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Attach 3 contCDG CANNON DESIGN GROT January 8, 2007 Mr. Joel Paulson Community Development Department Town of Los Gatos 110 E. Main Street P.O. Box 949 Los Gatos, CA 95031 RE: 339 -341 Bella Vista Avenue ARCHITECTURE PLANNING URBAN DESIGN Dear Joel: I reviewed the drawings, and visited the site. My comments and recommendations are as follows: Neighborhood Context Bella Vista Avenue is a relatively narrow street with flat lots on the north side and downslope lots on the south. Homes vary in terms of size and formality, but overall the neighborhood has a generally informal character with substantial distance between adjacent homes. Photographs of the area around this site are shown below. TEL: 415.331.3795 FAX: 415.331.3797 180 HARBOR DRIVE. SUITE 219. SAUSALITO . CA 94965 EMAIL: cdgplan @pacbell.net EXHIBIT q View west on Bella Vista Avenue View west on Bella Vista Avenue with houses on north side of street Existing house on south side of Bella Vista Avenue View south down slope from Bella Vista Avenue 339 and 341 Bella Vista Avenue Design Review Comments January 8, 2007 Page 2 Concerns and Recommendations 1. The two houses are very well designed, with good materials and interesting details that are consistent with their architectural styles. While the floor plans are essentially the same for both houses, their exterior appearance is quite successful in giving each its own unique identity. There are only a couple of issues for which I have a comment and recommendation. CANNON DESIGN GROUP 180 HARBOR DRIVE. SUITE 219. SAUSALITO . CA 94965 Existing Neighborhood Homes 339 and 341 Bella Vista Avenue Design Review Comments January 8, 2007 Page 3 3. The houses will, I believe, be very visible from the residential neighborhood below the sites. The use of stucco on the lowest level of the two houses seems to give them a sense of being perched on stilts. I would recommend car - ring the shingle and siding wall material down over these lower floors. CANNON DESIGN GROUP 180 HARBOR DRIVE. SUITE 219. SAUSALITO . CA 94965 2. The two houses are relatively large and close to the street. While the architectural design of each and their siting substantially below street level will mitigate their size, the small separation between the two structures seems out of keeping with the fabric of the neighborhood. I would suggest the addition of some tree landscaping between the two houses to buffer this view. 339 and 341 Bella Vista Avenue Design Review Comments January 8, 2007 Page 4 4. Although I don't think it would have any significant visual impact on the streetscape, the residents might want to be a bit concerned about the relatively tall retaining walls for the garage driveways adjacent to the front entries. Landscaping in that area to buffer the view or the facing of the retaining walls with stone or with shingles or siding to match the house might be considered. I i I I i I — I l �- "°" Significant exposed retaining wall Similar condition on Lot 1 residenc Joel, please let me know if you have any questions, or if there are specific issues of concern that I did not address. Sincerely, CANNON DESIGN GROUP Larry Cannon AICP President �i CANNON DESIGN GROUP 180 HARBOR DRIVE. SUITE 219. SAUSALITO . CA 94965