Exhibit 5 of Attachment 1I�A►VII�ON HOMES
May 14, 2014
RECEIVED
Town of Los Gatos Planning Commissioners
Ms. Suzanne Avila MAY 19 2014
Town of Los Gatos TOWN OF LOS GATOS
110 E. Main Street PLANNING DIVISION
Los Gatos, CA 95031
Dear Planning Commissioners and Ms. Avila,
Davidon Homes is requesting that the Town of Los Gatos consider an alternative method for compliance
with the Light Reflective Value (LRV) requirements of the Hillside Development Standards and
Guidelines for the Highlands of Los Gatos project. We believe the unique location and limited visibility of
the homes as well as the customized architectural styles designed for the Highlands of Los Gatos project
warrant a modified approach to the interpretation of the LRV requirements and the Hillside
Development Standards and Guidelines. If it is the desire of the Town, this method could also be
incorporated for the review and approval of the subsequent repaint of the homes at the Highlands of
Los Gatos.
Background:
Currently the Hillside Development Standards and Guidelines require that exterior materials used on a
home built in the Highlands not exceed an LRV value of 30. Masonry, roof, trim and fascia materials are
not subject to the requirement. The Hillside Development Standards and Guidelines requires the main
body color of the home to be equal to or less than LRV30.
In working with this requirement, Davidon has found that color combinations that can meet the
standard, result in a finished look which lacks variety among the homes, as well as lacking an attractive
contrast of materials on any particular home. The result is a dark and muddy look overall. Additionally
we have found the darker colors which are LRV 30 compliant are not in keeping with the true
architectural style and design of the homes. This results in color schemes which do not accentuate the
unique and custom design of the home and honor the historic character of the style of architecture.
Proposal:
Davidon is proposing the LRV to be used at the Highlands of Los Gatos project be reviewed and consider
on multiple levels. This multi level approach would preserve and honor the LRV 30 value for homes
predominantly visible outside of the project area and allow the versatility and variety to honor the
architecture and design of the homes within the less visible project boundaries. Due to the nature of
the hillside development and the topography of the site, many of the homes are not significantly visible
from the viewing platforms or from the surrounding community.
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1600 SOUTH MAIN STREET, SUITE 150, WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA 945954,i94C Staff Rpt
TELEPHONE (925) 945 -8000 • FACSIMILE (925) 256 -0140
Based upon this Davidon Proposes the following guidelines for LRV interpretation and implementation
for the Highlands of Los Gatos.
1. Homes that are highly visible from outside the Highlands project, or potentially visible form
viewing platforms identified in the Hillside Development Standards and Guidelines, such as lots
3, 7, 9 and 10 shall be LRV 30 compliant.
2. Homes on any lot may be LRV 30 compliant. This would presently include the homes Davidon
has designed for lots 4, 11, 12 and 18.
3. Homes not highly visible from the viewing platforms as identified in the Hillside Development
Standards and Guidelines could be LRV averaged to achieve a LRV of 30 or less. The LRV
Compliant color shall be achieved by calculating the weighted average of the LRV of all exterior
materials, including, roof, masonry, trim, glazing, and accents such as doors and shutters as well
as the body color of the home. This would presently apply to homes Davidon has designed on
lots 15 and 17. An example of the LRV Compliant color averaging is provided below.
4. Homes on lots where the architectural style would customarily dictate the color scheme. To
honor the architectural style such homes may be non - compliant as long as they are not highly
visible from outside of the Highlands community and from the viewing platforms as identified in
the Hillside Development Standards and Guidelines. This would apply to homes Davidon has
designed on such as lots 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 14, 16 and 19.
In keeping with the Town of Los Gatos' requirements, Davidon would record a deed restriction on
each lot within the Highlands of Los Gatos project that would identify the LRV value for the
respective home and lot. Any subsequent remodel, or repainting of the home on the respective lot
shall be matched to the recorded LRV value for the home and lot or may be darker at the discretion
of the owner, the HOA architectural review committee and Town of Los Gatos Planning Department.
In no case shall the color be lighter in value to what has been approved and recorded.
Example of LRV 30 Compliant Color Averaging:
Assume a home in question has three exterior colors. Color 1 has an LRV of 50 and is present on 10 % of
the exterior. Color 2 has an LRV of 30 and is present on 35% of the exterior. Color 3 has an LRV of 25 and
is present on the remaining 55% of the elevation.
Applying the weighted average calculation:
LRV X %Coverage = LRVComponent
Color 1 50 X .10 =
5.0
Color 2 30 X .35 =
10.5
Color 3 25 X .55 =
13.8
Weighted Average LRV =
29.3
By using the four pronged approach to determining the color compliance for the Highlands of Los Gatos,
Davidon will be able to offer a completed project that will complement the natural surroundings,
provide a variety of attractive exteriors, honor the architectural styles of the homes, and meet the
objectives of the Hillside Development Standards and Guidelines.
We further believe, that due to the limited views of the homes at the Highlands of Los Gatos from the
surrounding neighborhood and community, that the flexibility of applying a multi approach to the
weighted average LRV for this project makes it unique within the Town of Los Gatos. Home sites that
are of a specific concern such as lots 3 and 10, which were conditioned to be submitted to the Planning
Commission for Design Review Approval due to the potential visibility from the viewing platforms,
would remain at the LRV 30 or below value.
As you can see from the above, the approach is relatively easily implemented, and would provide the
Town of Los Gatos with another tool for achieving a finished neighborhood that offers internal individual
variety, is a compliment to the surrounding community and honors the integrity of the unique and
custom architectural designs present at the Highlands of Los Gatos.
This application includes a comparative visual analysis of the results of using the weighted average
approach versus standard compliance.
Thank you for your consideration,
Davidon Homes
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