The proposed development of 11 homes perched on less than one acre of land, 2 blocks from ...

97 Pages·2016·8.07 MB·English

(
From: Wallerstein, Donna [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2016 12:40 PM
To: Council
Subject: proposed development on the corner of Los Gatos Blvd and Shannon Road
The proposed development of 11 homes perched on less than one acre of
land, 2 blocks from Fisher Middle School and Van Meter Elementary
School is nothing short of ludicrous. That very busy commercial street
continues to add more businesses and more housing with no concern for
the safety of our children. Traffic at that corner has been absolutely
horrendous ever since the Honda dealership closed and multiple· homes
were built on the site. And the additional housing and commercial
development at the corner of Blossom Hill and LG Blvd is equally to
blame. At school beginning and end and at rush hour, one can barely
navigate the traffic light and OFTEN there is no crossing guard to help
children get across safely.
If you agree to this proposal, then it should be the Town Council's
responsibility to guarantee that there will be a crossing guard at that point
AND at Van Meter daily, morning and afternoon for at least 30 minutes
before school begins and 45 minutes after the school day ends. I would
challenge each of you to take a turn at the job at least once before signing
off on any further development so near to the schools.
Los Gatos is rapidly becoming an undesirable place to live due to the
congestion and traffic and blatant overdevelopment.
Sincerely,
Donna Wallerstein
Los Gatos
EXHIBIT 9
r
On Jan 28, 2016, at 1:26PM, Geoff LaMotte <[email protected]> wrote:
Barbara, Marico, Marcia, Steven and Rob,
After reviewing the II Vicinato housing development MND, our family and neighbors are very
concerned with the apparent attempt to justify a revenue-grossing development while
underestimating the actual impact it has on the community. We ask the Town Council to reject
the proposal in the good interest of Los Gatos residents who have been patient with many other
recent constructions.
Personally, my wife and I live on Shannon Road, and previously lived on Nino. We experienced
the pains of construction from the LG I Grant Bishop townhouse developments and the impact
on the neighborhood traffic so can attest to how much it statistically changes the surrounding
area when high density housing is introduced. This is coming after the Caldwell development
and preceding completion of the project at the old Swanson Ford property (LG Boulevard and
LG-Almaden Road).
We are unequivocally opposed to the ll Vicinato development for the following reasons:
-The Laurel Mews study is clearly outdated. Anyone that lives in this area and tries to get
anywhere during key times (7 -1 Oam, 4-7pm -again, the study minimizes the extended commute
hours reflective of Silicon Valley and documented in length by several commissions - example
news release here) understands that we have serious gridlock on Los Gatos Boulevard and in
particular this intersection with Shannon. During an already overwhelming morning commute, it
can take us 5 minutes to exit onto Los Gatos Boulevard from Shannon Road from our house on
Amanda Lane.
-This continues an alarming trend of approved high density housing (Caldwell/Kennedy, Grant
Bishop, Swanson Ford) in an already heavily congested area that contains 2 elementary schools
and a middle school. School class sizes are already increasing and over capacity.
- It changes the zoning of the Wine Shop property from commercial to residential without
explanation.
-Safety: With the introduction of Orange Theory fitness, Yoga Source, and the new townhomes
diagonally across the street from the Wine Shop, there is significant risk in this area as cars park
in the Wine Shop parking lot while others are commuting through and children are walking to
school. This congestion is already a problem, so why compound it and not fix it instead?
I grew up in Saratoga, where the town council did an excellent job over the years protecting lot
sizes and minimizing developments that would hurt the integrity and quality of life of its citizens.
I am hopeful that Los Gatos will reject the 11 Vicinato project that compounds existing problems
with traffic flow and safety at the intersection of Los Gatos Boulevard and Shannon Road.
Thanks, Geoff LaMotte
Marni Moseley
From: Tamara Bodner <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 01, 2016 12:07 PM
To: Marni Moseley
Subject: New Housing Development at Los Gatos Blvd and Shannon
Hi Mami-
I hope all is well. I am reaching out to you in regards to the new proposed development which I think is called
II Vicinato to replace the Wine Depot. Can you please add my letter in to the pile of residents NOT supporting
it. The parcel is too small for the proposed number of units. In addition, traffic, parking and congestion in that
area is already way to high. Kids traveling to Fisher and Van Meter are already at risk to accidents. We have
had so many kids on bikes already hit by cars this year. (Unfortunately most go unreported because there is no
need to get the police involved.) Thankfully no major injuries or deaths have occured but it is only a matter of
time if we continue to add more traffic into these already congested areas. I would rather see wider streets,
sidewalks and highly visible bike lanes in this intersection to encourage kids to walk to school safely. Not
more cars and traffic and congestions.
