Commissioners Approve Office and Retail Plan for Entry Point

Developer plans to give town $25,000 for art

Project goes to council

By Gloria I. Wang

A proposed development that would greet drivers entering Los Gatos recently received town approval almost seamlessly, with just one more major hurdle to cross.

The 18,000-square-foot office and retail building at the corner of Los Gatos Boulevard and Burton Road would have a fountain, sculpture, landscaping and architecture to make it a gateway into town for those coming in from Bascom Avenue. The property is at the edge of Los Gatos, near Highway 85.

Los Gatos planning commissioners approved a zone change and design for the project Oct. 24, the second time that they had heard the application, with very little fanfare and controversy.

Project designer Rodger Griffin briefly outlined how he had followed the commission's directions from the July 25 public hearing. Griffin had lowered the roof, reduced the square footage of the building from approximately 20,000 square feet, and provided additional materials and logistical details to the commission. Griffin pointed out that he had added some exterior patios on the bottom floor so that if the retail business was a restaurant, customers could eat outside.

Another major change was that instead of allowing cars to access the underground parking lot from both Los Gatos Boulevard and Burton Road, the Los Gatos Boulevard access would only allow cars to enter. The Burton Road driveway would remain a two-way access.

The original application had an architectural style that Griffin called "Forbes Mill"--with horizontal wood paneling. It was changed to a mission-style design, however, because Griffin said he thought that the town wanted the building to be similar to an existing commercial building down the street. When Commissioner Jeanne Drexel asked Griffin to change it back, he agreed.

"I don't think we want to make 'stucco-ville' out there," Commissioner Suzanne Müller said. "I understand your intent to try and comply, but in the Los Gatos General Plan we look to diversity in that area."

Griffin reiterated that owner Bill Errico was planning on giving the town $25,000 for gateway art to be displayed on or near the property. Not only would Errico contribute the funds, Griffin said, but the design team would be willing to work with the town's arts commission for selection or creation of the art.

Müller gave Griffin and Errico kudos on the extensive landscaping that was planned, with the variety of plants and trees that were listed on the project's plans. Müller specifically mentioned a row of lemon trees as a "nice touch."

A unanimous vote was taken to approve the project, with two conditions: To return the design to Forbes Mill-style and for any fountain design to have town staff approval.

Planning commissioners also were in favor of the requested zone change from residential and commercial to commercial only. Zone changes, however, are under the jurisdiction of the Los Gatos Town Council; as a result, the commission was merely able to recommend approval.

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