Attachment 5 - PC Staff Report Addendum Part 1` TOWN OF LOS GATOS ITEM NO: 1
T 1 PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT ADDENDUM
5 Meeting Date: April 24, 2013
PREPARED BY: Joel Paulson, Principal Planner
jpaulson .,losgatosca.gov
APPLICATION NO.:
LOCATION:
Planned Development PD-12-001
Architecture and Site S-12-078
Environmental Impact Report EIR-12-003
The subject property is located at 90-160 Albright Way and 14600
Winchester Boulevard in the northern part of the Town of Los Gatos,
immediately east of Winchester Boulevard and south of the State
Route 85 freeway. APN's 424-31-053, 054, 063, 424-32-038, 045,
049, 054, 059, 060, 063.
APPLICANT/
CONTACT PERSON: John R. Shenk
PROPERTY OWNER: LG Business Park LLC
PROJECT SUMMARY: Requesting approval to modify the existing Planned Development to
allow for redevelopment of the existing site with up to 550,000 square
feet of new office/R&D buildings and approval to construct the
improvements represented in the Planned Development. An
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been prepared as required by
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
EXHIBITS:
REMARKS:
DEEMED COMPLETE: April 11, 2013
FINAL DATE TO TAKE ACTION:
a. Rezoning applications are legislative acts and are therefore not
governed by the Permit Streamlining Act.
b. Final action on the Architecture and Site application is required
within six months of the action on the rezoning application.
1-3. Received under a separate cover
4-14. Received with staff report for April 24, 2013 meeting
15. Additional written communications from the public (32
Pages)
The attached information (Exhibit 15) was received after the report on this matter was finalized.
Planning Commission Staff Report - Page 2
90 - 160 Albright Way and 14600 Winchester Boulevard/ EIR-12-003, PD-12-001, S-12-078
April 24, 2013
repared by:
Joel Paulson, AICP
Principal Planner
TC:JP
/7)
A r sroved by:
Todd Capurso,
Acting Director of Community Development
cc: John Shenk, 700 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Los Gatos Business Park, 4 Orinda Way, Suite 170-D, Orinda, CA 94563
N:\DEV\PC REPORTS \20I3\AlbrightADD.doc
Joel Paulson
From: Von der Ahe, Matthew @ San Jose <MVDA@cbre.com>
Sent: Friday, April 19, 2013 1:54 PM
To: Joel Paulson
Subject: Albright Way Campus, Los Gatos
Mr. Paulson,
I want to offer my support of the Albright Way office campus project. I believe the project is a critical economic
development project for our town, creating jobs while allowing Netflix to remain, expand and grow in its
hometown. Local restaurants and retail businesses will benefit from employees patronizing their establishments. In
addition, over $1 million in annual property taxes directed to our schools and town services will favorably impact our
entire community.
Please vote to approve the Albright project!
Thank you.
Matt Von der Ahe
208 Granada Way
Los Gatos, CA 95032
(408) 230-7463
EXHIBIT 15
Dear Los Gatos Town Council,
We are pleased to present you with this petition affirming one simple statement:
"Reduce the mass and density of the Los Gatos Albright Office Park, which will lessen the traffic
congestion, pollution, noise and visual impacts in the surrounding neighborhoods. Keep our "small
town" Los Gatos character."
Attached is a list of individuals who have added their names to this petition, as well as additional comments
written by the petition signers themselves.
Sincerely,
Anne Robinson
1
I support strongly. Was on first committee (met at Joanne Bossomworth's home)to address this issue. I have
been in Pennsylvania since July, mostly in the hospital (six times) with a C-diff infection picked up in a
hospital. I have lived in Charter Oaks forty years, having bought the first home when they were still on the
drawing boards. Always interested in keeping the quality of our homes h
Thelma Spaziani
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 16, 2013
Please don't build...
Molly matchak
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 15, 2013
Caroline Philippe
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Apr 15, 2013
Mary Gabrielson
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 15, 2013
Please keep crime and traffic down by reducing density
neil grenzebach
los gatos, CA 95032
Apr 15, 2013
Lance Miller
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 15, 2013
Patti Lovetro-Clarke
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 15, 2013
Jacob Englander
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 14, 2013
Karee Weber
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 14,2013
Lee Quintana
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Apr 14, 2013
7
Privacy and traffic is a big concern
Erik Eastland
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 14, 2013
Four stories is a horrible idea and will destroy the character of the area.
