11 Addendum - 10 Monroe CourtMEETING DATE: 01105104
_`°w I uF ITEM NO. i
N ADDENDUM
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
!ps GAj~S
DATE: December 29; 2003
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER I
SUBJECT: CONSIDER A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A PLANNED
DEVELOPMENT TO CHANGE THE ZONE FROM RM: 12-20 TO RM: 12-
20:PD TO CONSTRUCT THREE DWELLING UNITS. NO SIGNIFICANT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A RESULT
OF THIS PROJECT AND A NEGATIVE DECLARATION IS
RECOMMENDED. PLANNED DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION PD-01-2
NEGATIVE DECLARATION ND-01-14 PROPERTY LOCATION: 10
MONROE COURT PROPERTY OWNER: DAVID H. PITZEN
APPLICANT: DHP MONROE INVESTORS LLC
REMARKS:
Attached is a letter from a neighbor reiterating concerns which were addressed in a desk item to the
Planning Commission (Attachment 7). Following is a summary of staff's response.
• Trees - An arborist has reviewed the site and the conditions of approval include numerous in
depth mitigation measures to reduce tree impacts for on and off site trees.
• Access easement - The neighbor's fence is located on the applicant's parcel which has to be
removed to accommodate the development. Staff reviewed the access easement issue when the
application was first filed and has determined that the easement is for access only and access will
be maintained.
Attachments:
1-9: Previously Submitted
10. Letter from Anne Lamborn (three pages), received December 22, 2003.
(Continued on page 2)
PREPARED BY: BUD N. LOR~j
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Reviewed by: 2~--~,Assistant Town Manager Attorney Clerk Finance
Community Development Revised: 12/29/03 1:32 pm
Reformatted: 5/30/02
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: 10 MONROE CT
December 29, 2003
Distribution:
David H. Pitzen, DHP Monroe Investors LLC, 1228 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125
Ann Lamborn, 7 Monroe Court, Los Gatos, CA 95030
Linda Lubeck, 120 Carlton Ave #54, Los Gatos, CA 95032
Vincent M. Stephens, Community Projects Review, Santa Clara Valley Water District, 5750
Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118-3686
N:\DEV\CNCLRPTS\10monroe.ad l .wpd
Anne Lamborn
7 Monroe Court, Los Gatos, Ca 95032
408-354-8493 annelamborn(a,.comcast.net
Town Council
Town of Los Gatos
110 East Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95032
December 22, 2003
For January 5, 2004 Town Council Hearing Regarding Proposed Planned Development at Ten
Monroe Court
RE: HERITAGE STONE PINE -16 FEET FROM PROPOSED MONROE COURT EXTENSION
and PARCEL THREE OF 7 MONROE COURT
To the Town Council:
I am resubmitting the desk item that I prepared for the November 12, 2003 Planning Commission
Hearing. I would like to have the issues that I have listed in my letter be addressed in your
hearing.
Now that some time has elapsed, item #8 regarding my heritage stone pine comes to my
greatest attention. The stone pine's trunk is 16 feet from the proposed new Monroe Court
extension where the public will be able to tum their cars around in the future. Has any arborist
from the town investigated the situation of the stone pine on my property that has a drip line that
extends about 30 feet from its trunk to. under the house of Parcel One? I am concerned that my
tree will be damaged in the construction process with the heavy equipment running over the root
system.
If this project is approved as designed, will there be a way to fence off my tree so that heavy
construction equipment does not run over the root system? What sort of paving is planned in
order to protect the root system? How can trucks bypass the tree?
Regarding item #11 in my November 12, 2003 letter, has the Town Attorney investigated the loss
of my access Parcel Three which has been used exclusively by me and the previous owners of
my property since 1923, as recorded on my deed? Could I please have some response to this
question?
Unfortunately, I will not be attending the hearing and will be in New Zealand until March 30, 2004.
1 can be reached at nnPsca,infogen.net.nz or Go Dr. MK Flavell, Director, New Pacific Studio,
Mount Bruce, R. D.1 Masterton, New Zealand.
Tel_ 64 6 375-8441
Could you please send me communication as to the outcome of this hearing?
