Item 4 - Desk Item & Exhibit 17-19TOWN OF LOS GATOS ITEM NO: 4
DESK ITEM PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: April13, 2016
PREPARED BY:
APPLICATION NO .:
LOCATION:
APPLICANT/
CONTACT PERSON:
PROPERTY OWNER:
APPLICATION SUMMARY:
EXHIBITS :
REMARKS:
Erin M . Walters , Associate Planner
ewalters@ losgato sca.gov
Architecture and Site Application S-14-056
18151 Overlook Road (Located on the north side of Overlook
Road , west ofWissahickon Avenue)
Urban West, LLC, Nicole King
Ronald M. Tate
Requesting approval to demolish an existing single-family
residence, to construct a new single-family residence, and obtain
a grading permit on property zoned R-1 :8. APN 510-40-146.
DEEMED COMPLETE: March 11 ,2016
FINAL DATE TO TAKE ACTION: September 11 ,2016
1-16 . Previously received with April 13 , 2016 Staff Report
Received with this Desk Item Report:
17. Comments received from 11:01 a.m. on April 8, 2016 to
11:00 a .m. on Aprill3, 2016
18. Applicant's Letter, Proposed Landscape Screening Plan,
and Photo Simulations of the Neighbor's View with
Proposed Screening, received April 12, 2016 (four pages)
19 . Applicant's email correspondence with Neighbors, received
April 12, 2016 and April 13, 2016 (four pages)
The attached public comments (Exhibit 17) were received after distribution of the staff report.
The applicant provided the attached letter and a modified landscape screening plan in an attempt
to address the rear neighbor's privacy concerns (Exhibit 18). In addition the applicant has
provided two photo simulations illustrating the view from the rear neighbor 's patio towards the
proposed project with proposed vegetative screening. The vegetative screening plan proposes ten
(15-17 feet tall , 24 inch box) Podocarpus gracilior plants along the subject rear fence line. This
information was received after distribution of the staff report .
Planning Commission Staff Report -Page 2 of 2
35 N. Santa Cruz Avenue/S-14-056
Aprill3 , 2016
Exhibit 19 includes email correspondence from the applicant to the neighbors located to the rear
and the north (right) of the subject project that occurred after distribution of the staff report.
~
Prepared by:
Erin Walters
Associate Planner
JP :EW :sr
Approved by:
Joel Paulson, AICP
Community Development Director
N:\DEV\PC REPORTS\20 16\0verlookRdl 8 151 -A&S -desk item.docx
REGARDING THE OVERLOOK PROPERTY. .. to the los
gatos planning committee
The house has been empty for over a year
and is beginning to show obvious neglect.
The poles showing height are considerably
higher than the present roof line. This has
a big impact of blocking the afternoon sun
and sky at my house.
The house is over 3000sq. ft and only has a
one car garage, plus an uncovered parking
space. I envision cars permanently being
exposed in the driveway as an eyesore.
The lot is deep but narrow and this house
appears to be a much too big like the
MONSTER HOUSES allowed in other
communities ~<ff--;s.,._ Jpu 'D, '-C'~ RECEIVED
'f<-( APR 1 I 20 16 KAY THOMPSON [next door]
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
kltway7 @gmail.com rLA;:~~~
18121 OVERLOOK RD, LOS GATOS,
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank
Erin Walters
Associate Planner
Town of Los Gatos Community Development Department
1 10 E. M ain St r eet
Los Gatos, CA 95030
(4 08 ) 354 -683 4
RECEIVED
APR 11 2016
TOWN Of LOS GATOS
PLANNING DIVISION
~-14-~~~
RE: Propos e d N ew Resid e n ce -1 8 1 5 1 Overlook Road
Dear M s . Walters:
1/we are res iden ts o f l os Gatos residing near the proposed new residence loca ted at
18151 Overlook Ro ad.
1/we have reviewed th e architectural site plan, floor plans, and elevations o f the
proposed new resi de nce in our neighborhood .
Respectfully,
Si gnature : __dJ£_~~
Name: D ', Ci\.V\0-. t-\B Wt:.i l
Address : \d.S &-leV' ~~&£ye {tur. L-G. qstl30
Contact Info: __ '--(..:__. 0_~_....::;:3_l_/c:; __ q_~_3_\:___ _____ _
Erin Walters
As sociate Planner
Town of Los Gatos Community Deve lopment Departm ent
1 10 E. M ain Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
(40 8) 35 4 -6834
RECEIVED
APR 11 2016
tOWN OF LOS GATO S
PLANNING OIVIS tON
~-I '-1-~S(p
RE: Proposed N ew Resi de nc e-18151 Ove rlook Road
Dear Ms . Wal te rs :
1/we are residents of Los Gatos r es iding near the proposed new r esidence located a t
1 8 15 1 Overlook Road.
