10 Attachment 4 - Public CommentATTACHMENT 4
From: Terence J. Szewczyk
Sent: Thursday, September 7, 2023 1:28 PM
To: Jennifer Armer <JArmer@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Fwd: PRC 4290------ for Oct 3, 203 Town Council
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Best regards, Terry
Terence J. Szewczyk. P.E.
TS/Civil Engineering, Inc 1776 Technology Drive
San Jose, CA 95110
cell (BEST NUMBER)
office (RINGS THRU TO CELL)
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Terence J. Szewczyk
Date: Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 11:53 AM
Subject: Re: PRC 4290
To: Jennifer Armer <JArmer@losgatosca.gov>
Jennifer, I am holding this as a draft for now. Will the Town be taking an action to reconcile
these issues with the subordinate Fire Agency by April 15, 2023?
Please realize that the Town resident/property owner is an immigrant small
businesswoman and widow. She has been trying to improve her property since 2006. It does
not look good for the Town Council's goal of
embracing diversity given that Town staff have complicated her past applications and filed a
questionable grading violation. Now this Fire Dept debacle.
I am holding this to see if the Town will take action.
Best regards, Terry
Terence J. Szewczyk. P.E.
TS/Civil Engineering, Inc
1776 Technology Drive
San Jose, CA 95110
cell (BEST NUMBER)
office (RINGS THRU TO CELL)
From: Terence J. Szewczyk <>
Sent: Thursday, September 7, 2023 1:54 PM
To: Jennifer Armer <JArmer@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Fwd: Mr. Glass, do you intend to respond? FOR OCT 3 TOWN COUNCIL
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Jennifer, FOR OCT 3, 2023------The Fire Dept has no published organizational chart and once you
finally get near the top, this person with a salary of $500,000 ( yes $500,000)
flips the issue as if it all falls on me in terms of their incompetence. The Fire Dept was criticized
by the Civil Grand Jury due to the lack of diversity in responsible positions. So they went and
hired unqualified staff and put them in the office where lives were not at stake.
The management salaries continue to grow at an unsustainable rate and these fake Fire
Marshal Staff are paid $160 to 230K but they can't read plans or make qualified decisions
because they have no CALFIRE certifications and no NFPA training. You can see from the hiring
advertisement that although the qualifications were specific, they merely hired unqualified
clerks to deliver inadequate comments and then these staff cannot interact with design
professionals and Town staff on project requirements.
The organization operates like a cooking show where everybody says "Yes Chef"...but here they
all call each other "Chief". The chain of command is indiscernible with the Assistant Chief,
Deputy Chief, Deputy Fire Marshal, and Assistant Deputy Chief of this or that. Sure, we
celebrate these folks for heroics in emergencies, but the daily interactions with the
Development Community are vastly substandard.
The pay scale is the result of a weak Board of Supervisors and County Executive that have been
politically funded by the Firefighters' Union.
Best regards, Terry
Terence J. Szewczyk. P.E.
TS/Civil Engineering, Inc
1776 Technology Drive
San Jose, CA 95110
cell (BEST NUMBER)
office (RINGS THRU TO CELL)
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Brian Glass <brian.glass@sccfd.org>
Date: Mon, Feb 13, 2023 at 4:06 PM
Subject: Re: Mr. Glass, do you intend to respond?
To: Terence J. Szewczyk >
Cc: Jennifer Armer <jarmer@losgatosca.gov>, Gabrielle Whelan <GWhelan@losgatosca.gov>
Good Afternoon Mr. Szewczyk,
At the advice of counsel, I have no comments on your inaccurate comments and
accusations in the email you sent below.
I am sorry that you continue to have a misunderstanding of how the Fire District
operates, how the Fire Prevention division is structured, how codes are adopted within
the Town of Los Gatos and how the California Public Resources Code 4290 impacts local
jurisdictions. You have had multiple opportunities to seek clarification on your specific
project and to have relevant questions answered by the Fire Prevention Staff.
