Los Gatos Weekly-Times | 0234

August 21, 2002 Los Gatos, California Since 1881

Planning commission approves Sobrato development

By Gloria I. Wang

Sobrato Development is finally ready to roll.

After purchasing a 12.3-acre property on Winchester Boulevard more than two years ago, the company can now proceed with the demolition and building process.

Sobrato plans to construct two research-and-development buildings, totaling 288,000 square feet, along with 135 apartments - 34 of which will rent at a below-market rate - near Highway 85 and next to an anticipated light rail station.

The Los Gatos Planning Commission approved designs for the mission/Mediterranean-style complex at its Aug. 14 meeting, with commissioners commending Sobrato for the changes that had been made to the project at the town's request.

"This project has to be memorable," said architect Ken Rodrigues. At the town council level, "there were elected officials that pushed Sobrato Development Companies to come up with a project that truly was a gateway project." Rodrigues said he feels the end result does represent Los Gatos and is something the town can be proud of.

Rodrigues, along with Sobrato Senior Vice President John Shenk, addressed some of the commission's concerns from previous meetings and hearings.

Those issues included lighting, landscaping and access for security purposes - a major concern for Commissioner Paul Dubois, a security consultant - which will later be worked out with the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department.

Another main concern was underground parking. Of the more than 1,000 spaces proposed, about 69 percent will be placed in the underground parking garage. Commissioners asked if the garage could be two levels, allowing for more open space and greenery aboveground.

According to Director of Community Development Bud Lortz, however, the commission could not make that decision. In February, the town council had approved the project's planned development, which places tight limitations on what is acceptable. Planned developments "essentially box the developer into a corner," Lortz said, and parking is restricted as a result.

Chairwoman Lee Quintana wanted the entire project to be constructed in one phase to prevent a scenario such as the residential building standing by itself for several years.

What the commission agreed to is a staging plan, not phasing, that would, "within reason, allow them to finish things up - maybe they didn't want to work in the winter," Lortz said.

Many members of the public spoke at the public hearing, most to support the project.

"The design is way ahead of its time. The development is exactly what the town needs," said Jeffrey Dennison, government relations manager for the Tri-County Apartment Association.

Representatives from other organizations, such as the Silicon Valley Manufacturing Group and League of Women Voters, spoke on the same theme, telling commissioners that affordable housing is desperately needed in Los Gatos.

"I believe this project is one of the best and most attractive projects," said Winchester Boulevard resident Guy LaMar. LaMar said the area has been referred to as "the armpit of Los Gatos," and Sobrato will only improve the aesthetics.

A handful of residents, however, asked the commission to hold off making a decision until some other issues could be resolved.

Kyle Lanza, Monte Sereno resident, said Sobrato's definition of landscaping was rows of trees instead of real greenery. "Landscaping does take in more than just lines of trees," Lanza said.

Los Gatan Len Pacheco said Rodrigues should have incorporated more of the suggestions from Larry Cannon, the town's consulting architect. Pacheco urged commissioners to continue the item.

Two of the seven commissioners evidently agreed with Pacheco, voting against approval.

"I'd like to have another pass and keep working on it a little bit more," Commissioner Paul Dubois said.

Commissioner Phil Micciche said he was satisfied with the latest revision of the project. Micciche recounted the project's history - from a 328,000-square-foot office building with three floors, combined with 105 apartments, 21 of them below-market - to what it has become. In addition, Micciche said, the developer agreed to fund $100,000 for a shuttle taking residents to the Campbell light rail station, as well as doubling a contribution of $50,000 for gateway art and adding a traffic light.

"From where the project started to where it is now, they've done a great job," Micciche said.

Quintana said, "I know that there're a lot of things that people would like to see, but you can see the progress that's been made."

In reply to a criticism that the apartments looked like army barracks, Micciche said, "If they had barracks like that when I was in the service, I probably would've stayed in."