Item 3 - Desk Item with Exhibits 2 and 3.10 Charles Street
PREPARED BY: Erin M. Walters
Senior Planner
Reviewed by: 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: 04/23/2025
ITEM NO: 3
DESK ITEM
DATE: April 23, 2025
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Consider an Appeal of a Community Development Director Decision to Deny a
Fence Exception Request for an Existing Fence Partially Located in the Town’s
Right-of Way and Exceeding the Height Limitations within the Required Front
Yard and Street-Side Yard Setbacks on Property Zoned R-1D. Located at 10
Charles Street. APN 532-36-022. Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines Section 15303: New Construction or Conversion of Small
Structures. Fence Height Exception Application FHE-23-001. Property
Owner/Applicant/Appellant: Firouz Pradhan. Project Planner: Sean Mullin.
REMARKS:
Exhibit 2 includes comments received from the applicant.
Exhibit 3 includes public comments received between 11:01 a.m., Tuesday, April 22, 2025, and
11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
EXHIBITS:
Exhibits previously received with the April 22, 2025, Addendum Report:
1. Public Comments received between 11:01 a.m., Friday, April 18, 2025, and 11:00 a.m.,
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Exhibit received with this Desk Item Report:
2. Comments received from the applicant
3. Public Comments received between 11:01 a.m., Tuesday, April 22, 2025, and 11:00 a.m.,
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank
From: Firoz Pradhan
Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 11:34 PM
To: Joel Paulson <jpaulson@losgatosca.gov>
Cc: Alexa Nolder <ANolder@losgatosca.gov>; Sean Mullin <SMullin@losgatosca.gov>; Erin Walters
<EWalters@losgatosca.gov>; Firoz Pradhan <
Subject: Planning Commission - Continuation of Hearing - 10 Charles St
[EXTERNAL SENDER]
Dear Joel.
As per our conversation earlier today, I would humbly request you to inform the Planning
Commission of my prior communication to the Town regarding my unavailability to attend the
Planning Commission hearing scheduled for tomorrow, both through an email to Sean Mullin on
April 3rd, as well as in person on March 12th, immediately upon the Commission ordering a
continuation. This was due to a longstanding family commitment, more speciflcally being that my
son and his family are visiting our home tonight - for a week-long stay - for the flrst time since the
passing away of my wife.
As the Planning Commission is aware, during last month’s hearing, the Commission recommended
that I work collaboratively with the concerned neighbors and Town staff to develop a mutually
agreeable mitigation plan. I have taken this recommendation very seriously, and reached out to the
two neighbors who expressed the most concern during the previous meeting, and we are scheduled
to meet next Thursday (May 1st) to discuss and flnalize a mitigation plan that addresses their
concerns while preserving the key elements of the safety & security, and to do so in consultation
with the Planning Staff. The order entailed that we return to the Planning Commission with an
established plan for their consent. I also understand that Staff shall recommend to the Planning
Commission that Wednesday, May 28th be the date set up for this to occur.
I would also like you to assure the Commission that I remain fully committed to resolving this
matter in a timely and constructive manner. I have no intention of delaying the process, and I am
actively working with all stakeholders to arrive at a responsible solution.
I respectfully ask that no action be taken on my appeal in tomorrow’s meeting in my absence, and
that the Commission be made aware of both my scheduling confiict and my good faith efforts to
comply with their guidance set forth in the last hearing.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and for your continued support in helping bring this
issue to a fair and collaborative resolution.
Warm regards,
Firoz Pradhan
10 Charles St
Los Gatos, CA 95032
EXHIBIT 2
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank
EXHIBIT 3
Kent Anderson
Los Gatos Blvd.
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Steve Raspe
Historical Preservation Committee
110 E. Mian St.
Los Gatos, CA 9503o
April 7, 2025
Dear Mr. Raspe,
I am writing to you concerning the fence built at 10 Charles St. I have had numerous
conversations and meeting with Firoouz and my other neighbors discussing this. All the houses in this
courtyard are upset about this.
I was shocked to hear it said there was no opposition to this. The house is really 268 Los Gatos
Blvd. It was only recently changed to make it appear that it is not on the boulevard.
It represents a historic home on the entrance to our city. There is an ordinance that protects the
sight lines of these homes in order to maintain the beauty of our town. Simply renaming the lots address
does not do away with the set backs and sight lines that need to be preserved and enforced.
This particular fence is exceeding dangerous. As it is I have witnessed almost 1 accident a month
right on that corner. There is a tremendous amount of traffic right there. The road expands into two lanes
right inn from of the house and it is difficult to see both lanes before pulling into traffic.
This fence conceals the sidewalk entirely making it impossible to see a anyone coming on the
sidewalk in that direction. Van Meter elementary in right down the street and Fisher is around the corner
from that. We have hundreds of kids some on bikes and scooter that cross right there daily.
In the afternoon the high school kids zoom past there as well. This fence need to be removed to
the 15’ setback that is required and angled to 45% no closer that 30’ at the corner it self. And bushes
interfering with this sight line also need to be removed. There is no reason to allow this. I would be
surprised if it does lead to a serious accident in the near future.
Sincerely,
Kent Anderson
cc.Sean Mullins