In closing, I will not tolerate your unprofessional behavior towards County Fire staff,
your false accusations and blatant disregard for the processes that have been put in
place and adopted by the Town of Los Gatos.
Be advised this will be the last correspondence I will have with you on items outside of
your specific project.
Respectfully, Brian A. Glass
Assistant Fire Chief
Santa Clara County Fire Department
14700 Winchester Blvd. Los Gatos, CA 95032
From: "Terence J. Szewczyk" <>
To: "Brian Glass" <brian.glass@sccfd.org>, "Jennifer Armer"
<jarmer@losgatosca.gov>, "Gabrielle Whelan" <GWhelan@losgatosca.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, February 8, 2023 9:17:35 AM
Subject: Mr. Glass, do you intend to respond?
Here are the issues:
1) Fire Marshal incompetence in reviewing Town planning applications. Lack of
contractual authority relative to the applicant.
2) Inability to read plans and measure turnarounds for compliance.
3) Unwillingness to spot fire hydrants unless submitted through Town Staff Tech
Review process which takes a month to schedule, resulting in hit-or-miss reviews.
4) Questionable application of PRC 4290 to existing roads and malfeasant behavior to
disregard the Board of Supervisors directive to discontinue unlawful Fire Marshal
Appeal Hearings by doing so in Los Gatos.
5) A history of unqualified employees working without the supervision of
a properly qualified Fire Marshal and no specific qualified Fire Marshal identified
pursuant to CA Law.
The linked image cannot be displayed. The file may have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Verify that the link points to the correct file and location.
6) Lack of field visits to project sites.
7) Lack of written notification to Town pursuant to contract at time of adoption of April
2021 upsizing of fire turnaround comparable to Town's 7-11 parking lot.
8) Lack of written notification to Town pursuant to 1970 contract with Town on change
in standards for enforcement of PRC 4290.
9) Lack of institutional knowledge regarding the Los Gatos Hillside Specific Plan for
emergency access road connections and the 45-year legacy of road design refinements.
10) Just who is it at the CAL FIRE Morgan Hill location that is responsible for policy?
As per the 1970 contract with the Town there are remedies for these problems. I can
certainly wait to hear from you until Feb 10, 2023. I simply need to know that you
intend to reply.
None of your subordinates care to reply and none of the management above you at
County Executive or County Counsel seem to have anything to say.
Historically, over the past 15 years, we have been through this before with Chief Lopes &
Dirk Mattern and then John Justice & Julie Linney. Nothing seems to improve.
Best regards, Terry Terence J. Szewczyk. P.E.
TS/Civil Engineering, Inc
1776 Technology Drive
San Jose, CA 95110
cell (BEST NUMBER) office (RINGS THRU TO CELL)
From: Terence J. Szewczyk
Sent: Thursday, September 7, 2023 2:30 PM
To: Terence J. Szewczyk
Cc: Gabrielle Whelan <GWhelan@losgatosca.gov>; Jennifer Armer <JArmer@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: FOR OCT 3 , 2023 Re: Findings for recent Fire Dept Alt Means
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Ms. Whelan:
In my opinion, the findings made by the Planning Commission of AMMR appeals are inadequate
to satisfy the same practical effect. There was no evaluation by PC that fire safety would be
enhanced or at least maintained at the current level. It is obvious that the Town can be found
liable if the next-door neighbor is damaged by this special privilege afforded to the applicant.
"Will there be an increase in combustible building materials within the neighborhood with the
construction of a new residence?" The obvious conclusion is yes. To say that it is
unconstitutional for the applicant to meet the minimum standards of the fire code is wrong. It
doesn't solve the code deficiency. The City of Oakland requires an explicit indemnification from
the applicant that is recorded last Alameda County.
https://www.oaklandca.gov/services/apply-for-an-alternate-methods-request
The real problem is that County Counsel representing the Fire Dept is probably expert in
harassment claims but is not very good on code issues. The Fire Marshal Staff through SCCFD
are poorly trained and poorly qualified to enforce PRC 4290. Oh and by the way,there is no
active "County Fire Marshal Association" collaborates to standardize codes and services
between the various cities. The most troubling thing is that the County Fire Marshal at 70 W.