Steven G Wegner
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 14, 2013
Inah Choi
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 13, 2013
Emmanuel Drege
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 13, 2013
Diane La France
Saratoga, CA 95070
Apr 13, 2013
Jeffrey Huang
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 13, 2013
Yanwu Zhang
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 13, 2013
bemard levine
los gatos, CA 95032
Apr 13, 2013
Ron Huang
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 13, 2013
Four stories would definitely be incompatible with our traditional Los Gatos character.
Chatham H. Forbes Sr.
Los Gatos, CA 95030-7233
Apr 12, 2013
AmyMarie Martin
lg, CA 95032
3
Apr 12, 2013
Emi Tsutsumi
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 12, 2013
Jacqueline D. Grant
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 12, 2013
John Uhl M.D. FACEP
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Apr 12, 2013
Tracy
Los gatos, CA 95032
Apr 12, 2013
I appreciate efforts to reduce the impact of this development and share concerns with potential increased
traffic on local streets. I believe there should be more focus placed on the EIR data and calculations used to
estimate traffic as it appears there were deliberate efforts to reduce these estimates: A couple examples: 1)
The report references that several different classifications for commercial office parks and corresponding
traffic level assumptions are available when generating an EIR traffic estimate. A corp headquarters
classification would apply higher traffic activity factors and higher traffic impact numbers. The Albright EIR
assigns a much more conservative Office Park designation for the calculations - and therefore assigns lower
traffic factors. 2) Data from a 2008 ITE Trip generation report was utilized to estimate additional traffic for
the site based on benchmarks in the valley. This data may reflect depressed office park traffic flows as the
valley was at recession levels in 2008 and may not accurately reflect current or average occupancy/traffic
activity. The conservative Office Park rate was again utilized for calculations to add back Underutilized Space
Trip Generation Estimates.
Jeff Zullo
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Apr 12, 2013
Anne Montagna
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Apr 12, 2013
Rosalie Berkowitz
Los Gatos„ CA 95032
Apr 12, 2013
Leta Shattuck
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 12, 2013
Eric Stone
Los Gatos, CA 95032
4
Apr 12, 2013
Jon Wenger
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 12, 2013
Angela Di Berardino
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 12, 2013
carl edwin thoresen
los gatos, CA 95032
Apr 12, 2013
Michelle Waters
Los Gatos, CA 95033
Apr 12, 2013
Mashawn Gonzalez
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 12, 2013
Alysia Cartwright
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 12, 2013
Steve Gonzalez
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 12, 2013
Paridhi
Los gatos, CA 95032
Apr 12, 2013
Please stop this building plan.!!! Local residents and vistors already have an extremely difficult time naviating
with traffic on Lark Ave. and Winchester Blvd.
lyle g, haines
los gatos, CA 95032
Apr 12, 2013
vic tretiakoff
campbell, CA 95008
Apr 12, 2013
paul lindsley
los gatos, CA 95032
Apr 12, 2013
5
We do not need any more traffic on Lark Avenue. At times it is impossible to make a turn out of Charter
Oaks.
Pat Bortle
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Lark Avenu is very packed already in the morning and evening.
svetlana furman
los gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
marsha eagle
los gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
David J Clarke
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Janet M. Prinzivalli
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Please do not allow high density construction in Los Gatos since it will greatly impact our streets and traffic,
which is already congested, especially University Avenue. In spite of the 35 mph signs, most travel at speeds
exceeding 50 mph.
Linda Martinez, Ph.D.
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Varsha Shah
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Janis Ratcliffe
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Krista Crocker
Saratoga, CA 95070
Apr 11, 2013
John Greene
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
6
Development of the magnitude proposed for the Albright property not only violates Los Gatos' maximum
building height, but will have major environmental impacts that the current Draft EIR does not solve. Traffic
on Lark Ave and Winchester Blvd is already grid -locked at several times of day. How adding 3000+ more
trips without bringing it to a halt is a mystery. The Draft EIR says mature trees on the Albright property line
will screen nearby neighborhoods such as Charter Oaks from the 4-story office and parking structures.
However, project plans say trees on the property line will be removed.
