RECEIVED MAY TOWN OF LOS GATOS PLANNING DIVISION

Transcription

1 ANTHONY j. BADAME, M.D. Diplomate American Board of Dermatology May 31, 2016 RECEIVED MAY TOWN OF LOS GATOS PLANNING DIVISION 2025 Forest Avenue, Suite 9 San Jose, California Telephone: (408) Fax: (408) RE: 19 Highland Avenue Dear Planning Commissioners, We are opposed to the proposed development on 19 Highland. The number of HDS&G violations are excessive and thus do not warrant approval. Below is a summary list of the HDS&G violations: 1. Substantial LRDA exception 2. Grading in areas more than 30% 3. Excessive and inappropriate use of retaining walls 4. Excessive mature tree removal 5. Driveway greatly altering the physical and visual character of the hillside 6. Riparian corridor setback 7. Incompatible architecture 8. Height limit exceeded (discrepancy of existing grade) 9. Three story orthographic elevations 10. Non-conformance to natural topography 11. Two story wall planes 12. Architectural detail not repeated on all sides in a meaningful way 13. Massive turret 14. Bulk, mass, and volume overpowering Attached is the slide handout conclusion of a slide show which will be presented at the upcoming June 8th planning commission hearing on 19 Highland. Sincerely, Anthony and Melissa Badame EXHIBIT 1 6

2 Bulk Mass Volume sui/dings shall be designed to lilitjiij1ilfl. bulk, mass and volume HDS&G p. 36 VI. Conclusion Architecture, Detail Paucity,Setbacks, and FAR All Combine to Maximize Bulk, Mass. and Volume Reinventing The Broken Wheel? DRC Point Counterpoint DRC minutes. March 29, : Denied by both Planning Commission and Town Council 2001: Denied by both Planning Commission and Town Council 1 "exceptions to the LRDA are required to locate the residence" 2010: Significantly smaller home given soft approval by planning staff and hesitant approval by Planning Commission. Neighbors (worn out?) do not pursue Town Council Review. 2016: DRC approves development very sjmilar in mass and scale of denjed 1998 and 2001 DTODOsa!S. 2 A more reasonably sized home would not require an exception to the LRDA. "exception was supported by the Planning Commission in 2010" 2010 project was different and much smarer. Exception to the LRDA was still frowned upon.

3 3 "appropriate size for the property" Maximizing FAR with multiple site constraints is not appropriate. Maximizing bulk, mass. and volume extremely close to the street is not appropriate. Granting a substantial LRDA exception to accommodate maximum FAR is not appropriate. 5 "limited visibility into the site from surrounding homes" With 37 mature trees removed, visibility will dramatically increase. 6 "proposed vegetation will aid in screening" It will take decades to achieve the same screening that the existing mature trees provide. 4 "consistent with development on surrounding residential properties" Anomalous architecture incompatible with surrounding properties. Compliance with General Plan not cited Not applicable? Requests Requests Continued 1. Return Creek and Riparian Buffer to Original State 2. Enforce Development Within LRDA 3. Minimize Grading and Retaining Walls 4. Prohibit I Minimize Further Removal of Trees Reduce Driveway Impact Choose Appropriate Architecture: Compatible and Respectful Reduce FAR Reduce Bulk, Mass and Volume 5. Reassess Setbacks; Front/Rear 10. Provide Complete, Accurate Plans For Public Review

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5 RECElVED 19 Highland Avenue G4 submitted to Development Review Committee 1. 1~ - 2 lt1 \b TOWN OF LOS GATOS PLANNING D!VIStON On 3/21/2016 HT Harvey & Associates completed a Field survey to flag the top of bank along the ephemeral drainage that crosses the parcel located at 19 Highland Avenue. Top of bank was demarcated in the field on March 21, 2016 by Patrick Boursier using methodologies developed and approved by resource and regulatory agencies with jurisdiction within such drainages. Thirty inch yellow pin flags were placed along top of bank drainage. Immediately following Peoples associates surveyed the newly placed markers at top of bank. Sheet G4 reflected the newly surveyed top of bank and was also labeled with two distances nearest to house footprint. It was then sent by PDF file to Town Of Los Gatos prior to the DRC meeting held on 3/29/2016. Ed Pearson EXHIBIT 1 7

6 I A.P.N ,/ / GARAGE --- F F I PAD I I I HEAVY GRO WTH OF TREES 415 I HIGHLAND AVENUE EX. AC ROAD PERVIOUS PAVERS 10' v.c ORIGINAL CROUNOf-..._ AT CENTERliNE I " PLAN VIEW FOR SECTIONS SEE SHEET G6 HEAVY GROWTH OF TREES 0 <( 415 a: CJ z <( _J D... w CJ z w 0 ::> <( VJ z 0:: z ~ ~i <( a.. 0~ a: Z. L s~ :r:~ ~ VJ 2~ 0 I" z CJ z :s ~ 0.50 DRIVEWAY PROFILE 1 00 '-CENTERLINE h SH((l NUM9 R G4 or SHEETS DRAWING NO G4

7 19 Highland avenue Architecture and Site Application S APN # /1/2016 RECEIVED JUN f6 Site Visit BY Commissioners, TOWN OF LOS GATOS PLANNING DIVISION Dear Commissioners, I wanted to write you a brief letter concerning your site visit to my property. First, I would recommend parking at the turnout across the street from 15 Highland. This is where Highland goes to the right and the private road that my site is on goes to the left. There is a no parking sign there but I have spoken with the owner, Mr. Sawyer and he has told me that it is fine for you to park there. Also, recently I have put up a few no trespass signs on the property due to someone dumping there. Please ignore these signs, if you choose to walk around on the site. About halfway up the site, there are two red stakes that mark a good walking trail to enter the site. Lastly, I have included a group of photos taken from the appellants homes looking toward my proposed home. I felt in order to do a thorough vetting process these photos would be helpful if access to all the appellants home sites was not possible. I felt this is absolutely necessary in showing how my proposed home has very little or no impact whatsoever on their properties. Thank you, Ed Pearson

8 78 Alpine ave. Roberts 1.. f.., " ~ --- ~":. -~ ' I "i. "!.....,.. ; ~---.. ~ ~~~~;~]

9 78 Alpine ave. Roberts 2

10 -~... ~.- 78 Alpine ave. Roberts 3

11 .I 78 Alpine ave. Roberts 4

12 25 Highland ave. Smullen.. ' ~ ~ -~ ~~-----~-----~--~~--~---~---~ ,.

13 15 Highland ave. Spalding

14 . ~..... ~ 1 Highland ave. Badame

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