Hedding Street uses different road widths and fire turnarounds than SCCFD on Winchester-------
--------and yet they are the same organization!
Best regards, Terry
Terence J. Szewczyk. P.E.
TS/Civil Engineering, Inc
1776 Technology Drive
San Jose, CA 95110
cell (BEST NUMBER) office (RINGS THRU TO CELL)
On Thu, Aug 24, 2023 at 1:56 PM Terence J. Szewczyk wrote:
yeah, thanks for the daily civics lesson
Best regards, Terry Terence J. Szewczyk. P.E.
TS/Civil Engineering, Inc
1776 Technology Drive
San Jose, CA 95110
cell (BEST NUMBER) office (RINGS THRU TO CELL)
On Thu, Aug 24, 2023 at 1:49 PM Gabrielle Whelan <GWhelan@losgatosca.gov> wrote:
Hello. The legal authority for a “takings” determination is found in the 5th and 14th
Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Gabrielle Whelan ● Town Attorney
Town Attorney’s Office ● 110 E Main Street, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Desk: 408.354.6818 ● gwhelan@losgatosca.gov
www.losgatosca.gov ● https://www.facebook.com/losgatosca
From: Jennifer Armer <JArmer@losgatosca.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2023 12:16 PM
To: Terence J. Szewczyk <>
Cc: Gabrielle Whelan <GWhelan@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: RE: Findings for 144 Wood Road
Good Afternoon Terry,
By way of this email I am sharing your question with the Town Attorney. My understanding is that the
appeal process is laid out in the State regulations, and the Planning Commission is authorized to hear
appeals of SCCFD denials of exception requests because they are the hearing body that considers
appeals of DRC level decisions.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Jennifer T.C. Armer, AICP ● Planning Manager
Community Development Department ● 110 E. Main Street, Los Gatos CA 95030
Ph: 408.399.5706 ● jarmer@losgatosca.gov
www.losgatosca.gov ● https://www.facebook.com/losgatosca
General Plan update, learn more at https://www.losgatosca.gov/GeneralPlan
Housing Element update, learn more at www.losgatosca.gov/HousingElement
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT HOURS:
Counter Hours: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Monday – Friday
Phone Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday
All permit submittals are to be done online via our Citizen’s Portal platform. All other services can be completed
at the counter. For more information on permit submittal, resubmittal, and issuance, please visit
the Building and Planning webpages.
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, dissemination, distribution or copying of the e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately
notify us at the above e-mail address.
Think Green, please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
From: Terence J. Szewczyk
Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2023 9:39 AM
To: Jennifer Armer <JArmer@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Re: Findings for 144 Wood Road
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
While this is a nice statement, does the Town have a code or law reference to back it up?
I am actively trying to work through this information so that it doesn't happen to my projects.
Believe it or not, I too have a duty to respect the law.
Best regards, Terry
Terence J. Szewczyk. P.E.
TS/Civil Engineering, Inc
1776 Technology Drive
San Jose, CA 95110
cell (BEST NUMBER)
office (RINGS THRU TO CELL)
On Tue, Aug 22, 2023 at 10:29 PM Terence J. Szewczyk > wrote:
Jennifer, Because your director and attorney are weak, this entire process for findings of
equivalency is unsupported by factual standards. These are not findings at all.
Instead, they are indecisive and misleading statements that would not be needed if the Town
had adequately dealt with the SCCFD management more than a year ago.
Were I a neighbor up there, I would feel that the Town faked the equivalency and put me at risk
of fire damage. Then if and when there is a calamity, the Town will be liable, just like in Maui.
The lack of leadership here created this bogus process with fake findings, putting us all at risk.