J. M. Torre
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
sharon Yee
Monte Sereno, CA 95030
Apr 11, 2013
STOP THIS HUGE DEVELOPMENT. AT A MINIMUM PREVENT IT BY ACTING RESPONSBILITY
TO ENSURE THAT THE INFRASTRUCTURE CAN HANDLE THIS HUGE INCREASE IN BUILDINGS,
PEOPLE, TRAFFIC, NOISE AND POLLUTION. HOW ARE THEY GOING TO PROTECT AND
ENFORCE RULES OF USE ON THE LOS GATOS TRAIL
WILLIAM GUSTAFSON
SAN JOSE, CA 95126
Apr 11, 2013
IT IS NOT JUST THE TRAFFIC, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE CONS 1'RUCTION, NOISE, DIRT,
DISRUPTION BY CONS 1'RUCTION TRUCKS AND THE HUGE INCREASE OF TRAFFIC ON THE
LOS GATOS TRAIL WHICH HAS ALREADY REACHED TRAFFIC JAM STATE AT TIMES!! HOW
WILL THEY MONITOR AND PROTECT THOSE THAT USE THE TRAIL. HOW WILL THEY
SEPARATE CHAR PLR OAKS PHYSICALL FROM THIS HUGE BUILDING DURING
CONSTRUCTION AND AP 1 ER CONSTRUCTION. AT THIS TIME THERE IS JUST A SMALL FENCE
SEPARATING THE TWO. THE DEVELOPERS SHOULD BE MADE TO PROVIDE MITIGATING
SEPARATION AND PROTECTION FROM THIS LARGE DEVELOPMENT. FENCES, TREES WAY S
TO PREVENT SPILL OVER INTO CHARTER OAKS. AS IT IS WE CANNOT PREVENT OUTSIDERS
FROM DUMPING GARBAGE AT THE CHARIER OAKS DRIVE CUL DE SAC. THE INCREASED
TRAFFIC WILL OVERWHELM LARK AVENUE CAUSING BACKUPS ON THE OFF HIGH WAY 17
OFF -RAMPS AND AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF LARK, LOS GATOS AND WINCHES 1'ER BLVD.
KATHLEEN ANDERSON
PACIFIC GROVE, CA 95950
Apr 11, 2013
Sanjay Agrawal
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Melissa Teague
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Apr 11, 2013
7
cindy lindsley
los gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Giulie Pepper
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr II, 2013
The traffic on Lark is already very congested! I can't imagine how it will be with another 3,000+ cars/day!
The density and the height of the proposed buildings will also add to the impact on Charter Oaks and other
neighborhoods.
Christina Haines
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Richard A. Huber
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Vicki Ratner
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Apr 11, 2013
mary kairis
los gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Robert Schwimmer
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Heather Miksch
San Jose, CA 95124
Apr 11, 2013
Traffic on Lark Ave. is extream and the c ty police force cannot control the excessive speed
Mark Bridley
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Jessica Virk
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11,2013
8
I am very concerned about the impact of this development on the surrounding community. Already, we have
been impacted by two major projects in the last few years. To add over 3000 commutes during peak hours is
just unacceptable. I wouldn't be able to get out of my complex when I want!!!
Cecil Anison
los gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Mark Regua
San Jose, CA 95128
Apr 11, 2013
Catherine Noble
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Apr 11, 2013
kim choe
los gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
The traffic is currently extremely congested with cars backed up blocking the Winchester- Lark intersection
and preventing easy access to Lark from Charter Oaks Dr,; in addition to people using Lark as a cut through to
avoid the backup on HWY 17.
Francine Principe
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Jame Bennette
los gatos, CA 95030
Apr 11, 2013
Jason Morales
Campbell, CA 95008
Apr 11, 2013
Los Gatos is a unique town with it's European ambiance. We don't want it to be like every other town. There
are plenty of places for developing high rise buildings, like downtown San Jose. Businesses should be as
unique and quaint to representing Los Gatos.
Renee McLaughlin
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Apr 11, 2013
Brian Friss
San Jose, CA 95129
Apr 11, 2013
9
Alan Blake
Campbell, CA 95008
Apr 11, 2013
I agree - keep our "small town" Los Gatos character. Reduce the Albright Office Park plans.
