Item 2 - Addendum with Exhibit.400 Surmont Dr
PREPARED BY: RYAN SAFTY
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: 01/11/2023
ITEM NO: 2
ADDENDUM
DATE: January 10, 2023
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Requesting Approval for Construction of a Shared Driveway, Two New Single-
Family Residences to Exceed the Maximum Height for Visible Homes in the
Hillsides, and Site Work Requiring a Grading Permit on Vacant Property Zoned
HR-2½. Located at 400 Surmont Drive. APN 527-20-003. Architecture and
Site Applications S-21-004 and S-21-023. PROPERTY OWNER: Sandra K.
Anderson, TTE. APPLICANT: Studio 3 Design. PROJECT PLANNER: Ryan Safty.
Remarks:
Exhibit 27 includes public comment received between 11:01 a.m., Friday, January 6, 2023, and
11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 10, 2023.
EXHIBITS:
Previously received with the November 21, 2022 Staff Report:
1. Location Map
2. Required Findings and Considerations
3. Recommended Conditions of Approval
4. Subdivision Notice of Exemption
5. Project Description/Letter of Justification
6. Property Photos
7. Color and Materials Board – Parcel 1
8. Color and Materials Board – Parcel 2
9. Visibility Analysis
10. Consulting Architect’s Report
11. Applicant’s Response to Consulting Architect’s Report
12. Consulting Arborist’s Report
13. Applicant’s Response to Consulting Arborist’s Report
14. Neighbor Outreach Summary
PAGE 2 OF 2
SUBJECT: 400 Surmont Drive/S-21-004 and S-21-023
DATE: January 10, 2023
EXHIBITS (continued):
15. Development Plans – Parcel 1
16. Development Plans – Parcel 2
17. Public Comments
18. Applicant’s Response to Public Comments
Previously received with the November 21, 2022 Desk Item Report:
19. Public Comment received between 11:01 a.m., Friday November 18, 2022, and 11:00 a.m.,
Monday, November 21, 2022
20. Applicant’s Response to Public Comments in Exhibit 17
Previously received with the January 11, 2023 Staff Report:
21. Updated Neighbor Outreach Summary
22. Applicant’s Summary of Design Changes
23. Updated Development Plans – Parcel 1
24. Updated Development Plans – Parcel 2
25. Updated Story Pole Pictures and Certification Letter, installed December 23, 2022
26. Pictures of damaged story poles following storm, received January 4, 2023
Received with this Addendum Report:
27. Public Comment received between 11:01 a.m., Friday, January 6, 2023, and 11:00 a.m.,
Tuesday, January 10, 2023.
From: Diane Michaelis
Sent: Monday, January 9, 2023 8:46 AM
To: Ryan Safty <RSafty@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: 400 Surmont Dr
EXTERNAL SENDER
Dear Ryan,
I am writing to let you know our concerns remain the same as we have stated before regarding this
development. The two large houses will dominate what was once an open rural hillside and do not
“nestle into the hillside” as they are described or step into the topography of the land. The revised
elevations do not appear to adhere to the 18 ft height limit or do much to reduce the bulk of the
structures.
Furthermore, the adjacent “hillside open space” on our property, mandated by the town to remain
undeveloped, now abruptly will end and the hillside will be covered with two houses that do not visually
blend with the natural environment. The land being developed is contiguous to our open space and
would obliviate the beautiful hillside views the town intended to preserve. The development is fully
viewable from the view platform and many other points.
If, in fact, you are allowing this development to proceed, the height should be maximized at 18 feet from
the existing grade, per the requirements.
On parcel number 2, it appears the finished floor from existing grade is 6.5 feet as indicated on the west
elevation and is indicated as 5 ft on the east elevation. Does this meet the requirement?
Diane Michaelis
EXHIBIT 27
From: Diane Michaelis
Sent: Monday, January 9, 2023 8:56 AM
To: Ryan Safty <RSafty@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: 400 Surmont drive
EXTERNAL SENDER
Hi Ryan,
I just received a copy of the story pole Visibility Analysis for 400 Surmont Drive dated 10/21/22
submitted by TS Civil Engineering.
It contains photos that do not depict an accurate representation of the visibility of the houses from the
view platform. I hope you all get a chance to view the story poles, especially from the view platform at
the corner of Selinda Way and Los Gatos Almaden Rd for an accurate picture.
Also, regarding the new neighboring residence at , the report asserted that the home
was approved “without any discussion of regional visibility”. This is not correct. As Jennifer Armor will
confirm, the visibility analysis was fully discussed in determining the placement of our new home. We
went to great lengths to comply with the visibility restrictions and make sure our home could not be
seen AT ALL from the viewing platform- as required by the town. We understood this was to preserve
the beautiful open hillside views.
Diane Michaelis