1/we have reviewed the archi te c tural si te p l an , fl oor plans, and eleva ti ons of the
proposed new residence in our ne ig hborhood .
Respectfully,
Signature :
N ame :
Address: _\~(j.-"-=-5_..c:::,(;{___:_'f~V\-1--f-'{y;-'--"' ~o\-:--r~"""'---¥-Av~r .. _L _, (,~... .. q 5V '3o
Contact Info: -~C;"-""£'--'-l \..:...___lj_.._O.:.....CC:_.-----""'(a::.._C{_\ --____,q"--"5::.._5=--D ___ _
~URBAN WEST
April5, 2016
Erin Wolters
Town of los Gatos -Planning Division
11 0 E. Mai n Street
los Gatos, CA 95030
RE : 18 151 Overlook-Privacy Screen ing
Erin ,
RECEIVED
APR ., '2 2016
T OWN OF LOS GAT O S
PLANNING DI VI S IO N
~-I~D'?b
Per conversations with the Kelly's, our neighbors directly behind us residing ot 9 Chestnut, we hove
developed the attached solution to address their concerns over privacy related to the proposed
construction of o new home on our property.
Please find attached the following :
1. Updated planting schedule showing the addition of ten mature (15-17' toll) podocorpus
grocilior plants along our fence line. As you con see from this document, we hove also moved
the replacement oak tree to occommodote this change.
2. A render ing of what this privacy screening will look like from the Kelly's perspective . I hired o
designer to place the trees into the photos Mrs. Kelly provided to us .
I hove reached out to the Kelly's via ema il showing them the end product. It is my sincere hope that
this meets their sati sfaction. If you need any more supporting materials please let me know.
Regards,
~~-
lance Tote
Managing Member, Urban West LLC
408 .399.4950 x2 llonce@urbanwest.com
II '
22 S. Sonia Cruz. Avenue. 2M Floor
'", I 'I Los Gatos, C A 95030
~ 408.399 .4950 offic e
ln!o@U!bonwest .com II www.urbonwe sl.c om
EXHlBtT 1 8
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank
Rubber Tree Ties
(2 Per Tree)
s• Below First Branch
Backfill Mix· See Specs
-~~-'--·-·--------~
Puddle & Settle Backfill _
Before Planting Tree
Finish Grade ----
Roughen Sldea Of Rootball
To Cut Circling Roots · __
(8) Fertilizer Tablets Dlstrllluted
Around Rootball For Each 24• Box
Tree; (4) Tablets For E'<lch 15 gal. ·
Tree
2x Rootball
Diameter
'----·
1x4 Red_wood; AUach
To Stake With 2 Wood
Screwa -..:!:::_
Construct Watering
Basin
Top Of Rootball 2"
Above Flillsh Grade
r--------._, .. ~--------~ ~
Tree Staking
Construct Watering
Basin
ilackiili"Mfx
See Specs
Finish Grade
(3> Feitlllzer-talileiS-
Per 5 gal.; (2) Per
1 gal.
Top Of Rootbell
a• Above Fhdsh Grad&
.,_ __ lloullilen-sJCies-6f
Rootball io Cut
. Circling Roots
Rou91ien s1iles
Of Excavation
Note:
Indicates Existing Oak Already Removed
Per Permit #T-15-053;
Replace With (1) 36" Box Quercus agrifolia
(Coast Live Oak) Per Arborist's recommendation.
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OVERLOOK
_DRIVEWAY
Maintain 6" Distance From
Tree Trunk With Wood Chips-
Typical
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-ROAD
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Indicates Existing Trees To Remain
See Arborists Report "Arbor Resources"
David Babby Dated September 21, 2015
For Specifics
All Planting & Irrigation Installation Shall Be
Installed Per Note # 13, Page # 8 Of The Arborists
Report
/
Note:
\.
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Contractor Shall Install A Fully Automatic
Drip Irrigation System For All Proposed
Planting Areas. No Over Head Irrigation
Will Be Allowed.
