Attachment 1Robert Schultz
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Dieter Schmidt < dieter5x@pacbell.net >
Monday, March 13, 20L7 4:07 ?M
Robert Schultz
George Silva
130 Massol Avenue
Good Aftemoon Mr. Schultz,
Thank you for your note requesting our arguments why the Town of Los Gatos should re-pay the flne ($82,950.00 plus interest).
Central to the Town's levying a fine were allegations that our contractor ignored the Town's Demolition Affidavit which was never
presented by the Town nor signed by the contractor or us.
The Development Review Committee stated in its instructions that the front and lefi walls be maintained and incorporated into the new
structure. There was no mention of "contiguous" movement of walls.
The Town did not request the contractor or us to sign any affidavit of any kind prior to the issuance of a building permit other than
"Conditions of Approval" which we did acknowledge.
During the pre-construction meeting our contractor was instructed by the lnspector not to separate the front wall and the porch
structure. No mention of "contiguous" movement of front and lefi walls. lt was well known that the Preservation Committee had
requested that misaligned horizontal exterior boards be re-ananged to show a continuous seam. This required that all boards ofthe lefr
wall and a portion of the front wall had to shifred, either up or down.
The Town Manager stated that Town staff is not obligated to alert contractors or owners regarding "contiguous" wall moving when less
than 40% of existing walls are to be removed.
The Town Manager further stated that since the 39.'l% shown on the drawings was so close to the 40% threshold, the architect was
asked to sign an affidavit to insure his calculations to be conect. The architect was never asked nor did he sign an affidavit.
Even after paying the fine, town staff refused to help deciding how to effect the lining up of the still existing exterior wall boards, but
instead instructed our contractor to scrap all exterior boards of both the front and left wall as long as the new boards were of the same
cross section as the existing ones.
The only original exterior still in place are the porch (except some ofthe corbels which were too rotten to save - and the triangular top
front wall where no alining of boards was necessary).
No hearings, no meetings, no statemenls, no clarifications, no appeals, no other explanations were given. The fine has lo be paid or
construction will not be allowed to resume.
We request that the Town Council review he above brief summary of events and rule whether the above listed flne is warranted. We do
not think so.
Thank you again, respectfully, Dieter
ATTACHMENT 11
ffiHWffi
FEE ? $ T$'$
f **ruary rE. r# ts g0Wrrl fttA]|A0f;fi u*rrar Avenue
Los Gatos, CA g5CI3o
The Honorable Mayor Marcia Jensen
1 l0 East Main $treet
l-os Gatos, Catifornia gS0B0
Flef.: 100 Massol Avenue
Dear Mrs. Mayor,
Than you,
lrVe have been trying to get a resoruti0n to the request rerated in ourJuly 31 , 2013 retter to th; Town Manager
"nJ
roin Attorney.
Please ret me know if you have any questions or require detailsbeyond those provided.
Ftrease review the attached and ret us know your decisicn.
1
all.
Dreter Schmidt
cc. vice hlayor, Town councir Members & Town Manager w/att
:rffi5
fr
l1tl
RECEN'EP
FEB 2 5 2015
?OW?{ MANAGER
130 Massol Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Chronology of Events
1990 - 2*X5
*11\\ il::\d.,c{i.
CtlH plilftiAFY RESlDrltC[. WHtCtr Wr BUILT t,! r]71 l1cAs suVFsrLy [iAt\,tA#iliI}UFiIh'C T11[ 198S EAHIHOUAXE
ROtlSl.i"l ?ffi 13* I!4ASSOL AVINUI H*USE tN 1 SSfr $jftCfl rAr* WffiF Ut',,A$tt: Til USI|3Ut< p fll/o/r f\Fi y Rf St0E NC f
,I.IE BAI'IKS HA[i IHr PROPENTY APPRAISEO
.-Alrl0 S?s5.0*r 00 H0USC ; $0.O0
Ofi,su\]Al t"0A& oF|.6R WtIHDfiAWN . t,JO l-our$OAI]0N
BECAUSE OF ITS POOR CCINDITION WE ONLY COOKED AND SHOWEREO THTTTE AFTTHINSTALLING A NEW SHOWES
fiAIN LEAKED THHOUGI-I THT ROOF, THE WALLS, ANCI CH'MNEY
PLANIS CRAWLED T'.IROUGH THE WALLS TO THE ATTIC
WAINECOT'NG. TLOOH IN EOME AHEAS, LATH AND PLASTER WALLS AND CE',LI|,{GSDAI,IAGEO IT,I AtL RooMs EXCEPT THE KITCHEN
ALL ORIGINAL WINDOWS INOPERATIVE . ONtY ONE trRONT WINDOW (NOT ORIGIhJAL)COULD BE OPENED
MOST NAIIS HAfi HUSTED AWAY, ESPECIALLY ON THT SCUIH ANO WEST SICI€S
CSVERED CHIMNEY AND AFF'XED PLYWOOD TO SOME OUTSIDE SECTIONS 1O XEEPHAINWATER OUT * COVEBED SOME FLOOF AREAS WITH PIiWOCD
REFLASED TNTRY $TEP$ * AOCIED BAILING AROUNO FRONT POBCH - ACCESS TOAHEAS W|TH DECAYED BOARDS WAS BLOCKED
XI.JOB AND IUBT WIFING DAMAGED - CLOTH AND HUBBEH ITTSULATION BRIT-ILT ATJDMOST HAD TALLINJ OFF - INSURANCE LIMITED TO $1O,OOC OO
tr.!*$F&Lre n t$Du*THlAr_ CONDutT y/tRtNc iht fi/osT R00MS
TJUfrING I"HIS iII.'F t'IE STAHTTD HEBUILBiNG OUN PfiIf,,!AHY RESIDT'ICr WHIC}.' lOOK? YEAN$
'N
1984 lMEl wtlr'l rHE Hlsrofi,cAl col{hlt-rrr To FxpLoRE WHAT coulo Bs *oNr-TIC'IF, I}JE 130 InAsSoL AVENUE H0USE
NUfi''.iC TFII ldr:ETING I LrAfir''ED WHAT WAS ACCEFTABI-E TO THI COMI.iIITTEE AITHAY TIME, THAT KtloB ANn ruBr wrHtN6 ts pERFrcTL r* SAFE, ANI) THe usr- $r AtCICAL AFIC}-{'TfrET IS HIG|-itY HTCOMMENNEfi
MY ABCHITTCT EEOTHEF.II,I.LAW T{,,HO DOES NOT FIISIDr IN iOS GATOS HADPNTFARFN SOMA SKETCHES Ti'HICH WERE STJECTED
1:.
