16235 Short Rd - Desk Item and Exhibits 14-15
PREPARED BY: Levi Hill
Associate Planner
Reviewed by: Planning Manager and Community Development Department Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6874
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
MEETING DATE: 04/12/2017 ITEM NO: 5 DESK ITEM
DATE: APRIL 12, 2017 TO: PLANNING COMMISSION FROM: JOEL PAULSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SUBJECT: ARCHITECTURE AND SITE APPLICATION S-16-060. PROJECT LOCATION:
16235 SHORT ROAD. PROPERTY OWNER: LAURA AND DANA TOPPING. APPLICANT: BESS WIERSEMA. REQUESTING APPROVAL TO DEMOLISH AN EXISTING SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE, CONSTRUCT A NEW SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE, AND REMOVE A LARGE PROTECTED TREE ON PROPERTY ZONED R-1:20. APN 523-10-031. DEEMED COMPLETE: MARCH 20, 2017 FINAL DATE TO TAKE ACTION: SEPTEMBER 20, 2017
REMARKS:
Exhibit 14 includes additional information submitted by the applicant after distribution of the
April 12, 2017 Staff Report. Exhibit 15 includes correspondence from the property owner
received after distribution of the April 12, 2017 Staff Report.
EXHIBITS:
Previously received with April 12, 2017 Staff Report:
1. Location Map (one page)
2. Required Findings and Considerations (two pages)
3. Recommended Conditions of Approval (11 pages)
4. Cellar Policy (three pages)
5. Project Description and Letter of Justification, received September 27, 2016 (12 pages)
6. Color & Materials Exhibits, received March 31, 2017 (one page)
7. Applicant’s Compliance Memorandum, Received December 9, 2016 (five pages)
8. Consulting Architect Report, Received October 11, 2016 (five pages)
PAGE 2 OF 2 SUBJECT: 16235 SHORT ROAD/S-16-060 DATE: APRIL 12, 2017
N:\DEV\PC REPORTS\2017\Short Rd 16235 DESK ITEM.docx 4/12/2017 1:09 PM
9. Consulting Arborist Report, Received October 5, 2016 (37 pages)
10. Applicant’s Response to the Consulting Arborist Report, Received December 22, 2016 (five
pages)
11. Public Comment received by 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 7, 2017
12. Development Plans, Received March 31, 2017 (28 pages)
13. Additional Information from Applicant, Received April 6, 2017 (two pages)
Received with this Desk Item Report:
14. Additional Information from Applicant, Received April 12, 2017 (13 pages)
15. Correspondence from Property Owner, Received April 11, 2017 (3 pages)
11 Ap ril 2017
Dear Planning Commissioners,
R~CEiVEO
TOWN OF LOS CP-:':S-:_
PU.t!; !:~ .~ ~~ 1 • J· _,. ~
I am writing this l etter in r espo nse to the Planning Comm i ssion Report document released end of la st
week, and at the suggestion of Sally a nd Joe l who thought it best to get you additional inform at io n for
your review, r ather than a d esk item the night of .
As has been stated by Lar ry Cannon i n his report, the house is indeed large, however it is not th e largest
home in th e immediate neighborhood {nor expa nded ), is well designed , and t houghtfully placed on the
site and is r es pon sive to th e ho mes adjacent from a bulk and mass perspective.
The home is designed to be a "sh ingl e style" h ome h arkening the look and f eel of East Coast traditional
homes, typica lly found in similar communities to Los Gatos, such as t he Hamptons , or m ore casual
versions found in the mid-Sou th . These hom es are buildings of architectural character and integrity,
bl ending a conscious mix of materials as well as quality of those same materials. Window placement
and mullion patterns a re thoughtfully desig ned to create visual i nterest, extensive trim d etails are
utilized to provide detail and character consistent with some of the older "estate quality" homes in the
Town , and elements such as porches and bo x-bay w i ndow seats help t o further break u p the bul k and
mass. Roof lines utili ze steep pitches and open gabled ends, with dormer s and other elements to break
up the overall mass , and is co nsistent with the character of the neighborhood as w ell .
A porte-coche re h as been added to further step the house in a manner responsive t o the lower neighbor
to the left. Note that the neighbor t o the right is actua lly taller than the proposed home, but is se t lower
due to the creek ravine a nd retaining wall running along the property. Th at sa id , the homes are st ill
co mpatibl e together.
