Aug 25, 2007

Developer rebuffed over plans for old site

Residents disapprove of design

By Jason Sweeney / MediaNews

Chris Blackwell wanted Los Gatans to be proud of the new building that he planned to construct on the old Chevron site at the corner of Massol Avenue and Highway 9.

But several residents from the Almond Grove district came out to the Wednesday's meeting of the Los Gatos Planning Commission to express disapproval of Blackwell's design.

Almond Grove resident William Slattery said Blackwell's building design was part of the "incremental strip mall-ization of Los Gatos."

Slattery and his wife, Lynn Bartz, live directly behind the now empty lot where Blackwell had plans for a 3,745-square-foot office and retail building made of brick and glass with a 24-foot tower element.

"What it says to me is, El Camino strip mall is not Los Gatos," Slattery said of the design.

After listening to critical comments from about a dozen neighbors, the planning commission voted 7-0 to send Blackwell and his architect, Chris Spaulding, back to the drawing board.

Spaulding has designed several buildings in town, including the Los Gatos Plumbing Supply building on University Avenue and Roberts Road, which was completed last April. Blackwell said he liked the glass and brick exterior of that building and wanted to construct something similar on his new property, which is on a section of Highway 9 occupied by gas stations, real estate offices and a liquor store.

But, Blackwell's property is also on a prominent corner of the Almond Grove Historic District where residents take pride in their old homes, some of which date back more than a century. Neighbors asked for a building that was more compatible with their neighborhood.

The planning commission gave Blackwell direction to lose the tower element and meet with the neighbors to gain their input before returning on Oct. 10 with a new design.

Almond Grove residents at this week's meeting voiced concerns about traffic near the Massol Avenue and Highway 9 intersection. Several accidents have occurred near the intersection, which has long concerned neighbors. Also, neighbors said that motorists often make U-turns near the old Chevron site, which compounds the traffic hazard.

But according to a town report, the town's traffic engineer determined that Blackwell's project would have less of an impact on traffic than the Chevron station that had occupied the corner for about 50 years. Spaulding commented that any new building constructed on the old Chevron lot would not solve traffic problems on Highway 9.

In 1999, Almond Grove residents blocked Chevron's plans to add a 24-hour convenience store to the site. In 2005, Chevron merged with Texaco and took over the Texaco station down the street, which has a 24-hour minimart.

Chevron demolished its gas station on Massol Avenue and Highway 9 last October. Blackwell closed escrow last July, obtaining the property for slightly less than the $1.5 million asking price. Blackwell, a Saratoga native, said he plans to own whatever building he constructs on the lot for the long term.