Town council approves plan to build apartment complex
By Gloria I. Wang
The Los Gatos Town Council recently paved the way for more local affordable housing, by approving a 42-unit apartment complex on Blossom Hill Road and Placer Oaks Drive.
The cost to rent an apartment in the complex has not yet been set, as the market rate at the projected opening in spring 2003 is unknown. However, seven of the units are expected to rent for "below-market price," a town program that creates affordable housing by tying rent to household income.
Council members approved the project on March 5, by unanimously granting a request to change certain town ordinances to allow the development to be built. The applicant, Cupertino Development Corporation, brought the request to the town council on Feb. 20, but the item was continued so that changes could be made in the proposal.
The developers modified some of the units and removed others, relocated a proposed sound wall, replaced an outdoor pool with a recreation building, increased open space, restructured the parking garage and moved the driveway.
"This is an opportunity to improve on some needed rental housing," said the project's designer, Rodger Griffin. "It provides housing for those who might not otherwise be able to live in Los Gatos."
The proposal is much evolved since it was first brought to town staff in 1998. Originally, landowner Bill Errico had planned to construct homes for sale. Through the years, the developer met numerous times with neighbors, the planning commission and development review committee. What resulted is a complex with 42 one- and two-bedroom apartments.
At the meeting, a handful of residents in surrounding neighborhoods voiced their disapproval of the project.
Beverly Newton, a resident of an Oakview Terrace townhouse, said she liked the idea of moving the driveway, but still wasn't happy with the apartments. "We're extremely disappointed. This project is going to have such a major impact on our group of townhomes," Newton said.
Newton cited the impact on traffic, the potential danger to children and "a huge wall going into town," as reasons for denial. "I don't see how it is that you can be in favor of it with so many people who've come up here and asked you, and pleaded and begged with you not to go forward with it."
Dorothy Erickson spoke of her concerns that the fire access road on Placer Oaks Road is being used for construction. According to Erickson, trucks have, in the past, used residential streets to reach the fire access road. Trucks speeding along the streets put residents in danger, she said. Erickson urged the developer to keep the road closed "before, during and after construction.
"We care for our children. We care for our property. We care for each other. And we would like you to care, too," said Erickson, whose testimony drew applause.
Griffin assured neighbors that the access road would be closed before and after construction, but that construction vehicles would have to use the road to widen existing roads inside the development. However, Griffin said that minimizing the use of residential roads would be discussed at the architecture and site stage of the public approval process. That process includes the approval of the project's design and the distribution of a work plan to neighbors.
Despite the objections voiced, council members decided that the benefits of the development outweighed the concerns that were expressed. Councilwoman Sandy Decker said that the development was consistent with the General Plan, and that the changes made since the Feb. 20 meeting were satisfactory. "The project is designed in context with the neighborhood," Decker said. "It's comparable in size and in open space ... It demonstrates a strong community benefit."
"This has been a lengthy process for all parties involved and I think that it's shown an exceptional amount of community compromise and cooperation," Mayor Joe Pirzynski said. "This is only the beginning of the process." Pirzynski added that more public input would be welcome as the project winds its way through the remaining portion of the town's approval process.
The town council approved the request with certain conditions, including limitations imposed on construction work and vehicles, the fire access road and landscape maintenance.
Griffin anticipates that construction will begin next spring and will last approximately one year, with varying levels of intensity. In the meantime, the developers will continue to work with town officials and neighbors.
|
Los Gatos, California Since 1881
