401-409 Alberto Wy - Desk Item and Exhibit 21
PREPARED BY: JENNIFER ARMER
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: 12/13/2017
ITEM NO: 5
DESK ITEM
DATE: DECEMBER 13, 2017
TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
FROM: JOEL PAULSON, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: ARCHITECTURE AND SITE APPLICATION S-15-056, CONDITIONAL USE
PERMIT APPLICATION U-15-009, AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
EIR-16-001. PROJECT LOCATION: 401-409 ALBERTO WAY. PROPERTY
OWNER: CWA REALTY. CONTACT PERSON: SHANE ARTERS, LP
ACQUISITIONS, LLC.
REQUESTING APPROVAL TO DEMOLISH THREE EXISTING OFFICE
BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCT A NEW, TWO-STORY OFFICE BUILDING WITH
UNDERGROUND PARKING ON PROPERTY ZONED CH. APN 529-23-018.
REMARKS:
Exhibit 21 includes additional public comment received between 11:01 a.m. Tuesday,
December 12, 2017 and 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 13, 2017.
EXHIBITS:
Previously received under separate cover:
1. Draft Environmental Impact Report
2. Final EIR and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, dated June 29, 2016
Previously received with December 13, 2017 Staff Report:
3. Location Map
4. Required Findings and Considerations (two pages)
5. Required CEQA Findings of Fact (24 pages)
6. Recommended Conditions of Approval (11 pages)
7. Excerpt of Town Council meeting Minutes from October 3, 2017 (three pages)
8. Town Council Resolution 2017-056 (three pages)
9. Letter of Justification/Project Description (23 pages), received November 7, 2017
10. Supplemental Applicant Information (four pages), received November 17, 2017
PAGE 2 OF 2
SUBJECT: 401-409 ALBERTO WAY PROJECT/S-15-056, U-15-009, AND EIR-16-001
DECEMBER 13, 2017
N:\DEV\PC REPORTS\2017\AlbertoWay401-409 12.13.17 remand DESK.docx 12/13/2017 12:06 PM
11. Architectural Consultant’s Report on Previous Plans (eight pages), received March 17, 2017
12. Project Information Sheet, prepared by the Parks and Public Works Department
13. Public Comments received by 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 8, 2017
14. Development Plans (37 pages), received November 7, 2017
Previously received with December 13, 2017 Addendum Report:
15. Hexagon Transportation Consultants, Inc. Letter, dated November 30, 2017 (two pages)
16. TGKM Transportation Consultants, Inc. Letter, dated December 8, 2017 (one page)
Previously received with December 13, 2017 Addendum B Report:
17. Applicant’s Supplemental Response Letter, dated December 11, 2017
18. Applicant’s Geotechnical Consultant (ENGEO) Letter, dated December 12, 2017
19. Town’s Geotechnical Consultant (Amec Foster Wheeler) Letter, dated December 12, 2017
20. Public Comments received between 11:01 a.m. Friday, December 8, 2017 and 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Received with this Desk Item Report:
21. Public Comments received between 11:01 a.m. Tuesday, December 12, 2017 and 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Jennifer Armer
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Dear Jennifer,
Jorge Pelon <jorgepelon@yahoo.com>
Tuesday, December 12, 2017 11:59 AM
Jennifer Armer
TRAPPED & SEQUESTERED ON ALBERTO WAY!
I am a resident at Los Gatos Commons (a senior living condo community) at 439 Alberto Way.
I have MANY SERIOUS CONCERNS about the 401-405 Alberto Way Project.
UNJUSTIFIED AND INHUMANE BOTILENECK IN AN INAPPROPRIATE LOCATION!
The location of this big project is at the head of a dead end street (ONE WAY IN AND OUT). This street contains VERY
HIGH DENSITY housing, full of condo complexes, a large motel and a restaurant. I challenge you to find a dead end
street in Los Gatos that has a higher density population than is present on Alberto Way. My senior housing condo
complex alone contains 110 units.
