19 Staff Report.110 Wood Story Pole Exception with attachments
PREPARED BY: Sean Mullin, AICP
Senior Planner
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Community Development
Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 406-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 06/18/2024 ITEM NO: 19
DATE: June 13, 2024
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Consider a Request for an Exception to the Height Pole, Flagging, Netting, and
Signage Policy to Allow Preparation of Visual Renderings by the Applicant
Rather than the Town’s Consultant as Required by the Policy on Property
Zoned R:PD Located at 110 Wood Road. This Request is Not a Project as
Defined by CEQA Guidelines Section 21065. APN 510-47-038. Applicant:
Frank Rockwood. Property Owner: Front Porch Communities. Project
Planner: Sean Mullin
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a request for an exception to the Height Pole, Flagging, Netting, and Signage Policy
(Policy) to allow preparation of visual renderings by the applicant rather than the Town’s
consultant as required by the Policy on property zoned R:PD located at 110 Wood Road.
BACKGROUND:
Historically, story poles have been used for two purposes. The primary purpose is to help
illustrate proposed building locations and heights for pending development applications.
Additionally, the story poles help alert the community of development applications that are
scheduled for consideration at a public hearing.
The existing Policy was recently updated and adopted by the Town Council on April 16, 2024
(Attachment 2). The updated Policy requires installation of story poles and netting for new
non-residential primary structures. However, the Policy provides an exemption for buildings
that are over 55 feet tall, requiring these projects to provide alternative/video renderings
prepared by the Town’s consultant. The current project qualifies for the exemption with
buildings ranging in height from 59 feet to 93.5 feet.
PAGE 2 OF 4 SUBJECT: 110 Wood Road/Story Pole Exception Request DATE: June 13, 2024
BACKGROUND (continued):
The subject site is an approximately 10.84-acre parcel at the intersection of Wood Road and
South Santa Cruz Avenue (Attachment 1). The site has been occupied by the Los Gatos
Meadows, a senior living community since 1971. In February 2019, the Los Gatos Meadows
facility initiated a month’s long closure and transition process to relocate all residents. By
September 2019, the facility was vacant. While the property owner, Front Porch Communities,
has completed the closure process, the property continues to be staffed to provide on-going
maintenance and to ensure security of the property.
On February 12, 2020, an application was filed requesting a new Planned Development (PD)
zoning for the property for the purpose of building a new senior living community. The existing
zoning is Residential, Planned Development (R:PD) and the General Plan Land Use designation is
Medium Density Residential.
On October 19, 2021, the Town Council approved an exception to the previous Policy to allow
installation of story poles with a double row of flagging, rather than the required netting. The
Planning Commission then considered the project on January 12, 2022, and forwarded a
recommendation of denial to the Council based on concerns related to building height, tree
removal, and unit mix. On April 5, 2022, The Town Council considered the project and several
options presented by the applicant in response to the concerns expressed by the Planning
Commission. The Council remanded the application back to the Planning Commission for
further discussion. On October 25, 2023, the Planning Commission held a study session and
provided feedback to the applicant on a revised submittal presented in a conceptual fashion.
The Town Council and Planning Commission staff reports and meeting minutes are available at
www.losgatosca.gov/110WoodRoad.
The revised project is currently progressing through the staff technical review process and will
be forwarded to the Planning Commission at a future date to be determined.
DISCUSSION:
On May 8, 2024, the applicant submitted a request for an exception to the Policy to allow
preparation of visual renderings by their consultant rather than the Town’s consultant
(Attachment 3). The applicant’s request letter provides additional details and justification,
including a link to the visual renderings prepared by their consultant. The applicant indicates
that their consultant began preparing the renderings several months prior to the Council’s April
16, 2024 adoption of the revised Policy. The renderings were being prepared to accompany
their next submittal to the Town to help clarify the visual impacts of the revised project.
PAGE 3 OF 4 SUBJECT: 110 Wood Road/Story Pole Exception Request DATE: June 13, 2024
DISCUSSION (continued):
The timing of the Council’s adoption of the revised Policy relative to the applicant’s preparation
of the visual renderings by their consultant creates a unique circumstance. The applicant is
concerned that adhering to the Policy could place undue financial hardship and delay on the
applicant by having to repeat the work to prepare visual renderings by the Town’s consultant.
