Attachment 29 - Public Comments received 1101 a.m. Thursday, September 28, 2017 to 1100 a.m. Monday, October 2, 2017Jennifer Armer
From: Thomas Dunn [mailto :tdunn @vant ageb2b.com ]
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2017 11:34 AM
To: Planning
Subject: 401-409 alberto way
Letter of opposit ion to the 401 -409-alberto way project (see attached)
Thomas Dunn
408-460-69 76
\'/antage B2B
tdunn@vantageblb.com
www.vantageblb.com
Bu ancs Payment Solution
;ATTACHMENT 2 9
My name is Thomas Dunn and I live at 420 Alberto Way. I have lived in LG for over
40 years. and what I enjoyed about living here and especially on Alberto way
is still the small town feeling, ,quite neighborhood, the friendly people and the
picturesque views of mountains, redwoods and spectacular sunsets.
All this will be lost if the development moves forward as proposed
This may not be important to some people but it's very important to the people
in the 18 units in the front of our compl ex that share this view. and (that's why
h ere we chose to live here)
We're not opposed to some development at this proposed site but with close to
the same footprint 35-45,000 sqft and no 2 story underground parking.
This proposed development has been reviewed for ove r 1 ¥2 years by the
planning commission, they have done their due diligence and have asked all the
questions they had and to heard all the answers and responses from the
developer.
Recommendations by the planning commission were given to the developer to
reduce the size of the building by 30 to 50%. Maximum of 4Sk sqft. he ignored
them with attitude and said that he will build this size and also the 2 story
underground parking lot and no compromise.
Is this the type of developer we want to develop our town who doesn't listen or
obey the planning commission recommendations and guidance? What will he
do next?
The planning commission denied this project twice and the last time it was a
unanimous decision. That tells it all . No one, the town or the residents, wants
this size project built.
I encourage you to deny this appea l to not move forward with this project
RECElVED
B 11:~Lf AM
SEP ?: 8 2017
Jennifer Armer
From: Susan L. & John B [mailto:love bourqeois@ya hoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2017 9:36 PM
To: Steven Leonardis; Rob Re nnie; Marcia Jensen; Marico Sayoc ; BSp ector
Cc : Susan Love ; bobburkeat@qmail.com ; Matt Morley; Laure l Prevetti; Town Manager
Subject: Alberto Way
Dear Town Council Members,
I regret that I was unable to attend the public hearing on 401-409 Alberto Way on September 20th.
have subsequently been able to view the entire hearing and would. like to offer a couple of additional
thoughts on the matter:
1 . Neighborhood Compatibility
The Town Council and Planning Commission have, on numerous occasions in the past , denied (or
sent back for re-design) projects solely on the grounds of bulk and mass and/or neighborhood
compatibility. Even if those cases where projects met the other zoning requirements such as height
limits and FAR. Therefore , I do not see where you have any grounds to find that the Planning
Commission erred in its decision.
I appreciate that this is a tricky neighborhood to define. This is not the Almond Grove , nor the hillside ,
but nonetheless it is a single-outlet street that is home to many Los Gatos residents . When the Motor
Inn redevelopment was before Council , the PD was originally sold to us as neighborhood-serving
retail. Once passed , the use was later changed to medical , thereby intensifying the use whil e not
providing any of the promised benefits. Now we are facing additional intensification at both ends of
Alberto Way.
I t ruly hope that you have heard the unified voice of the neighbors -this development is simply too
much for the neighborhood . We , the immediate neighbors, have always been open to compromise
(someone at the public hearing incorrectly implied otherwise) and expe ct the site to be re-
developed . In this spirit , I hope you instruct the developer to work with us and find an appropriate
compromise .
2 . Traffic
I know the Council hears about traffic issues all the time , so will not bel a bor the point. But I do want
to make a couple of points. I have lived at 420 Albe rto W ay for more than 13 years . Never before
have I seen the traffic we are facing now. By blocking off the Hwy 17 downtown on-ramp , you may
have reduced the gridlock in downtown , but you have diverted it onto Hwy 9 . There are time s wh en
ma ny of us feel trapped in our home s due to the standstill of traffic at the Hwy 9/Alberto Way
intersection. This is not a fun way to live and dramatically affects my ability to enjoy living in Los
Gatos. My wife and I are able to walk most places , however I am concerned about my older
ne ighbors and those will small children .