I am waiting for the Town to do the right thing......................still.
This is rather disturbing that the Town feels this process is acceptable.
Best regards, Terry
Terence J. Szewczyk. P.E.
TS/Civil Engineering, Inc
1776 Technology Drive
San Jose, CA 95110
cell (BEST NUMBER)
office (RINGS THRU TO CELL)
On Tue, Aug 22, 2023 at 3:25 PM Terence J. Szewczyk <> wrote:
I was talking about the Cypress debacle, I'll find it
Best regards, Terry
Terence J. Szewczyk. P.E.
TS/Civil Engineering, Inc
1776 Technology Drive
San Jose, CA 95110 cell (BEST NUMBER)
office (RINGS THRU TO CELL)
On Thu, Aug 17, 2023 at 4:33 PM Jennifer Armer <JArmer@losgatosca.gov> wrote:
Hi Terry,
If you are interested in more details of the findings made for the appeal of the SCCFD determination on
the project at 144 Wood Road, you can find the Planning Commission Staff Report, Minutes, and Video
for the March 8, 2023, meeting online here: https://losgatos-ca.municodemeetings.com/
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Jennifer T.C. Armer, AICP ● Planning Manager
Community Development Department ● 110 E. Main Street, Los Gatos CA 95030
Ph: 408.399.5706 ● jarmer@losgatosca.gov
www.losgatosca.gov ● https://www.facebook.com/losgatosca
General Plan update, learn more at https://www.losgatosca.gov/GeneralPlan
Housing Element update, learn more at www.losgatosca.gov/HousingElement
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT HOURS:
Counter Hours: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Monday – Friday
Phone Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday
All permit submittals are to be done online via our Citizen’s Portal platform. All other services can be completed
at the counter. For more information on permit submittal, resubmittal, and issuance, please visit
the Building and Planning webpages.
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, dissemination, distribution or copying of the e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify us at the above e-mail address.
Think Green, please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
From: Terence J. Szewczyk
Sent: Thursday, September 7, 2023 2:36 PM
To: Rob Rennie <RRennie@losgatosca.gov>; Maria Ristow <MRistow@losgatosca.gov>; Laurel Prevetti
<LPrevetti@losgatosca.gov>; Jennifer Armer <JArmer@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: ......OCT 3, 2023............Fire Marshal Failure--- 14195 Shannon Road- Fire Hydrant Spotting
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Town,
Thanks so much for hiring Nicolle Burnham in PPW. She is doing a great job and is well-qualified.
Unfortunately, the Santa Clara County Fire Marshal is the current goat.
I asked nicely, provided background and historical information and then pleaded with County Fire Marshal for competent
service. Finally, I have been downright nasty with these people. The celebrated Chief is inaccessible; unfortunately, the
County BOS is the Fire Dept Board-- Wasserman was always politely non-responsive.
There is no recourse by calling Dr. Jeff Smith, Esq. or any of the Deputy County Execs. Emails to the chief of staff for the
President of the Board resulted in a reply after 6 weeks of "oh sorry, call Simitian.".
Over 40 years, I have successfully worked with Fire Marshals Will Remly, Ted Gaub, Wayne Hokanson, Dirk Madden, Mac
Bala, Julie Linney, Doug Harding..........the past eight years have been challenging with the inconsistent interpretation of
standards and adoption of new truck turnarounds the size of the parking lot at 7-11. They never consulted with any City
before adoption. Then there is the PRC 4290 fiasco.
If the Town is paying money for the County Fire Marshal to provide project and plan review services, you might want to
stop payment. We are all being cheated here and their senior management have salaries in excess of $500,000!
Best regards, Terry
Terence J. Szewczyk. P.E.