STARTID TI,It RL,Il'\BIi:]A]ION PNOC[5$ IN 2OO? " SLITCTTD AI{ AFICHII IC'I V{I{TJ
HAil Dlrti+l; PHO BntuO f/CIIiK lt$ LOS 6AT0$
"tE TALKED Mi: INTO LEI IIT\G ONE OF HIS FfiITNDS ACCON'IPANY h4E 1O AI.I'
CCIMMII Tl:t: MEETINGS BECAUSE "HE KNOWS LOS GATOS TOWTJ STAFF WELL '
'}Ai
O
A|-TO ANt} LOS GAI C}S HISTOIIICA1 COMMITTETS AHE NOTORIOUSTY OIFFICUI-T"
JUST THE OTPOSITT . MEETINGS WIIH lHE HIS"|OFIICAI- COMMITTI E WHRE CORI}IAL "
COMMITTET MEMBERS WEBE H€IPFUL IN GETTING DESiGN APPROVTD- TOTi VIHAT IT
ISWOHTH:TI-IECONCEPTWASCBEATEDBYMYBROTHEff''N-lAW
WE COULD HAVE SAVED A MAJOR POHTION OF THE AHCHITECT FRTEND'S ''HELP" COSI"
OF S19,514.18
TOWN LETTEH, DATED MAY 19, 2OO9 STATED THAT THE TECHNICAL HEVIEWS HAVE
BETN COMPI-ETED *IIN PIENS AHE APPROVED' REMAING FBONT AND LEFT WALLS
ARE REQUIHED TO BF MAINTAINED AND INCOflPORATED INTO THE NEW STHUCTUBE
NO COMMENTS REGARDING CONTIGUOUS MOVEMENT OF WALLS OB ANY OTHEH
DIHECTIONS
RECEIVEDBUILDINGPERMITIN20I0-NoMENTIoNoFANYSPECIFICoRDINANCES
OTHEB THAN THE "BOILEFI PLATE" TYPE
Sf;LEcTEoACoNTRACIoRWHoHADBUILTHoUSESIh,LoSGAT0S
STOP WOHK OROER WAS ISSUED JULY 6, 201O, REASON
"FOUBCOT\,TRAOT0fiSHAVECOMPLAINEDTCITHETOWN-WEHAVETOACT"
CONTHACTORS WEftE I\OT IDENTIFIED
FINE$E2,gS0oo."WALLSToBEMA|NTAINEDWERENoThltovEDlNAcoNTlGOUs
FASHIOhI'' AS PRESCHISED BY TOWN OBDINANCE AI.THOUGH THE HISTORICAL
COL,lMlTTf f HAO OTHEnVdISf, DEMANOED:
"THEMIs.ALIGNEDCIUTTRBoAnDSoFALATEBADD}TONloTHEoRlGlNALl.iCIUsE
i{AVf To 8r ALlGtiEi} wlTt,{ 0fltGlNAL BoAHDS AND THEFH0NT HAD I0 BE
SYIdMIi'8ICAL AHOUNO TTlE ENTHAI{CE PCIRCTj'
WE FIEL THAT THE PRI]VISO CA.LLING FOR COI{TIGUOUS IdOVEMENT OT RIGI'i]
ANGLID WAI.LS WHICI{ HAD TO DIS'ASSEMBLED TO SATISFY ANOTHTR TOWN
NFQUEST }S TONIURING i.OGIC {O THE EXTHEME
WE DID NOT PAY TI.IF FII{T, THEN NO tsUILDING COUL* fiESlART 'I'AD TO SIGhI
-|owN A.rToRt'lEY,S LEGAt. DoCU|,,4ENT AGREEING To T0WN,S DEMAN0S AND
CONDtTIoNs - WE rlio rHE FINE AND CALLEo THf FINE oUTRAGEOUS - TowN
OFFICIAL AGREED
*,pv:" {{:*. } i{lrd ptrccf,ss $TARI rn sv[].i AG&INlxcL:i:"r' li.i[ s7 1'*j p? scHoa]L DtST;llCl rr[i,t ?i A i i:; &'il\f:l:.1\ | ..-'il: $i :- I I L l,
l:lrsI&liTIl] *llllriltus l3t10c[s$ A80tJ1"TWo M0(]TlJg LATEH. AFre ii TOi.r.h *r-ilcrAtsSSUIN i'[RMII S
Af fEn IIJSTALLII,JG i.hI f RrfruT WALL W,TH T]-tF p0,tCH AtJt] THf r-F_ i I WALi 0f,; Tii[.i'lE\'/ FouNDATlcN" lnoNTAcrED BultDrNc 1lrpAHlMer{r Fj'otl AD.v-rcE wirH ;HI;Rr,ftursrg* Allct',Jll'Jo THE Exr[Hrofi BoARCIs or rHE Two rry,qll s - hjc Hfi. p rryAsOFTENET
INSTEAO WE WERE TOLD TO TEAN THEM ALL DOWN ANO INSTALL ALL NEIIY WALLS
{DIO CONF'HM THE TOWN'S HEOUEST IN AN E.MAIL TO THE BU}LOING DEPASTMEN]