Traffic studies are a necessary and useful tool in making land use decisions, but they are just that: a
tool. We ask that you consider th e substantial evid e nce regarding traffi c you have heard from
re sid ents who have lived on Alberto Way for a decade or more . Living here and experiencing the
traffi c da ily provid e s a differe nt perspective th an sa mplin g traffi c at di sc rete points in tim e a nd
applying that data to a formula. In fact, CEQA case law validates the ability of a deciding body to
weigh such evidence :
"Relevant personal observations of area residents on nontechnical subjects may qualify as
substantial evidence ." (Pocket Protectors v. City of Sacramento (2004) 124 Cal.App .4th 903 , 928 .)
"For example , an adjacent property owner may testify to traffic conditions based upon personal
knowledge ." (Citizens Assn . for Sensible Development of Bishop Area v. County of Inyo (1985) 172
Cal.App.3d 151, 173.)
In conclusion , I am confident that you will take into account your constituents over the interest of a
developer in this decision. In that light , I sincerely ask that you deny the appeal and uphold the
Planning Commission decision .
I know how difficult your job is , and thank you all for your service to the Town .
-John Bourgeois
420 Alberto Way #37
Jenn ifer Armer
From: Donald M. Eaton [mailto:don@argus-financial.com]
Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2017 2:21 PM
To: voiceheard@401albertoway.com
Subject: Please approve 405 Alberto Way
To the Mayor and members of the Los Gatos Town Council:
I would like to voice my strong support for the redevelopment of the 405 Alberto Way as proposed by the applicant, LP
Acquisitions, LLC.
--The project is located in a strong position adjacent to a freeway, and would replace an older, 2-story structure that is
out of date and not complementary (visually or fiscally) to the Town.
--The new proposal will bring additional vibrancy and revenue to the Town.
--A new, free shuttle will be provided which will benefit not just the building's tenants, but also neighbors on Alberto
Way, nearby high school students, and numerous downtown merchants and restaurants, which, according to Chamber
of Commerce testimony at your last meeting, are sorely in need of more customers .
-A proposed 2-story., Class A structure is hardly "massive by nearly anyone's definition these days.
-The design and site plan have been modified per planning commission direction to be located away from residential
neighbors, and provide free evening and weekend parking to relieve nearby commercial tenant parking overflow onto
Alberto Way .
-Change is inevitable in a dynamic Silicon Valley and in the Town of Los Gatos. Let those changes be a positive
influence on Los Gatos and make Los Gatos a better place.
Please vote YES on the proposed redevelopment of 405 Alberto Way as has been presented to you .
Thank you.
Don Eaton
Don ald M. Eaton , President
A rgus Financial
990 Indu strial Rd Ste 202
San Carlos, CA 94070
650-358 -31 88 direct
650-483 -9294 cell
65 0-425-9595 fax
don({Dargus-finan ci a I .com
argu s-financia_l.c01}1
Financial
Jennifer Armer
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
City Council,
Victor Bell <vbell40@gmail.com>
Saturday, September 30, 2017 5:03 PM
voiceheard@401albertoway.com
Rea ffirming My Support For 405 Alberto Way Project
I have reached out to you previously pledging my support for the subject project and would like to reaffirm my support
in advance of your October 3rd vote. I originally moved to Los Gatos in 1992 and have owned two properties there
sin ce, neither of which were lo cated on Alberto Way . While I understand and can appreciate the concerns of the
r es idents on Alberto Way, I think that its important to remember that there are another 30,000 Lo s Gatos residents with
an interest in thi s city's future and I believe that the majority of those resident s support this project. At the September
19th meeting, I listened very closely to the representative that spoke on behalf of the Los Gatos Chamb e r of Commerce
and found her analysis of the downtown merchant survey on this matter to be very compelling, specifically, the majority
believe that the project would be a positive influence on the town in general and downtown specifically . I think that the
building is smart, hand so me and the developer has reengineered the design in an effort to accommodate the residents
on Alberto Way, but I have come to believe that these residents are beyond rea so nable compromise. From what I can
tell, the project conforms with the general plan and the other objective requirements and therefore, it i s my hope that
you will support the project with your vote this Tuesday. See you then and thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Victor Bell