TS/Civil Engineering, Inc
1776 Technology Drive
San Jose, CA 95110
cell (BEST NUMBER)
office (RINGS THRU TO CELL)
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Terence J. Szewczyk <>
Date: Fri, Sep 9, 2022 at 10:35 AM
Subject: 14195 Shannon Road- Fire Hydrant Spotting
To: Terence J. Szewczyk <>
Cc: Jennifer Armer <JArmer@losgatosca.gov>, Jim Bariteau <jim.bariteau@sjwater.com>
Jennifer, This is about the 14195 Shannon Road project. The Fire Dept refuses to interact to confirm the
Fire Hydrant locations unless there is a new Staff Tech submittal. Here's the proposed map for you to
send to Santa Clara County Fire. If you don't want to do it, I'll have the Mayor take care of it. I am frankly
worn out with the Fire Dept incompetence and the Town's inability to extract supportive and interactive
Fire Marshal services.PPW is now repaired, and Fire needs to vastly improve The houses will be 4500 SF
with 600 SF garages. Because of their own errors and incompetence combined with the false narrative
of PRC4290 enforcement, these folks have withdrawn from reasonable collaboration into hiding behind
formality.
Best regards, Terry
Terence J. Szewczyk. P.E.
TS/Civil Engineering, Inc 1776 Technology Drive
San Jose, CA 95110
cell (BEST NUMBER)
office (RINGS THRU TO CELL)
Re: 14915 Shannon Road, Los Gatos Inbox
Rob Campbell <rob.campbell@sccfd.org>
to Terence, Kenny, Bud, jim
Terry,
It is premature to approve a hydrant spotting plan prior to approval of the subdivision. The proposed new hydran Additionally we need to know the maximum structure size, including covered exterior projections to specify mini formal review. Thank you,
Rob.
Robert L. Campbell, PE
Sr. Fire Protection Engineer Santa Clara County Fire Department
rob.campbell@sccfd.org
408-341-4420
From: "Terence J. Szewczyk" > To: "Kenny Ip" <kenny.ip@sccfd.org>, "Rob Campbell" <rob.campbell@sccfd.org> Cc: "Bud Elam" >, "jim bariteau" <jim.bariteau@sjwater.com> Sent: Friday, June 10, 2022 3:35:52 PM Subject: Fwd: FW: 14915 Shannon Road, Los Gatos
Kenny & Rob, Here are the hydrants where we'd like them. Thanks Best regards, Terry Terence J. Szewczyk. P.E. TS/Civil Engineering, Inc 1776 Technology Drive San Jose, CA 95110 (BEST NUMBER) (RINGS THRU TO CELL) ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Jim Bariteau <jim.bariteau@sjwater.com> Date: Fri, Jun 10, 2022 at 3:29 PM
Subject: FW: 14915 Shannon Road, Los Gatos To: Terence J. Szewczyk >
Cc: Terry
Unfortunately, it is up to you to submit the hydrant spotting plan to the County Fire Department since they have not co
information:
https://www.sccfd.org/fire-prevention/fire-prevention-overview
Jim
James R. Bariteau | Senior Water Services Representative | San Jose Water Company |1265 S. Bascom Ave 95128 Email: jim.bariteau@sjwater.com | Ph: (408) 279-7874 | Fax: (408) 279-7889 Important Notice: This email may contain confidential or proprietary information belonging to SJW Group or one of its subsidiaries. If you are not the int Please note that the use of confidential or proprietary information when you are not the intended recipient may have legal effects. Nothing in the body of t .
From: Terence J. Szewczyk >
Sent: Friday, 10 June, 2022 3:11 PM
To: Jim Bariteau <jim.bariteau@sjwater.com>
Cc:
Subject: Re: 14915 Shannon Road, Los Gatos
CAUTION: This email originated outside the SJWG organization. Hi Jim, We just had our first tech review meeting with the Town and I have the fire hydrants spotted for you. We Good luck with the Fire Marshal's Office staff. Best regards, Terry Terence J. Szewczyk. P.E. TS/Civil Engineering, Inc 1776 Technology Drive
San Jose, CA 95110 cell (BEST NUMBER) office (RINGS THRU TO CELL) On Fri, Jun 10, 2022 at 2:12 PM Jim Bariteau <jim.bariteau@sjwater.com> wrote: Ethan
I am following up with you to see if you have submitted the hydrant spotting plan to the Santa Clara County Fire plan so that the proposed main can be appropriately sized to meet the required fire flow indicated in the attache been several months since your last submittal. Thank you for your assistance.
