Attachment 12Sally Zarnowitz
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Hello Sally,
Christine Clevenger <cdeveng@opentext.com>
Wednesday, Januaty 03, 2018 3:43 PM
sally Zamowitz
Accessory Building pro~
I live on Kennedy Rd. In Los Gatos where there are already IT)any accessory dwelllng units used for a variety of purposes
by homeowners. In general, I am supportive of the new proposal. Howe\ier, I would IHce to clarify the rules on set-backs
and height. It sounds like the planning commission has already approved allowing for quite large (1200 sq ft} accessory
dwelling units. How tall are these allowed to be? Only l story with normal 8 foot cellfngs, I hopef And what are the
setback rules? The neighbor behind me has a tan -15 foot accessory dwel1fng unit painted a very colorful salmon I pink
color. It's practically on my fence. There's probably 3 feet of dearance, but definitely no more than that. I've planted
a row of trees there now, but have a lot less sun in my back yard as a result. Really their accessory unit should have
been built much farther away from the property line; especially considering how large tt is.
This kind of thing should be avoided. We need people who are gains to build accessory units to keep them far enough
away from the property line to feel like they're ~of their main house and not feel Hice they're right on top of their
neighbor's yard .
Thank you,
Christine Clevenger
ATIACHMENT 12
Sally Zarnowit:z
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Hi Sally,
Teresa Spalding <spacefqryoutwo@yahqo.com >
Friday, 'December 08i 2017 12:43 PM
Sally Zamowltz
Re: Wedsnesday meeting -sept 27th -7pm
I have been watching the planning commission's meetings on ancillary units and have a question as it seems like
there are still a lot of topics to be discussed and finalized.
My question I have for you since I missed the part where they were discussing this js what will happen to
ancillary units or secondary units that are pamitted as living space now hut ha.ye deed restrictions on them? I
would like to have mine removed but I need direction on whether or not I can ask for the deed restriction to be
removed at this point Qr will I be able to this coming year?
Also, I like the idea of being abJe to build up on an existing unit or garage if the .main .house and the
neighborhood has second floors already built 1 know that topic came up at the meeting this week and l am
sending my thoughts that I am in agreement with being able to build up if certain factors permit, i.e. it fits the
neighborhood and it's not intruding on somebody else!s privacy.
I like the idea of allowing a secondary units be built or renovated on a property even .if it doesn\ meet FAR
guidelines or goes over the FAR. ·
If these secondary Qnits can be calculated separate frQm the main house or sometbing along those lines I am in
favor of that as I believe it will limit and prevent people from being able to build their secQD.dary unit or convert
a unit because they will be exceeding the FAR. I'JD. all in favor of being able to calculate these ancillary units
and secondary units to accommodate more living space for people.
Lastly, I don~ think a property owner should have to live in the main house if they have a secondazy unit Many
people will be retiring and may want to travel or move somewhere else or have their children live in the house,.
etc. I think there should be some flexibility around that and if there ~·to be a problem with allowing the
main house to be rented that can be addressed at a later date once it's been tried out for a couple years to see if
it works
I just wanted to put my two cents in around those issues and any feedback would be appreciated ss to what the
town is leaning towards in regards to these specific issues.
Thank you so much Sally for your help and time have a great weekend
and Meny Christmas
Teresa Spalding
Cell: 415.515.51061 113 ·----·-------·~~-
On Sep 28, 2017, at 12:45 PM, Sally Zcnowitz <SZatnowitz@losgatosca.gov> wrote:
Hi
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January 9, 2018
Town of Los Gatos
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Anthony J. Badame MD
73 Mariposa Court
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Attn: Sally Zarnowitz, AIA,LEED AP and Joel Paulson, AICP
Re: Accessory Dwelling Units
Dear Ms. Zarnowitz and Mr. Paulson,
It is inevitable that accessory dwelling units (ADU) will become more prevalent under new state law.
Hiding square footage with these units is especially important given that their presence on a site
·contributes significantly to the overall bulk, mass, and scale. Allowing a basement in lieu of visible mass
without penalty in an ADU should be encouraged.
It is my understanding that town code currently states below grade square footage is permitted only
once on a property, and any additional below grade areas count against the floor area calculation.
As it stands, this code serves no wholesale benefit to the desired intent of providing hidden square
footage in lieu of visible mass. Restricting a daylight basement to only the main structure is reasonable
and understandable but penalizing an additional, fully enclosed basement which contributes no visible
mass in an ADU appears unfair and counterproductive.
Sincerely,
A~7 9adahu/ J?1Z/
Anthony J. Badame, MD
Joel Paulson
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Cc:
Tina Giusto <tina@igiusto.com>
Wednesday, January 10, 2018 9:41 PM
Joel Paulson; Council
Sally Zarnowitz; 'Mike Giusto'
Subject: Input on Town Code Amendments re : Accessory Dwelling Un its (ADUs)
Dear Director Joel Paulson and Los Gatos Town Council,
We are a family of four living in a small house on an approxi mately 8500 sf lot in Los Gatos. About 7 years
ago, we converted a portion of our detached garage into a cabana with a bathroom . We are now considering
converting this 270sf cabana into an ADU by adding a cooking element and other conforming requirements.
We feel this could someday serve an elderly parent or perhaps one of our kids when they become a young and
independent adult. However, we would only go through the time and expense of the ADU conversion process
if:
1-The square footage of the ADU is not counted toward the square footage of our main house (for
example, if we remodel the m~in house, we will not be penalized by the ADU square footage)
2-Ali known requirements and rules for ADUs are sensible and practical and clarified by the town
upfront so they are clear to homeowners and a re not confused by differing opinions
(One thing we would like to note is that it makes a lot of sense, economically and practically, to allow a
robust "p iug and play" solution for cooking e lements. We have seen many beautiful plug-in induction
burners that sit on top of the counter rather than having to cut the counter and instail the burners. The
b iggest advantage here besides allowing for a quicker and less expensive conversion process is that if
the burners break, they are easily replaced . This is one example of reducing barriers to converting an
exi sting unit into an ADU .)
3-The permitting process for the ADU is simple , efficient, and timely
Thank yo u very much for co n sidering our input.
Tina and Mike Giusto
16928 Kennedy Rd
Los Gatos, CA 95032
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