Additionally, since the adoption of the revised Policy in April, staff has prepared a Request for
Proposals (RFP) to retain a consultant which was released on June 5, 2024. Proposals are due
at the end of this month and after review, the Town will enter into a contract with a qualified
consultant. A consultant should be under contract by the end of August.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Pursuant to the Policy, notice of the Town Council hearing was sent to property owners and
tenants within 1,000 feet of the subject property and agendas for the hearing were posted
outside Town Hall and in the Town Library. Notice was also published in the Los Gatos Weekly,
posted under “What’s New” on the Town’s website, and posted on the Town’s social media
platforms. Lastly, the request for an exception from the policy and the proposed story pole
plan was posted under “Pending Projects” on the Town’s website. Comments received by
11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 13, 2024 are included as Attachment 4.
CONCLUSION:
Based on the discussion above, staff recommends approval of the request for an exception to
the Policy to allow preparation of visual renderings by the applicant rather than the Town’s
consultant as required by the Policy on property zoned R:PD located at 110 Wood Road as the
Town has not retained a consultant.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Continue the request to a date certain with specific direction; or
2. Approve the request with modified requirements; or
3. Deny the request.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Action on the requested exception does not constitute a “project” as defined by section 15378
of the CEQA Guidelines because it is not an action which has a potential for resulting in either a
direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
PAGE 4 OF 4 SUBJECT: 110 Wood Road/Story Pole Exception Request DATE: June 13, 2024
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Location Map
2. Height Pole, Flagging, Netting, and Signage Policy
3. Exception Request from the Applicant, dated May 8, 2024
4. Public Comments received by 1100 a.m., Thursday, June 13, 2024
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Update Notes:- Updated 12/20/17 to link to tlg-sql12 server data (sm)
- Updated 11/22/19 adding centerpoint guides, Buildings layer, and Project Site leader with label- Updated 10/8/20 to add street centerlines which can be useful in the hillside area
- Updated 02-19-21 to link to TLG-SQL17 database (sm)
ATTACHMENT 1
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank
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Height Pole, Flagging, Netting, and Signage Policy For Additions and New Construction
I. Purpose:
It is a policy of the Town of Los Gatos Town Council to have story poles and project
identification signs installed on the sites of an active development application. The
placement of story poles is extremely helpful and important during the course of Town’s
review of applications for new development. Proper and accurate placement of story
poles demonstrates the planned rooflines and heights and provides some indication of
the potential massing of the proposed structure. Story poles enhance understanding of
the project for Town residents, staff, advisory bodies, and decision making bodies. Story
poles also provide a visual notice to the community of a forthcoming land use public
hearing.
Project identification signs present both written and graphical information that will
further communicate the proposed project to the community as well as provide the
public hearing dates for the development application.
This policy is for the benefit of the Town and community and is not intended to create a
requirement under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
II.Height Poles and Netting/Flagging:
Height story poles and netting/flagging shall be used for the following types of
Community Development Department, Planning Division, land use applications:
For single-family and two-family residential projects:
•If proposed project is a two-story house or second story addition where the adjacent
properties on the same side of the street both contain only single-story houses.
•If proposed project includes a variance or exception to the physical development
standards for the primary structure.
For non-residential projects:
•New primary structures.
•Non-residential additions exceeding 20 percent of the existing building floor area.
•If proposed project includes a variance or exception to the physical development
standards for the primary structure.
ATTACHMENT 2
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For properties in the Historic Resource Inventory:
•New residential (excluding single-story accessory structures) and non-residential
buildings.
•Residential second story additions.
•Non-residential additions exceeding 100 square feet.
For properties in the Hillside Area as defined in the Hillside Development Standards and
Guidelines:
•New primary structures.
•New second story additions.
Exemptions/Alternatives (per Section II.G below):
•Affordable housing projects where 30 percent of the housing units are deed
restricted to be Below Market Price, or 20 percent are deed restricted to be Low or
Very Low Income shall comply with alternative/video rendering requirements in
place of story poles.
•Buildings over 55 feet in height shall comply with alternative/video rendering
requirements in place of story poles.
•Multi-family and mixed-use projects that include residential may choose to comply
with alternative/video rendering in place of story poles.
The terms height poles and story poles are used interchangeably.
A. Procedure:
When it is determined that story poles are required, the applicant’s engineer,
architect, or building designer may, but is not required to, prepare a “Story Pole
Plan” to indicate the locations where the poles will be installed. If submitted, the
Story Pole Plan shall be approved by the project planner prior to the placement of
the poles on the site. Once the placement of the story poles is complete, the
applicant shall inform the project planner and submit photographs showing
installation.
