Item 2 - Exhibit 21 - Public comments received between 1101 a.m., Friday, October 23, 202 and 1100 a.m., Monday, October 26, 2020From: Larry Brandhorst <lbrandhorst@thearchitectsalliance.com>
Sent: Monday, October 26, 2020 8:17 AM
To: Sean Mullin <SMullin@losgatosca.gov>
Subject: Appeal to Planning Commission of 101 Broadway
Sean,
Forwarding attached letter addressing Support of the Appeal to reject the decision by DRC
approving the proposed project at 101 Broadway. Please forward this letter to the Planning
Commission members.
I was not previously aware of the Letter of Justification submitted to the Development Review
Committee, which contained misleading, deceptive and inaccurate information.
I also look forward to the opportunity to speak to the Planning Commission at the October 28,
2020 Meeting.
Thanks,
Larry D Brandhorst, AIA
EXHIBIT 21
From: Karen Kurtz <kurtzk@comcast.net>
Sent: Monday, October 26, 2020 5:18 PM
To: Sean Mullin <SMullin@losgatosca.gov>; Sally Zarnowitz <SZarnowitz@losgatosca.gov>; Joel Paulson
<jpaulson@losgatosca.gov>
Cc: 'Larry Brandhorst' <lbrandhorst@thearchitectsalliance.com>; 'dianne.brandhorst'
<dianne.brandhorst@gmail.com>; 'Ilona Merli' <ilonamerli@gmail.com>
Subject: 101 Broadway appeal
I am writing to say that I support Larry Brandhorst’s email that he sent earlier today. I
want to make sure that everyone knows this appeal was made by the three parties,
Larry and DiAnne Brandhorst, Ilona Merli and myself. It was recommended to us by a
reliable source that we submit it in only one name. We are all impacted by this project.
As you are aware we have found several errors in the plans and other drawings that
town committees have based their judgements and decisions on. This is extremely
concerning. I have always thought the reason for submitting plans to the town was so
that they could make sure all measurements, drawings etc. were presented correctly. It
was very disappointing when Joel Paulson sent out his email saying that you do not
undertake such a task. Is that task always left up to the average citizen to make sure
that plans and drawings are presented correctly? It seems like the public should at
least be notified that there could be errors in the plans and that we may need to find our
own third party professionals to verify. We trusted the town to oversee that process. If
it wasn’t for my home remodel/renovations and Real Estate Agent background I most
likely wouldn’t have been able to find what I found. However, I’m not a professional
when it comes to reading plans and I am concerned what other errors there may
be.
I will mention again that page A-1-1 on the plans which the staff uses to justify the scale
and mass of this project on page 12 of the staff report, are not in scale. I have asked
more than once in emails and during my talk at the second DRC meeting that the
drawings on that page be corrected. The proposed house is just short of a couple of
feet from the very peak of my upper story on the East. This is quite different than what
those drawings show and certainly not consistent with the neighboring
properties. Regarding the paragraph from the Staff report, page 12, the Staff’s
comments are highlighted below and the reference to the incorrect drawings on A-1-1 in
red.
“Regarding views, the Residential Design Guidelines state that homes should be
designed with respect for the views of their neighbors and acknowledges that
views are not protected by right. The 2020 General Plan states that new
structures shall be designed to respect views from surrounding properties while
allowing all affected properties reasonable access to views. The appellant has
provided photos showing the view impacts that the proposed house would have
from their patio area at the base of their two-story residence. The proposed
residence is within the height limitations allowed by the zone. Sheet A-1.1 shows
the relationship of the proposed residence to those on the uphill and downhill
properties (Exhibit 19). The height of the proposed residence is consistent with
the neighboring properties.”
I would also add that my photos are not what I consider from the base of my property,
but from my first floor living area. In one of my emails I listed the various levels and
number of steps between those levels. My living area is approximately 24 steps from
the street level. It certainly would help if someone would take the time to come out to
my property to familiarize themselves with the unique situation this neighborhood
presents, which I have requested numerous times. It does not matter what your normal
procedure is, this is a not a normal situation but a unique and extremely important
project for me and my neighbors, especially with incorrect measurements and drawings
being presented.
In addition I have also notified staff that the drawings on page 3 and 7 of the Letter of
Justification are not to scale. To repeat once again, my ADU height (not a dwelling unit
as it has no plumbing, just using ADU to make it brief) is below the proposed home. I
wrote that first letter two months ago, Aug 29. No one has ever addressed my
concerns nor have any corrections been made. It shows 93 Broadway as tall as the
101 proposed plans, it is not. Now, this is all being sent off to a third committee. I will
also comment that adding a reference to Lynn Brandhorst who passed away on the day
this house proposal was first presented to the Historical Committee was not in good
taste. I had several conversations with Lynn about what we hoped to see rebuilt
there. I know that Lynn would be fighting harder than any of us against this proposed
project.
In addition this is not about “not in my backyard” I and my neighbors have stated many
times that we want a new home there, one that blends, is in harmony and respectful
of what this neighborhood is all about.
Karen Kurtz
107 Broadway
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