16100 Greenridge Terrace - Desk Item and Exhibit 3
PREPARED BY: JOCELYN SHOOPMAN
Associate Planner
Reviewed by: Planning Manager and Community Development Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6874
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: 10/24/2018 ITEM NO: 2 DESK ITEM
DATE: OCTOBER 24, 2018 TO: PLANNING COMMISSION FROM: JOEL PAULSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SUBJECT: PLANNED DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION PD-16-002 AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT EIR-17-001. PROJECT LOCATION: 16100 GREENRIDGE
TERRACE. PROPERTY OWNER: EMERALD LAKE INVESTMENTS LLC. APPLICANT: KOHLSAAT AND ASSOCIATES, INC. REQUESTING APPROVAL TO RE-ZONE A PROPERTY ZONED HR-2½ TO HR-2½:PD AND TO SUBDIVIDE ONE LOT INTO EIGHT LOTS ON PROPERTY ZONED HR-2½. APN 527-12-002.
REMARKS:
Exhibit 3 includes additional public comments received between 11:01 a.m., Friday, October 19,
2018 and 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 24, 2018.
EXHIBITS:
Previously received under separate cover:
1. Notice of Availability and DEIR
Note that the complete DEIR is also available online at:
http://www.losgatosca.gov/16100GreenridgeTerrace
Previously received with October 24, 2018 Staff Report:
2. Public comments received by 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 19, 2018
Received with this Desk Item:
3. Public comments received between 11:01 a.m., Friday, October 19, 2018 and 11:00 a.m.,
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank
From: Abrams, Robert <robert.abrams@kaneka.com>
Sent: Monday, October 22, 2018 1:49 PM
To: Planning <Planning@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Comments on behalf of the Highlands HOA on the Vistas Project currently under review by
Town Planning and in prep for Oct 24th 7PM EIR Review
To the Los Gatos Town Planning authority:
Let me introduce myself
My name is Rob Abrams, and I am a homeowner serving on Board of Directors on the
Highlands of Los Gatos HOA
I am writing to the Town of LG Planning team w some serious concerns and comments on behalf
of the entire Highlands, 19 home community that is located on Shady Lane - Santella court and
Gum tree Lane
W inputs intended in advance of the Oct 24th EIR and Zoning review of the New Vistas
Project forum to be held that evening
We are adjoining homeowners to this planned Vistas Project territory. and are very familiar with
the daily use of Shady Lane and access to this intended project and the hillside terrain to be
affected
We are not sure if the Town is fully aware of the extent of pedestrian use of Shady Lane and the
fact that it’s a very small windy country road and ALREADY being overburdened by
construction vehicles most days ?
With the proposed Vistas Project – to clear a path in what is now a very delicate ecosystem for
possibly 9 plus additional homes, presents a serious strain on Shady Lane road access. – eg
Utilizing Shady Lane for what seems am undue proportion of construction access vs other means
Therefore, we believe that common sense discussion of various concerning points below ( to
name a few)
needs significant investigation and vetting before the Town should consider moving this
project ahead.
Some points to consider:
1. Unfair and burdensome construction plan. Rezoning as per the Vistas proposal, together
with the Sahadi project will result in 12 additional homes being accessed from Shady. Of these,
up to 7 are proposed to be sold as lots and primarily accessed via Shady Ln for construction. This
is going to create a situation where a disproportionate amount construction traffic routes through
Shady Ln while Francis Oaks and Greenridge are minimally or completely unused for an
extended duration of time (10 years+?).
EXHIBIT 3
2. Unmitigated increase in risk to pedestrians. With Shady Ln’s width, steepness and lack of
sidewalks, it is already a daily struggle to pass safely. In addition, Shady Ln has a large amount
of pedestrian/dog walker traffic in the morning (with walkers and cyclists). A traffic and
pedestrian safety study needs to be undertaken to provide recommendations to the town on
modifications to make what is currently a ’No Outlet’ street into a thoroughfare.
3. Implications of Shady Ln becoming a thoroughfare. With the connector from the Sahadi
project and the proposed connector from Greenridge Terrace, Shady Ln is now a thoroughfare
that connects Shannon to Short as well as Blossom Hill to Short. We do not believe the
implications of this have been properly analyzed from the structure, requirements and obligations
of the Highlands HOA to maintain common areas along Shady Ln to increased traffic to
increased constriction of the wildlife corridor.
4. Fire safety. The developer and the town need to adequately address additional fire hydrants
along Shady Ln through Santella Ct and beyond. It is unclear if the current infrastructure is
sufficient to support an emergency wildfire given our location within an ‘Extreme Fire Hazard’
zone.
5. Weed Abatement. The uncleared brush, dead trees, and weeds in the Vistas pose a high fire
danger to the Highlands and neighboring homes. This topic needs to be properly addressed
within the developer’s proposal.
Thank you very much for your consideration of our concerns, and we look forward to hearing from the
appropriate Town contact representative.
Rob Abrams
Highlands of Los Gatos HOA – Shady Lane
408 221-1991