The height poles and netting/flagging shall be installed prior to the neighborhood
notification process and shall remain in place until 60 days after the first public
hearing on the project, or end of final appeal period, whichever is first. If the project
is substantially modified, staff may direct removal or modification of the story poles.
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B. Timing
Public notices will not be mailed and/or application(s) shall not be advertised until
the height poles and netting/flagging have been installed and photographs have
been submitted to the project planner, as required in Section II.A.
C. Location and Number:
The number of story poles may vary with each specific project. Story pole locations
shall adequately demonstrate the height, mass, and bulk of the project requiring
review. At a minimum, story poles shall be placed at all outside building corners of
the building wall (excluding eaves) and along the rooflines of the proposed
structure(s) or addition. Architectural elements such as towers, spires, elevator and
mechanical penthouses, cupolas, mechanical equipment screening and similar
elements not used for human activity or storage which are visible from the
streetscape shall be represented by the story poles. For multi-building
developments, story poles shall only be required for the tallest structures and those
along the perimeter of the site.
While guy wires may sometimes be attached to existing fencing or similar onsite
structures, pursuant to Section 29.10.1005 of the Tree Protection Ordinance, the
attachment of wires, signs, or ropes to any protected tree is prohibited. Trees may
not be "flagged" or used as a substitute for the erection of story poles.
After the placement of the story poles on-site, the applicant shall provide the project
planner with photographs of the story poles taken from a variety of vantage points.
The vantage point from where the photograph was taken shall be indicated on each
photograph.
A licensed surveyor or civil engineer shall submit written verification that the height
and position of the poles and netting/flagging accurately represents the height and
location of the proposed structure(s) or addition.
D. Materials:
The material of the story poles shall be indicated on the Story Pole Plan. Story poles
shall be constructed of 2"x4" lumber, metal poles, or other sturdy building material
acceptable to the project planner. Telephone poles; mechanical equipment, such as
cranes; or other materials may be acceptable for higher structures if the Community
Development Director determines that the material will adequately portray the
height, bulk, and mass of the proposed structure(s) or addition and withstand the
wind and weather. Either a double row of orange flag rope/flagging, or orange
woven plastic snow fencing (netting) must be erected to represent the rooflines of
the proposed structure(s) or addition. If flagging is chosen, the two rows shall be
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placed with one located two feet below the other. If netting is used, it shall be at
least two foot (2’) wide. Netting/flagging must be supported by height poles that
are strong enough to accurately maintain the outlines and height of the structure(s).
One of the height poles on each elevation must be clearly marked and labeled in five
foot (5') increments measured from existing or finished grade, whichever creates a
higher profile.
E. Public Safety:
All story poles shall be placed, braced, and supported to ensure the health, safety,
and general welfare of the public. Applicants shall sign an agreement that holds the
Town harmless for any liability associated with the construction of, or damage
caused by the story poles. If at any time, the Town determines the story poles to be
unsafe, they shall be repaired and reset immediately by the project applicant or, at
the Town's discretion, removed. Depending on the scope of the poles, the applicant
may be requested to verify with the Building Division of the Community
Development Department that no permits and/or inspections are required for the
poles.
F. Exceptions:
In the event there are justifiable reasons why story poles cannot be accommodated
for all structures proposed to be constructed on the project site, the applicant shall
submit a letter to the Community Development Director no later than 45 days prior
to the required installation date, clearly articulating the reasons why an exception to
the Story Pole requirement is warranted. Requests for an exception and alternative
plan will only be considered if the applicant can clearly demonstrate to the Town,
5
and the Town agrees, that the installation of the story poles would: (1) cause a
threat to public health and safety or (2) would impair the use of existing structure(s)
or the site to the extent it would not be able to be occupied and the business or
residential use would be infeasible. Some form of poles and netting/flagging and/or
on-site physical representation of the project will be required, even if an exception is
granted.
Planned Development applications with multiple detached commercial structures
and/or residential units may request to erect story poles on the locations where the
key structures will be placed. The deciding body will take into account the density of
the development when considering an exception request. The story poles shall be
installed on all corner structures and the structures with the greatest height and
mass. An exception to providing story poles for all structures in a Planned
Development application with multiple commercial structures and/or residential
units shall follow the same procedures as outlined below.
The Town Manager will review all justifiable requests for an exception to the Story
Pole requirement within 14 days of receipt of the request and shall place the matter
on the next available Town Council agenda for consideration by the Council. Written
notice of the exception request shall be mailed to property owners and residents of
properties within 300 feet of the project site. All requested and approved exceptions
shall be posted on the Town's Web site under “What’s New,” in agenda posting
locations at Town Hall and the Library, and in the online development activity report
when established.
