Exhibit 13- Applicant's Correspondence with NeighborsEXHIBIT 13
Lastly - we need not copy/imitate the same design as the other flag lot (please note the design, style,
and requirements of the build are two decades old).
But I still want to provide a bit of history on the 15439 National Ave property. The house in the back was
first built, and the subdivision was made later. The only space to split was the front, which resulted in a
significantly higher FAR than the city's allowed FAR. In my case, we have a property in the front and
subdivided the back, where we are proposing a two-story single-family residence.
Hope this helps,
Best,
Ramya
On Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 03:42:28 PM PST, > wrote:
Hi Ramya,
Thank you for your response. I appreciate your consideration of the privacy concerns. However, I still
have some reservations regarding the effectiveness of the giant tree in fully covering the view of my
bathroom shower. The suggestion that visibility isn't an issue due to the distance (>100 feet) doesn’t
entirely address the privacy risk, as visibility remains a concern even with this distance.
Additionally, I believe the comparison to the neighbor’s two-story building on Blackwell Drive is not fully
aligned with the context of your project. There are notable differences:
1. The neighboring property on Blackwell Drive is not a flagpole lot, whereas your construction is.
2. Their house was constructed before I purchased my current property, and its windows do not directly
overlook sensitive areas of my home, like the bathroom shower.
As such, I believe this comparison is less relevant than the example I shared in my previous email. A
closer and more appropriate comparison would be with the property at "15439 National Avenue",
which, like yours, is a flagpole lot.
I appreciate your understanding and consideration of these points and look forward to working toward a
resolution that respects the privacy needs of all parties.
Best regards,
On Mon, 4 Nov 2024 at 11:02, Ramya Muddada wrote:
> Good Morning ,
>
> Thank you for the comments/concerns sent to the city, which will be addressed below:
>
> 1. Privacy: The current design of the second-floor windows, based on the story poles, continues to
present a privacy issue. The placement and height of the windows appears to allow direct visibility into
my master bedroom, bathroom (particularly the shower area), and backyard. Given the proximity, this
remains a significant concern for my family’s privacy. Additionally, the proposed new trees do not
adequately shield the second-floor view. I’ve attached a few pictures below from my bathroom to
illustrate this issue:
>
> Thank you for the picture - which clearly shows that the Oak tree branch obstructs the bedroom
window from 15411. The only clear structure visible from your photo is the garage; we have also
addressed the privacy concern in the email sent on 07.31.2024
> 1. Removing the balcony from the plans (please see the revised attached plans)
> 2. Adding 5 Leyland trees – Know the best trees to create privacy.
> 3. A privacy layer (blurred windows) covers the window's line of sight (mentioned in the housing
development guidelines).
> 4. The giant oak tree will be the best privacy screen.
> 5. The distance between windows (yours and proposed) is over 100ft, which should be considered
while discussing privacy.
> I also want to add that you have a neighbor with a two-story building with three windows facing your
property, and the distance between the windows is less than 20f
>
> 3. Neighborhood Comparisons:
>
> We need not replicate any construction style in the neighborhood as it is not a community-based
construction; we have used our neighbors on Blackwell Dr as an example to propose the 2-story (one of
them is your neighbor).
>
>
> 4. Tree Placement:
>
> The image on the architectural drawing may not provide an accurate image of the tree; it just shows
the placement of the trees. The proposed privacy trees can easily grow in a 4x4 area.
> Adequacy of privacy is also addressed in my first point and on my 07.31.2024 email.
>
> 3. Basement Impact:
>
> The basement/cellar is proposed according to town codes.
>
> Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns,
>
> Best,
> Ramya
>
_____________________________________________________________________________________
From: Ramya Muddada <
Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2024 12:42 AM
To:
Cc: Vyankatesh B >; Jose (Architect) rama >; Erin
Walters <EWalters@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Re: Your neighbor at 15411 National Ave (APN 424-12-40 Site application S-23-033)
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Hello ,
Unfortunately, you are unwilling to acknowledge the steps and additional efforts we have taken to
protect our neighbors ' privacy.
But I want to reiterate the following:
1. We have removed the whole balcony from the back of our property, and there are no windows with
a line of sight to our backyard or neighbor’s property.
2. The two-story bedroom windows on the north elevation face the Blackwell Drive rear yards, and
they will have obscure/frosted glass.
This would result in us not having a view of our side yard, which would mean we don't have a view of
your bedrooms either.