TOWN OTFICIAI COMPLAINED THAT ruTY OID NOT APPRECIATT MY SENDING ALLTHEST CONFIRMING F.MAILS. DUHING MY LATER REVIEW OF THE BUILDINGDEPARTMENT 130 MASSOL AVENUE FILE. MOST OF MY MTMO$ WEFIE NOl INCTUDEDNOB WAS THENE AN EAFITHOUAKE SEPORT, WHY NO ANSWEB
WHAT REMATNS NOW OF TI-{E OLO HOUSF ARE:
STUDS ,h,THE FROI,JT AND LFFI WALL, THE TBIANG{JLAR TOP PORTION OF THT FHCIruTWALI
'NCLUOING
OI.JTSIDE EOAEDS WHERE THEY S'D NOT HAVE TO BE ALIGNEO WITI-ICITHEB BOAFDS
IHE FHOI!] PORCH HAS NOW A HIDDET'' STAINLESS STEEL COBSET SUPPOHTING ANDLEVELltlc THf, OHtcINAL SAGG|NG ROOF
STAINLESS BRACKETS WEHE INSIALLED TO BEINFORCE THE NEW WOODENEXTENSIONS RETLACIh'G THF BOTTOM PORTION OF THF rOUff I}OST$ WHISII I.IAI)ROTTED AWAY
$OME CCIRBELS WI.IICIi HAO MIS$ING POHTION$ WE'I[ IIEPLACT'D WITh hJFWCOHEETS |''{ATCHING THE OFilGtNAL DEStcN
IF Ti,{T BIJ'LNIr{S OEPANTM6NT I{AN ASSISTED WITH TIJE ALIGNING PROOESS THr
130 MAsSoL AVENUE l{ousE woulD rxcErD THr roy/N'$ S(r"c FULI By 4or*
frt{ Juty 6 20t* tOwru tssu[D A Lrll[fr slATr.jG rHAl
"THt 't\a [4A$sol. AVEhJUT FiousE wAS DLMcLtsHEo AND ls No L0NGER A
CO|.JTHIBI,JTING S]"HUCTUHT HOWFVEH. lHE STRIJCTLJNT IS LOCATTI} IN THT ALMfiNI)GROVT DI$TRICT /\I.iD HEMEINS ON '} Hr HISTOBIC RESOUHCES IN\I{. NTCINY L,ST,
:)U8ING OT.IE OF THT H|STOBICAL COMMITTEE MEITINGS IBROUGHT UF IHE TAC]TH&T TI{E fiTBUILT TOLL HOUSE LTOKS JUST A$ IT CIIO BEFORE, .JUST NE\IJ FAINT
TOVIN OTFICIAL ADVISTN 1I"{}.1 EVERY BOABO WAS ir'JSIIECTED A$ TO IT$ II\,1EOfi}T}ANI] POSSIBLT FT"UST NURIIIG lHr NT.SUILOING PBOCESS OF Ifir TOLL TIOUST
4
uVt"tY rd[: VdFliF: NUI f Xl'INnED THE SAME COiIRIESY, IDC] ]'r3T (hJOW
rllnAL BUlOll."G INSPt-C1lOrt JUNF 1?,?-rJ11
rARt Y ?{}13 t" loy/l'l orFKlAL yll"lo KNEW ABOU 1 l'1"{r rlNE. VlSll'ED AND $lATEt)
TI"{AT I $H*ULD COf,4PLAII\ TO II.IL IOY{N AECAUST A BUILOEF WIlH CONNTCI'IOIIS
rlAD COMFLLT ELy Rp.IED A '19'* CINTUHY STnUCI"URT lN i'Hf Nf'lGHBCIfiHOOl] TO
BUILD A NEW HCUSE. NO FINE WAS REQUESTET)
A PFIOMINENT CITIZEI'J OF THE TOWN MENT}ONTD THI SAME IN A TEBRUAftY 5, 2013
LET-TER TO THE LOCAL I(EWSPAPER
OURING A HOUTINE MEETING WITH AN EX MAYOR OF THE TOWN HE SUGGESTED THAT
1 SEND A LETTEB TO THE TOWN MANAGEFI AND TOWN ATTOBNEY
OID SENO THE LETTEBS ON JULY 31. 2013 - NO ANSWER
SENT LETTER TO TOWN MAYOR HEQUESTING ASSISTANCE ON SEPTEMBEF TO.2013
BE-SEND LETTEBS VIA CEBTIFIED L,tAll ON OCTOBER 18' 20tg
RECIPIENTS APOLOGIZED. BLAMED STAFT FOR NOT FORWARDING THE OHIGINAL
CORRESPCI'JDENCE
DUHING THE TWO SUBSEOUENT MEETINGS WITH TOWN MANAGEMENT IPSOTESTED
THE FINE WHICH I BELIEVE MADE US OUT TO 8E CRIMINALS
IT.+ ADDITION ILEAHNED THE FOLLOWING:
TOWN WILL NOT IDENTIFY THE FOUH CONTRACTOSS WHO COMPLAINED:
TOWN DEPENDS INFOFIMERS"
SINCE THE HE.BUILOING PROCESS WAS NOT PERFO8MEO CLANDESTINELY DUBING
THE NIGHT AND BEGULAH INSPECTIONS WEHE CONDUCTED. WE FAIL TO UNT'ERSIAND
