Attachment 2RECEIVED
16212 Los Gatos Blvd: Story Pole Exception Request JA ~~ -9 2018
January 8, 2018 TOIJ\/ll.! l"lF LOS GATOS
PU\NMNG DNISION
To: Town of Los Gatos Community Development Director, Town Manager and Town Council
Project Address: 16212 Los Gatos Blvd @ Shannon Rd
Property Owner: 16212 Los Gatos Blvd, LLC, A Community Planned Development Project managed by STEM
Development
Dear Town of Los Gatos,
We appreciate the Planning Department's time, effort and guidance in review of our project on the above
referenced site in preparation for Planning Commission and Town Council.
The intent of this letter is to request a Story Pole Exception on this project in order to allow the existing
tenants to continue doing business and utilizing the parking lot under their existing CUP while we complete
the active development application process.
We are a local, custom real estate development group headquartered out of Los Gatos and primarily focus on
infill commercial and residential development projects in the Bay Area. In order to produce the best possible
development for our community, we closely analyze land use, sustainab l e development concepts, traffic
impact and economic variables, as well as many other measurable concepts during the development process.
First, we would like to provide a brief site history since we purchased the above mentioned property. Shortly
after purchasing the property we experienced vandalism, loitering and also discovered homeless people
sleeping on the site. After several community complaints, we decided it was in the best interest of the
neighbors and the town to have the building occupied during the development application process. While
engaging with many potential tenants from auto dealerships to coffee shops, we were unable to come to
terms on a fair market value lease. We eventually decided to lowered the lease rate to attract a tenant that
would be a good temporary fit for the town while we went through the development process, as opposed to
leaving it vacant and becoming a potential public nuisance again . We were able to attract a good local tenant
who was interested in opening a retail location in Los Gatos as they expand their business. That tenant is
Artisan Wine Depot; they are currently operating under a CUP which they received from the town in 2013.
The tenant is currently paying approximately 25% of the lease rate the historic auto dealer was paying. Yoga
Source is also leasing approximately half of the parking lot to reduce traffic and parking issues in the
neighborhood.
We are requesting a Story Pole Exception because we believe we have justifiable reasons why story poles on
the project site will impair the use of the existing structure and the project site for the current tenants
operating under their CUP, parking and community use for Safe Routes to School. We are asking for a shorter
review period of 10 days.
We have submitted a Planned Development application with the existing structure remaining and a new
commercial building fronting Los Gatos Boulevard to include the corner of Shannon Road . Per the towns
uHeight Pole and Netting Policy for Additions and New Construction" dated August 5, 2013, we would like to
request to erect story poles where the new key structure will be located, per town policy.
ATTACHMENT 2
Howe~er, we are requesting an exception of a 10 day review process as the story poles will impair the use of
the existing structure and the site to the extent our tenants will not be able to conduct business without a
negative impact.
Our intent is to have the story poles installed by January 24, 2018, complete the 10 day review period, present
the project to Planning Commission as soon as possible following completion of the story pole review period.
We would then remove the story poles and construction safety fencing on February 3rd, or as soon as possible,
after that date to restore the site to full operation for our tenants.
The tenant and I believe we found a way to meet the towns review needs while they continue operating under
their CUP. While story poles are present, we propose to provide ingress and egress on Shannon Road and
focus on public health and safety, as well as attempting to provide access to the existing structure so the
tenant has the opportunity to continue operating their business.
Yoga Source is also utilizing the parking lot;-our intent is to allow their customers to utilize the parking, if
possible, and reduce any threat to public safety.
We hope to receive your support for this Story Pole Exception Request as well as support on this project from
Town Staff, Planning Commission and Town Council.
We look forward to discussing the project in detail and believe that upon further review it will be obvious that
the proposed project is the best use for the site, for the town and the neighbors due to the unique challenges
of this site. We hope the community recognizes the substantial effort and attention to detail our team has
leveraged in determining the be~t land use for this site . We received positive feedback from the large majority
of neighbors and community members after they reviewed the commercial plans and all the Information
provided. Through our extensive process, our team believes we have arrived at the best solution with a
unique, high-end product to compliment the Town of Los Gatos while working to conform to the General Plan,
Los Gatos Boulevard Plan, Zoning and land use issues to enhance the use of this site.
Thanks again for your consideration; we look forward to your support.
Sincerely,
Scott Plautz
16212 Los Gatos Blvd, LLC, Partner
A Community Planned Development Project by STEM Development