Lastly, the numbers used to calculate the new students in the schools is underestimated. In the Linda Avenue
development, in the 6 completed homes, we have 9 students in the school. Not sure how they calculated only
8-12 for this development. People move to Los Gatos for the schools. They do not care about their home size.
Thank you for listening and adding my letter to the nonsupporters.
Tamara
1
Marni Moseley
From: Tiffany Papageorge <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2016 4:41 PM
To: Marni Moseley
Subject: II Vicinato
Hello Ms. Moseley,
The new proposed development "II Vicinato" has come to our attention. I am writing you on my behalf and also on
behalf of my husband, Paul. We are astounded by the high impact building that is going on in Los Gatos. It seems as
though the city planners aren't driving the same streets as we are or that their children aren't in the same public
schools. The other day, before rush hour, it took me nearly a half an hour to get down town from lower Kennedy Road.
We don't have the infrastructure in our little town to handle the amount of cars these high-density housing projects are
burdening our town with. Our schools are beyond full capacity. Why are these projects allowed through? Why is an acre
of land on an already busy corner where school four schools will be impacted by the additional population and traffic
even being considered? We are saddened by what is happening here. We respectfully ask you and the city planners to
think of the bigger picture. When can we go on a building moratorium and stop building tens of houses 4-5 bedroom
houses on no lot. It isn't good for any of us.
Thanks for your consideration,
Tiffany Papageorge
1
Marni Moseley
From: Tony Nanez <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2016 4:40 PM
To: Marni Moseley
Subject: town vs city
being a resident of LG since 1975,there's been a lot of changes and mostly for the good but;
as oflate the addition of so many new residents for the obvious tax revenue, has transformed our town
into a CITY(not good.)congestion in and around our schools is dangerous to our students and to add to this
by building on shannon and los gatos blvd will only add to the frustration of leaving our home to shop in LG.
were not even shopping downtown unless we can go at day time and many of our friends feel the same way!
we think the small businesses downtown will eventually suffer. its actually more convenient shopping at the
malls
per our out of town friends that were shopping here.please reconsider the amount or residents proposed for that
less than acre property.
thanks for your understanding and consideration
tony nanez
Tony Nanez
[email protected]
1
From: Johanes Swenberg [mailto:johanes [email protected]]
Sent: Saturday, February 06, 2016 3:02 PM
To: Council
Subject: Ill Vicinato
Dear town council
I am writing about the ill Vicinato development planned on Los Gatos Blvd.
unfortunately I can not attend the town meeting this month where this development will be discussed.
My input is simply that the current plan for 11 homes on one acre at this specific location should not be
approved. I very much approve of development for the town. However the plan for this location will
add to an already congested area and may put students, and other members of our community at risk.
I strongly encourage additional studies to pursue other options for this location. I believe the traffic
study done for the site is outdated and should be questioned to its current validity.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Johanes swenberg
Resident on Mary way
Los Gatos
Marni Moseley
From: Tanya Lattner <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2016 2:03 PM
To: Council; Planning
Cc: Marni Moseley
Subject: IL Vicinity Feedback from resident in the neighborhood
Town Council & Planning Commission,
My name is Tanya Lattner and I live on W Chiquita Ave. I am very concerned about the proposed development, IL
Vicinato, at the current location of the Artisan Wine Depot. I am not sure I can attend the town meeting so I hope that
my comments may be taken into consideration through email. I hope I have addressed this email to the right people.
First, I feel the density of the housing and style do not fit in with the look and feel of our wonderful town. Because of this
density the setback from the road will be decreased. I strongly feel that at the bare minimum, the number of housing
units should be reduced. There are also no row housing on this side of LG Blvd and it is surrounded by single family
homes. I believe that it should stay single family housing with adequate space between the homes for a good quality of
life for residents. For a 1 acre sized lot, 4-5 single family homes should be the maximum. This would allow for 10,000 sqft
lots and that is in line with the lot sizes in the neighborhood.