WHY THE TOWN SEPf;NDED QNI FOUR INFORMERS
ACCOFIOING IO OUR CONTHACTOR ONE INDIVIDUAL SPEI']D STVEHAL DAYS TAKI$IG
PHOTOGNAPHS I]UBING'1HE INITIAI PHASES OF TH6 RE'BUIINfNG PFOCESS W'"tEN
APPROACIIED, HE OROVE OFT
towN clAllus N0 FHOTCIGHAPHS WERE STJBMITTED BY THr FOUR COI'l"t',nAcToRs
WHO COII{PLA}TIED
THE "CONTRACTOH WITH CONINECTIONS'AND HIS RAZING A Nf IGHEORHOOD
$Tfr LJCTI..' NE WAS LASEL ED "DITFEH ENT CIRCUMSTAI{GES'
.,YOU SIGNED TOWN'S LEGAL DOCUMENT AGGHEEING TO TI'IE f-INE'(TOWN ADMITTED
I"HAT IT WAS SIGNED UNDER I]UHESS}
; HE I ofllt hLSo DEfi'tA'NDS i HAI lf r4oEt 1ij{[! 4sco o,: FXTFRIoFi firAl l-s lrnE ]CI tlFDlscAHnr.*. T{[ cCINTRecTori ANo oB,r\,&ri HAVI rc srGii At{ AFr:rDAVrr
lHlS wAS itoT DoNE , FTEASO^J. DHAWTNG STATLS THA' OhJty39.1o.r oF EXTFFIOTi!,',ALI.S l,t'i|L BE AFFECIEN U,IH'Ch DOES NOT ?FIGGER THr AF[:IDAViT REOUESI
rHF OHAW|NG NorATtor\, rs rr! E{tfioH, 48":u wERE t"o BE REMovEn- THE EUrLDrt\,(:OET,AHT,VIENT CHECKER MUST HAVE MIssED THE ERBOH As WELL
EUILDING DEPARTMENT STATED THAT BECAUSE 'I HE ASCHITECT'S CALCULATIONS OF3e,lolo oF wALLs ro BE REMOVED wAs so closE To I-rE 40% TR|GGER, HE wAsASKED TO $IGN A BUILD'NG DEPAHTMENT Atr'FIDAV'T . BUILDING DEPARTMEhITSTATED THAT HE HEFUSED
THAT STATEMENT IS NOT TBUE . THE ARCHITECT WAS NEVEB ASKED TO SIGNANYTI.I'NG AND THEBEFOBE DID NOT HEFUSE ANY BEOUEST
THE APR'L 17,20.14 E.MAII FHOM THE TOWN WAS THE LAST COMMUNICATION:
f,{:' S{:hmrcl
l'1't ai;orc$i*s
l i",Ad tea*tlti't !.riifr;;6d tli* [4a.vc,r lr.:aj j l l,eifei,t?c i:ii, t-tt.iiy [,LtlS)latjdiig tler;$ rApefCln!; !flt]r:"''at"€t v:ait r::v ii1'rn VCil Ui C,r; Vorir t:ui;t rqt j ar.r .. r,erc.lrr,!:rf:crc ;nttet. ir,r n1p 1g, r.,fa, irr,-,\/ .)t t)9.tnlt1t',:drr00ily r.i!,r"-1" rS Slill n1.1,,i,ilgr.)l,i)n ri yg1: gra iril,irrl erC i/-: AO*teSS Wrilj,lh&Cr.:,st'isi'tnp'*ct,t,y rneter ftt fillprcfrratr lrrles e nfi p:en;l!ies l0r luiur* (rl(rrfllslaric€.r sir[n;syflt"lrt:; Jhax ro|c!"Ylsll€f iifif ttrt Vfl l"J*en sc:treri,.rlec 6irr&rl llif !)ioss cl c,iher Crillrcit tiir!r:)*s!
I l'1ral r;(:i !ricfigii'ili lilS! !c;i: ',",e,6: lltit er.lii.tl:ri1,,:i: {;ijh,j c r:l,j.r-qr} i*t;tltt,:i.,1 yp56il;g;1:g liif) p,r;1
i:{Ir€r-'r'L*r,r \:fL, {:?.t".t:bii,( rl,tii'; f:1;' 'i}r,rf: t'1; r{jjr1irr,ger1,ir,l 1J ll r f,a.rillig$, }ri.:ij,iA,fi i,r*r$fi_rtir tr
":{,t'. it.*a\i:i: *.it4 {,Slriit:rnt: il.f, al:l:1.;ir,iiJte rti.}:l Slref_!i,
j'.li',1.1 :.',..:..: a:rt.,.rl.",i aar,..tt. 'ti,. 1',i::,.,.,r.<!.i;?\r: i,;^,.ii:!, ..i,.{)i,ir,.;,,ii-uiit lr.tf,::
'Jl,l'iir aljri.riBi {.liAf}J) ,Ot hrsi(:l,C l.rt":,f-l?iiiti:i {J,..:i,ri}ir}'i i:ii,;: i 1:1: c rriyt igS l{..1 i:,i-- .;ri:rrl:ijt]{,li:' t!.:.:tn$ii_jtt..,(. l{ri ., i'."t, j.t:tt{),*t1..