Jim
James R. Bariteau | Senior Water Services Representative | San Jose Water Company |1265 S. Bascom Ave 95128 Email: jim.bariteau@sjwater.com | Ph: (408) 279-7874 | Fax: (408) 279-7889 Important Notice: This email may contain confidential or proprietary information belonging to SJW Group or one of its subsidiaries. If you are not the int Please note that the use of confidential or proprietary information when you are not the intended recipient may have legal effects. Nothing in the body of t . From: Sent: Monday, 21 March, 2022 3:36 PM To: Jim Bariteau <jim.bariteau@sjwater.com> Cc: 'Terence J. Szewczyk' >; 'Sean Mendez-Larranaga' < Subject: 14915 Shannon Road, Los Gatos CAUTION: This email originated outside the SJWG organization. Hello Jim,
Attached is our application for the main extension in Shannon Road for the subdivision along with a transmittal w Thank you and please let us know if you have any further questions, Ethan Franklin TS/Civil Engineering, Inc. 1776 Technology Drive San Jose, CA 95110
ReplyReply allForward
On Fri, Sep 9, 2022 at 9:47 AM Terence J. Szewczyk <> wrote:
Jennifer, My complaint is that Fure will not interact unless it is at Staff Tech, which is ineffective.
Best regards, Terry
Terence J. Szewczyk. P.E.
TS/Civil Engineering, Inc
1776 Technology Drive
San Jose, CA 95110
cell (BEST NUMBER)
office (RINGS THRU TO CELL)
On Fri, Sep 9, 2022 at 8:09 AM Jennifer Armer <JArmer@losgatosca.gov> wrote:
Terry,
With comments from Santa Clara County Fire Department you have two options. You can revise your
proposed plans to respond to their comments, or you can submit a request for an exception through
Santa Clara County Fire Department. If you are requesting an exception I recommend you get that
process started sooner rather than later so that it does not further delay your planning permit with the
Town.
Please note, I changed the title of the email chain to reference 120 Oak Meadow, as that is what your
attachments appeared to reference. But let me know if this is incorrect.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Jennifer T.C. Armer, AICP ● Planning Manager
Community Development Department ● 110 E. Main Street, Los Gatos CA 95030
Ph: 408.399.5706 ● jarmer@losgatosca.gov
www.losgatosca.gov ● https://www.facebook.com/losgatosca
General Plan update, learn more at www.losgatos2040.com
Housing Element update, learn more
athttps://engagelosgatoshousing.com
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT HOURS:
Counter Hours: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Monday – Friday
Phone Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday
Town offices are now open. In accordance with the Santa Clara County Public Health Office Order, we strongly
recommend masks indoors regardless of vaccination status. All permit submittals are to be done online via our
Citizen’s Portal platform. All other services can be completed at the counter. For more information on permit
submittal, resubmittal, and issuance, please visit the Building and Planning webpages.
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, dissemination, distribution or copying of the e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify us at the above e-mail address.
Think Green, please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.
From: Terence J. Szewczyk <>
Sent: Thursday, September 8, 2022 5:29 PM
To: Jim Bariteau <jim.bariteau@sjwater.com>; Jennifer Armer <JArmer@losgatosca.gov>
Cc: Terence J. Szewczyk <>
Subject: Re: FW: 14915 Shannon Road, Los Gatos
EXTERNAL SENDER
Jim, we'd like to get this also done, but the Fire Dept has higher priorities. I have asked the Town to
consider hiring a new Fire Marshal, maybe from San Mateo or Alameda County, because these guys
cannot
fulfill their commitment to the Town to provide a competent and timely review. They are busy looking
for 20' wide roads under 16% slope and doing the same poor work under an $8 MIL contract with the
County of Santa Clara.