Th e proposed project lot has significa ntly m o r e stree t frontage than t he immediate n eig hbors, creating
the differen ce in the overall perceived bulk/mass ofthe home co mpare d to others. Qu ite simply a wider
home cr eates a wide r house proportionally. Th e siting of the home is al so meant to address thi s, and
soften the overa ll width comparatively. We have purposefully stayed well within all setba cks, thereby
further minimizing the impact of the m ass of the home on the property. The front setback allowed : 30';
propose d : 55'-8". Th e left sid e setba ck allowed: 15', proposed: 19'-1". Th e right sid e se tbac k a llowed :
15'; proposed : 27'-9". Th e rear setback allowed: 25'; proposed: 111'-6". Pl ease also see the attached
chart detailing the over a ll width ofth e ho m e compared to both the immediate and expand e d
ne ighborh ood, clearly showing that the proposed home sits in the middle of the field when r anked low
to high.
Additional ch arts a r e provided detailing th e manner in which the home fits in f rom a perceived bulk and
m ass stat ement as a nalyz ed m ath ematica ll y . Th e cha rts look at the following :
• FAR Ranking showing the propose d hom e, b ased upon percentage, ranks 6 of 10 when
r anked low to high, in the immediate neighborhood
• House Distance From Front Property Line Ranking shows the proposed home ranks 6 of
10 when ranked low to high, in the immediate neighborhood
• Property Line I Frontage Ranking shows the proposed home ranks 6 of 10 when ranked
low to high, in the immediate neighborhood
• House Width Ranking shows the proposed home ranks 4 of 10 overall when ranked low
to high, in the immediate neighborhood
• Percentage of Perceived Mass at Frontage Ranking is a math equation d ividing the
Width of the home by the Property Line I Frontage, and shows the proposed home
ranks 7 of 10 when ranked low to high, in the immediate neighborhood
The charts are further researched to also show the expanded neighborhood, and a map is provided
detailing that. As you know the properties along Short Road are inconsistent, in that multiple zones
come together, with large parcels across the street or adjacent to significantly smaller ones, with
random property line lengths at the frontage. We create the final chart, the Pe rcentage of Perceived
Mass at the Frontage to more accurately compare the look and feel of the homes individually, and as a
collective. The expanded neighborhood also includes lots and estate like homes more similar in size to
the proposed home, and clearly show that the proposed home sits squarely in the mid to lower half of
these neighbors, when ranked low to high.
Additional 3D renderings have also been created to show the home, keyed to the story poles, as visible
both from the l eft and right sides, across the street (Se e View 1 and View 2, with separate shots showing
the poles as they are, and the houses fitted in). Views have been created to show the landsca pe
screening called for in the Landscape Plan, as well as without. View 3 is an angle taken from within the
fence line at the front of the property. You can see in these renderings that the home is sited well
within the bounds of the property, appears private, and doesn't loom on either neighbor, nor impose on
the street, rathe r look like it's been there forever.
I hope you find this additional information helpful in terms of understan ding why we (an d the consulting
architect, as well as the immediate neighbors) be lieve that the proposed home fits not only on the lot
but within the neighborhood, and that the current square footage and design is respectful and
responsive to the neighborhood and the Design Guidelines, and should be approved. I look forward to
presenting this beautiful project to you tomorrow!
Kind Regards,
Bess Wiersema
Principal, studio 3 design inc.
