30 Roberts Rd and 6 Forrest Ave - Staff Report and Exhibits 14-15
PREPARED BY: LEVI HILL
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
REPORT
MEETING DATE: 05/24/2017 ITEM NO: 2
DATE: MAY 19, 2017 TO: PLANNING COMMISSION FROM: JOEL PAULSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR SUBJECT: ARCHITECTURE AND SITE APPLICATION S-16-070; SUBDIVISION APPLICATION M-16-009. PROJECT LOCATION: 30 ROBERTS ROAD, 6
FORREST AVENUE. PROPERTY OWNER: Tannka, LLC. APPLICANT: Gary King. REQUESTING APPROVAL TO DEMOLISH ONE MULTI-FAMILY DWELLING WITH THREE UNITS AND ONE SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING, CONSTRUCT ONE MULTI-FAMILY DWELLING WITH FOUR UNITS, AND MERGE TWO LOTS INTO ONE LOT ON PROPERTY ZONED R-M:5-12. APN 529-10-002 and -003.
REMARKS:
The applicant has requested a continuance to the June 14, 2017 meeting to allow additional
time to make modifications to the project design.
EXHIBITS:
Previously received with March 22, 2017 Staff Report:
1. Location Map (one page)
2. Required Findings and Considerations (two pages)
3. Recommended Conditions of Approval (16 pages)
4. Project Description and Letter of Justification, received January 11, 2017 (two pages)
5. Color & Materials Exhibits, received March 13, 2017 (one page)
6. Consulting Architect Report, Received January 4, 2017 (four pages)
7. Consulting Arborist Report, Received January 12, 2017 (36 pages)
8. February 10, 2016 CDAC Meeting Minutes (3 pages)
9. Applicant’s Response to the Consulting Architect Report Received March 13, 2017 (four
pages)
PAGE 2 OF 2 SUBJECT: 30 ROBERTS ROAD, 6 FORREST AVENUE/S-16-070; M-16-009 DATE: MAY 19, 2017
N:\DEV\PC REPORTS\2017\Roberts Rd 30 05.24.17 Cont.docx 5/18/2017 12:07 PM
10. Applicant’s Response to the Consulting Arborist Report Received March 8, 2017 (one page)
11. Public Comment received by 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 16, 2017
12. Development Plans (27 pages)
Received with March 22, 2017 Desk Item Report:
13. Public comments received between 11:01 a.m. Thursday, March 16, 2017 and 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, March 22, 2017
Received with this Staff Report:
14. Communication from the applicant, received May 12, 2017
15. Public Comment received between 11:01 a.m., Wednesday, March 16, 2017 and 11:00 a.m.,
Friday, May 19, 2017
Distribution:
Gary King, 579 E. Campbell Avenue, Campbell, CA 95008
Tom Sloan, Metro Design Group, 1475 S. Bascom Avenue, Suite 208, Campbell, CA 95008
METRO
DESIGN
GROUP
Levi Hill
Town of Los Gatos Planning Department
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Subject: 30 Roberts Road and 6 Forest Avenue
Architecture and Site Application S-16-070
Subdivision Application M-16-009
Dear Levi,
Whereas the Planning Commission continued the Subject project on March 22, 2017 to
provide us with time to redesign the project. The Project has been redesigned to
reduce the overall height and mass and scale and we have presented these changes to
several neighbors that had expressed concerns about the compatibility of the original
design. We are ready to present these changes to the Planning Commission and hereby
request to have the project continued on the June 14, 2017 planning Commission
Agenda.
Respectfully Submitted,
+~
Tom Sloan AIA
EXHIBIT 1 4
1475 SOUTH BASCO M , SUITE 208, CAMPBE LL , CA 95008 •TELEPHONE (408) 871-1071 • FAX (408) 871-1071
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank
Levi Hill
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
612 University Ave.
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Mr. Levi Hill
Town of Los Gatos Planning Dept.
110 E. Main St.
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Twshafer@aol.com
Wednesday, March 22, 2017 3:34 PM
Levi Hill
6 Forrest Ave . and 30 Roberts Road
RE : 6 Forrest Ave. and 30 Roberts Road
Development Proposal -Endorsement
Dear Mr. Hill,
I'm Tom Shafer, and I own a property in the neighborhood of 6 Forrest Ave. and 30 Roberts Rd ., which is proposed for
development.