Sam A. Morabito
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Don Pepper
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Alayna Aghazarian
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Alexander F. Eagle III
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Michael Brozicevic
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Mark Ritchie
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 11, 2013
Annsue Costello
Saratoga, CA 95070
Apr 11, 2013
Keep town quaint- we don't need another building like where Hollywood video use to be.(Now Chipotle). it
blocks the mountain . ( (comer of Blossom Hill/ LG Blvd.)No more ugly high buildings!""
Jill Hoyet
Monte Sereno, CA 95030
Apr 11, 2013
Jeff olsen
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 10, 2013
10
I have passed the cranes from three different locations over the last two weeks. Each one is worse then the
other due to height. First walking on the trail. The height towers over the scenic view reminding me of when
in Atlanta how HP was allowed to build a tower visible from residential areas - exactly what happens when
planning restrictions are not in place or follows. It was a huge flag of poor planning and development out of
its zone. The second view was when driving on Winchester towards town - again the height sample is out of
place and brings down the esthetics and feel of Los Gatos to a San Jose Atlanta ( Urban City sprawl out of
control. The third angle was from Charter Oaks Condo complex. Charter Oaks currently blends in with
surroundings. The buildings on the other side are usually blocked by trees (which for some reason the
industrial park choose to skin branches off beyond the fence line.) A once quaint minimually intrusive balance
trashed. Now when you add the proposed height samples - I truly feel sorry for those who live there. Going up
beyond the height limits in place is a slap in the face to those who live in that complex. Pd like to know if
anyone proposing this plan lives there. I gather not or they would not be pushing it! Really - these proposed
heights are a slap in the face to those who call that area home. Newell Drive is also now affected and other
homes in that area as the proposed buildings are pretty much towers. Can we protect our fellow Los Gatans?
Can we do that for them! Pretty sad the town has taken this as far as they have. Given the height more areas
should be involved in that area. Please lets do the right thing and not infringe these monsters on those in that
area. I would not want that near me - why are we doing this to others! Really...?
Karen Deloumi
los gatos, CA 95030
Apr 10, 2013
Joanne Jordan
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 10, 2013
James McGee
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 10, 2013
GP Grewal
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 10, 2013
Chris
LOS GATOS, CA 95032
Apr 10, 2013
Natasha
LOS GATOS, CA 95032
Apr 10, 2013
keep Los Gatos a "town", do not turn it into a city.
Noa Sklar
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 10, 2013
11
We are not getting support from the town or the police at this end of town as it is. The size of this project
would be a complete disaster.
alison huber
los gatos, CA 95032
Apr 10, 2013
Jessica McNeil
Monte Sereno, CA 95030
Apr 10, 2013
Anthony Craythome
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 10, 2013
Chris Cowan
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 10, 2013
THOMAS CRUMPTON
LOS GATOS, CA 95032
Apr 10, 2013
Jennifer Grewal
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 10, 2013
Erin Hegarty
San Jose, CA 95123
Apr 9, 2013
Barb Vais
Monte Sereno, CA 95030
Apr 9, 2013
Gina Swenson
los gatos, CA 95032
Apr 9, 2013
Janice Fok
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 9, 2013
Andy Wu
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Apr 9, 2013
12
Anne Robinson
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Apr 9, 2013
13
Joel Paulson
From: Cecil Anison <cecil.anison4@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2013 6:03 PM
Subject: Albright Development
I am dismayed to see that the Albright Development has not been curbed. I have lived in Charter Oaks for the
last 9 years. Over the last few years, the traffic has gotten worse and worse in our area. It affects me personally
when I go to work in the morning or pick up my daughter in the afternoon. It takes several minutes just to be
able to get onto Lark Ave, and then I have four stoplights to deal with. Adding 3, 100 more car trips a day is
hard to imagine. I was insulted to read that the traffic study reported, "no negative impact." Who's kidding
whom?
Besides the fact that the buildings are grossly oversized compared to than anything nearby (Including Netflix),
the project will cause negative conditions for many other residents.
Please respond positively to the residents of Los Gatos. We know we need more income, but can't we cut the
project down by a third and still come out ahead?
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April 18, 2013
To: Town of Los Gatos Planning Commission & Town Council
Re: Albright Way Project
Commissioners and Council Members,
I am unable to attend the April 24th Planning Commission but wanted to take the opportunity to speak
out on this issue. I have listened to and studied the information and running commentary regarding the
proposed Los Gatos Business Park on Albright Way from two perspectives. The first is as the Executive
Director of the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce and the second is as a homeowner and resident of the
La Rinconada Drive neighborhood that is in close proximity to the project.
