Item 4 - Exhibit 08 - Applicant's Response Letter to AppealRyan Safty
Planning Department
Town of Los Gatos
110 E Main St.
Los Gatos, CA 95031
Project Name: Doctorow Residence
Project Address: 15960 Rose Ave.
Date: 10/30/2019
Response to Appeal Dated 09/05/2019.
Mr. Safty,
The purpose of this letter is to respond to and address concerns raised by the neighbor located at 15980
Rose Ave. in the appeal dated 09/05/2019. The following responses are in order as they appear in the
appeal.
1)The stated Gross Lot Size of 25,469 SF was derived from the survey completed by WEC &
Associates, Licensed Land Surveyors and dated October 1, 2015. Additionally, County records
show the Gross Lot Size as 26,683 SF and a 1972 parcel map indicates the Gross Lot Size to be
25,395 SF. On May 5th, 2015 the property was purchased and the MLS listing indicated the Gross
Lot Size as 21,000 SF. It is unclear as to how the MLS information was calculated considering
three other official sources state otherwise and are fairly similar. Using the lesser of the Gross
Lot Sizes, the proposed structure is still within allowable floor area and coverage limits.
2)The original attached garage was converted to livable space in October of 2015 under permit
B15‐0910. The photograph in the appeal as Exhibit E which shows a garage in this location
predates this construction.
3)According to the Town’s zoning ordinance, the allowable size of a detached garage on this
property is approximately 1,151 SF. We are proposing 616 SF detached garage.
4)The proposed windowed dormers in question which overlook the roof of a structure in the
neighbor’s front yard, provide access and light to an enclosed attic storage space. Our response
to this concern was to offer to use obscured glass or remove the windows from the dormer.
These offers went without response from the appellant. During an October 25th meeting with
the appellant in our office, these options were again presented but were again turned down.
5)We are currently working with a Civil engineer who is preparing a drainage plan which will be
submitted as part of the building permit application. The plan will propose a drainage system
that is in accordance with Town codes.
Additionally, no work is proposed on the appellants’ property.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Regards,
Jim Whitney
De Mattei Construction
1‐408‐350‐4200
EXHIBIT 8
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