For many years , I've passed by the old house at 6 Forrest Ave. I've noted that the house has not been well-maintained,
has multiple types of siding, and real foundation . The time has come for a new use.
The surrounding area mainly supports apartments, condominiums , and townhouses of a variety of styles from the 1960's
to 1980's, in addition to some single family residences .
I endorse Taneka LLC's proposal , and I believe that this 4 unit development is the highest and best use for the
neighborhood. The building plans would blend in with the current mixed-use of the neighborhood , and 4 the current
4 units will be replaced with 4 much nicer, brand new units.
Very truly yours,
Tom Shafer
408-354-3320
1
RECE\VEO
MAR 2 2 70' 1
EXHIBIT I 5
Levi Hill
From:
Sent:
To:
Subj ect:
Hi Levi,
Reshma Rao <reshmarao@mac.com>
Wednesday, March 22, 2017 4:39 PM
Levi Hill
Roberts road Development
I just wanted to share some photos on the significant impact this development will have on my back yard.
1
iOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING D\\/\S\ON
3/21/17
Dear: Los Gatos Panning Commission
RE:
30 Roberts Rd and 6 Forest Ave.
I own a house very near to this proposed project. I wanted to let my opinion be
known since I may not be able to attend the March 22 public hearing.
On balance, I am in favor of the project as I think it would add an exciting and new
element to an otherwise run down corner lot.
While I respect whatever my neighbors viewpoints might be regarding
development, I don't believe the council should be required to cater too heavily to
any of our various subjective viewpoints as you will never make everyone happy. In
a vibrant community, diversity of building style and design should be embraced
rather than requiring everything to look the same. There are cosmetic standards to
be met, however the sketches I've seen are certainly not outside modern norms
found in many affluent cities and towns. If a property owner is willing to work
alongside town planners and design something within existing codes, rules, and
guidelines, it should be approved.
It would seem every other house in Los Gatos is a craftsman style and the condo and
apartment buildings nearby tend to be quite basic in character. A building such as
this would offer a refreshing and modern alternative. There is nothing like it in town
which is why it should be built in my opinion. As far as the size, 1 believe as
proposed it would not be overly out of character for the area density and certainly
will only help increase the values of surrounding homes, including mine.
Finally, 1 was reading that they're proposing it be the highest standard green
building, employing energy efficiency, solar and rain harvesting, something that the
town should endorse and embrace as a showpiece for other builders to follow . This
is an opportunity for the town to have a cutting edge building.
Sincerely,
~~~
Grant Barnes
4 Monroe Court, Los Gatos CA 95032
408-639-6612
Levi Hill
To: Jennifer Armer
Subject: RE : Regarding new plan for 30 Roberts road
From: MINOU ALBORZI [mailto:alborzi minou@yahoo.com]
5ent: Monday, March 27, 2017 1:29 PM
To: Jennifer Armer
Subject: Regarding new plan for 30 Roberts road
Hello Jennifer
I have talked on phone the end oflast year.
You suggest to send you an email when city working on permit for this project.
I like to state my concern about this plan which is not good for residential location.
This plan will be very nice for Los Gatos Blvd . not for Roberts Road.
As I understand the land size is not big for 4 unites.
Regards
Minou Alborzi
1
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\1P.R 7 7 't.U i ·'
Levi Hill
To: Planning
Subject: RE : Comment regarding 30 Roberts Road and 6 Forest Avenue (S -16-070 and
M-16-009)
-------
From: John F: Kim [mailto:jcasekim@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, May 05, 2017 12:50 AM
To: Planning
Subject: Comment regarding 30 Roberts Road and 6 Forest Avenue (S -16-070 and M-16-009)
To the Los Gatos Planning Commission
To Whom it May Concern :
I wish to express my opposition to the plan to merge two lots (Subdivision Appl ication M-16-009) and build a new 4-unit
dwelling (Architecture and Site Applications S-16-070). I live across the street at 55 Roberts Road , Unit C, but was not
able to attend the planning meeting on March 22.
I oppose this design because the building is too tall and out of character for the neighborhood . It should be no taller than
other residential buildings in the vicinity, for example no taller than the condos at 55 Roberts Road . Also the style should
be more reflective of the neighborhood.
Other than that, I do not object to combining the lots and do not object to replacing the two existing buildings with one
multi-family dwelling with four units. But the new building should be shorter and more in character w ith the neighborhood .
--John F. Kim
MAY 0 5 ?C'1 :
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