The Fire Chief is inaccessible, and the next in command above Rob Campbell is unqualified to do his job.
The County Board of Supervisors is ineffective and Supervisor Wasserman is just bidding his time until
January 2023.
I filed a formal complaint with some staff person named David Fernandez in Supervisor Ellenberg's
Offcie but he just sat on his hands for 10 weeks and passed me off to Simitian's Office.
You gotta remember that this is the County that kills jail inmates and has no backup power at Valley
Med.
Jennifer, Here's your job description again, Maybe you can help us here?
PLANNING MANAGER ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS STATEMENTS Essential responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to the following: 1.
Studies and reviews applications for zone changes, use permits, planned developments, variances, subdivisions, and architecture and site approval. Prepare or supervise the preparation of reports and recommendations for applications; 2. Meets with and advises
property owners and developers on planning matters; 3. Schedules, prepares agendas, and presents items to Planning Commission, Town Council, other boards, commissions, and committees; 4. Coordinates the Planning Division’s activities with other departments
of the Town, to assure inter-departmental coordination and communication;
Best regards, Terry
Terence J. Szewczyk. P.E.
TS/Civil Engineering, Inc 1776 Technology Drive
San Jose, CA 95110 cell (BEST NUMBER)
office (RINGS THRU TO CELL) RE: [EXTERNAL] Fwd: 120 Oak Meadow Comment Letters Inbox
Fernandez01, David
Thu, Aug
18, 4:07
PM
to Terence
Hello,
So I connected with Supervisor Simitian’s office and they would like me to refer you to them. As
you live in District 5, they are the appropriate connection point for your concerns. Please let me know if you have any further questions. Thank you!
Best, David Vincent Fernandez
Policy Aide, Office of Board Vice President Susan Ellenberg
County of Santa Clara, District 4
70 West Hedding, East Wing, 10th Floor
San Jose, CA 95110
(408) 299-5047 [p] | [c] David.Fernandez01@bos.sccgov.org
From: Terence J. Szewczyk > Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2022 3:45 PM To: Fernandez01, David <david.fernandez01@BOS.SCCGOV.ORG> Cc: Terence J. Szewczyk <> Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Fwd: 120 Oak Meadow Comment Letters
David, Well yes it is. However, the Santa Clara County Fire District is governed by the Board of Supes to my knowledge. They also have an $8 MIL contract to provide the staff for the County Fire marshal's Office. They are also very poor in their service these days
Best regards, Terry
Terence J. Szewczyk. P.E. TS/Civil Engineering, Inc 1776 Technology Drive San Jose, CA 95110 cell (BEST NUMBER) office (RINGS THRU TO CELL) On Thu, Aug 18, 2022 at 3:39 PM Fernandez01, David <david.fernandez01@bos.sccgov.org> wrote:
Hi, Thank you for your patience with my reply. By any chance, can you confirm that address? The address seems to be located in Los Gatos? Is that right? Best, David Fernandez From: Terence J. Szewczyk <> Sent: Monday, August 8, 2022 11:02 AM To: Fernandez01, David <david.fernandez01@BOS.SCCGOV.ORG>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Fwd: 120 Oak Meadow Comment Letters Dear David, Did you receive any reply from the Chief? These problems continue with poor
service and unprofessional review. Best regards, Terry Terence J. Szewczyk. P.E. TS/Civil Engineering, Inc
1776 Technology Drive San Jose, CA 95110 cell (BEST NUMBER) office (RINGS THRU TO CELL)
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Terence J. Szewczyk <
Date: Tue, May 31, 2022 at 12:36 PM Subject: Fwd: 120 Oak Meadow Comment Letters To: Fernandez01, David <David.Fernandez01@bos.sccgov.org> David, This is a continuation of my immediately prior email.............this one highlights--- 1) Santa Clara County Fire Marshal services to Los Gatos are incompetent
2) County Fire Marshal contract by Santa Clara County Fire lacks leadership and competency These issues need to be addressed by Chief Suwanna Kurdkaew, but she refuses to reply or delegate to someone accountable.