Sincerely,
4;t4-0 ya44~
Anne Lamborn
Attachment 10
Anne Lamborn
7 Monroe Court, Los Gatos, Ca 95032
408-354-8493 annelambom@comcast.net
November 7, 2003, Resubmitted: December 22, 2003
Planning Department I
Town of Los Gatos
110 East Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95032
N
To the Planning Commission and Planning Department:
1 have reviewed the October 1, 2003 resubmitted plans from Pacific Diversified
and have the following comments and requests, being that I am the northerly
adjacent neighbor:
1. Parcel 2 - I would prefer to have the garage on Parcel 2 not to be so axial
with Monroe Court. It appears to me that if the garage is open, it is open to the
entire street. This aspect was mentioned by Commissioner Talesfore in the
previous hearing.
2. Pricin - I would like to have an estimate of the market price on today's
market. Currently, there is a property for sale on neighboring Ohlone Court for
$1.8 million. Will Monroe Cottages be similar in `price or more?
3. North Elevation of Parcel 1 - What will the window plan and exterior of the
north elevation of parcel 1 be? I am hoping that the windows will be minimal in
that direction because it faces my home and garden. Also, the exterior of the
second floor will be very visible to me and I would prefer the entire facade to be
brick or stone. If there is paint,.) would like it to be "hillside color plan."
4. Exterior Elevations with Materials and Colors - In the conceptual plans,
I like the use of real stone, real brick, and the neo-craftsman architectural style. I
would hope that subtle colors would be selected for the exteriors in order not to
mar the natural landscape. I would like to see complete exterior elevations for all
three cottages. In these elevations, I would like to see the real materials noted.
5. Reauest of No Fence on Creek Frontasie between Seven Monroe Court
and Creek - There is a strip of land that is currently part of Ten Monroe Court
that separates my property from Los Gatos Creek. I have a minimal fence there
marking the division. This view of the Creek is my primary viewscape. I would
like that view to remain entirely open to me. Since we already have. the Los
Gatos Creek Trail on the lower side of the Creek, I doubt that I nor any of the
neighbors would like for that to be an additional trail.
Anne Lamborn
7 Monroe Court, Los Gatos, Ca 95032
408-354-8493 annelambom@comcast.net
L' E
222003 10
6. Large Native Buckeye near Roberts Road Bridge -This buckeye WILIr Ur MY
beautiful and should remain if at all possible. Plans call for its removal. I would
.
like you to explore not removing the mature native buckeye.
7. Conceptual Landscape Plan - I like the use of the diagonal real brick paving
in the various driveways and at the entrance to Monroe Cottages, which I will
also be using to enter my property. To me, real brick is far more attractive than
pavers and it is entirety in keeping with the style of Brickway and Monroe Courts.
8. No Heavy Equipment over My Giant Stonevine's Dripline - Please notice
that the dripline of my giant stonepine extends into Ten Monroe Court. Do not
run heavy equipment over my giant stonepine's dripline. This is a heritage tree
and gives value to Ten Monroe Court.
9. Herbicide (Aguamaster) to Remove Ivy from Upperside of Los Gatos
Creek, Our Drinking Water - I believe that you should not be using an herbicide
beside our regional drinking water source. Can you find another way to remove
the ivy? By the way, underneath the ivy are sandbags to stabilize the upper bank
along Los Gatos Creek.
10. Removal of Heritage Oak Tree at Entrance of Monroe Cottages - It is
unfortunate to me that the plans call for the removal of the heritage oak tree at.
the entrance of Monroe Cottages.
11. My Parcel Three has been in existence since 1923 and is my access -
If the Planning Commission feels that this development is too dense for the
property, I would like to preserve my exclusive access easement that is my
Parcel Three. This exclusive access easement has always been in this
configuration from times before my arrival on Monroe Court, which was 1970.
I have replaced the fencing two times, always according to the original
configuration.
12. The Development feels Dense- The house plans seem attractive and the
placement of the garages in Parcels 1 and 3 have good locations. The Floor
Area Ratio seems extremely high in comparison to my property in which my
house is only 1,500 square feet and the lot is .43 acre.
13. Parking and Traffic - I really don't know how overflow parking can be
accommodated if there is a dinner party. I hope that with this development that
there will not be extra cars parked on the street. Hopefully, the traffic is
manageable, but I question it.
Respectfully submitted,
Anne Lamborn