Item 02 -477 Wraight Ave - Desk Item & Exhibit 11TOWN OF L OS GATOS ITEM NO: 2
DESK ITEM PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: August 10, 2016
PREPARED BY: Jennifer Armer, Associate Planner
jarmer@ los gato sca.gov
APPLICATION NO: Architecture and Site Application S-16-003
LOCATION : 477 Wraigh t Avenue (located mid-bl o ck on the west side of
Wraight Avenue)
APPLICANT/
CONTACT PERSON /
PROPERTY OWNER: Sammy & Celeste Kassai
APPLICATION SUMMARY: Requesting approval for a technical d emolition, second story
addition to an existing single-famil y residence, and request to
reduce the rear setback for an accessory structure on a property
zoned R-ID. APN 529-06-025 .
EXHIBITS: Received with August 10,2016 StaffReport:
REMARKS :
I. Location Map
2. Findings (two pages)
3. Recommended Conditions of Approval (seven pages)
4. Project Data Sheet (one page)
5. Applicant's Project Description and letter of Justification ,
received January 8, 2016 (two pages)
6 . Applicant's Letter of Justification for reduced accessory
structure setbacks, received May 13, 2016 (one page)
7 . Town's Consulting Architect report, dated May 2 , 2016 (five
pages)
8. Public Comments (two pages)
9 . Existing Site Plan
10. Currently proposed Development Plans, received June 3, 2016
(7 pages)
Received with this Desk Item :
11. Comments received from 11:01 a.m . on Thursday, August 4 ,
2016 to 11 :00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 10 ,2016
The attached public comments (Exhibit 11) were received after distribution of the staff report.
Planning Commission Staff Report Desk Item -Page 2
477 Wraight Avenue/S-16-003
August 10,2016
<;;:,~ 0'~
,Prepared by: fknni~er Armer, AICP
Associate Planner
JP :JA:sr
N:\DEV\PC REPORTS\2016\Wraight 4 77-DESK.docx
Approved by:
Joel Paulson, AICP
Community Development Director
Community Development Counter Hours : 8:00AM -1:00 PM, Monday -Friday
Please note the upcoming Town closure: Sept ember 5-Labor Da y
~hink Gree n, pl ~ase consid er the e nv ironm:nt before p ri nting this e-mail.
From: Claudia Dencker [mailto:claudia @marioosaartbooks .com]
Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2016 7:09 PM
To: Planning
CC: 'John Nerness'; 'Claudia Dencker'
Subject: Architecture and Site Application S-16 -001
Dear Planning Commission, July 31, 2016
We are writing in response to a notice we received in the mail regarding property, APN 529-06-025,
Architecture and Site Application S-16-001. My husband and I own the property 428 University that
abuts this property on the backside.
We are writing to express our concern regarding the variance waiver that was granted . Our property
is on a hill and the property on 477 Wraight Avenue was scoured flat. This has resulted in a 3' foot
drop between the two properties with our portion of the hill held back by a retaining wall.
This retaining wall in the past has been problematic. In fact the retaining wall that is currently in
place is the 3rd iteration since we've owned the property.
We are gravely concerned about the proposed reconstruction for the following reasons:
• The poles show a 2' distance between garage structure and retaining wall. Furthermore we
believe that the retain i ng wall has an "L" shape footing. The proposed construction is much
too close and would undermine the wall footings during construction.
• Retaining walls don't last forever. Repair and a redo will be complicated if the only space to
work is 2'; as such it will be difficult I impossible to duplicate the strength and longevity of the
current wall.
We request that the property line variance waiver be rescinded .
Furthermore we request that the garage remain in its current location so that open access for heavy
equipment to the r etaining wall can be maintained.
Thank you for your time and consideration of our requests.
Ki nd regards,
John Nerness and Claudia Dencker
Owners of: 428 University Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95030 EXHIBIT 11
2
Jennifer Armer
To:
Cc:
Claudia Dencker
john@mariposaartbooks.com
Subject: RE: Architecture and Site Application S-16-001
From: Claudia Dencker [mailto:daudia@mariposaartbooks .com]
Sent: Sunday, August 07, 2016 10:17 PM
To: Jennifer Armer
Cc: john@mariposaartbooks.com
Subject: RE : Architecture and Site Application S-16-001
Dear Jennifer,
My husband and I met with Celeste & Sammy Kassai this afternoon and came to understand more about the project,
and in particular the garage which is the reason for our letter. We understandlhat the setbacR is 3', not 2'" pe(the ·stor:y -
poles.