Plant Schedule:
Symbol Botanical Name Common Name Size Water Rating & Trees:
A
B
California Black Oak
Western Redbud
36" Box L
36" Box VL ' c & Shrubs:
1
Quercus kelloggii
Cercis occidentalis
Quercus agrifolia
Arctostaphylos d.'H.McMinn'
Westringia !.'Morning Light'
Rhododendron m.'Chinoides'
Polystichum munitum
Podocarpus gracilior
Coast Live Oak 36" Box VL
Manzanita 5 g.c. L
2
3
4 ~~ 5
Coast Rosemary 5 g.c. L
Rhododendron 5 g.c. M
Western Sword Fern 5g.c. M
Fern Pine 24" Box M
Premium Arbor Mulch
By Lyngso Or Equal
6"-8" Layer
Carex divulsa M
VL
Arctostaphylos 'Emerald Carpet
Dwarf Manzanita
Plant 1 g.c. @ 36" o.c. VL
Planting Notes:
Berkeley Sedge
Plant 1 g.c. @ 24" o.c.
Fragaria vesca M
Beach Strawberry
Plant From Flats @ 12" o.c.
1. Circles shown indicate approximate mature size of plant material.
2. Contractor shall be responsible for adequate erosion control measures during
construction.
3. No plant shall be planted in a drainage swale regardless of position on plan .
4. FINISH GRADING: Till all planter areas to an 8 inch depth. Break up or
remove all compacted lumps of soil, rocks larger than 1 inch in diameter,
and all deleterious material from planter areas. Finish grade all areas to a
smooth, even surface free of abrupt changes in grade. Make minor grading
changes as required to insure positive drainage(1% minimum).
Slopes 3:1 gradient or greater need not be tilled.
5. No plant shall be installed until a fully automatic drip irrigation system,
covering all planter areas, is installed, tested and is fully operational.
6. PLANTING OF TREES & SHRUBS : Unless otherwise noted,
All trees shall be planted per detail : 1
All shrubs shall be planted per detail: 2
All planter pits shall receive the following back fill mix:
1. 50% soil of the site
2. 30% nitrogen stabilized redwood shavings
3. 20% Nitrohumus or Gro-power or equal
Acid loving plants shall receive peat moss
4. Fertilizer tablets (Agriform 21 gram: 20-1 0-5) or equal,
applied per manufacturer's recommendations.
7 Contractor shall guarantee all shrubs, vines & ground covers
to live and grow in an acceptable condition for a period of 90
(ninety) days from the date of installation completion.
All trees 24" box or larger and field grown specimen trees shall be similarly
guaranteed for a period of 1 (one) year from date of installation.
8. Upon completion of planting operations, contractor shall apply an approved
pre-emergent herbicide (Ronstar or equal) as weed control per manufacturer's
specifications. In addition, a min. 3" inch layer of approved mulch shall be
installed over the finish grade of all planter areas.
9. MAINTENANCE PERIOD: Contractor shall maintain the site for a period of
90 calendar days after acceptance by owner. Maintenance shall include
weeding of all shrub and ground cover areas removal of all trash and debris from
planter areas and hardscape areas; pruning and trimming of all plant materials
required; replacement of all dead or dying plant material & 2 applications of
fertilizer.
1" = 1 0' -0"
Quantity
1
1
1
5
7
3
6
10
.THOMAS SCHERER
.. ASSOCIATES
Landscape Arcftilecture
·"P.O. Bax 68, Aptos, CA 95001
Tel (831} 688'8913
Fax (831) 688-3135
sheer titll'
'
Planting
-Plan
Details
& Notes
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of 1
From: Lance Tate [mailto:lance@urbanwest.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2016 8:36 AM
To: Rita Kelly; David.M .Kelly@kla-tencor.com
Cc: Erin M. Walters; Nicole King; Kelly Mozumder
Subject: Overlook -Privacy Screening and Planting Schedule
Good morning Rita and David,
RECEIVED
APR I? 2016
TOW N O F LO S G ATOS
PLAI\INING Dl\flSlOi\l
Below is a link to an updated planting schedule showing the addition often, mature, 15'-17'
podacarpus gracilior trees (they can grow up to 25'). Additionally, we had a rendering done
showing the privacy the addition of these trees will provide. If you have any questions please let
me know.
https ://fortbay .box.com/s/ssumwu98rkpgg5x696vwo6rpjxnkucxs
Regards,
Lance Tate II managing member
URBAN WEST L L C
408 .399 .4950 x2 II 408.399.4960 fx II 858.401.9810 mobile
urbanwest.com II @lancetate II linkedin.com/in/lancetate
EXHIBlT 1 9
From: Lance Tate [mailto:lance@urbanwest.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2016 8:50AM
To: kay thompson
Cc: Kelly Mozumder; Nicole King; Erin M. Walters
Subject: 18151 Overlook, Los Gatos
Kay,
RECEIVED
APR 1 / 2016
~ "'l t+ -t::> S"' f0\11/r..J OF LOS GA-r .,_,
PU.I'-'N'N" I OS ' " ... u Dl'JJSiatJ
I hope this email finds you doing well. I just received your opposition letter regarding our
project and while I wish it was a letter of support, I understand your concerns. I want to thank
you for giving us the opportunity to meet with you prior to bringing your concerns to
planning. As I said the day we met, I wish there was a solution that would address your concerns
as well as our ability to build a sellable home. Unfortunately, we have not found that solution.
