Item 2 - Desk Item and Attachment 8
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 DESK ITEM
DATE: October 12, 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:
Due to Committee Member recusals and absences the Committee will not have a quorum to
discuss this item. Staff requests a continuation to a date certain of November 9, 2022.
Committee Member questions were received on the following topics, and additional
information is provided by staff in italics:
• What was the height of the office building approved by Council?
The previously approved office building complied with the 35-foot maximum height.
• Staff report states construction has not begun, but has excavation?
Permits for the grading and excavation required for the previously proposed below-
grade parking garage were submitted, but have not been issued.
• Will this property be included in the Draft Site Inventory for the Housing Element?
This site was not previously included in the Housing Element Draft Site Inventory because
an office project was approved for the site. Because the Town has now received both a
property owner interest form, as well as this conceptual plan for redevelopment with
housing, the Draft Housing Element submitted for review by the State will include this
site. The number of units included in the Draft Site Inventory will be based on this
preliminary plan.
PAGE 2 OF 2 SUBJECT: 405 Alberto Way/CD-22-004 DATE: October 12, 2022
Attachment 8 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 previously with October 12, 2022 Addendum:
7. Public Comment received between 11:01 a.m., Friday, October 7, 2022, and 11:00 a.m.,
Tuesday, October 11, 2022
Attachments with this Desk Item:
8. Public Comment received between 11:01 a.m., Tuesday, October 11, 2022, and 11:00 a.m.,
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
From: Marietta Riney
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2022 4:37 PM
To: Planning Comment <PlanningComment@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Fwd: 405 Alberto Way
EXTERNAL SENDER
My name is Marietta Riney and I live at , at the . I was
informed by a fellow resident of plans to develope the
property at the corner of Alberto Way and the north bound
ramp to hwy 17. I urge you to consider the plans as they now stand.
My objections are very similar to the objections of the plans that were proposed for the previous
construction.
These include the height of the buildings, the density of the population that is expected to live here,
and the number of automobiles that will now be converging on this intersection. Plus the assumption of
street parking that
will be available for the safe, consistent utilization of the residents.
Alberto Way is heavily utilized for street parking now and in my estimation has become very unsafe.
This street is a narrow, winding street that has four complexes of condos, and townhouses that empty
onto Alberto Way before gaining access to Los Gatos/Saratogo Road. Any added traffic will be
stretching the assumption that the number of vehicles that use this street can do so safely .
Please take these concerns seriously.
Thank you for your Service to our community.
Marietta Riney
Sent from my iPhone
ATTACHMENT 8
From: Kalane McDonald
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2022 6:32 PM
To: Planning Comment <PlanningComment@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: 405 Alberto Way
EXTERNAL SENDER
Kalane McDonald
6:15 PM (13 minutes ago)
to PlanningComment
To Members of Development Advisory Committee:
I have been advocating for housing construction on this lot. I know that California has
mandated a certain number of new houses, but a percentage of those must be "below
market" houses. I believe that this is critically important for middle class workers to be
able to afford living in our community. I am not aware that such housing is being
proposed.
Very importantly, a four story structure is totally unacceptable on Alberto Way. This is a
residential street, with the highest structures only two stories. Four story structures
would be out of character with this street, not to mention the character of this town. In
addition, four story structures would destroy the views of the mountains for many
current residences.
Another huge concern for me and other current residents is the potential parking
catastrophe. As it is right now, the two lane street is already bumper to bumper with
parked cars every night and most of the day. Therefore, the total number of units is an
important consideration.
Thank you for accepting my input.
Sincerely,
Kalane McDonald
From: Florence Fang
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2022 9:48 PM
To: Planning Comment <PlanningComment@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: 405 Alberto Way Los Gatos Project
EXTERNAL SENDER
I hereby submit the following comments.
The 2 residential buildings will be 50 feet tall. The height is taller than all
the existing structures on Alberto Way, including the Best Western Hotel,
directly across. The buildings will block the view of some units in the Los
Gatos Commons.
Respectfully submitted by:
Florence Fang
Los Gatos, CA 95032
From: Alexander Lee
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2022 10:02 PM
To: Planning Comment <PlanningComment@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: APN529-23-018 review comments
EXTERNAL SENDER
Hi Los Gatos Planning,
I have a few concerns about the proposed concept plan on 405 Alberto Way.
1) Parking on Alberto Way is already very packed, especially in the evening with customers eating at Asa.
People are already parking in the red marked street spaces outside 405 Alberto. The street is also
narrow, resulting in many cars traveling down Alberto and making U-turns in the middle of the street when
they are unable to find parking. The proposed plan looks like it provides 9 guest spots on the street,
which, if dedicated to 405 Alberto, is going to cause even more congestion and fighting for spots.
Overnight street parking is almost always full on the entire length of the street until reaching beyond
Cuesta De Los Gatos, where there may be a few spots unused.
Regarding the dedicated spots, CA ADA specifies 5 handicap spots per 101-150 parking spots, and the
plan only has 2 spots reserved right now. There is no gapping in the drawing for building structural
support, which is going to result in decreased number of parking spots, which will also result in more
congestion in the street.
2) Building height in CH zone is limited to 35' per Los Gatos Planning website, please honor that
requirement and don't allow them to build at 50'! 50' is significantly higher than any other structure in the
area. CH zoning also is not meant for residential housing, the project has changed significantly from the
original approved project. The plan of having a tiny 600ft of retail space (1 shop) is using a loop hole to
build residential housing in a commercial space.
3) Traffic at the Los Gatos Saratoga and Alberto intersection is crowded all the way up to Los Gatos Blvd,
especially during school hours and weekends due to beach traffic. How will this traffic intersection be
improved to support the large number of people suddenly added to the area?
I appreciate your receiving of my concerns and look forward to your responses.
Thank you,
Alex Lee