Desk Item
PREPARED BY: JOEL PAULSON
Community Development Director
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 12/20/2016
ITEM NO: 10
DESK ITEM
DATE: DECEMBER 20, 2016
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: ARCHITECTURE AND SITE APPLICATION S-16-011. PROJECT LOCATION:
16362 HILOW ROAD. PROPERTY OWNER/APPELLANT: VALY JALALIAN.
CONSIDER AN APPEAL OF A PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION DENYING A
REQUEST TO CONSTRUCT A SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE ON PROPERTY
ZONED R-1:8. APN 532-04-082.
REMARKS:
Attachment 9 contains public comments received between 11:01 a.m., Thursday, December 15, 2016
and 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 20, 2016.
Attachments previously received with December 20, 2016 Staff Report:
1. November 9, 2016 Planning Commission Staff Report (includes Exhibits 1-9)
2. November 9, 2016 Desk Item (includes Exhibit 10)
3. November 9, 2016 Planning Commission Verbatim Minutes
4. Appeal of Planning Commission Decision, received November 11, 2016 (four pages)
5. Draft Resolution to deny the appeal and deny the project (includes Exhibit A, Findings)
6. Draft Resolution to grant the appeal and remand the project to the Planning Commission
7. Draft Resolution to grant the appeal and approve the project (includes Exhibits A, Findings
and B, Conditions of Approval)
8. Public Comment received by 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 15, 2016
Attachment received with this Desk Item:
9. Public Comment received between 11:01 a.m., Thursday, December 15, 2016 and 11:00
a.m., Tuesday, December 20, 2016
On Dec 20, 2016, at 7:26 AM, J DRIEDGER <jddriedger@ gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Mayor and Council Members
In a recent meeting with the Mayor and a group of interested neighbors it became apparent that
we needed to reach out to the applicant and inform Mr. Jalalian what the neighbors would like to
have on this site on Hilow.
On 17 December 2016 Jim Fox and I met with Mr. Jalalian and Mr. Brown for an hour. We
discussed the mass of the intended structure as well as the PRIVACY impact on the immediate
neighbors. Mr. Jalalian suggested a number of changes he would be willing to make to his
plans. None of the suggestions reduced the size or mass of the structure. The concern of
PRIVACY impacts the neighbors as for our property the second story will look down on our
yard and intothe windows of the Living room and bedrooms.
Noise level was discussed by Jim Fox as he is experiencing with his new neighbors who have a
large two story house next to his house. The one two story house behind our house also is a
concern with noise. Their outdoor activities bounce from the walls of their house into the air
which impacts our enjoying outdoor activities. We have frequently needed to call them and
request reduction of the amplification of their music--sometimes even going over to their house
to make the request in person as they cannot hear their phones. My point being that in a
neighborhood with a majority of single story houses a two story house interferes with noise like a
mountain echos noise from a point near the mountain. In this case the proposed structure at
16362 Hilow Road will be another mountain in the neighborhood.
Please consider the Planning Commission's reason for the second denial of this application. Mr.
J alalian stated in our meeting on Saturday that this delay has impacted his family for
months. His intended structure will impact the neighborhood for a century. Again-please deny
this application as the Planning Commission found it to be inconsi stent with the neighbors.
This decision impacts the others who own property on Hilow and desire to also build mansions
on property which does not match the mass and size for the neighborhood. The Heriris have
implied in these meetings that they are neighbors--in fact the do not reside on Hilow--they own a
property two lots down from Mr. Jalalian.
Thank you for this consideration.
Sincerely Jeanne Driedger and Pete Dudley--owners of the house East of 16362 Hilow Road.
ATTACHMENT 9
From: Betsy White [ma ilto:betscw@aol.com]
5ent: Monday, December 19, 2016 9 :45 PM
To: Planning
Subject: 16362 Hilow rd
Please see my email addressed to the council.
Some points that I made therein :
I live next door and welcome a tastefu l, well-designed and well situated property.
2 story houses are essential for young families who must pay over a million dollars for dirt to live in Los
Gatos.
2 stories preserve green space .
Trees will be replanted if necessary.
I feel that the applicant has been respectful of the neighborhood and the process and should be able to
proceed .
Sincerely,
El izabeth(Betsy and Dan) White
16350 Hilow Rd .
On Dec 19, 2016, at 2:09 PM, Diane Dreher <ddrehe r@scu.edu> wrote:
Dear Mayor & Council:
Please deny the appeal for the proposed new development at 16362 Hi low Road for the
following reasons
• the Planning Commission has denied the application twice,
• the Staff has recommended upholding that denial twice,
• it doe s n 't conform to our Guidelines,
• the applicant has not made any reductions to the bulk, mass and scale, T
• the application is for a home that could negative effect nearby neighbors, and
• it sets a bad precedent that could adversely affect the entire neighborhood.
Please support the residents and our Residential Design Guidelines in your denial.