i:.111i i.,pii i'.:11r,i11-1;, :i ',; tt ;i!;, r!. , ii r, ."r,r ,,ii j i" | *i.rr:f ;l
l. !; c'j,i,. i, ,..,. ".ii:,...:(.'
i{E STILL BELIEV€ THAT THE TOWN'S ACTIONS WFBE DISCRIruIINATOBY ANDINCONSISTTNT. ESPECIALLY WITH HESPECTTO FORC'NG US TO SIGN AN OIIE8OUSAGEE€MENT
WE REOUESTTHAT THE FIh]E BE RETUBNED IO US AND THAT PROCESS
iMPROVEMENTS BE MADI SO OTHERS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO A SIMILAR EXPERIEI.{CE
AhID THAT THE PSESERVAIIOIV OF OUB TOWN BUILOINGS CAN BE UNDEBIAXEN iN A
li4OH E SENSiBLT MANNf R,
C*rrespondence
Photos
?*rrril hju*tber: B0g-$44f g, B*S-044g
Gcod Aftern*nn ldrs. Dai,is
late.3re ready 10 proceed with the restoralion of the referenced singtefarnily nouse.
Pyl,ng.u pre-consrruction meeting with the Town of Los Gatos
f:ff:l.l^(yl r,^ Hoberr Harper) anil the conrralio, tu i Fa rI' - "
uornrnguezi,,t was determined that additional-guibance-lbeyond rhatprovided durino the two year design processi tr"o, the HistoricPreservation Cimmittee'*oufO Oe needed.
Specifically, it relates to the preservation and re-use of some ol theexisting exterior wails. According to Mi. Hirpei i simitaltiiuation"had to be resolved at a BayviewirLnue proiectl
Please let me know w.hat procedures have to be foilowed to efrect asite visit by the committee'.
I arn looking forward to your response.
Sincerely, Dieter
Good Altern0on Jenn,f6r.
Thenh you lor today'$ update regarding the work stoppage request by the Town
*{ Los Galos.
This was done
Needless to say that simrn and I are very drsappointed lhat no explanations have
been detailed with respect to what rules or regulations were violated"
lt was two weeks aga today {Tuesday, July 6, 2010) thal our contractor' Mr' Faul
no*ingr*r. a buil&r with a iong trisiory of building and refurtrishing homes in
Los G;tos, rncluding the Almond Grove District, called me lrom the site and
related the work stoppage request'
Ouote: " Dieter, we have a problem. The inspector just visited and requested that
all work be stopped immeAiately, Four contractors complained to the Town of
Los Gatos that'too much rrouse was being removed'. This many complaints
require the Town to acf'.
Paul and I met with you the following Wednesday' You conlirmed the Town's
request and speculated that a meeting witlr your supervisor that afternoOn or the
folowing day ifhursday) should resuli in some explanation. At the time you
stated that the t"rt* ior tne complaint was the moving and storing of the
'to-be-saved' walls separately, rather than contiguously'
A search of my meeting notes (l attended allmeetings with the Town'S
representatives over ttie past two and half years) and a review of the
architectural drawings signed by the Town'$ various departments' do not direct
the builder to move walls contiguously'
The Historical Commitiee specifically requested that misaligned horizontal
exterior boards be re-arranged to result in a continuous seam' This request can
only be met by separating ti'te t*o walls in guestion or removing and re-aligning
all the exterior boards.
I am sure that Mr. Drrninguea can explain in mOre detail what steps have to be
taken to satisfy the Commifiee's detailed request'
The signed building drawings do carry a notation that the front porch lir'las 'not to
be removed flom tfre front ivall, excepl {or rotten andlor termite destroyed
portions". That turned out to be the entire support structure'
Jennifer, ygu can imagine that Simin, Paul, the immediate neighbors' and I are at
loss to appreciate *ffiCy't complaint. esperially since no effort was spared to
submit a design that saves as nruch
*f i** *ld strui*t#r* as pr*rtical, ihst rns aFpsarar*ce will b* i*entr*af t* vyh*t w*sthere h*fore and rnake rtr* acldition as unnbtr,;sive as possihre
ws a** rr*king f*rwnrd t* hearing fr*m ycu and ynur d8sartrn*nt $tffft $ssn
Paul anc r are avarrabre to meel with y*u, y'uf supervisor, or any otherdepartnient staff members
at any tirn* c*nv*ni*n1 to y*u *ll.
Lst us try t* grt this rego{ved n**,
Tftank yuu, *iet*r
t{*lla i'lil?,*,
Thank you f*r yCIur and Mr. l-{arptr's rsvi*w oi the cxterior sidin*
pr*hlem.
This is to crnfirrn that the TCIwn o{ Lns fiatos has d*cided tc allorr-,
th* nbandanm*nt of the existing exterior b*ards rf the tw* {tr*nt
and left) sides of the house whirh were rnoved and put back intr
their assigned positions "
They will have to be replaced by hoards of like size and crss$
section.
The existinq studs will remain and will be reinforced by new 2 x 6
studs as required.
The existing porch structure will be maintained and any decayed
portions will be mended as needed.