1 have read and heard the objections to the project from my neighbors and other Los Gatans, as well as
the viewpoints of those who are in favor of the project. Realizing that the issue is a complex one, and
one that has stirred many emotions, I would like to express my support for building this project wearing
both my hats — the one that is concerned about the economic vitality of this community and as one who
lives within its boundaries. In fact, it is really only one hat that I find fits on my head — the one that
understands that a strong, vibrant, competitive business community is critical to my living in the strong,
vibrant community that I call home.
The development of Class A office space in Los Gatos is critical to the economic health and well-being of
our town. Those who say economics aren't the issue here are blind to the reality that in these troubled
and erratic economic times, revenue needs to be part of the equation. People want to live here because
of our schools, the safety of our neighborhoods and the beauty of the community. The building of this
office park will enhance the beauty of the area.
I remember the "sky is falling" arguments when the original Netflix buildings and Aventino Apartments
were being considered for the property on the other side of Highway 85. That has not happened and in
reality, the only thing that now detracts from that development is the empty parcel adjacent to the
freeway, not owned by the developer.
The location of the Albright Way Project will, in my opinion be enhanced by the new office park — views
will not be obstructed or unattractive — certainly not like the view of the electric substation adjacent to
it that I see every time I drive out to Winchester Boulevard from Wimbledon Drive.
The developers have listened to the community's concerns and made significant changes to the project
and will continue to work to make the Winchester/Lark area's traffic workable. This is not like factories
whose workers all arrive at 9AM and leave at 5 PM. Engineers don't work that way. Entry and egress
will be staggered and companies like Netflix supply bus transportation for many of their employees,
cutting the number of cars and trips to the property. The employees who do work in these buildings,
whether they are Netflix employees or from other businesses will support our local restaurants and
stores by bringing additional business to town — all good things for Los Gatos.
This project has already been approved by our Town Council. Then came the lawsuit that cost us — the
residents of Los Gatos — money. Those funds could have been used for other needed purposes. Now
that the lawsuit has been adjudicated and the project can go forward, it would be wrong to start over
again with new objections and changes and a waste of people's time and money. Using the other
projects that may or may not be built as an excuse is short sighted and has already been addressed.
Perception is reality and the longer this continues the more Los Gatos will be perceived as a place that is
unfriendly to business. Without business Los Gatos cannot survive.
We need Class A office space and a development that is a win -win for business and residents. This
project is just that. It is the right use for the property and the right location for the project. Our
neighborhoods and schools will survive and be able to thrive because of the income made from such a
project. It is designed to preserve the setting while allowing growth.
This is 2013 and we cannot continue to be left in the dust by other municipalities. The Planning
Commission and Town Council do not need to go back to the drawing board on this project. The
business community needs to know that there is support for growth and prosperity and the residents
need to know that the concerns they initially expressed have been addressed. Both segments must live
together in order for our town to be the place that people want to live, work and own property or a
business.
I respectfully request that the Planning Commission and Town Council approve this project as it now is
proposed — that they let it be built and contribute to our community.
Ronee Nassi
A concerned and responsible resident; a booster for the Los Gatos business community
The Editor, The Weekly -Times April 26, 2013
Please consider printing the following Position Statement
Position Statement of the Los Gatos Citizens for Responsible Development
We, the members of the Los Gatos Citizens for Responsible Development support
responsible, reasonable and effective growth and development
We support the re -development of the Los Gatos Business Park LLD (proposed Albright
Office Park) consistent with the following:
.We support a project consistent with the Goals and Policies of the 2020 General Plan,
consistent with the General Plan Light Industrial Land Use Designation, and consistent
with the Town's Commercial Design Guidelines
We support a project that protects our environment
We support a project that minimizes traffic impacts in an already congested area
We support a project that minimizes visual impacts to the adjacent neighbors and along
highly traveled roadways
We support a project that maintains our small town character
We support a project that is compatible and in harmony with the height, mass and scale
of surrounding development and protects adjacent residential development
We support a project that optimizes open space by utilizing underground parking and
that minimizes surface parking
We support a project that provides generous landscaped buffers between surface
parking areas or structures located adjacent to Los Gatos Creek Trail or adjacent to
residential development
We believe it is not possible to achieve the above goals without revising the Albright
Office Park proposal 1) reducing areas covered by driveways, surface parking, and
buildings footprints and 2) reducing the height of the buildings
Lee Quintana
Los Gatos Citizens for Responsible Development
5 Palm Ave
(408) 354-7808
leeandpaul@earthlink.net
November 5, 2012 Item # Other Business 2
To: Honorable Mayor Steve Rice and Council Members
From: Lee Quintana
Re: Town Council Agenda Item #10 (Other Business November 1, 2012 Council
Meeting)
Request for Exemption to Height Pole and Netting Policy for Albright Way
1) Granting an Exception:
It would be preferable to have a vacant property to enable the use story poles. Failing
that, an exemption that incorporates the comments below may be a reasonable
alternative.