The density of the proposed project is ridiculously inappropriate for a small roadway called "Way", not boulevard or
street. This project would be more appropriate on Los Gatos Blvd, NOT little Alberto Way.
The congestion and pollution this project will create for the local residents is exorbitant. We will be TRAPPED during
construction and afterwards. Before, this (401-405 Alberto Way) location had a surface level parking lot that was more
th~n adequate for the offices that were previously there. Now the developers are proposing a 2 level underground
parking structure, besides surface level parking. This is indicative of the absurd degree of increased density.
I am in my late sixties and suffer from respiratory conditions. The amount of pollution produced by the demo and
construction phase will greatly compromise my health and quality of life.
I am a working professional and punctuality is essential for my practice . The added congestion will be extremely
inconvenient for me to get to work.
Alberto Way has been a wonderful place to live for many years. PLEASE don't allow these GREEDY land developers to
very detrimentally affect the quality of life for the local residents. The developers and business people don't have to live
here (Alberto Way) they just take their money and run.
This proposed project as it stands will forever ruin the charm and beauty of this part of Los Gatos.
I have absolutely no issues with renovating the old location, but PLEASE help preserve the specialness and quality of life
in our town and PLEASE force the developers to SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE the scope and density of their project to be
similar to what was there before.
This is a desperate plea for RIGHTEOUSNESS, justice and humanity!
PLEASE, HELP PRESERVE THE SPECIALNESS, CHARM AND BEAUTY OF OUR COMMUNITY. PLEASE, SAFEGUARD THE
QUAINT AND UNCONTESTED QUALITY OF LIVING IN LOS GATOS . Let the rest of Silicon Valley deal with high congestion
issues, NOT LOS GATOS .
It's hard for me to understand why the city officials of an affluent community and town like Los Gatos would allow
apparent GREED to NEGATIVELY AFFECT our lives and lifestyle. z l
PLEASE, HELP KEEP LOS GATOS GREAT!
Sincerely,
Jorge Pelon
Sent from my iPad
Jennifer Armer
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject
Dear Planning Commissioners,
Donald M. Eaton <don@argus-financial.com>
Tuesday, December 12, 2017 3:49 PM
BSpector; Steven Leonardis; Marcia Jensen; Rob Rennie; Marko Sayoc; Town Manager;
Joel Paulson; Arn Andrews
voiceheard@40lalbertoway.com
I support 401 Alberto.
The 405 Alberto Way proposed office building before you has been thoroughly thought out, well designed, and will be a
large benefit to the Los Gatos Community.
Set-back and floor reduction design changes have have been made to the proposal that mitigate any hint of immediate
neighborhood intrusions.
In fact the public access to the path and garden areas of the project are a neighborhood benefit.
The free shuttle bus service to downtown benefits not just the tenants, neighbors, and nearby high school students, but
will add a spark to the downtown economy.
The location adjacent to Highway 17 means that traffic generated by the project will remain off Los Gatos' residential
neighborhoods.
A high quality project by a high quality applicant equals a WIN-WIN proposal for Los Gatos.
Please vote this week in favor of approval of this project as submitted to you.
Sincerely,
Don Eaton
Donald M . Eaton, President
Argus Financial
990 Industrial Rd Ste 202
San Carlos, CA 94070
650-358-3188 direct
650-483-9294 cell
650-425-9595 fax
don(W.argus-financial.com
argus-financial. com
Financial
Jennifer Armer
From:
Sent
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Scott Eschen <scott@seacoastpartners.us>
Tuesday, December 12, 2017 4:28 PM
BSpector; Steven Leonardis; Marcia Jensen; Rob Rennie; Marico Sayoc; Town Manager;
Joel Paulson; Arn Andrews
voiceheard@401albertoway.com
I support 401 Alberto and You Should Too.
Dear Appointed Planning Commission Members of Los Gatos:
I live on Belmont Ave in downtown Los Gatos and am entrepreneur and small business owner. After much analysis and
research, I have decided to whole-hearted support the 405 Alberto Way project as it is currently proposed and I implore
you to do the same. Please remember that it is your job to listen to ALL residents unbiasedly and not let a small but
vocal group of "squeaky wheel NIBMYs" dissuade you from a balanced and legally sound decision that meets the overall
stated plans and objectives of the entire town/city.
