Habitat for Humanity can finally build house in LG

By Gloria I. Wang

After an exhausting four years, Habitat for Humanity can finally proceed with groundbreaking for its Los Gatos project.

Los Gatos planning commissioners unanimously approved the designs for Habitat's three-bedroom, two-bathroom house on Charles Street. The 1,254-square-foot, two-story home will be on a small, pie-shaped lot at the end of Charles Street, near Bella Vista Avenue.

At the Jan. 9 planning commission meeting, architect Jeanette Coran summarized the ways in which the project had been modified to follow directions from commissioners at a previous meeting. The changes included lowering the height of the house; shifting the house over to allow for a large yard; adding a front porch; and adding a walkway from the driveway to the front door.

In addition, Los Gatos Community Services Commission Chairman Alastair Dallas gave some background on the project. Several years ago, Dallas said, then-Planning Director Lee Bowman approached the commission with the unusually shaped site and suggested making it available for Habitat's use. The lot was perfect for a growing family and not feasible for market-priced housing.

The problem, Dallas noted, was that new developers who come to Los Gatos want to build to the maximum. "We've got some very large, very ostentatious houses." Dallas said. "What the town needs is more balance, more modest houses, more houses that are respectful of the town's historical character but that are just plain decent housing."

Although many residents spoke in favor of the project--stating the benefit to the community, wanting to help out with construction--a few were opposed to it.

Tim Coughlin, who lives on Bella Vista Avenue, said that while he was supportive of Habitat, he did not think the space would be sufficient for a large family. The town should limit the residents of the home to four, Coughlin argued, and perhaps examine allowing only two bedrooms, making the structure one story.

"I just don't see how you can put this-sized house on that-sized lot," Coughlin said.

Habitat's John Dawson said, however, that even with two bedrooms, the house would have to have two floors.

Another Bella Vista neighbor, Raymond Grijalua, accused planning commissioners of giving Habitat special treatment. "All the rules and regulations you people put up for us are all of a sudden null and void," Grijalua said.

In response, Commissioner Peggy Marcucci read the figures and statistics that indicated the project fit the standards that the town uses for every project. The floor-area ratio was well below the minimum for what was allowed, Marcucci said, and the height was in compliance with town rules.

Another neighbor was concerned that the house did not have a garage; Commission Chairman Jim Lyon replied, however, that the town does not require every new house to have a garage.

Massol Avenue resident Tracy Langley pointed out the perception that a family with six children would move into the home. But there were people like herself who qualified for the house--single parents with two children, one car, and who had to survive on a teacher's salary. "I would never be able to afford a home in my community," Langley said.

"I know that you are going to do your job and do your job well and that the Habitat house is going to be held to the same standards [that you have] throughout the community," Langley told planning commissioners.

According to Dawson, despite the neighbors' concerns, the lot was one that any other developer would not build on. "We can make all the excuses and come up with all the problems in the world," Dawson said, but the lot would still have to support residents who otherwise would not be able to own their own home.

As for Langley's comments, Dawson said Habitat would solicit candidates to live in the house from employees of the local fire department, police department and schools. One of Habitat's criteria is that the applicant must either already live or work in the community.

After putting in place three minor conditions, Lyon made a motion to approve the design based on the "special circumstances applicable to the property--not the applicant," Lyon said.

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