Please let us kncw if the above accurately reflects your and Mr
Harper's decision
Pleass forgive it the preceding $umrflary appears petty, we are
only trying to avoid another expensive and building-time delaying
"migunderstand{ng".
I arn looking fonruard to your reply and our next meeting.
Take care, Dieter
: rr r li I
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ISli Mas$01 Avenue
Las ffat*s. CA 3503{i
suly 3t. 70t3
ll4{. Greq Lars*n
?own lrlianager-Iowri ol Los Galas
'I 10 Easl Marn Streei
Los Gato$. CA 95s30
Pef 13Ct Masscl Avenue
Oear Mr Larsnn
Durrng a routine meeling !ryith our Town's lormer mayor, Mr $teve Bice, lmenlioned out lntentot:
1o write a lefler to the Town Council requestrng a review cl the Buildrng Department's actions
during our re-buildrng ellorl of the subject prope(y.
Mr. Brce's suggestton was l0 ,irsl tequest a rneeting wilh you and lhe Town Attorney,
Ms Judith Fropp
We are requestrng a revtew of your Burldrng Department criminalizing our aclions during the lnilial
building phase and demanding a fine ol $82,950.00 prior lo allowrng building to resume, resulting
rn a two monlhs delay and addttnnal costs
Central to this ?yenl were allagalions by lour contractors that we inlenlionally tgnored the
Oemolilion Atlid avil regardirrg "wails-lo-be-sa ved"
Thts Demolition Affidavit was never presented by your Building Dopartrnent al any lime nor
srgned by anybody
ln tacr, alter saving the walls tn queslon, we solrcited assittance lrom your Building Department
as to how all Ta*n Preservatron Commrttee requesls could be mel without violating the "save-ihe
walls" demanda" we were lo,d to replace al| walls with new lunber
ln llght o, the evenls relateo above. we are requestlng re-payment ol fhe tine plus interest a*d
other costs incurred because ot the delay and the revokrng ol the Building Oepartment's initial
requesl
Piease lsl us knovv when we cafi fteel at a localion a{id tim€ convenienl t* y*u and M-e Propp
l-lrank yorr, rcsp*ctlullv
Dieler Schmrdt
cc'Ms. Judith Fropp
Irlr Steve Flire
130 Mass*l &v*n**
l*s Sati:s. *& S$il3*
$eptembcrx*, P{:}13
ft/lx.8ar*ara Spe*tor
Mayor
Town ol Lra Geta*
110 East Main $treet
l*os Garos, CA 0gsi0
Ref.: ? 30 Massol Avenue
Sear Ms. $pector.
on July 31, 2CI13 we mailed a letter tCI oilr Town Manager, lvlr. Greg Larson, snd
our Town Afiorney, Ms. Jr"rdith Propp, r'equesting a rneeting lo review the
bui{ding/planning departments' demand fsr an unwarranted fine.
since our former fdayar, Mr. stevs Hice received his copy, we as$$me that hoth
letters reached their addre$see$.
wh*ther the v**ation $eason interlered we do not know. bul we have nrt
rcceived any re*p*nse ts date.
We are *nlisting yaur assistance l* review our reque$t and prcvide guidar:c* *s**w ta prcce*d
Thank y*u. respect{utry.
*i*r*r *.c*midt
dLt
rr; fr4r Steven Le*nsrdis. Vice-lr,{ayar w/att
Y:rcSffl:l'3f:1*f lif:fin-tgJt; jrtlgtltt: *t4:'.*r.:: ;.'i,:1 i,f l,'1g,',*efttl fdfi*{}fit:
iir..t;*r:-'lt*i il,:"f . I*i 3 i{:."tJ ,rf'.4T*: Jxn*llr "1i.;q.JrJS*a}i**11
;i'4{t*ll 'il
fr*ad M*r'ning l"4rs- Judd,
*11*r la*f w*ek'$ rneeting with tu'lr. [,6rson, he suggested to meet *gxin
lcrfio:-r*v*, but {o ***tirnt with yau first"
i hav* rn* of thcse miserable trave| weeks alread of m*, I w*uld appre*txte'
i{ ycu could lrelp seiling an dit{erent day for rfte t* rneet with Mr' Lar*o*"
I never knsw when customers call, but next week or later should be OK'
$orry I missed you last week, take care, Dieter
F.r*m: Jan*tt* Judd $ent: I',xofi day, l'.J.pvgmb*r 04, 20'i 3 1 *:?? AIVIY*:
f;reg Lars*n$u*j*ct: FYf: {D"$chmrdti lrtleeting request
rY*
I will b* cnntaf;?in* fvlr. S*hnridt 1* **h*dul* a tin-te with y*t:
t\*xlw*ek {wr*k *f Nov' "1 1 .}
JJ
FW; {O.S*hrnldt} \ffi*ettng
requsst
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t, t, :yt*ar*t )yi t{j: *e'":.1 "r lt r l'::,
q-'.:.. .1*ntt3* -tu(,i:
W'ir - !1t":trttz:t*\,
-',|:*istt y*LJ tti{ th* rn*ttir:6 la*t w**h al"}* fiL},'tlr*ught{ul arrd
ttt*l3t:{:1tr-ttr di*f:r:*X1{}{\, {}t{:ti J*l' ftrll*r.'ri1i't{} t-t{-t il' **h*drll* '*Ut
,:t::r*ilr:tit-,0 ili*{.:tr*si*ii tt*xt i#**l{ i:5 \'Or ard 3 '*i13f'le'
il *rjditjt:tn^ I hav* sirrce nrei v'ritlr th* lt{ayor i:tnd Vice [,441i*r
{egard;ng the hatrrJling and substafi** of your case. Fer their
request, I anr sending you this email and am following-up on
additional issues they have raised rf,garding your co*cern$. We
can discl.,$s this rn*re fully when we rneet nexl w*ek"
Again, my apolagies for the delays in ,'ssponding tn and the
mishandling of yolrr cornmunications. ftegardless of the
outcorne cf this matter, please do know that we are giving r1 our
utrnost atlentror"r.