STUD I O TH R E E ~.~.§.I .§.0.~
I
I 1 585 THE ALAMEDA #200
SAN .JOSE • CALIFORNIA • 951 26·23 10
S T UOIOTHREE OES GN T 408.292.3252 F 253.399.1 1 25
EXPANDED NEIGHBORHOOD DATA
FAR RANKING
Ass igned
Num ber Address APN Lot SF
9 16270 Short Rd S27·02.012 59,6n
14 104Angel Ct 527·06-011 105.415
10 15961 Quaa l Hill Rd 527·02.002 56,62B
16 16061 Shannon Rd 527-01·013 63,162
8 102 An@l!l Ct 527-06·010 66,647
12 103Angel Ct 527-06-013 69,696
7 101 Ant'_.el Ct 52 7-06-0 1 ~ 53,578
13 105 Angel Ct S27-02·012 55,321
15 15970 Quail Hill Rd 527-01.014 56,847
6 15980 Short Rd 527·06-009 64 .~68
20 16171 Short Rd 523-09--045 28,314
21 16309 Short Rd 523·10-003 25,700
22 16331 Short Rd 523·10-004 21,344
IPI!;OPO')E:> 16235 Short Rd 523-10-03 1 39,295
17 16015 Short Rd 523-09.037 20,037
16265 Short Rd 523·10-029 24,393
5 16207 Short Rd 523-09.035 23,958
11 15930 Short Rd 527 -06-016 40,946
19 16151/16141 Short Rd S23-09--044 21 ,780
2 16255 Short Rd S23-10-026 22,21 5
4 16221 Short Rd 523-09-036 20,909
18 16121 Short Rd 523.09·038 25,264
23 16073 Shannon Rd 523·10.005 14,745
Ho use SF FAR
2,052 3'!(,
5,043 5%
3,000 5 ~
3,862 6%
~.299 6%
4,893 7%
~.66 5 g.,,
4,898 9%
5,363 9%
6,532 10"A.
3,190 11 %
3,618 14 %
3,169 1S %
5,998 15%
3,171 16%
~.035 17'~
~.268 18%
7,300 18%
4,157 19%
~.291 19%
~.308 21'~
6,220 25%
3 ,910 27%
AVERAGE 13%
Assigned
Number
9
Addre~~
IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD DATA
FAR RANKING
APN Lot SF
16270 Short Rd 527·02·012 59,677
House SF FAR
2,052 3%
10 15961 Q uaa l Hall Rc 527-02 -002 56,628 3,000 5%
8 102 Anp,~l Ct 517-06-010 66,6H 4,299 6".-f
7 10 1 Anr.el Ct 527-06-0 14 53,578 4,665 9 %
6 15980 Shnrt Rd 517-06-009 64 .~68 6,532 10'k
l ••oi>05~Q 1623SShort Rd 523·10-03 1 39,295 5,998 -~~
16265 Short Rd 523 -10-02 9 24,393 4,035 17:t
1 6207 Shor t Rd 523·09 ·035 23,95 8 ~.268 1R %
16255 Short Pd 523·10·026 22,215 4,291 19 %
4 16211 Short Rd 513·09·036 20,909 4,3011 2lr't:
AVERAGE 12 %
TOPPING
STUOIOTHREE OES GN
1 585 THE ALAMEDA #200
SAN .JOS E. C ALIFOR NIA . 95126-2310
T 408.292.3252 F 253 .399.1 1 25
EXPANDED NEIGHBORHOOD DATA
HOUSE DISTANCE FROM FRONT PROPERTY LI NE RAN KING
Assign ed House d istance from
Number Address APN Property line
9 162 70 Short Rd 52].()2..()12
14 104 A ngei Ct 527-06-011 9
~
10 1 5961 Quai l Holl Rd 527..02..002 17.5 -
2 3 16073 Shannon Rd 523-10-005 18.25
21 16309 Short Rd 523-10-003 22
18 16121 Short Rd 523-09-038 2 5.5
13 105 A ngei Ct 527-02-012 25.75
17 16015 Sho rt Rd 523-09-037 31
19 16151/16141 Short Rd 523-09-044 3 2.5 -16207 Short Rd 523-09-035 34 -20 16171 Short Rd 523-09-()45 44.25 -4 16221 Short Rd 523-09-036 46
2 16255 Short Rd 523-10..026 54
jPROPOSEO 1623:! ~hort Rd 523-10..031 55
7 101 Angei Ct 527-06-0H 65 93
II 10 2 Angel Ct 527..()6..()10 67 55
1 16265 Short Rd 523·10..029 73.8 -
16 16061 Sh annon Rd 527..()1..()13 78.25
22 16331 Short Rd 523-10-004 78.8
1 5 15970 Quail Hill Rd 527-01-014 96.86
11 15930 Short Rd 527-06..016 109 -
6 15980 Short Rd 52 7..()6-009 119 -
12 103 Ange i Ct 527-06..013 246.13
AVERAGE 59
I
IMM EDIATE NE IGHBORH OOD DATA
HO USE DISTANCE FROM FRONT PROPERTY LINE RANKING
Assigned House d istanc e from
Nu mber Address APN Property Line
9 16270 ShOrt Ad 527-02 -012 0
10 15961 Qua ~ Holl Rd 527-02-002 175
5 16207 Short Rd 523-09-035 34
16221 Short Rd 5 23·09-036 46
2 16255 Sho rt Rd 523-10 -026 54
jPROpQSED 16235-Short Rd 523-10 -03 1 -55 I
7 101 AnRI!I Ct 527..()6..()14 65 93
R 102 AnftPI Ct 527-06-010 6 7 55
16265 Sllnrt Rd 523 -10-029 738
6 15980 Shn<t Rd 527-06-009 119
AV ERAGE 5 3
• If distanc~ is measu red to main building mass set back f rom p roperty line then t he house
d ista nce i"i 74' and o ur r anking dr op"i t o 9t h out o( 10.