The traffic study that was done for this development seems outdated. This lot is currently used for parking by Yoga
Source and they have a large and growing client base. Removing their use of the lot would cause a drastic increase in
parking in the neighborhood. Orange Theory also has recently opened and because their parking lot is also small which
forces clients to park in the neighborhood. So you have 2 strong and growing businesses with no real parking options. In
addition, this lot is used by parents when picking up their children from school. If you force them out, they will be
looking for street parking as well and traffic around the schools will be even worse. The traffic study does not address.
these concerns or the actual increase from the Laurel Mews development.
This is also a strange intersection and heavily used by children walking to/from school. There needs to be a plan in place
to handle this pedestrian traffic during construction so all children are safe. Shannon Rd is already a potentially
dangerous road with no clear sidewalks and many speeders. We should avoid making it any more unsafe.
I strongly feel that the development is the wrong fit for our community but I understand that some development will
probably happen. I would much rather see the lot broken into 2 single family homes on the Shannon Rd side, and the LG
Blvd side remain some commercial property (maybe the wine store could even stay). Something that doesn't increase
the population of our schools , doesn't drastically increase traffic to the business, and doesn't change the parking
situation too much from how it currently is. Ideally it would be a business that the local residents would want to walk to
and shop at. Solutions to the parking problems need to be addressed. Perhaps an underground parking structure could
be done to keep Yoga Source still parking there and also allow a business on top that doesn't require much parking.
However, if a residential development is the only route. Please reduce the density and allow something that is in line
with what the neighborhood currently has and looks like.
Thank you,
Tanya Lattner
1
16212 Los Gatos Blvd. Page 1 of2
From: lazykrancho <[email protected]>
To: mmoseley <[email protected]>; lazykrancho <[email protected]>
Subject: 16212 Los Gatos Blvd.
Date: Fri. Feb 5, 201611:03 am
Attachments: LG-16 Shannon Realignment.pdf (2757K)
Dear Marni Moseley,
I hope all is well!
For what it is worth, I have lived off of Shannon Road, and in an adjacent
neighborhood, for over twenty years. I have always thought the town of Los
Gatos would correct the Los Gatos Blvd/Shannon Road intersection.
When the new development was proposed at Roberts and Los Gatos Blvd (at
the old Honda site), I thought for sure the Town would fix this intersection. The
Public Works Director (at that time) stated that the intersection worked
normally. I was quite flabbergasted by that statement.
Anyway, my point is this: Every day I see violations at that intersection. Cars
turning right from Shannon Road onto Northbound Los Gatos Blvd do not stop.
People unfamiliar with the intersection do not know where to turn, and often go
through the red light at Roberts that is only a very short distance from the
Shannon Road light (both Southbound & Northbound Los Gatos Blvd.) Cars
run the "No Right Turn On Red" at Roberts Road onto Southbound Los Gatos
Blvd. Cars from the Yoga Source drive the wrong way to get to the opening at
·Magnesson Loop to go Northbound on Los Gatos Blvd. Pedestrians crossing,
on the East side of Los Gatos Blvd at Shannon, heading Southbound, are
continually running for their lives as cars turn Left from Southbound Los Gatos
Blvd onto Shannon Road.
I won't even get into the number of pedestrians I see jaywalking/running across
Los Gatos Blvd to get to either side (the cross walk at Shannon and Los Gatos
Blvd does not serve the Yoga Source and automobile businesses on the West
side of Los Gatos Blvd).
Please see the attached document above. It shows a rough outline of how this
intersection can be improved before we start building homes on the last piece
of land that would give us all a chance to fix this area and to actually make it
shine.
https://mail.aol.com/webmail-std/en-us/PrintMessage 02/05/2016
16212 Los Gatos Blvd. Page 2 of2
I noticed the date to respond to the MND has changed to February 4th, 2016 at
5pm. However, the mailing I received and the notice at the Library stated it was
to be February 11th, 2016. Could you please confirm that my correspondence
will be accepted (the attached document and this email) ??
Thank you for your time and assistance.
I dislike bothering developers and other folks about their projects, but this
intersection needs to be fixed for the benefit and safety of the whole community
as well as visitors to this area. Changing the zoning from C to R is a major
concession.
https://mail.aol.com/webmail-std/en-us/PrintMessage 02/05/2016
J
·I·
'
I
I
I
I
I .
I
I
l
I
l
I
I
i
I
I