Best regards, Terry Terence J. Szewczyk. P.E. TS/Civil Engineering, Inc 1776 Technology Drive San Jose, CA 95110 cell (BEST NUMBER) office (RINGS THRU TO CELL) ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Terence J. Szewczyk > Date: Tue, May 31, 2022 at 11:15 AM Subject: Re: 120 Oak Meadow Comment Letters To: <carie.lemus@sccfd.org> Cc: <jason.falarski@sccfd.org>, Rob Campbell <rob.campbell@sccfd.org> Ms. Lemus, I am awaiting a call still to discuss: 1) Withdrawal and correction of the second fire memo on 120 Oak Meadow Lane (SEE REDLINE ATTACHED AND PASTED HERE)
2) A discussion of the complete failure in Fire Dept leadership with the County of Santa Clara Fire Dept in the obligation to CFMO. For instance, attached is a Fire Dept memo that is
supposed to be an incomplete letter for missing info but it is essentially reciting conditions of approval. I suppose that Fire Personnel are unaware of subdivision processing and the Permit Streamlining Act. Then there's the recent Planning Commission Hearing where no
personnel from Fire participated and 3 County Counsel were the "Fire Access Experts".
Maybe the County of Santa Clara should hire a private consultant for Fire Marshal Services.
Best regards, Terry Terence J. Szewczyk. P.E. TS/Civil Engineering, Inc 1776 Technology Drive
San Jose, CA 95110 cell (BEST NUMBER) office (RINGS THRU TO CELL) On Fri, May 27, 2022 at 2:30 PM Terence J. Szewczyk <> wrote: Dear Ms. Lemus, I was supposed to hear from Chief Kerdkaew today, Friday.
Best regards, Terry Terence J. Szewczyk. P.E. TS/Civil Engineering, Inc 1776 Technology Drive San Jose, CA 95110
cell (BEST NUMBER) office (RINGS THRU TO CELL)
From: Terence J. Szewczyk
Sent: Monday, September 11, 2023 7:45 AM
To: Jennifer Armer <JArmer@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Firing an Inadequate Fire Marshal
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Jennifer, Do you have enough info? I'd like to do something that is more bullet point for the
council.
1) Los Altos Hills hired Pyroanalysis and offered residents the option to skip SCCFD errant review. Also
amended their fire code. Date.............
2) County of Santa Clara- the Governing Board of Supervisors of this Fire District ordered
them to discontinue the ridiculous Fire Marshal Appeals in Dec 2022. Planning Staff
characterized the Fire Marshal requirements as "burdening applicants with improving
public and private streets from the firehouse door to the applicant's site". The County Planning
Dept now intervenes at the beginning of a land use project to anticipate unconstitutional
requirements by Fire. This is in lieu of an 18-month delay for denial by the Fire Marshal and
appeal to the County Planning Commission.
3) City of Saratoga adopted a preemptive road policy which states that unilateral widening to
20' pursuant to PRC 4290 has unanticipated environmental and historic impacts. March 2023.
Monte Sereno and Cupertino are missing in action relative to these unlawful requirements as
they consider it helpful with their anti-development agendas.
Finally, Brian Glass- Some type of Assistant Chief with a $500,000 salary at SCCFD, or maybe
he's the person accountable for the Fire Marshal Performance (nobody knows as the SCCFD has
no organization chart) can't respond to me about enforcement inconsistencies and untrained
Fire Marshal Clerks. This is not because my complaints were not specific, rather they were
expressed in anger and frustration due to the 10-year declining competence of SCCFD staff. He
chose to answer none of the questions and instead merely returned my insults.