3. We are also adding 5 Leyland trees to add more privacy.
Best,
Ramya
On Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 04:16:43 PM PST, > wrote:
Hi Ramya,
The concerns we raised with the city and also we are asking the city and you about the same concerns.
5. The distance between windows (yours and proposed) is over 100ft, which should be considered while
discussing privacy.
I would like to point out that one of your neighbors, who is also two-story, has a clear view of your
bedrooms and backyard through their side window, which is less than 20 feet in distance.
So, as you know, ADUs are not part of this application.
Again, I think you meant two-story and not three. I also want to point out that our property is just a little
over 500 sqft larger than your property, which doesn't qualify as gigantic.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions or concerns.
Best,
Ramya
On Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 01:49:03 PM PDT, Ramya Muddada
wrote:
Hello
After reviewing all the neighbors' comments and concerns, we have decided to take more steps to
mitigate the privacy concerns.
Below are all the things done/available to address the privacy concerns of the neighbors about the two
windows and balcony:
1. Removing the balcony from the plans (please see the revised attached plans)
2. Adding 5 Leyland trees – Know the best trees to create privacy.
3. Privacy layer to cover the line of sight of the window (mentioned in the housing development
guidelines).
4. The current oak tree will be trimmed and will be the best privacy screen even after the trim.
5. The distance between windows (yours and proposed) is over 100ft, which should be considered while
discussing privacy.
Please let me know if you have any more questions or concerns,
Best,
Ramya
On Sunday, May 12, 2024 at 02:48:07 PM PDT, Ramya Muddada < wrote:
Hello
Thank you for the comments sent to the planning, we take privacy concerns of 15411 and all immediate
neighborohood very seriouly as mentioned on the email sent to you early morning of May 7th,
Below are the resposes to the comments sent (bold):
1. Concerned about the privacy due to a big two storied building. As our 3 bedrooms (including the
Master Bedroom) are open to our backyard and it’s a concern for the privacy of my family due this big
construction.
We are mitigating the privacy concern by planting 3-4 Leyland trees which are commonly used to
create privacy, this would cover all of the view from the 2 windows you see in the plan- These are
evergreen trees with minimal maintenance, in addition to the Leyland trees we are going put privacy
layer to cover line of sight of the window please see the attached (please note this refence only not
exact). I would also bring to your attention that the proposed structure of 15411 is similar to your two
storied structure, but due to the placement of site location the house might look big.
2. This big two floored building is going to obstruct the view of the mountains and it's a claustrophobic
for my family.
All most all the mountain viewing is obstructed by the tree in your backyard or trees on my other side
of my property and with regards to claustrophobic - your neighboring house which is of same height as
yours’s much closer to you (appro.10ft) then 15411 structure (over 80ft in distance from your structure
to the purposed structure).
3. After hearing that we are going to have tree screening to obstruct view from their windows or big
balcony, we are concerned about the time and maintenance of these trees going forward. Looking at the
situation now, we are concerned about the maintenance.
As mentioned in my previous email and above Leyland trees are evergreen trees with minimal
maintenance, and as we are going to be living on that property, we would be maintaining the Leyland
trees. With regards to balcony - 80 % of the view from balcony will be blocked by the huge oak tree we
share in the back yard and then for the remaining % we are going to install privacy screen on the
balcony mentioned in my previous email. (please see the attached for the balcony screening)
4. As I mentioned, the way the bushes (vine iv) or sheds or barn roof iron sheets are maintained, I see
animals (bobcats), snakes on the fence or barn roof and it’s a big concern. Another concern about the
flying barn roof iron sheets during the storm and not maintaining them.
As we are proposing to build a beautiful house replacing all the sheds there wouldn't be any flying
barns roofs - this proposal would improve/enhance the neighborhood and also increase the value of
the properties in the immediate neighborhood, with regards to bobcats and snakes - was the animal
control called as this is first time I am hearing about it, please let me know immediately when you see
any sighting of either bobcats or snakes as we all have kids and pets and need immediate attention,
but all of this wouldn't be problem once the purposed plan comes to fruition results.
5. Due to vine iv bushes in the back, growing on my shed and damaging the roof. Also the fence. My
gardener cleaned the vines and also paid for the repair of fence in the past.
This shouldn't be a concern - as you and I are working on getting a new fence on a different email, the
only request I had made was that we trim the Oak tree we share first.
6. Looked at the latest plans at this link and here is the big balcony that my family is concerned
about…This situation gives rise to considerable privacy concerns for my family.
Addressed on Comment # 3.
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