2) Third reason for Height Poles/height of netting°
The staff reports gives two reasons for the Height Poles and Netting Policy. They alsot
serves a third purpose: to aid in the analysis of the visual affects of the proposed project
in the Draft EIR. Given the timing proposed for the cherry pickers and netting, how will
the applicant's proposal accomplish this?
If approved, the PD zoning would allow exceptions.to the proposed maximum height of
65 feet, which could potentially add an additional 10-15' to building height resulting in
structures with a real height of from 75 to 80 feet. While these heights may be
consistent with the PD Zoning (if approved as proposed) any height exception could
have a potentially significant visual impact.
To represent the real height of the proposed project the cherry picker netting needs to
be raised, to 75 feet, at a minimum. The real potential height of the proposed buildings
is the "proposed maximum" height plus the maximum height of potential exceptions.
Consistency with an approved PD zonings maximum height does not necessarily
equate to the zoning not having a potentially significant visual affect. The two are
separate issues.
Start morning viewing hours earlier to include the entire peak of morning traffic period,
and add a period to allow an analysis in Draft EIR.
3) Locations of Cherry Pickers and Building Locations:
Six locations have been proposed for the cherry pickers. However, the applicant's letter
indicates that these locations have not been finalized; they still need to be coordinated
with Community Development, Public Works, Police and County Fire to verify the
acceptability of the locations. Given the date of the request (written on October 10,
2012, received by the Town November 1, 2012) this would not have been possible. Why
the rush?
Is the site plan submitted with Item #10 the actual site plan or does it represent one of a
number of possible site plans as indicated on the plans submitted with the new
application for Albright Way? Will the actual site plan be determined at A&S? If there
November 5, 2012 Item # Other Business 2
were a change to the site plan would an additional round of cherry pickers and netting
be required? What would the criteria be? How would the environmental clearance be
modified?
4) Adequacy of Locations for Cherry Pickers:
The proposed locations do not adequately represent views from Lark and University,
along the creek trail or Los Gatos Blvd. as it crosses Highway 85 Please provide
additional locations to cover those views. Suggestion for additional locations are:
Building #4 or #3 - SE corner (for Lark and University)
Building #2 - rear of building facing the trail (Los Gatos Creek Trail)
Building #2 - NE corner (for Los. Gatos Blvd/bridge over Highway 85)
While the proposed exemption, with modification, my adequately show the height of the
structures, it does not appear it will adequately represent the footprints or mass of the
proposed project.
5) Video Simulation:
Provide a video simulation traveling along the various view corridors in addition to the
proposed photo simulations from specific points?
See comments under #1 for the height of the proposed structures.
6) Request for Continuance:
The Albright Way project is both a large and important project. Therefore, I think all
decision related to this project should be made only after complete information has been
provided and all concerns have been addressed.
Therefore, I request that Item #10 be continued to allow revision of the application and/
or staff's report to address and incorporate all suggestions and comments made by
council and the public.
Thank you for your consideration.
April 1, 2013
From: Lee Quintana
To: Mayor Barbara Spector and the Town Council
RE: Agenda Item #7 Height Pole and Netting Policy
April 1, 2013 Town Council Meeting
The following are my comments on on Agenda Item #7
1. Concept and Purpose of Policy:
2. Exceptions vs Purpose of the Policy
3. Notification of Exemption Granted
4. Online Development Activity List
5. Public Hearing Notification Cards
1. CONCEPT AND PURPOSE OF POLICY:
® I believe the concept behind story poles/height poles is to provide the public and
decision makers with information necessary for the to independently assess the
potential visual impacts of a proposed project and to independently determine
whether or not they confer with staff's conclusion and/or any environmental
documents prepared for the project.