TOPPING
STU OIOTHREE OES GN
1 585 THE ALAMEDA #200
SAN .JOSE o CALIFORN I A o 951 26·23 1 0
T 408.292 .3252 F 253.399.1 1 25
Ass igned
Number
12
18
19
11
17
15
16
23
20
~PROPOSED
22
21
14
8
13
6
9
10
EXPANDED NEIGHBORHOOD DATA
PROPERTY LINE/FRONTAGE RANK ING
Address APN
103Angel Ct 527-06-013
16255 Short Rd 523-10-026
16265 Short Rd 523-10-029
16221 Short Rd 513 -09-036
16121 Short Rd 523-09-038
16151/16141 Short Rd 523 -09-044
16207 Short Rd 523 -09-035
15930 Short Rd 527-06-016 -101 AnRel Ct 527-06-0 14 -
16015 Short Rd 523 -09-037
1S970 Quail Hill Rd 527-01 -014
16061 Shannon Rd 527-01-013
16073 Shannon Rd 523-10-005
16171 Short Rd 523-09-045
16235 Short Rd 523 -10-031
16331 Short Rd 523-10-004
16309 Short Rd 523-10-003
104 Angel Ct 527·06-011 -
102 Anf,el Ct 527-06-0 10 -
105 Angel Ct 527 -02-012 -1S9110 Short Rd 527-06-009
16270 Short Rd 527-02 -012
15961 Qu.l~ Hill Ad 527-02-002 -
AVERAGE
--
-
-
Frontage
51.4
78 75
86
101
102.94
113.18
120
120.08
13128
135.87
139.74
139.83
142.15
142.51
145 I
159.97
168
180.46
183 2
221.177
23076
351
43718
161
Assigned
Number
4
IMMEDIATE NEIGH BORHOOD DATA
PROPERTY LIN E/FRONTAGE RAN KING
Address APN
16255 Short Ad 523-10-026
16265 Short Rd 523o1 0-029
16221 Sllnrt Rd 523-09-036
16207 Short Rd 523-09-035
Frontage
78 75
86
101
120
7 101 AnRPI Ct 527-06-014 131 28
(PROPoSED 16235 Short Rd ------sn:lo:o31 145 I
8 102 .lnRPI Ct 527-06-010 183 2
6 15980 Short Rd
9 16270 Shnrt Rd
527-06-009
527-02·012
10 1 5961 Quoil H1ll Rd 527-02-002
230 76
351
437 18
AVERAGE 191
TOPP ING
STUO I D THREE OES GN
1 585 THE ALAMEDA #200
SAN JOSE . CALIFORN I A . 95 1 26·231 0
T 4 08 .2 9 2.32 5 2 F" 2 5 3.39 9.1 1 2 5
EXPANDED NEIGHBORHOOD DATA
HOUSE WIDTH RANK ING
Assig ned
Number Address APN
1626S Short Rd 523·10-0 29
2 16255 Short Rd 523·10·0 26
4 1622 1 Short Rd 523-09 -036 -
18 16121 Short Rd 523-09 -038
12 103 Angel Ct 527-06-013
23 16073 Sh annon Rd 523·10·005
20 16171 Short Rd 523.()9 ·045
16 16061 Sh a nnon Rd 527-01 ·013
19 16151/16141 Short Rd 523-09-044
U~3~ shml!!l 523·10-031
s 102 Ancel Ct 52 7-06-010 -
17 16015 Short Rd 523 -09·037
15 15970 Qu ail Hi ll Rd 527-01·014 -
9 1 6270 Short Rd 527-02 ·012 -
13 10SAncel Ct S27-02 ·012
22 16331 Short Rd S23·10·004 -
101 Ancel Ct 527-06-014 -
21 16309 Short Rd 523 ·10·003 -
5 16207 Short Rd 523-09·035
~
11 15930 Short Rd 52 7-06-016 -
10 15961 Qu~ol Holl Rd 527-02-002
6 l 5980 Sho rt Rd 527-06..()()9 -
14 104 A ngel Ct 527-06·011
AVERAGE
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
