Desk Item # 11 Bella VistatpW N OF
�a8.caos
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: MAY 3, 2016
MEETING DATE: 05/03/16
ITEM NO. 11
DESK ITEM
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL {�
FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER �1IiL�G/
SUBJECT: ARCHITECTURE AND SITE APPLICATIONS S -15 -053 AND S -15 -054
PROPERTY LOCATION: 360 BELLA VISTA AVENUE. APPLICANT/
APPELLANT: MICHAEL BLACK. PROPERTY OWNER: JOHN BRADY.
CONSIDER AN APPEAL OF THE DECISION OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION DENYING A REQUEST TO DEMOLISH AN EXISTING
TWO- FAMILY RESIDENCE, AND CONSTRUCT TWO NEW SINGLE -
FAMILY RESIDENCES ON PROPERTY ZONED R -1:8. APN 529 -22 -038.
REMARKS:
Staff received the attached correspondence after distribution of the staff report (Attachment 9).
Attachments previously received with May 3, 2016 Staff Report:
1. March 9, 2016 Planning Commission Staff Report (including Exhibits 1 — 10)
2. March 9, 2016 Planning Commission Verbatim Minutes
3. Appeal of Planning Commission Decision, received March 16, 2016
4. Draft Resolution to deny the appeal (three pages)
5. Draft Resolution to grant the appeal and remand the project to the Planning Commission
(three pages)
6. Draft Resolution to grant the appeal and approve the project with the Required Findings
and Considerations (Exhibit A) and Conditions of Approval (Exhibit B) (12 pages)
7. Applicant's letter and Revised Development Plans received April 8, 2016 (15 pages)
8. Public comments received prior to 11:00 a.m. April 28, 2016
Attachments received with this Desk Item:
9. Public Comments received between 11:01 a.m. Thursday April 28, 2016 and 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday May 3, 2016.
PREPARED BY: JOEL PAULSON
Community Development Director
Reviewed by: N/A Assistant Town Manager U IR Town Attorney 11 l • . Finance
S:\000NCIL REPORTS\2016 \5- 3 -16 \1 1. Bella Vista Ave 360 - Appeal \Staff Report - DESK. V I.docx 5/3/2016 11:29 AM MM
Planning
From: Ellie Leishman <ellie @ musical mac.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2016 9:03 AM
To: BSpector, Marico Sayoc; Marcia Jensen; Steven Leonardis; Rob Rennie; Planning
Subject: 360 Bella Vista
Town of Los Gatos
110 East Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95031
May 3, 2016
RE: 360 Bella Vista Ave. - Architecture and Site Application S -15 -053 and
S -15 -054
Dear Mayor and Town Council Members,
I'm writing to let you know of my objections to the proposed construction at
360 Bella Vista. I urge you to uphold the Planning Commission's decision to deny these applications. Here are some
specific reasons for my objections:
* The two proposed houses will be approximately 3,200 sq. ft. each: their mass and scale is totally out of proportion with
other houses on our street
* One of the houses will completely block one neighbor's scenic vista
* Nine protected trees would be removed, impacting the environment
* Traffic impact on Bella Vista will increase: with two 4- bedroom homes, the number of occupants will increase, and so
will the number of cars that will be backing out of driveways, driving and parking on the street
Bella Vista is a well - traveled pedestrian pathway to downtown. It's a favored route for bike -riders and joggers. Children,
young people and adults all use the street to walk or drive to school. On weekday mornings, the flow of traffic to and from
the high school is heavy and fast, often dramatically exceeding the posted speed limit. Drivers use it as a short cut to avoid
the traffic light on Los Gatos Blvd.
Some of the charming aspects of Bella Vista also contribute to its potential to be a dangerous street to walk, bike and drive
on:
• Several sharp curves make it difficult or impossible for drivers to see road ahead at certain points
• The street is not very wide overall, and it becomes even more narrow in spots
• Not a conventional street with sidewalks or paved areas for on- street parking
• Poorly lit at night
I'm very concerned about the impacts these houses will have on Bella Vista.
They will destroy the character of our neighborhood and our street with their outlandish scale and mass. They will
negatively impact the environment through loss of heritage trees, loss of shade, loss of views. They will present increased
traffic and safety issues on the street.
For all these reasons, I urge you again to uphold the Planning Commission's decision to deny these applications.
Yours truly,
ATTACHMENT 9
Eleanor Leishman
332 Bella Vista Ave.
Los Gatos, CA 95032