After our meeting we decided that our concerns could and would be addressed during construction. The plans that
show the 3' setback can remain as is . We no longer contest the plans . -
Kind regards,
John Nerness and Claudia Dencker
-~wne~s of: 428 University Av~, Lo~ Gat~~' C~-~5030 ·---___________ _
From: Jennifer Armer [mailto:JArmer@losgatosca .gov]
Sent: Monday, August 1, 2016 4:49 PM
To: Claud i a Dencker <claudia@mariposaartbooks.com>
Subject: RE : Architecture and Site Application S-16-001
Hello Claudia,
Thank you for your e-mail; received by the Community Development Department. Your comments will be included in
the staff report materials (along with all other public comment) for the Planning Commission . This project is scheduled
to be heard at the Planning Commission meeting of August 10, 2016.
Meeting agendas are posted and publicly distributed no later than the Friday prior to each meeting date. You may view
the agendas and related staff reports on the Town website by using this link: http://www.town.los-
gatos.ca.us/2148/Town-Councii-Agenda-Minutes
If you have additional questions or comments, I can be reached at 408-399-5706 or by e-mail at
JArmer@ LosGatosCA.gov.
Thank you for contacting the Town of Los Gatos and voicing your concerns and comments.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Jennifer T.C. Armer, AICP
Associate Planner I Town of Los Gatos
408.399.5706 1 jarmer@losgatosca .gov
1
Community Development Counte r Hou rs: 8:00AM -1:00 PM , Monday -Friday
Please note the upcoming Town closure: September 5-Labor Day
r;}; Think Gre en , please consider the environme nt before pri nting this e -mail.
From : Jim Woods [mailto:t.james.woods@gmail.com]
sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2016 8:37AM
To: Jennifer Armer
Cc: Jenny Woods
Subject: Comments regarding 477 Wraight Avenue Remodel Plans
Jennifer,
Thank you for taking the time this morning to review the plans for the 477 Wraight remodel. As discussed, we
live at 475 Wraight Avenue, which is next door. Having reviewed and discussed the plans, we have the
following comments:
1) Generally, we are very supportive of the plans and believe it will be a great addition to our small
neighborhood.
2) We do have one concern though. The proposed garage design relies on a 3' set back as opposed to the
existing 5' and positions the garage at the back of the lot. It appears to us, this will mean the garage will run
most of the length of our back yard and the eave will appear to be very close to the top of our fence
(2'). Therefore, the view from our yard will be the roof of 477's garage.
It is our understanding the code allows for this 3' setback as a variance, but we would like to request the design
be modified to position the garage 5' from the property line.
We will not be able to attend the formal review on 8/10, but can be reached via this email address or the phone
nl.linbers below if there are any additional questions.
Regards ,
Jim & Jennifer Woods
475 Wraight Avenue
Los Gatos, Ca 95032
(408) 420-1027 /515-3232
2
Jennifer Armer
Subject: RE : Comments regarding 477 Wraight Avenue Remodel Plans
From: Jim Woods [mailto:t.james.woods@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2016 7:06 AM
To: Jennifer Armer
Cc: Jenny Woods
Subject: Re: Comments regarding 477 Wraight Avenue Remodel Plans
Jennifer,
Thank you again for meeting with us yesterday and working with us to understand the plans for the 477 Wraight Avenue remodel.
We met with the owners about their plans and our -concerns with respect to the setback for the garage from our mutual property line. We are
now comfortable with the existing plans and withdraw our concerns regarding the 3' (vs 5') setback of the garage from the property line.
We would also like to re-iterate our support for the plans and believe this home will be a very positive addition to the neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Jim and Jenny Woods'
475 Wraigbt Avenue
Los Gatos, Ca 9503~
408-420-1027/515-3232
On Tue, Aug 9 , 2016 at 8:48AM, Jennifer Armer <JArmer@losgatosca.gov> wrote:
Hello Jim and Jennifer,
Thank you for your e-mail, received by the Community Development Department. Your comments will be
included as a desk item/addendum to the staff report materials for the Planning Commission (along with all
other public comment received after 11am August 4, 2016). This project is scheduled to be heard at the
Planning Commission meeting_<?f August 10,2016.
The meeting agenda was posted and publicly distributed on Friday. You may view the agendas and related staff
reports on the Town website by using this link: http://www.town.los-gatos.ca.us/2148ffown-Council-Agenda-
Minutes
If you have additional questions or comments, I can be reached at 408-399-5706 or by e-mail at
JArmer@LosGatosCA.gov.
Thank you for contacting the Town of Los Gatos and voicing your concerns and comments.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Jennifer T.C. Armer, AICP
Assoc iate Planner I Town of Los Gatos
408.399.5706 1 jarmer@losgatosca .gov
1