGHT:
Lastly, but not least importantly, a 4 story, 50 ft., stone, glass and metal roof mid-rise multi-
family residential building is too big and tall for the area. The maximum height requirements for
CH zoned buildings is 35 feet and RM zoned buildings are 30 feet.
This is not compatible with the character of our neighborhood and transforms it from a low
impact residential bedroom community tucked away in a wooden area to adding a mid-rise
steel, stone and glass residential building.
This takes away from the Los Gatos Identity. Small town feeling, quiet neighborhood, the
friendly people and the picturesque views of mountains, redwoods and spectacular sunsets.
From: tdunn
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2022 3:55 PM
To: Jennifer Armer
Subject: 405 Alberto Way proposed project
EXTERNAL SENDER
Atttached is my letter of concern on the 405 Alberto Way proposed project.
Thomas Dunn
October 5, 2022
405 Alberto Way- Conceptual Development Advisory Committee Application
CD-22-004. Proposal for Construction of Two Multi-Family Buildings in a Mixed-
Use Project on Property Zoned CH. APN 529-23-018.
Here are my concerns about the proposed project at 405 Alberto Way.
SIZE BULK & MASS and HEIGHT: 4 story, 50 ft., stone, glass and metal roof mid
rise multi-family residential building is too big and tall for the area. (Also the
maximum height requirements for CH zoned buildings is 35 feet and RM zoned
buildings are 30 feet.) This is not compatible with the character of our
neighborhood and transforms it from a low impact residential bedroom
community tucked away in the wooden area to adding a mid-rise steel, stone and
glass residential building.
This takes away from the Los Gatos Identity. Small town feeling, quite
neighborhood, the friendly people and the picturesque views of mountains,
redwoods and spectacular sunsets.
LOSS OF VIEWS: “Throughout the General Plan and many documents of the
Town, state that the preservation of scenic views is so heavily emphasized, it
cannot be understated how important that is to the town.”
TRAFFIC: Adding an additional 54 units of a 50 ft mid rise residential building
increases the number of cars and vehicles to this one way street with the
additional UPS, Fed X, amazon and delivery service vehicles to service the new
mid rise residential building residents.
In addition to the existing restaurant, health facility, Best Western Inn and four
residual condominium complexes on a single lane road will significantly increase
the congestions of traffic considering that there is only one way out of our street.
Waiting times at the light will be several times increased both in and out of
Albertro way. This will also cause reduced air quality as many cars idling at the red
light or rushing on the yellow will produce additional emission to the air we
breathe.
PARKING: With the increased street parking from the Asa restaurant there is no
spaces for our second car or guest parking. And if the new development takes
away street parking we will lose those parking spaces and if the new residents do
not have enough parking on their property they will also want the spaces on the
street. Limited number of parking spaces with increase number of vehicles
needing parking. BIG PROBLEM.
SAFETY CHILDREN AND SENIORS: (During construction phase and after
completion.) Sidewalk closure so families, children, seniors will have to use the
road to go to school or downtown. Many cars entering and exiting the new
building will impose additional safety risks.
Thomas Dunn
From: Karen Szabo
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2022 4:36 PM
To: Jennifer Armer
Subject: 405 Alberto Way CD-22-004
EXTERNAL SENDER
Hello,
As a 64 year old life long resident of Los Gatos, I am writing to inform you that your proposal to build a 4
story building needs to be scaled way way down.
The maximin height is much lower than that proposed height. This is way not compatible with the
character of the area. It will block the view of the hills and just be another awful site. Plus it will look like
the mess out in the north forty area. The proposal of the building materials of steel and stone is not
cohesive to the quaintness of the Town.
The General Plan and other documents of the Town state the heavily importance of the preservation of
scenic views.
The traffic on a way one exit street such as Alberto way will more than double. The light is already a
mess trying to exit Alberto Way with the restaurant, Best Western motel, and the health facility on the
corner.
The parking on the street is already non existent due to the fore named facilities above.
Please use your sense and see beyond. It is not always about revenue.
Please know this is not a good design for 405 Alberto Way.
Thank you,
Karen Szabo
A resident of
From: Joan Larson
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2022 3:18 PM
To: Planning Comment <PlanningComment@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: 405 Alberto Way
EXTERNAL SENDER
To whom it may concern:
I did NOT receive the notification of the proposed development as most residents did not. Is it possible
that only a very few notifications were sent or not delivered to inform the neighborhood.
When the commercial building was proposed a few years ago only TWO stories above ground was
approved. In keeping with the other housing and businesses on Alberto Way. The developer is well
aware of this decision.
Alberto Way is a narrow twisting dead end road with ONLY ONE entrance/exit.
In an emergency situation if too many vehicles tried to exit this would be a major problem.
Joan Larson.
Sent from my iPhone
From: Dick McGowan
Sent: Monday, October 10, 2022 7:37 PM
To: Planning Comment <PlanningComment@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: 405 Alberto Way
EXTERNAL SENDER
I live at the and have some concerns about this new development in our area.The
height of the project seems unreasonable to me which would block out the hills and mountains that we
enjoy.I haven’t heard what retail business has been suggested but this would bring in more cars and
parking is already a serious issue here!I live at the end of Alberto way and have grave concerns about
getting out of here in case of an fire and any emergency.
I do hope that all of these issues and others will be considered.
Constance Mcgowan
Los Gatos,Ca.95032
From: Loretta Fowler
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2022 8:31 AM
To: Planning Comment <PlanningComment@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: 405 Alberto Way project
EXTERNAL SENDER
The proposal to build housing instead of an office building is a good idea, better for the Alberto Way
neighborhood and for Los Gatos. I have concerns, though. Two 4-story buildings on Alberto Way are
not suitable for the neighborhood, and they would dwarf businesses at the corner of Alberto Way and
highway 9. The developer should also think about how the size of the condo units (24 3/3 at 2000 sf and
18 3+den/3.5 at 2250 sf) will or will not contribute to the solution of housing issues in Los Gatos and in
the state. I have a concern about parking issues, as well. The size of the units and the parking problems
are related to the height of the buildings. So, more work on the developer's part is necessary if this
project is to be attractive or acceptable to residents of Alberto Way and the town of Los Gatos.
Application CD-22-004
From: Carol Rosenberg
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2022 9:42 AM
To: Planning Comment <PlanningComment@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Proposed Building at 405 Alberto Way
EXTERNAL SENDER
As a resident owner at may I state my objection to the proposed construction
at 405 Alberto Way. The properties on our street, which is a cul-de-sac, are two story buildings
surrounded
by trees. The idea of a looming four story edifice on the corner alarms me. The building is too high
compared
to the others! Such a tall building would leave a huge shadow and block our view of the hills. Our homes
and
the homes at Pueblo de Los Gatos are unobtrusive, whereas the proposed building would look out of
place -
not in the character of Los Gatos at all.
Please do not approve a four story structure.
Carol Rosenberg
Los Gatos, CA 95032
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