15735 Camino Del Cerro - Desk Item & Exhibit 17PREPARED BY:
APPLICATION NO:
LOCATION:
APPLICANT/
CONTACT PERSON:
PROPERTY OWNER:
Marni Moseley, As sociate Planner
mm oseley@ lo sgatosca .gov
Architecture and Site Application S-15-063
ITEM NO: 2
DESK ITEM
15735 Camino Del Cerro (located at the southern terminus of
the northern portion of Camino Del C erro)
Tony Jeans
JB Cahoon
APPLICATION SUMMARY: Requesting approval to demolish a single-family residence and
construct a new single-family residence on property zoned R-1 :8.
APN 523-24-00 I.
EXHIBITS: 1-13. Previously received with December 9, 2015 Staff Report
14. Previous ly received with December 9, 2015 Desk It em
15-16. Previous ly received with January 27 ,2016 Staff Report
17. Public comments
REMARKS:
The attached emails were received after distribution of the staff report .
" Prepared by:
Marni Mosel ey , AICP
Associate Planner
JP:MM:cg
N:\DEV\PC REPO RTS\2016\Camino Del Cerro-15735 (2)-DES K.docx
Jopproved b y:
Joel Paulson, AICP
I Interim Community Development Director
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Marni Moseley
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Goldau, Sharon <sgoldau@presentationhs.org >
Saturday, January 23, 2016 5:27 PM
Marni Moseley
15735 Camino Del Cerro
Dear Mr. Moseley ofTown of Los Gatos ,
I am an adjust neighbor to the property at 15735 Camino Del Cerro. I agree with the Planning Commission on
their December 9th meeting that the proposed property was too large for the neighborhood. Looking over the
January 8th submission ofupdates it appears the size of the above ground structure is reduced, but a cellar
larger than my house is included. I am concerned regarding the use of the cellar and the necessity. How many
families will be housed? Will this be an in-law unit and does Los Gatos have special rules for those extra living
spaces? The plans are starting to feel like a family compound and less like a single family residence in a semi-
rural like setting next to the creek.
After the planning meeting I did go take another look at the creek. I mentioned the creek is a riparian
environment and someone on the commission stated there is a cement channel along ross creek. I confirmed that
there is a short section of cement channel , maybe 25-35 feet, however the vast majority is natural trees , rocks,
dirt and vegetation. I would strongly urge the commissioners to make certain the natural beauty of Ross creek is
preserved and protected and that the council make certain the number and types of trees that the new owners
show on the plans meet or exceed the town's ordinance of removal and replacement of protected trees. I would
like you to reconsider the removal of the stately Eucalyptus tree in the far west comer of the property.
Thank you,
Sharon Goldau
Definition of riparian. : relating to or living or located on the bank of a natural watercourse (as a river) or sometimes of a lake or a
tidewater <riparian trees>
Sharon Goldau
Presentation High School
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EXHIBIT 1 7
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Marni Moseley
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Dear Marni
Dean Duffy <dtduffy@msn.com>
Sunday, January 24, 2016 4:09 PM
Marni Moseley
tony@thisdesign.com
Planning Commission Hearing : 15735 Camino del Cerro
We are Dean and Lynda Duffy of 317 Escobar A venue. The project's dwelling sits close to our property line
from corner to corner of our lot, therefore we could be as impacted as any other property surrounding the
project, or more impacted than others.
We were unavailable to attend the prior hearing and are not available this week; but respectfully provide our
position herein on the project. We did however watch a significant portion of the TV replay and were surprised
by certain commissioners' statements. A non-exhaustive sampling of those statements are underlined below.
That not underlined are our views.
-There are no 3 car garages in the neighborhood. Actually there are seven (7) adjoining properties to the project
with 3 or >3 car garages. There are another five (5) homes that have 3 car garages on the other side of Escobar
from the homes adjoining the property. That is twelve (12) three car garages in close proximity of the project.
-Height of this one story project is too high (24') compared to the neighborhood. The project's property grade is
a few feet below the property line of some of the Escobar homes, making their total elevation less
impactful. Nineteen (19) homes on Sierra Morena and on both sides of Escobar (either adjoining
or across Escobar from where the properties adjoin) are two story. The project owners are encumbered by two
story homes virtually all around them and they are held to one story and going below grade. We stand deep
inside our kitchen, fifteen (15') feet into our house and easily see over the proposed project to the two story
homes on Sierra Morena which are > 100 yds away. The project elevation as presented, is not impactful.
-There is a cement culvert that runs the length of the property on one side. Actually not. From our observation,
the cement culvert does not run nearly the entire lot line.
-Several references to the dog on site. We have not seen nor heard of a dog there in over 15 years. We don't
understand the relevance of multiple comments of commissioners regarding a dog to the project's
evaluation? Other examples can be brought forward .
We do not know the project's owners nor do we have a motivated interest other than to have a responsible
decision made by the commissioners. As LG residents we are most concerned as to how objectively these
decisions I rulings are derived and how they can unnecessarily impact a project owner's I resident's time and
cost.
Commissioners noted several times about their concern regarding precedent for this project. There should
be minimal if any precedent concerns as subject land would be difficult to replicate in location, proximity or
configuration. From watching the prior hearing, we would like to see our commissioners demonstrate more
objective discretion, comprising a higher degree of situational awareness; in addition to abiding by laws and
regulations in ruling on a project.
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This project has been professionally presented by the owners and their representatives with thoughtful and
tasteful design, incorporating elevations and materials which are very becoming of the neighborhood. We
supported the project as was presented for the prior commissioner hearing and support the project for this
review. The project as devised does not impact us, nor do we have objections with it proceeding as presented.
Regards
The Duffys
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