A group of 21 moderate single-family units—ranging from 1,200 square feet to 1,900 square feet—could be developed by Classic Communities on Winchester Boulevard, just south of Highway 85.

According to Classic Communities Vice President Scott Ward, the houses will be "somewhere between production and custom homes" that will not have additions such as marble countertops to increase the prices.

"We're not interested in dolling these up," Ward said.

Besides affordability, a benefit of the project is that Classic Communities will give the residents a one-year EcoPass, which will allow them to ride the bus and light rail for free. After one year, Ward said, the residents will hopefully purchase EcoPasses on their own.

"We thought of it as a sort of technology transfer—get homebuyers used to utilizing transit, and then get them to understand that there is some cost associated with that and have them bear the cost," Ward said.

Classic Communities also hopes to benefit the town by selling two of the homes as below­market price units and contributing $52,500 to the town's below­market price fund, which will be used for other affordable housing developments.

At the Dec. 11 Los Gatos Planning Commission meeting, commissioners unanimously recommended approval of Classic Communities' request for a zone change.

Commissioners had some conditions and comments pertaining to positions of homes and landscaping but agreed with what Ward said was a "unanimous recommendation of support from the Los Gatos General Plan Committee."

Commissioner Joanne Talesfore also noted that the town needed to consider the "cumulative traffic impacts" of the area, since the Sobrato mixed-use development will be across the street.

The project proposes to build 20 new homes, keep and renovate an existing farmhouse as a single-family home, keep an existing tank house and create a park through the site for residents' use. Both the farmhouse and tank house are historical, and Classic Communities will work with the Los Gatos History Museum in developing a kiosk that will display information on the historical background of both structures.

Laura Bajuk, executive director of the museum, was one of the residents who appreciated Ward's willingness to work with the community. Bajuk thanked Ward for his sensitivity to "the old, quirky farmhouse" and use of the tank house "as a landmark to anchor the site."

Guy LaMar, whose grandfather had bought the property in 1912, said of the development, "The whole family seems to like and endorse it." LaMar said the project meets town development guidelines and is a great design.

"Overall, I would say that this is a quality project, where the designer is known for quality work," LaMar said.

"We have worked hard with the neighbors to address their concerns and reach a comfort level," Ward added.

The town received letters of support from members of the development and building community, as well as residents. Henning Court resident Christen Johnson said, "I have been really pleased with the engagement by Classic."

Johnson said, however, that she had concerns about the short distance between some of the new homes and those of the neighbors—a concern that a handful of other residents shared.

Johnson said there was only eight feet between her house and one of the proposed units. "I think that eight feet is not enough to make us comfortable," Johnson said. The only solution would be to build a "broad wall," as well as appropriate screening.

Ward responded and said Classic Communities has a planting plan and will continue to work with neighbors.

"Boy, these houses are awful, awful close to Winchester," said Commissioner Mike Burke. Burke ultimately voted in favor of the recommendation for approval, however.

"They're not going to be high-end homes; they're going to be homes that normal people can maybe afford," Burke said.

As a zone change, Ward's application will go before the Los Gatos Town Council and is slated for the Feb. 3 meeting.