If an exception is approved, the applicant will be required to demonstrate the
proposed structure height and mass using alternative means as outlined in Section
II.G.
G.Alternatives/Visual Renderings: If an alternative is allowed (Section II) or an
exception is granted (Section II.F) to the Story Pole requirements, digital imagery
simulations, computer modeling, built to-scale models or other visual techniques
shall be required in-lieu of the Story Pole requirements. Simulations shall be
prepared by the Town's consultant. The applicant shall be responsible for all
technical review(s), materials, and cost of the Town’s evaluation and/or preparation
process.
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H. Removal:
Story poles and netting/flagging may be removed 60 days after the first public
hearing on the project or once a final action has been taken and the appeal period is
over. Once a final action has been taken and the appeal period is over, the height
poles and netting/flagging shall be removed at the applicant’s expense within 30
days. If not removed, the height poles and netting/flagging will be considered
rubbish and will be in violation of Section 11.10.020 of the Town Code and the
matter will be forwarded to Code Compliance for enforcement action.
III. Project Identification Signs:
All development applications that include public notification shall also provide project
identification signs on the development site consistent with the following requirements.
A. Timing:
Project identification signs shall be installed within 30 days of the first staff review.
Public notices will not be mailed and/or application(s) shall not be advertised until
project identification sign(s) have been installed. The applicant shall submit a photo
showing the on-site sign(s) installed on the subject property prior to the distribution
of the public notices.
B. Size:
•Single-Family or Duplex Residential Projects: One, 2'x2' sign placed on the street
frontage. The top of the sign shall be five feet (5’) from existing grade and visible
from the main street frontage. The sign shall indicate the scheduled public
hearing date and the availability of plans for review at the Community
Development Department.
•Multi-Family, Mixed-Use, Commercial/Industrial Projects: One 4'x8' sign on each
of the property frontages that are visible to surrounding public right of ways,
including pedestrian trails such as the Los Gatos Creek Trail. The top of the signs
shall be six feet (6') from existing grade. The Community Development Director
may require additional signs for development sites that have large frontages.
•Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Only Projects: One 2' by 3' vertical sign on or
inside the window of a building, provided the sign is visible from public locations
outside the building.
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•Downtown (C-2 Zone) Remodels or New Commercial Development: One 2' by 3'
vertical sign constructed of metal frame with water resistant plastic or laminated
face. In cases where it is infeasible to install a free-standing sign, the posting of a
durable, all weather sign on or inside the window of a building is permitted,
provided the sign is visible from public locations outside the building. Requests
for an exception to the free-standing sign requirements shall be made to the
Community Development Department in writing no less than 30 days prior to the
public hearing for the project.
C. Number and Placement of Signs:
With two exceptions, on-site signs shall be placed on each street frontage of the site.
The first exception is for permits related to an individual new single family dwelling,
where, only one sign on the street frontage is required. The signs shall be oriented
towards the street, within one foot (1') of the front property line or two feet (2') of
the back of the sidewalk. The second exception is for projects that involve only a
Conditional Use Permit for use of an existing building, where only one sign located at
the business frontage is required.
D. Materials:
Signs shall be constructed of durable materials, such as foam core or plywood, and
shall be laminated during the rainy season (October through April) if posted
outdoors. The sign colors shall be a white background with black printing, and color
graphics (excluding single family, which may have black and white graphics). As
noted under Section III.B., signs in the Downtown C-2 Zone shall be constructed of
higher grade materials, including a metal frame and a plastic or laminated poster
board face.
E. Sign Content:
Up to 75 percent of the overall sign area must be used to provide a general
description of the project; including number of residential units or commercial
buildings and square footage; a color perspective drawing, three-dimensional image
or photographic simulation and the name and contact information of the project
applicant. Signage designs that are visually striking are encouraged. Single family
remodel projects are not required to provide a rendering on the sign. Projects that
do not include review of exterior changes to an existing building are not required to
provide drawing or building image. The public notice portion of the sign message
must constitute 25 percent of the overall sign area and notify the community of the
public hearing date and time and contain the following message, “For more
information about this project, please contact the Town of Los Gatos Planning
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Division at 110 E. Main Street, Los Gatos, (408) 354-6872. Plans can be reviewed on
the Town’s website at: www.losgatosca.gov/2216/Pending-Planning-Projects.” The
project address, application number, applicant email contact information, and a QR
code shall be included on the notice sign.