The purpose of this email is to reiterate a promise I made to you when we met. In the event that
our project passes in its current form, I will do everything in my power to alleviate the perceived
impact of our new home on your property. I would like you to be as involved or hands off in that
process as you would like but I want you to be happy with the final product. As I shared with
you and your daughter, I am a born and bred local and as such, the satisfaction of my fellow Los
Gatos residents is important to me. I hope I get the opportunity to show you how easy and
collaborative my team can be when it comes to a new build project.
Again, thank you for the opportunity to address your concerns early in the process. Enjoy your
week.
Regards,
Lance Tate II managing member
URBAN WEST LLC
408.399.4950 x2 //408.399.4960 fx II 858.401.9810 mobile
urbanwest.com II @lancetate //linkedin.com/in/lancetate
Eri n M. W a lte rs
Fro m:
Sent:
To :
Cc:
Subject:
Kelly, Davi d M <Davi d.M.Ke ll y@k la-tencor.co m >
Tue sday, April 12, 2016 3:40 PM
Lan ce Tat e; Ri t a Kell y
Er in M. Walters; Nicole King; Ke ll y M ozumder
RE: Overlook -Priv ac y Scree n in g and Pla nting Sche dule
RECEiVED
APR 11 2016
TOVVN OF LOS GATO S
PLANNING DIVISION
Thank you for making th e sin cere effort to address the privacy issue presented by the submitted building plan .
The only acceptable remedy would have to include that the top of the windows fa cing o ur property be no higher than
that of the top of the sliding door on the ex isting structure. Thi s remedy is the only re medy that ha s a very h igh
probability of being sustained following the sale of this property by Urban West . Other remedies such as, but not
limited to, frost i ng of the windows and/or tall trees are too easily altered by the subsequent owner(s). And we have
noted several instances over the 13 years that we have lived in this ne ighbo r hood of trees being removed and homes
being modified w ithout our inte re sts being sought as a part of those decisions. And those changes in most instances
were done with the permission of the town.
So any remedy short of p hysica ll y li miting the height of the windows facing ou r property, in a very practic al sense , is not
in the control of anyone on th is email once the sale of the property has been exec uted by Urban West . That inc ludes
Urban West, the town of Los Gatos or us .
Only 3 years ago we went through a major remodel of our home u sing the same ar chitect as Urban West ha s used . We
were advi sed and then re stricted from having the remode l of our home significantly depart from the existing exte ri or
features . So mo st of the remod el was centered around opening the back of the home up to the ya r d using glass French
doors and add ing a porch to take advantage of the privacy offered from that side of our property. The design of the
submitted bui lding plan by Urban West remove s much of the benefit we sought and obta ined from our remodel.
Regard s,
Dav id Ke l ly
9 Chestnut Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95030
From: Lance Tate [m ailto:l an ce@ urbanwest .co m]
Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2016 8 :36AM
To : Rita Kelly <r it ake ll y 1@c omcast .ne t >; Kelly, David M <David .M .Ke lly@kla -ten cor.com>
Cc : Erin M. Walters <ewa lters@ losgatosca.gov>; Nicole Ki ng <nico l e@ ur banwest.com>; Kelly Mozumder
<ke l ly@ urbanwest.com>
Subject: Overlook -Priva cy Sc r eening and Planting Schedule
Good morning R ita and David,
1
Below is a link to an updated planting schedule showing the addition of ten , mature, 15'-17' podacarpus
gracilior trees (they can grow up to 25'). Additionally, we had a rendering done showing the privacy the
addition of these trees will provide. If you have any questions please let me know.
https ://fortbay.box .com/s/ssumwu98rkpgq5x696vwo6rpj x nkucxs
Regards,
Lance Tate II managing member
URBAN WE ST LLC
408.399.4950 x2 II 408.399.4960 fx II 858.401.9810 mobile
urbanwest.com II @ lancetate II linkedin .com/inllancetate
2