15 Desk Item - 107 Drysdale Drivepow N of MEETING DATE: 5/02/05
ITEM NO. 15
DESK ITEM
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: May 2, 2005
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL,
FROM: DEBRA J. FIGONE, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: CONSIDER AN APPEAL OF A PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION
DENYING AN APPLICATION TO CONSTRUCT A SINGLE FAMILY
RESIDENCE ON PROPERTY ZONED HR-1. NO SIGNIFICANT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND A
MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION IS RECOMMENDED.
PROPERTY LOCATION: 107 DRYSDALE DRIVE PROPERTY
OWNER/APPLICANT/APPELLANT: HOWELL & MCNEIL DEV. LLC.
FILE S-05-16 AND ND-05-05
REMARKS:
The attached e-mail from a neighbor was received after the staff report was distributed. Mr.
Coullahan suggests that the home be relocated and a vehicle turnaround be required. The staff
report discusses these issues on Pages 4 and 5.
Mr. Coullahan also raises issues with the San Jose Water Company (SJWC) connection serving
the site and is seeking Town support to eliminate the Shady Lane Mutual Water Company.
SJWC installed a water connection to the site; therefore, the proposed home will not use water
from the Mutual Water Company. Town approval is not required for SJWC to install a water
connection.
Staff does not oppose the elimination of the Mutual Water Company providing connection to
SJWC can occur. The developer of the Highlands of Los Gatos project on Shady Lane has
indicated a willingness to extend SJWC water to serve properties on Shady Lane. This would
allow for the elimination of the Mutual Water Company. The Highlands of Los Gatos
(Continued on Page 2)
PREPARED BY: BUD N. LO Z,
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Reviewed by: s /Assistant Town Manager i ttorney Clerk Finance
Community Development Revised: 5/2/05 4:22 pm
Reformatted: 5/30/02
Page 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
RE: APPEAL OF 107 DRYSDALE DRIVE
May 2, 2005
project is in the development review and environmental review process. Staff will continue to
work with the developer and neighbors to determine if water from the Highlands project can be
extended to the homes that are currently served by the Mutual Water Company.
Attachments:
1 through 8. Previously submitted
9. Email received from Bernard Coullahan on April 29, 2005 (2 pages)
N:\DEV\CNCLRPTS\2005\107 Drysdale Drivedeskiterampd
r abc s vi
Marlyn Rasmussen - Concerns/issues with 107 Drysdale Drive, application., 5-05-
16
From: Bernard-Marcia Coullahan <becoul@yahoo.com>
To: <clerk@losgatosca.gov>
Date: 4/28/2005 7:48 PM
Subject: Concerns/issues with 107 Drysdale Drive, application, S-05-16
CC: <turners4@ix.netcom.com>, Donald & Irene Garnel <igarnel@aol.com>, Lynn Waters & David
Sinofsky <lynnwaters@verizon.net>, Michael & Victoria Hack <steffcam@aol.com>, Michael Hack's
work < m ichael. hack@ ubs.com Peggy Zukin <ZukinP@comcast.net>, Randal Pham & Khanh Cao-
Huu <randalpham@yahoo.com>., Robert Stephens <ROBY22@verizon.net>, Sterling & Vivian Hou
<SterlingHou@hotmail.com>, Stinson & Arvilla Humphrey <seh@verizon.net>, Tang & Eva Wu
<twu 120dd @ comcast. net>
Would you please see that this note is distributed to
the appropriate people for the May Zed Town Council
meeting.
I have several concerns with the proposed house at 107
Drysdale Drive, This is a beautiful. piece of property
with wonderful views, however the proposed spec house
in it's current configuration and placement on the
property is not a good fit.
The house design reminds me of an exaggerated
"shotgun" house. The only difference is the proposed
house is dressed in fine cloths but it's still a 110'
long shotgun house. During the Los Gatos Planning
review meeting, one of the commissioners suggested
elbowing the house and moving it back and lower on the
property. I believe this would substantially help with
the outside appearance of the home without impacting
the views. However, the developer rejected the
suggestions citing rework cost and that the house was
placed at the "optimum slope" position. This may be
true but is materially sub optimizes the overall
appearance and usability of the house. Also, the house
design has no obvious outdoor living space. I'm left
with the impression the developer is trying to build a
house with the lowest building cost to make maximum
profits.
At minimum, I believe the home needs to be moved back
further on the property. This can be done and still
keep the home in the 20 to 30% slope guideline area.
This would provide a deeper driveway with off street
parking and the driveway should also be widened so a
car can easily be turned around. The current proposed
home location and driveway width does not allow for
sufficient guest parking and turnaround space thus
requiring cars to back out (or make multiple gyrations
to turn around) to exit the driveway onto Drysdale, a
dangerous move given the homes location to the corner
of the Drysdale sharp bend in the road, Gum Tree Lane
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and the steepness of the road. Street parking is very
limited on the lower part of Drysdale and the road is
narrow only 22' wide. The only authorized parking is
directly across the street in front of 110 Drysdale.
Deducting the width of a parked- car leaves only one
lane for other vehicles to pass. The current 107
Drysdale plan has a note for the road to be widened to
24' and a curb installed if the Town requires it.
Adding only 2' to the road width is insufficient to
mitigate this risk in my opinion.
Water Issue: This property is located in the Shady
Lane Mutual Water Company (SLMWC) Assessment District.
However, the Town of Los Gatos has approved a water
connection to San Jose Water (San Jose Water installed
a connection approx. 90 days ago) instead of SLMWC
without consulting, seeking comments or gaining
approval from SLMWC. This, in effect precludes SLMWC
from distributing the cost of maintaining the water
system including the fire hydrant (located directly
across the street from this property) to said
property. We in the SLMWC know the Town of Los Gatos
has a desire to eliminate all local mutual water
companies, and we share this objective. I believe the
Town of Los Gatos, by this action now has the
obligation to take a pro-active role in helping us to
achieve the objective for all members of SLMWC to be
directly attached to San Jose Water. The purpose of
highlighting this is to alert the Planning.
Commissioners, Town Council and the Town staff that we
need your support to have all properties served
directly by San Jose Water. We are working with the
proposed Highlands Develop
ment team, as the Highlands Development Project is our
"Golden Opportunity" to achieve this objective.
We are currently traveling and will be unable to
attend the May Zed Town Council meeting. I do have my
cell phone and can be reached at (408) 656-2907 for
questions or clarification. (Note; please do not call
before 11AM as I am in a later time zone. I`ve also
copied the members of the Shady Lane Mutual Water
regarding my water concern.
Thanks Bernard Coullahan
100 Drysdale Drive.
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