Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Editorials

It's worth living in Monte Sereno

Monte Sereno is one of those neighborhoods where successful people want to build their dream homes. And why not? According to Worth magazine's July/August issue listing the richest towns in America, Monte Sereno ranks 26th. That's six points above flashy Beverly Hills. Saratoga and Los Gatos came in 54th and 110th, respectively.

The problem with building dream homes in Monte Sereno, however, is that the city has rules about new structures conforming to the existing character of the neighborhood.

Robert Dobkin found out that Monte Sereno residents can be fiercely protective of this rule when he tried to impose a two-story, 5,000-square-foot home among some rather unassuming ranch-style houses.

Neighbors of the property at 16095 Ridgecrest Ave. raised a furor over the proposed home, in large part because it was a two-story house in a neighborhood of one-story houses.

In fact, as City Council members conceded at their last meeting when they finally gave the revised blueprints their blessing, one doesn't have to look far to see other two-story homes in the neighborhood.

Many of the neighbors are disgruntled with the council's decision. Some believe that Dobkin "blackmailed" the council into submission with his suggestion that he might build a one-story home much closer to the street and of the same height as a two-story building.

No doubt, there was an implied threat. On the other hand, an important point was made: It's easy to meet the letter of the law while ignoring the spirit of the law.

The city demanded that Dobkin jump through some hoops. He let them know that, while he was willing to do that, he knew a bit about hoops, too.

In the end, the property owner made a number of concessions, and those should allow him to build something close to his dream home without creating a nightmare for his neighbors.

That's what the planning process should be all about.

For the Seniors

Andy Pavicich III started a golf tournament a couple years ago to raise some money for charity. He was very specific that he wanted the money to benefit programs that helped the elderly.

That's because of the strong bond he had with his grandparents. From a low-key day of golf, the tournament has grown into a major fundraiser that last week added $18,000 each to the coffers of Live Oak Adult Day Services and Live Oak Senior Nutrition Center.

To say that the executives of these two Los Gatos programs for seniors were astounded by the size of the donation would be an understatement.

Pavicich has done his grandparents proud.

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