F.Duration of Sign Posting:
Project identification signs shall be placed on site within 30 days of the first staff
review of the proposed project and shall be removed within 30 days of the final
action.
G. Maintenance:
The applicant is responsible for replacement of any missing, damaged, or vandalized
signs within five days of request by the Town. The Town may cease processing of
the application if the signs are not replaced and/or maintained.
IV.Definitions:
Height: As defined by the Zoning Ordinance, height is determined by the plumb vertical
distance from the natural or finished grade, whichever is lower and creates a lower
profile, to the uppermost point of the roof edge, wall, parapet, mansard, or other point
directly above that grade. For portions of a structure located directly above a cellar
(refer to Section 29.10.020 of the Zoning Ordinance for definition of cellar), the height
measurement for that portion of the structure shall be measured as the plumb vertical
distance from the existing natural grade to the uppermost point of the structure directly
over that point in the existing natural grade.
Roofline or edge: The contour or shape of a roof.
This policy was adopted by Town Council on April 16, 2024 (Resolution 2024-017)
36 Southwood Drive | Orinda, California | 94563
www.RockwoodPacific.com
May 8, 2024
Request for Exception to Story Pole Policy for Rebuild of Los Gatos Meadows
Planned Development Application PD-20-001
Proposed Exception:
Front Porch understands that the Town Council has adopted a revised Height Pole, Flagging,
Netting and Signage Policy for Additions and New Construction (“Story Pole Policy”). This policy
was adopted on April 16, 2024, approximately two weeks after Front Porch re-submitted the
Project Application for Los Gatos Meadows (resubmittal date: April 1, 2024). We understand
that under the updated Story Pole Policy, buildings over 55 feet in height may now be exempt
from the Story Pole Policy, but if an exemption is granted, the project must comply with the
alternative/video rendering requirements in place of story poles.
In January 2024, prior to our April 1st, 2024 resubmittal, and to further assist in clarifying the
visual impacts of the proposed reallocation of height and massing, Front Porch engaged the
services of a professional and technically advanced visual simulation company. The visual
simulations were prepared to evaluate, model and illustrate the potential impacts associated
with the resubmittal on both public and private views of the neighboring properties most
affected by redevelopment of the site. Given that our visual simulations were nearly complete
prior to the Town Council taking action on the revised Story Pole Policy, we respectfully request
that Council consider our request for an Exception and allow us to proceed with the use of the
visual simulations prepared by our consultant using advanced computer modeling and digital
imagery. The visual simulations are provided for your review at the following link:
Refer to current application plan sheets A406-A408; Visual Simulations for exhibits specifically
related to the above comments are to be posted at the project web site:
https://frontporch.net/community/los-gatos-meadows/.
Rationale for Proposed Exception:
As outlined in detail below, the project team for the rebuilding of Los Gatos Meadows believes it
has met the intent of the Town’s Height Pole, Flagging, Netting and Signage Policy through the
use of advanced digital visual simulations while minimizing undue increases in safety risks,
nuisances, and further damage to existing structures through re-construction of story poles. Our
professional visualization consultant was engaged in this effort, and the simulations completed
ATTACHMENT 3
36 Southwood Drive | Orinda, California | 94563
www.RockwoodPacific.com
prior to Town Council’s April 16, 2024, action on the updated Story Pole Policy. We are thus
requesting an Exception from Section II G of the updated Policy, requiring that simulations be
prepared by the Town’s consultant.
Our rational for utilizing our consultant’s visual simulations are as follows:
Front Porch’s professional consultant was engaged in March, and nearly completed with
their modeling efforts prior to the Council’s April 16, 2024, action to update the Town’s
Story Pole Policy. As we understand from Town staff, the Town has yet to retain a list of
qualified professional consultants to prepare visualizations. We have already submitted
our response to the Town’s initial technical review of our project application. Thus, the
initiation and engagement of a third-party consultant would cause undue delay to our
application review process currently underway.
The digital visualizations conducted by our consultant utilize advanced software
technology to assess the project’s visual impacts using 3D modeling techniques. The
model has the sophisticated capability of depicting how the project site is integrated
into the surrounding context, including the project’s relationship to site topography,
placement/height of existing trees and surrounding buildings, and terrain geometry
using the landscape plan, site survey & engineering, and photographs from key public &
private vantage points. These visualizations render the most advanced, technically
accurate means of assessing a project’s visual impact(s) from selected vantage points.
We welcome the Council’s review of the visualizations, and the methodology/process
our consultant utilized to prepare the visualizations as documented in our video (see
link below).