&r*g Larscn
T*ves: I'r.4anaq*;'
Y r**t; &$ peetor < S$pect*rffi hsgat*$*e . Ssv":'
T * : " diel*r5x @ pa ch* l l. n et" c d i e{ e rS x @ pa cbe I l. n e t"'
Sp*t: Wrdnesday, f{aventbsr S, 2013 3"?9 FM
&zsbi*rY; Y*ur ccrresPondence
{}*ar h,'!r. $cl:r:idt.
As -f,ou &rr i)fi14, Awilrf" t*rvn *rtrl'{" did n*t Jiirra'ard anr'*t'}'t}ilr
lctters lo me.
I first learned of your (oncerns this past Friday and rvas only alrlr
to discuss them with Mr. Larscn yesterday.
I understand fhat you will be continuing your discussions rvith Mr.
Larson. If you r-rrould like to talk, please call
me ar 408 781-5213.
Regards,
Barbara Spector
Mayar
{3*** bft*rnr*g t*r L-ar**rs
Tl,en?' y*u f*r *ur *ci*ber 2*, fOi3 rt:eetrng tc r*rriew *ur c*rnpf*rr:tr*gardinE y*ur Building ilepart$l*nt *riminalizing our acti*ns duringt.h* initial r*-huilding pha** sf ths suhjecf pmperty and demar"rding *fine *f $&*,95il.s* prior t* affowing building to resLjms, resuiting ifi *lwr m*nthx dnl*y and additronal **sts *stimated at $$,0*0.s*.
Ths falf*wing i* a synopsis of my re**llections nf our meeting:
1, An owner and eontrafior signature was nol required b*cause
the "walls ta bs removed" did not exceed 4a/,. Because thr
architect's calculation of 99.1"/v "walls to be removed" was so
*lose to the 40% trigEer, he was asked to sign a building
department $ubmi$ed affidavit.
. i. : :{-. t:'"*.... 'r.: i";i:;tl#:. ii,f :::i:i -l.lf fir} lt,
i!iLt .t; ".',#;L,; ;._ 1,,;trf ,.- ,)!r.,{. i-,d.\;:., _"1L.nf! *4 p!,ni,
r :l . .::y,il l!r,:r ::1'1r';.-. " ;':,,.: , :i- ./(t :^ + ,jj.rii.
-.' ;;'i .i,,tri116111,, r-"
2. A "$top l#nrk f{otice'wag igsued cn July $, as't0. Fleasun: ,,Four
{4} c*ntractors have comprained tc the Town forcing the r*w* tn
act".
, .:r :, , r ,,, .
. r.l 1.. 1...:, ' :tl.f i., ."",j l.irt:it- ,,r,:r'-. -, .{ .l ..r;.;
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3. fiurir.lg ali sub**quent msetings with the buitdinglplanning
separtments, ti')e *ontra*tar and iwers tgld that the,,t* b* sav*d
w&fl$" had to be rncved in a contigusus fashian.
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,:
l
,,.:, : : t,:::1:r;i,;1 tr I ;tiri :..:at:"..:|1r:i :r:il::i-:r-:I ',-.: : _:I
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4. You pres*nted tl"le "Agr*ement fol Payrn*nt *{ Flns" which we
were forced ta srgn prior to beinE allowed to resurfie c$nstructlsn
Yr:u asked.
"l-{ave ali payments been made?"
"According to the Town's regulations no aftidavit had t0 be signed
I can only go by the words on the &greement you signed, that yss
will pay tne fine without further dispute even if the Town had
presented an aflidavit and your architect had acknowledged it by
affixing his signature. How does that action take precedence over
the aEreement You signed"?
t ' i! ',.'. ., i ' :'' : '1 ! ' ' ''
';{51 l.i.t::..-." - i''-i':-'1'':t'''- i' f'11'"r ''-" f;t
5. The Town's 130 Massol file includes two statements'
July 26, 2010 - 130 Massol Avenue was demolished and is not
longer a contributing structure but remains On the historic
resources inventory list
December 16, 2010 * 130 Massol Avenue, a contributing structure
to the Aknond Grove Historic District, was demolished
..:
,;
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6. Assuming that all your allegations are correct. Town stafl can not
reimburse any monies because of the agreement you signed to
pay the fine. Your attorney and the Town'S attorney may have to
get involved.
v You agreed to get an explanation why ncne of nry *-mails rverc
included in the Town's 130 Massol trie. You further ag;reed to iook
into the alleged code violalions by olher contraclors {without Deinq
fined) as presented ta us and irnpiied in a letter ta the editcr c{ rhr
local newspaper.
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We shall see hCIw it all ends. \A/e will meet tomorrow
Sincerely, Dieter
I'Jovember 14,2013
11 l?4113
*mej $xnday,&fterr:or:n Mr. Lffr$*n,
Thank y*u {cr sur secon# meeting last Friday regar*ing Pilr
**mplaint abaut yCIur building departrnent criminalixing *ur
actions dr;ring th* initial re-building phase *t '{30 funaxsal
Avenue.