Sincerely,
Diane Dreher
Diane Dreher
Professor of English
President, Faculty Senate
https://www.sc u.edu/facu lty-senate/
Past President, AAUP Chapter
http ://www-r e lg-s tudie s.scu .edu/aaup-scu/
Santa C lara University
500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara CA 95053
( 408) 554-4954
ddreher@scu.edu
http://www.d ia nedreher.com
Check o ut my blogs:
http ://www.psycho logytoday.com/blo g/yo ur-perso nal-renai ssa nce
http s://b logs.scu .edu/w ri te he re writenow/
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed,
it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
Joel Paulson
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Lucille Weidman <laweidman@sbcglobal.net >
Monday, December 19, 2016 1:20 PM
Marico Sayoc; Rob Rennie; BSpector; Marcia Jensen ; Steven Leonardi s
Joel Paul so n; Laurel Prevetti
Application for 16362 Hilow Road
Dear Mayor Sayoc and Town Council Members:
Thank you for allowing me to express my concerns for the house being proposed at 16362 Hilow Road. In my
opinion the house is too massive for the parcel of land that it will be occupying. If the project is allowed to go
forward as planned, it will set a precedent for other homes waiting in the pipeline to be built in the very near
future in the Hilow/Shannon neighborhood .
I have recently driven and walked through the Hilow area and to impose such a large two-story house on that
modest parcel of land would be the beginning of the end for this lovely neighborhood . If the house proposed in
its present state is allowed to go forward it will be the death knell for yet another charming Los Gatos
neighborhood. We can't afford to lose any more of our neighborhood identities. We are a small , charming ,
"country" community of neighborhoods that should be cherished not destroyed with the "bigger" is "better"
philosophy.
Unfortunately many neighborhoods are dealing with the concept: "/can build a house that is bigger than yours
because no one is stopping me." Such a philosophy is beginning to destroy the quiet charm and character of
our neighborhoods. Modest one story homes are being bought up by developers and builders who are then
building formulated stucco and wood mega homes that are filling a parcel of land from stem to stern . Most
evident to this building trend exists in county owned Blossom Hill Manor where many one-story homes are
being replaced with truly HUGE two-story homes. The homes are huge and so are the price tags . Blossom Hill
Manor has changed dramatically over just the past ten years and a prime example of how mega homes are
changing the character of a beautiful established neighborhood. Please don't let this happen to the
Hilow/Shannon neighborhoods.
We are losing the charming neighborhoods that have drawn and continue to draw families to these special
neighborhoods . I suggest that now is time to put size (mass) and height limitation requirements in place in
order to maintain the small town charm in our established neighborhoods for which we all cherish.
More and more families are being priced out of the housing market as less and less modest sized homes are
left in our established neighborhoods. With all due respect, perhaps it is time to let prospective
builders/developers know that if they wish to build "mega-size homes" in established neighborhoods they
should do so in areas such as Atherton or the hillside areas of Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, or Saratoga where
larger lot sizes are available for the bui lding of mansion-sized homes and to respect the size and character of
homes in our established neighborhoods . All that is being asked for by our town residents is for
developers/builders is to remodel or rebuild homes in established neighborhoods with a "like for
like" perspective . This is so say, to blend in with the existing architecture, size , and character of the
neighborhood. Enhance not detract.
Please take into consideration the aforementioned reasons and concerns and deny the Application at 16362
Hilow Road.
Thank You,
Respectfully,
1
Lucille Weidman
215 Carlester Drive
Los Gatos , 95032
2
From : Betsy White [mailto :betscw@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, December 19, 2016 11 :12 AM
To : Council
Subject: Hilow Rd application
My name is Betsy White. My husband and I reside at 16350 Hilow rd . I am writing in favor of
granting the 2 story application at the neighboring property (16357?).
We lived next to a rat-infested eyesore for over 30 years. We were happy that the house was
demolished and that the new owner and LG building inspector came to my house to measure
my roof lines, take note of my solar panels as they planned the development.
We were surprised that they were encouraged, obligated (?)to design in the arts and crafts
style as we enjoy all types of architecture.
The design is tasteful and does not cover an excess amount of the large lot.
Any trees that have to be removed will be replanted. We ourselves planted the redwood at our
property from a 5 gallon bucket. It is now taller than the neighbors . Trees are not sacred.
It is unrealistic to think that families who choose to live in Los Gatos and must pay over a million
dollars for the dirt can live in the existing 900 sq foot homes on Hilow or La Chiquita.
As to the character ofthe neighborhood, my original deed says no Negroes (perhaps Jews too).
A shameful history.
I think that it is shameful that the applicant has followed the rules and is being denied.
Thank you ,
Betsy and Dan White
16350 Hilow Rd.
Los Gatos
On Dec 19, 2016, at 8 :10 AM, Sandy Jordan <sjordan@rnitty.com> wrote:
Mayor & Council,
Please deny the appeal before you for 16362 Hilow Road. The Planning Commission has denied the
application twice, the Staff has recommended upholding that denial twice, it doesn't conform to our
Guidelines and the applicant has not made any reductions to the bulk, mass and scale. The application
is for a home that negatively effects the neighbors next to and behind it and with others waiting could
adversely affect an entire neighborhood.
Sandy Jordan
AMHS Business Office
408.342.4380
sjordan@mitty.com
On Dec 19, 2016, at 5:26 AM , Li za Beshoff <li zabes h@ao l.co m> wrote:
Mayor & Council,
Please deny the appeal before you for the proposed new development at 16362 Hi/ow Rood. The
Planning Commission hos denied the application twice, the Stoff hos recommended upholding that denial
twice, it doesn 't conform to our Guidelines and the applicant hos not mode any reductions to the bulk,
moss and scale . The application is for a home that negatively effects the neighbors next to and behind it
and with others waiting could adversely affect on entire neighborhood. Please support the residents and
our Residential Design Guidelines as well in your denial.
Thank you so much,
Liza Beshoff