• It seem both counter intuitive and counter productive to exempt exactly those
projects that have potential for the greatest visual impacts (impact vistas, change a
site's character and/or impact our small town character).
® Section 1 Purpose indicates the purpose of Height Pole policy is to demonstrate the
planned rooflines and heights and to provide some indication of the potential massing
of the proposed structures. This appears to be inconsistent with Section C. Location
and Number which states" story pole location shall adequately demonstrate the
projected height, mass and bulk of the project..."
® Height and rooflines by themselves do not adequately demonstrate visual impacts of a
proposed development. Demonstration of potential massing is also necessary.
® Without height, rooflines and massing it is not possible to adequately assess whether
a project will or will not result in visual impacts. Aesthetic/ visual imparts are part of
the items required to be covered by CEQA. If anything story poles/ height poles •
need to be in place during the preparation of a Negative Declaration or EIR.
2. EXCEPTION VS PURPOSE OF POLICY
® The staff report notes it has been common practice to allow large Planned
Development applications to erect story poles only for key buildings. Staff gave three
examples of the use of this common practice ( Honda and Swanson Ford sites, and
Thrash House (Bluebird Lane) to support including this practice in the revised Policy.
• Selected structures for story poles: These examples also support the reverse
conclusion, i.e that this practice should not be included in the Revised Policy :
1. Honda Site: The story poles that were erected did not prepared me for the
homes being so closely jammed on the site.
2. Thrash House (Bluebird Lane): The story poles erected did not adequately
demonstrate mass vs open space (again how the homes seem jammed together)
or that the mountain visible in the background to the west would no longer be
visible but would be replaced by the structures approached from Kennedy Road.
® Example of cranes: The cranes placed at the Albright Office Park do not meet the
intent of the Height Poles and Netting Policy.
1. They show the height only at limited locations.
2. Cranes need to be erected at all corners of every structure, and corners
connected by netting to adequately demonstrate the mass, scale, bulk and
intensity
• It would be more appropriate to refer requests for exemptions to the Planning
Commission
3. NOTIFICATION OF EXEMPTIONS GRANTED
® If the Mayor or two Council members do not ask that a request for an exception be
placed on Town Council agenda the public have an opportunity for input and will not
even be aware of the request until it is final.
• I request that Council consider using the What's New section on the Website when a
request is received, and when one is granted.
4. ONLINE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY REPORT
® I strongly support developing a regularly updated an Online Development Activity
Report. Until that is possible, I request Council direct staff to post basic information
for new applications on the What's New section of the Web site.
® In addition I request Council consider directing staff to establishing an online
Applications Received List, (in the order received) with basic project information such
as applicants name, project location, brief project description, file number and the
project planners name.
5. PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE CARDS
I support staffs recommendations for improving the Notice Cards.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Lee Quintana
5 Palm Ave.
cc: Mazarin Vakharia, Clerk Administrator
Greg Larson, Town Manager
Planning
From: Eric Connor <erconnOr@yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2013 6:51 PM
To: Joel Paulson; Planning
Subject: Albright Way Project: Concern & Proposal
Attachments: Albright Way Project_Eric Connor Proposal.pdf
Dear Sir/Madame,
Please take a look at the attached file. I am living in the community of Charter Oaks and more specifically I live
with my wife Linda Sundberg at 308 Willow hill Court Los Gatos CA 95032. The Albright Way Project is
particularly distressing as the proposal includes the building of a 4 story building right next to our 1 story
house! Further more the proposed buildings of the project are on a hill overlooking my tiny house. Please could
you encourage the architects to make two story buildings. This also will be fitting with the surround buildings
of Los Gatos. I have heard that the Netflix site has 4 stories, but these buildings are on the other side of
Highway 85. 4 story buildings on the South side of the highway today don't exist. Please could you encourage
the architects to make their buildings blend in with the small town and village feeling of Los Gatos and not
encourage a high density inner city feeling. This is not the reason why I moved to Los Gatos.
Thank you very much for your help,
Eric Connor,
308 Willow Hill Court,
Los Gatos,
CA 95032
Phone: 1-408-391-7328
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