House Lencth
51
61
6 7
68.8
70.22
82.28
90.36
91.77
94.8
98
100
101.7
103.6 7
104
106
1109
115.21
115.43
118.17
128 .9 9
139 72
143.9
98
IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD DATA
HOUSE WIDTH RANKING
Ass iened House
Number M!!.rlli Aft! Lengt h
16 26S Short Rd 523-1 0-029 51
162 S5 Sho rt Rd 523·10 ·0 26 61
4 16 221 Sho rt Rd 523 ·09 -0 36 67
!PR OPOSED 16235 Sho rt Rd 523-10-031 98 I
8 1 02 An eel Ct 527-06-010 99 49
9
5
10
6
16270 Short Rd
101 Antl!l Ct
16207 Short Rd
1 5961 Qu ail Hill Rd
15980 Short Rd
52 7-02-0 12
527-06..()14
S23 ·09 ·035
S27 -02·002
527-06..()09
AVERAGE
103 67
110 9
115 43
128 99
139 n
97
TOPP IN G
I
I
S TUDIOTHREE DES G N
1 585 THE ALAMEDA #200
SAN .J OSE. CALIFORNIA. 95 1 26·23 1 0
T 408,2 92.3252 F 2 53 .3 99.1 1 25
EXPAND ED NE IGHBO RHOO D DATA
PERCENTAGE OF PERCEIVED MASS AT FRONTAGE RANKING
Assigned
Number ~ ~
9 16270 Short Rd 527-02·0 12
10 15961 Qua ~ Hill Rd 527..02·002 --
13 10SAngel Ct 527-02-012 -8 102 Angel Ct 527-06-01 0 --
23 1 6073 Shannon Rd 523·10·005 --
16265 Sh ort Rd 523·10·029
6 15980 Short Rd 527 .06..()()9 --
20 16171 Short Rd 523-09·045 --16221 Short Rd 523·09·036 -u
16 16061 Shannon Rd 527..()1..()13
22 16331 Short Rd 523-10-004
Ratio
0 30
0 30
0.47
054
0.58
0 59
061
0.63
0 66
0.66
0.66
18 16121 Short Rd 523 ·09 ·038 0.67
!PR OPOSED 16 235 Short Rd 523·10·031 0.68 I
21 16309 Short Rd 523 -10·003 0.69
15 15970 Quail Hill Rd 527 ·01·014 0.73
17 16015 Short Rd 523-09-037 0.74 --16255 Short Rd 523 -10·026 o n --
14 104 Angel Ct 527-06..011 0.80 -
7 10 1 Anp,el Ct 527..()6.0 14 08~ -
19 16151/16141 Short Rd 5 23·09·044 0.84 -16207 Short Rd 523 ·09·035 0 96 -
11 15930 Sh ort Rd 527-06·016 0.98
12 103 Angel Ct 527-06-0 13 1.37
AVERAGE 0.70
IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD DATA
PERCENTAGE OF PERCEIVED MASS AT FRONTAGE RANKING
Assigned
Number ~ ~ Ratio
9 16270 Short Rd 5 27-02-0 12 0 30
10 15961 Qu•ll Holl Rd 527·02-002 0 30
8 102 Anf!eiCt 527·06-010 0 54
16265 Short Rd 523-10.029 059
6 I 59110 Short Rd 527-06-009 0 61
4 1 622 1 Sho rt Rd 523-09..0 36 0 66
IPRoPOsEo --t wsshort Rd 523·10.0 31 o-:-Gf:l
16255 Short Rd
101 AnflPICt
16207 Sho rt Pd
523·10..026
527 ..()6-0 14
523-09..0 35
AVERAGE
0 77
0 84
0 96
0.62
TOPP IN G
I
I 1 585 THE ALAMEDA, SUITE 200
SAN .JOSE. CAL I F"ORN I A. 951 26
STU O I OTHREE DE"! G.!" T 4 0 8.292.32 5 2 F" 253 .399.1 1 25
VIEW 1 (EXISTING SITE WITHOUT RENDERING}
TOPPING RESIDENCE
E X ISTING SITE PHOTO WITHOUT RENDERING