The proposed project definitely
• complies with all the publicly stated town objectives and plans,
• more that adequately meets all zoning requirements,
• replaces an eye-sore of a building with an attractive & sensitively designed modern yet traditional one,
• offers way more than the state-required traffic mitigation measures -including the CAT free shuttle service,
• will provide relief to a huge pent-up demand for true Class A office needs, and
• will provide lots of revenue to the town's general fund and thus even more public benefits
Please do not let this turn into yet another legal battle like the North-40 project that the town will ultimately lose after
spending & wasting $100,000's of residents' taxpayer monies that could otherwise be directed to public benefits for
which you will receive much praise instead of frustrated criticism from residents.
Please kindly confirm timely receipt of my urgent email herein.
Very truly yours,
Scott Eschen
Seacoast Partners LLC
408-482-7474 Office
866-202-3098 Fax
Jennifer Armer
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc :
Subject
Jon Shank <Jon@pelio.com>
Tuesday, December 12, 2017 4:41 PM
BSpector; Steven Leonardis; Marcia Jensen; Rob Rennie; Marice Sayoc; Town Manager;
Joel Paulson; Arn Andrews
voiceheard@401albertoway.com
1 support 401 Alberto.
I am writing another e-mail in support of the 401 Alberto Way development, which is directly across the street from our
property at 53-57 Los Gatos-S.aratoga Road {Best Western Inn of Los Gatos and Grill 57 property). The use being
pursued seems appropriate for the site, and the architecture appears appealing and fitting of Los Gatos. Class A office
space near. a major freeway with on/off ramps in all directions makes sense, and it is likely that the developer could
attract a solid tenant (or tenants) that brings highly-paid employees to Los Gatos. With this type of tenant typically
comes employees that are likely to spend money in the Los Gatos community. This could have the multi-faceted effect
of increasing revenues at local businesses and increasing tax revenues. Specifically for us, this development could help
increase revenue at our property and thus increase the taxes we pay to the Town of Los Gatos. It would also be nice to
see jobs being brought to an area where there is housing.
We would greatly look forward to providing services for the new tenants at 401 Alberto Way, and we hope that the
community has come to see the project's merits.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss this further.
Best regards,
Jon
Jon Shank
Pel i o & Associates
14573 Big Basin Way
Saratoga, CA 95070
0 -( 408) 872-9500
c -(408) 497-2887
F -( 408) 872-9505
Jennifer Armer
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Robert Hall <rdh979@icloud:com>
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 9:19 AM
BSpector; Steven Leonardis; Marcia Jensen; Rob Rennie; Marica Sayoc; Town Manager;
Joel Paulson; Arn Andrews
voiceheard@401albertoway.com
I support 401 Alberto.
As I have stated previously, my view is that the project proposed for 405 Alberto Way posses these positive
characteristics:
• It is an attractive LEED-certified replacement of a 50 year old outmoded office building.
• It fits nicely with the look and feel of Los Gatos.
• It can provide needed local business and employment opportunities.
• It adds to the tax revenue base of Los Gatos.
• It complies with the Los Gatos building standards.
• It is an excellent location near both on and off freeway ramps.
For these reasons I urge all Planning Commission members to vote for this appealing project. It will make Los Gatos
better.
Sincerely
Rob Hall
Jennifer Armer
Fr om :
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
City Leaders,
tom so si ne <tsosine@icloud.co m>
Wednesday, December 13, 201710:46 AM
BSpector; Steven Leonardis; Marcia Jensen; Rob Rennie; Marice Sayoc; Town Manager;
Joel Paulson; Arn Andrews
voicehea rd@401albertoway.com
I support 401 Alberto.
It appears this development group has very much stepped up in working with our city to produce a building that works
well with growth plan. My suggestion is we move forward before they revert back to original design.
This plan looks good to me!!
Thank You
Tom Sosine
Sent from my iPad
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank