Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Maxim Investments proposes a 32-unit development on University Ave.

Traffic, creek are possible environmental concerns

Consultant prepares report

By Jeff Kearns

Developers hoping to build 32 single-family detached homes on University Avenue near Saratoga- Los Gatos Road have cleared the first hurdles of presenting their plan to the town and will head next to the Planning Commission for approval.

Maxim Investments currently has an option to buy the four-acre site at 330 University Ave., which slopes down toward Los Gatos Creek and opens into a large field surrounded by oak and eucalyptus trees. Maxim's Bill Hirschman expects to finalize the deal soon.

An initial environmental review is currently being prepared by an outside consultant, who will determine if the project is environmentally sound or suggest ways in which its effects can be minimized. The report will study what effects drainage and grading might have on the creek and should be out by mid-February, according to town assistant planner Kristine Syskowski. If the consultant finds the project would have significant effects, a full environmental impact report may be requested.

The town traffic engineer is also conducting a preliminary traffic study at nearby intersections. If potential problems are identified, developers may be required to create new turn lanes, Syskowski said."If you sit there and watch the traffic for a while, it's pretty obvious that a turn lane [from University Avenue] would improve the situation," Hirschman said.

Two other developers had previously proposed plans for the site; one developer abandoned these plans due to traffic concerns, among other things.

"The property is pretty unique," says Hirschman, who also works with Maxim's partner, Lexor Builders, which will handle the construction on the site if plans are approved. "No one can believe it's there. It's a great big piece of property, and it's really tucked in, surrounded by apartments on two sides and the creek on the other."

Lexor is working on the design of the homes with the Southern California architectural firm McLarand Vasquez.

"We're trying to create a village atmosphere; we want to keep it low-key," Hirschman said. "They're very well known, and they've won tons of awards for this sort of thing--conceptual projects."

Hirschman said Lexor submitted two proposals at the same time and opted for the one with the lower density. "We had input from the town that the development would probably be better at the lower end of the density scale," Hirschman said. "It's about the same density as the rest of the neighborhood."

Twenty-eight of the houses would be sold at market rate, while price tags on the others would be reduced as part of the town's below-market-price affordable housing program.

Lexor is asking for a planned development ordinance--a parcel-specific zoning which must be approved by the Town Council--but the zoned density for the property would stay the same. With the planned development, requirements for street widths and building setbacks could be relaxed, allowing for more houses per acre.

Currently on the site is an old farmhouse, which developers plan to restore and either sell or rent, and a garage, which will be demolished. Both structures are pre-1941, but the Historical Preservation Committee decided that neither had any significant historic value.

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