The visualizations are available for Town Council review at
https://frontporch.net/community/los-gatos-meadows/ and will be demonstrated/shown at the
Town Council meeting for the council members to review and consider prior to taking action on
this Exception Request.
From: Julie Southern <>
Sent: Monday, June 10, 2024 1:48 AM
To: Sean Mullin <SMullin@losgatosca.gov>
Cc: C So <>; Matthew Southern <>
Subject: Story Pole discussion
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Hello Sean
Just sending you a formal note about the upcoming June 18 discussion for Storey Poles.
As a long time resident, I appreciate the rigorous town oversight of construction in helping maintain our
town. As a neighbor impacted by potential heights of the Meadows work, I appreciate the visual
assistance of story poles. It is "easier" to see and address height issues before construction, than after. In
fact if after the fact it does not match their 'renderings', I highly doubt you will ask them to take it down.
As mentioned in many meetings before, I am not against the Meadows nor development as a whole, just
do not want them blocking my view - and my issue with the potential story pole revision, that will not be
caught until after the fact.
Do let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you
Julie
ATTACHMENT 4
From: Marc Dubresson >
Sent: Saturday, June 8, 2024 1:49 PM
To: Planning <Planning@losgatosca.gov>
Cc:
Subject: 110 Wood Road - Objection to the request for an exception to pole, flagging, netting and
signage.
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Hi,
We’ve received a notice for the consideration of an exception to the pole flagging, netting and signage
for this project (110 Wood Road). As close residents would like to visualize the proposed development
with such methods as artists and architectural rendering often fail to provide perspective from all angles.
Thank you for your consideration,
Yours sincerely,
Marc and Caroline Dubresson
Los Gatos CA 95030
From: Evelyn Mitsunaga <>
Sent: Monday, June 10, 2024 10:22 AM
To: Planning <Planning@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: 110 Wood Road
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
To: Sean Mullin; Town Council
I want to go on record as supporting the Meadows/Front Porch request for exception to the height poles
and flagging for the property at 110 Wood Road and am writing this email because I’m not sure I will be
able to attend the June 18 Town Council meeting to voice this support.
I think the previous concerns from people living along Tait Avenue were unfounded — of course they
could “see” the proposed buildings: the orange flags and lack of landscaping were jarring. But the flags
and height poles do not represent how it will actually look. When completed, the property will be
landscaped and won’t be any more obtrusive than properties already visible on the hillside. The
buildings will not interrupt the skyline where trees meet the sky, which, to me, is the most important
consideration about height.
My husband and I supported the earlier application for building and planned to move to this property
when completed so we could stay close to town center where we have lived for 50 years. Now it is just
me, and I still support this project as necessary for the town, and I still want to move in — if, of course, it
is completed while I am still alive.
Thank you for your consideration.
Evelyn Mitsunaga, Los Gatos
From: Clare Southern <>
Sent: Monday, June 10, 2024 5:14 PM
To: Julie Southern <>
Cc: Matthew Southern <>; Sean Mullin <SMullin@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Re: Story Pole discussion
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Hi Sean,
I’d like to take a look at the project file. Would you be able to point me in the right direction? Where can
I find it?
I’m curious to learn more about the town’s reason for reconsidering the story pole decision. My
understanding is that this was decided a year+ ago and that there’s a law mandating story poles for a
reason: to allow the town to visualize/ understand the impacts of changes to their town.
I’m not clear on why we’d consider taking on an additional expense (saw there’s an RFP out for
visualization software/ contract work) when there’s an existing precendent for how to deal with new
construction (especially when that construction is both downtown and on the most visible hillside).
Thank you for taking the time to help here. I trust there will be process and visibility in this project.
Clare
From:
Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2024 6:36 PM
To: Sean Mullin <SMullin@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Comment: Height poles for June 18 meeting
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
I am writing to express that the height pole requirement for new construction is important for the
community and remain intact and required.
Looking at a photo or drawing vs seeing the actual impact to neighborhoods, site lines and setbacks is
important. It encourages awareness and discussion within the community.
The building process is already heavily slanted towards builders and developers - with
"recommendations to talk with neighbors" but not requirements beyond dropping a note off and getting
a signature. By the time these poles go up the town is already heavily involved and in support of
development. Any changes are very hard to get thru the commissions in our experience. But at least it
allows people to be aware and get involved if they want to.
I am 100% in favor of story poles for all building in the town of Los Gatos and the neighboring
communities. There is no need to change this existing requirement.
-Pam M
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