04·1 2 ·2017
I
I 1 585 THE ALAMEDA, SUITE 2 00
SAN .JOSE. C A LIF"ORNIA. 95 1 26
STU OIOTHREE DES GN T 408.292.3252 F" 253.399.1 1 25 TOPPING RESIDENCE
RENDERI N G
VIEW 1 (WITH THE PROPOSED OAK TREE I WITH IMMEDIATE NE I GHBOR TO LEFT)
VIEW 1 (WITHOUT THE PROPOSED OAK TREE I WITH IMMEDIATE NEIGHBOR TO LEFT)
04·12·20 17
I
I
STUDtOTHRf:f:DES GN
1 585 THE ALAMEDA , SUITE 200
SAN .JOSE. CALI FORNIA • 951 26
T 408.292.3252 F" 253.399.1 1 25
VIEW 2 (EXISTING SITE WITHOUT RENDERING)
TOPPING RESIDENCE
E X ISTING SITE PHOTO WITHOUT RENDER I NG
04-12-2017
I
I 1 585 THE Al..AMEOA, SUITE 200
SAN ..JOSE. CAl..IF"DRNIA • 951 26
STUD I OTHREE OE ~ (;;.!" T 408.292 .3252 F" 253.399.1 1 25
VIEW 2 (WITH IMMEDIATE NEIGHBOR TO RIGHT)
TOPPI N G RESIDENCE
RE N DERI N G
04-12-2017
I
I 1 585 TH E ALAM EDA, SUITE 200
SAN .JOSE. CALIF"CRNIA . 951 26
ST UOICTHREE:DE ~ ~-N T 408.292.3252 F" 253.399.1 1 25
VIEW 3 (EXISTING SITE WITHOUT RENDERING)
TOPP IN G RESIDENCE
E X ISTIN G SITE PHOTO WI THOUT RENDER IN G
04·1 2 ·20 17
I
I 1 585 THE ALAMEDA, S UITE 200
SAN .JOSE. CALI FORNIA. 951 26
STUOIOTH R EE O E~ ~_N T 408 .292.3252 F 253.399.1 1 25
VIEW 3 (VIEW OF PROPOSED HOUSE INSIDE FENCE/ GATE)
TOPPING RESIDENCE
RENDERING
04·1 2-2017
Levi Hill
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Levi, Sally, Joel,
Bess -Studio3 <bess@studio -three .com>
Tuesday, April 11, 2017 10:52 AM
Joel Paulson; Levi Hill ; Sally Zarnowitz
URGENT [FWD: Short Rd Neighbor Responses]
Please see below, from the owner. He is gathering the letters from the neighbors, and I will get to you as
soon as he is back from traveling. Please forward this to the PC members .
Our additional letter with details on the ranking of the home with both the immediate and the expanded
neighborhood is forthcoming (broken into FAR, frontage, front setback of building , etc). We will have that
to you today, I hope by 2 pm so it can also be disbursed ahead of time. We will also include 3D
renderings of the home keyed to the story poles .
Thanks,
B
Bess Wiersema
principal + owner
408.292.3252
visit our website
--------Original Message --------
Subject: Short Rd Neighbor Responses
Bess,
I wanted to relay to you some of the responses and interactions with my
neighbors over the last 15 months since we purchased the property on 16235
Short Rd . While this has appeared to be a long time to us getting the property
designed and to this point, it has worked out beneficial to build good relationships
with the neighbors.