We review*d my ltJovember 'I4, 2013 summary of our first
meeting on October 29, 2013.
Here is a sumtTtary of last Friday's meeting
Ad 1.
You prcduced a letter, dated $eptember 1CI, 2009 with
enclosures addressed to rne by your Building Official, Mr.
Anthony Ghiossy,
fhe letter's enelCIsures consisted of a ter:-page letter, dated
September 9, *00$, address*d to tullr. Ghiossy by Ms. $usan
O'Brian of "O'Brian Cnde Consulting, lnc." plus a ons page
$anta Clara Fire ilepartment "Plan H*view Comments"
Ietter.
lV1s. O'Brian'$ Flan Fleview lefier included a ilemnlition
Affidavit notatisn, Paragraph 44 * A, page 3.
The paragraph states tha't signatures are required {rorn the
architeet, engin*er, *ontraclor, and praperty own*r prior t*
issuing a building p*rmit.
Y*u r*qrs*starJ t* rh*ck with the mr*hitec{ agafn wh*thsr fr*
is famili*r with f** xb*v* d**um*nt and why he r*fus*# t*
*ign if
'll :- *iz:r"'r^* 11ri,r-,,: h;$,ri-t,tr' '\..1 .' \- *,r:1,,:rr rri'F*ll03l'il Itijfagfri[_]i: CAir]gS t** n*,**,,,,,
\: t,l', tlr $,t,:)tti,(! 11 ll"i' i',11S n; .tJ-,i;lyrtrfi ifir illf **tv:tI pgr!o,it
(;rr '.i, i",j,R.,0. lr..,r^, ",."i: i*'; ii.,iAteC; ;rl*1,^,Ai l{itl gi {r,Fl* If-:l,.,rt ,.i;
ifi yry1;1 Xf-*tt, t;:t.11 trt ir-jlifr\ fifry* ***rl rl**r,:** irt't*r,.r,,S r- i; ..
l,i:. ir ;'L ,'..r.,',i|{} ! i: ',. !-t[,. ii Ltt'sr-: l$*l-.,ilr-:
l\il t"
The Towr: drss nrt divulgs the nam* ol infcrmant$. Thc
Town's people e{& very p*ss*sslve when it ccrnes tc
keeping their fiorylnlilnity pure" The Tawn depgnds on its
c,tlizen* t* rep** what*ycr th#y **nsider an infring#fncnt nn
th*ir viev*s as t* hrw *th*rs *hould behxv*.
|]l,:-.:"tili|;::1!,i:,..1:i...|.|.;iii|ia1i1':,.;.,7...:|,:.,:iitii|.$"'i;,l,:".r;.i::i;i,,,
t,.'',t,,, $'l{!*.*t ,h|it.;{\ tl.".{:rt',"11}11**'i,r!r*.1-ti*tj li ifi llli"iil
Ad 3, and 4.
Acknowledged
l"4r: a*di|.irn al c* ffi ffi * nts
Ad 5.
Secause tha two walls in questiCIn were not moved in a
contiguous faphion, it is considered a demolition, I renogniee
that the walls had b*en re-assembled to form the cornsr "as
was", but the separation con$titutes demolition'
t,i'.t'di 3itr1f,:r';rCt: ,1. trlSl"sl aS ,.1 1 .,u'.r f.it-,iiil'r:s {\1 ;} i 'trtiurJlt"'l i'-
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I
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l. tt., Lt, 1xs1tyt:.; i,{1., i:i_li:til .:rf:1,* 1.'. ;f,i.ii:ff gi fi'.1:' iii.:i,,.,. Ii"iq, , i
1t i{)': \,..,*::: ltrij*?{: i:.i;i.i :ii},J{il#,1f-ltSl:"t. ,t ; -;" i , rl-r:-ii!iljl'lii :-'i
i,-..." -. .^ +..r..2,rt ! l*,, t. '-.i1ftii.t'i {" !i. t(lY'. 1' {'..,' ..'s..':"
Aftsr llr* wx$is wsr* n:air:?ainecJ an# ,ri**r'tr)flr"at*# int* lf"l*
il*vd structur* tphola in your po$sessr*n). we wer* told t*
abandon fhem lttlry?
b"A*yb* yCIur staff should rcvisit rhe cur"r"arrl demoiiti*n rr.rlen
an# g*n *rm\* *rore sensii:le guidelin*s.
Ad 6.
Acknowledged.
4d7.1.
These e-mails/letters should have been included in the 1s0
Itllassol Avenue file.
Ad 7.2.
Violations by *ther contractors.
Simin and I want to thank you for yfiur letter expiaining why it
trok thr*e lefiers and S3 days to g*t a response from ysur
offiee.
Our "then" MayCIr, Ms. Spector, also sent us an e'mail
explaining lhe delay.
Our "now" Mayor, Mr. Leonardis, paid us a visit and gave us
a chance to show that Simin and I respect the community
and it's values and have every interest in living with our
neighbors in harmony.
When I suggested that you should make it a habit to visit
with the people whose affairs you manage, you said that you
already made it part of your 2A14 plans. I applaud that.
We are delighted that you agreed to visit with us at 130
Massol Avenue either coming Tuesday or Wednesday-
Your family and your staff are more than welcome to
accompeny you.
Maybe we can demonstrate that we are hardly the criminals
your line makes us out to be.
Please let us know what day and time you will arrive
Sincerely, Dieter
THIS PAGE
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