08 Desk Item - Kennedy Road @ Forrester Roadgas' G A't4S
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
DISCUSSION:
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
April 2, 2007
MEETING DATE: 4/02/07
ITEM NO.
DESK ITEM
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN MANAGER '
CONSIDER A REQUEST FO APPROVAL OF A PLANNED
DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE TO CONSTRUCT A NEW RESIDENCE,
POOL, TENNIS COURT AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURES ON PROPERTY
ZONED HR-2/2. NO SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS HAVE
BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A RESULT OF THIS PROJECT AND A MITIGATED
NEGATIVE DECLARATION HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED. APNS 537-29-
007 & 008. PROPERTY LOCATION: KENNEDY ROAD @ FORRESTER
ROAD. PROPERTY OWNER: ACORN TRUST. APPLICANT: ROB
DESANTIS. FILE #PD-06-03 & ND-07-04.
Attachments 23, 24 and 25 are letters from neighbors that were received following distribution of
the Council packet.
Attachments:
L-22. Previously received
23. Letter from Greg Westerbeck (two pages), received March 30, 2007
24. Letter from Chuck & Jennifer Berger (one page), received April 2, 2007
25. Letter from George & Rosanna Pillari (one page), received April 2, 2007
BNL:SD
N:\DEI'\SOZ.4NNE\Cuuncil\Reports\Fwd to TC1KennedyAcom\KenncdyAcorn-4-2-07-2&k.doc
PREPARED BY: Bud N. Lortz, Director of Community Development'(
Reviewed by: _,,Assistant Town Manager 4-/Town Attorney Clerk Finance
Community Development Revised: 4/2/07 3:40 PM
Reformatted: 5/30/02
March 30, 2007
Mayor Joe Pirzynski
Town of Los Gatos
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Subject: DeSantis Kennedy Road Property
Dear Mayor Pirzynski and members of the Town Council:
I have had the opportunity to review Mr. DeSantis' letter to the council dated
March 30, 2007. Unfortunately his late submittal has given us little time to
respond to his letter. I will be out of town on business on Monday April 2, 2007
and unable to attend the Council meeting but would like my comments included
in the record.
My first general comment is that I am unable to understand how Mr. DeSantis
can build a massive set of structures that grossly exceed the square footage
allowed by the Hillside Guidelines and Standards. If this project is allowed to
proceed, as designed, the Hillside Guidelines will no longer exist for practical
purposes. Also Mr. DeSantis has made claims about neighbor support that don't
withstand scrutiny. He claims that "no one in our neighborhood has expressed
opposition to our plans". This is false as I have expressed my views against this
project since its inception. My view is directly impacted by this project and yet
Mr. DeSantis claims that there is "no significant visual impact to neighbors". This
just isn't true. I am also unable to understand why story poles have never been
constructed on the property. Wouldn't this raise awareness about the project and
invite comments from neighbors? How is it that all other construction in Los
Gatos have story poles but this project does not?
1. House Size.
The proposed house and other structures exceed 15,500 sq. ft. This
grossly exceeds the hillside standard. There is also an allowance for an
additional storage structure (which has no limitations).
3. Grading
This project will require extraordinary movement of soil and appears to
dramatically alter the hillside. I would like to see the Town Council
remove the "Tennis Pavilion" from consideration. It requires 3,100 cu.
yds of fill and will destroy this hillside. I believe this is the equivalent of
over 300 truckloads of fill for a tennis court!
ATTACHMENT 43
4. Gradinq
The tennis pavilion will negatively impact the natural look of the hillside
and is not "nestled on the property more naturally."
5. Neighborhood signed support
Most, if not all, of the neighbors have not seen the "new" plans for the
property and it's unlikely that there is support for the project as it stands
today. We have a direct view of the property and have not been contacted
recently to express our opinion. As 1 stated earlier, to suggest that "no
one in our neighborhood has expressed opposition to our plans." is false
since I've expressed my opposition for several years.
6. Hillside Guidelines
b. There is a significant impact to trees and wildlife if the scope of this
project isn't scaled back.
i. There is also a significant visual impact to neighbors. I invite each of
you to look at the property for yourself. Take a look at the scale and
placement of the tennis pavilion and you will see that it will not present an
appealing view of this property. Again, why haven't story poles been
implemented at this site?
8. Town/Neighborhood compatibility
The homes that are mentioned here I assume were constructed prior to
the Hillside Guidelines and Standards so this reasoning isn't applicable.
Closing
2. There is a dramatic visual impact with the current plans especially with
a large tennis pavilion. This pavilion has no place on this hillside.
6. To suggest that there is neighborhood support is not accurate.
I respectfully ask that you consider the points I've addressed above and vote to
abide by the Hillside Guidelines and Standards and reduce the scope of this
project. I'd also like to see the Tennis Pavilion removed from the plans as it will
have a dramatic negative impact on the view and environment.
Sincerely,
Gregg Westerbeck
105 Teresita Way
Los Gatos, CA 95032
(408) 356-8414
Cc: Suzanne Davis
DeSantis Property
Suzanne Davis - DeSantis Property
From:
"Chuck Berger"
To:
Date:
04/02/2007 11:49 AM
Subject:
DeSantis Property
CC:
"Rob DeSantis"
Suzanne:
Page 1 of 1
Unfortunately my wife and I are hosting family guests from Michigan tonight and we won't be able to attend the
Council Meeting. We own and live on the property on the Eastern border of the DeSantis property (15681
Kennedy
Road).
I would like to reiterate my support for the plans the DeSantis family have put forth for approval. As I mentioned
at the last meeting, they have been extraordinarily careful to insure that the aesthetics of the property are
preserved and enhanced and that the construction and ongoing operation of the property are environmentally
positive. At each step of the process, they have only improved on these goals and have attempted to meet all of
the requests set forth by the Planning Commission and the Council. We strongly believe that the enforcement of
the Hillside Ordinance needs to be mindful of property size. We strongly believe that given the size of the
DeSantis property, nearly 14 acres, that their plans are totally appropriate as to size and scope and well within the
spirit of the Hillside Ordinance..
Since we cannot be there tonight, I would appreciate it if you would pass this on to the Council and any one else
that would be appropriate. Rob also has our express permission to read this on our behalf.
Thank you and if you need any other input from my Wife or myself, please email me or contact me on my cell
(408)-316-6392.
Chuck and Jennifer Berger
15681 Kennedy Road
Los Gatos, California 95032
A TTACHMENT 2~
file://C:\Documents and S ettings\sdavis. LOS GATOS CA\Local Settings\Temp\XPgrpwis... 04/02/2007
(04102/2007) Suzanne Davis - Rob DeSantisf
Page 1
From: "George D. Pillari" <gpillari@yahoo.com>
To: <sdavis@losgatosca.gov>
Date: 04/02/2007 2:09 PM
Subject: Rob DeSantis
CC: Rob DeSantis"' <rob@rdrmail.com>
Ms. Davis:
I am unable to attend the meeting this evening regarding the plans of Rob
DeSantis, but my wife and I support his project and would like to see it
happen.
Regards,
George & Rosanna Pillari
116 Teresita Way
Los Gatos, CA 95032
ATTACHMENT 2S;-