Facing property;
1 To my Right-side: Joost and Laura Schuijff-We met after over a year ago and they invited us
over for wine in backyard. We got to know them and then we discussed how the home would
ultimately sit on the property. We got to understand their concerns largely because of the
beautiful view they had from the backyard, making sure that was intact. We have subsequently
been in constant touch with them over design plans and fence design . They are very happy to
have this home next to them and we are excited to have them as neighbors and friends.
2 To my Left side: Herb and Marlene Swansnon: We met Herb before we bought this property. He
came over to meet us when my brother-in -law was on the property. The Schippers were the
original owners for 40 years on this property and while there was some interim owners before us
for about 3 years, Herb and Marlene were concerned about how we built our home. Again after
spending many meetings with them and showing them what we planned, with their considerations
in mind, they expressed satisfaction over how we designed this home to essentially fit right next
to theirs. Our architectures are very similar and the y appreciated that w e w e re looking for
1
I EXl:lliH I .L 5
something very warm and inviting . Again they were very engaged over how we built the fence
bordering their property and also our honesty in moving the property line to make the correct
adjustments with the civil engineering report. For SO years, it was over three feet by 300 feet off.
Result was more property than they originally had. I believe this built a neighbor ly trust between
us. We look forward to having this solid couple in the community as our neighbors.
3 Directly in back of property. Charles and Kim Wade: Chuck has been involved from the beginning
of this project over a year ago. He walked on while we were there and made known who he was.
Again over the 1S months here we were very sensitive about how we designed the home and how
it would impact Chuck and Kim. We went through the design multiple times and we shared Larry
Canons report with them as soon as we received it. After going through with Chuck how the new
fence would be designed and placed, he was delighted and has worked extensively with our
builder to ensure it was completed carefully. Just weeks before we finally had good weather to
install the fence, the storms we had in January toppled the fence adjoining our properties. Perfect
timing to say the least. Chuck has been a great neighbor and was gracious enough to take time to
express himself to the Planning Commission . We have addressed his concerns over the drainage
onto his property and will make every effort to fix a SO year old problem.
4 Back far right, behind property: Suzanne Hansen: Shortly after securing the property and
designing the new fence in 2017, we met Suzanne. I wanted her to meet me and my contractor
so we both went to her property on Mary St. She was delightful and very excited to see the new
fence and also someone who would develop out this property. Her concerns were the same as
Chuck next door about drainage design and had been putting up with problems for years. We
explained there is an extensive drainage system being installed and we believe we will meet her
concerns successfully. She engaged us with emails showing old pictures in the 60's of the fence
and backyard and reminisced about how good it looked . We hope to bring back that feeling again
to her. Suzanne has been very engaged and pleasant to work with this project.
S Back far left of property -Doctors Cesar Escudero and Michelle Torres: Our interactions with the
Torres got off to a rocky start. We had a difficult time reaching them and started the fence project
without contact to them of the timing. It was an oversight on our behalf and the job got started.
We apologized for the mishap and assured Dr. Michelle that we would accomplish their portion
first because of a small dog they have concerns over. We installed temporary fencing to keep their
dog in and made sure that all landscaping was protected during installation. Even though their
portion was only about 30 ' of fencing, it was a mistake we won 't make again on this project. Not
all thing s go as planned and we have been in constant contact with the Torres 's since.
Bess, these are our immediate neighbors who are most impacted by the build. I
have not met our neighbor across the street directly in front of the property but
intend to do so . I hope this gives you an accurate overview of who we have been
in contact with and concerns they have over our project.
Thank you,
Dana J. Topping
**************************
Co-Owner
IN T EL IS Y S
Suppo rti ng the Industry's T op Produce rs
1318 Redwood Way, Suite 120
Petaluma, CA 949S 2
Direct: 408-S2 1-1400
Cell: 408-47 2-7900
www.inteli sys.com
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2
Levi Hill
To:
Subject:
Be ss -Studio3
RE : [FWD : Re : Comments on home]
On Apr 11, 2017, at 12 :22 PM, Laura DeVere <lauradevere@me.com> wrote :
Hi Dana,
Thanks all is well here and we are enjoying a nice, sunny spring.
Please give the town of Los Gatos our comments. "We are pleased as neighbors
that the design while using the large property in an effective way is not aiming to
sub divide or create a pass through road or driveway as was previously on the
property. We are pleased with the design and placing of the house"
Thanks and look forward to an update next week
Thanks,
Laura DeVere
1