Back on Jan. 13, 2022, when Covia Communities’ Los Gatos Meadows senior living community redevelopment proposal came before Planning Commission, it faced unanimous opposition.
Since then, the company merged with Glendale-based Front Porch Communities and Services—which agreed to pay a $1.125 million settlement over asbestos violations at the 110 Wood Rd. site and other locations.
And on Nov. 13, long after Council declined to rubber-stamp the Meadows pitch, it was back at Planning Commission. This time it would be much smoother sailing.
“The current plan that we’re talking about tonight is the minimum scale that we need to make it work financially,” said Mary McMullin, chief advancement officer for Front Porch.
“On balance, this rebuild will be a significant contribution to the town, a valuable asset to the community and we see it as the best use of the property. And we request your swift action. We are ready to move forward.”
‘We have tried to be good listeners to the neighbors’
—J. David Hoglund, Perkins Eastman
Frank Rockwood, the applicant, said there was more community outreach for this project than with any other development he’s worked on in 30+ years in the real estate business.
Architect J. David Hoglund, of Perkins Eastman, said the Meadows had been redesigned so more of the development was in the hillside, as the company sought to address neighbor concerns about the project’s overall size and sight-lines.
“We have tried to be good listeners to the neighbors, balancing their concerns while creating a financially-sustainable and vital community in Los Gatos,” he said. “The material colors are generally organic and darker in nature than the existing buildings, which are beige and white roofs—with the intent to blend more into the hillside.”
One of the major frustrations last time was the lack of affordable units at the care facility.
But commissioners seemed to have moved past that, this time evaluating the development in the context of other luxury senior living projects.
Now, Council will have its chance to scrutinize the plans, as Front Porch seeks approval of a planned development, removal of large protected trees, and a grading permit.
In the months since Planning Commission had its last kick at the can—where residents raised concerns that the development could become the tallest building in Los Gatos—the Meadows plans have been dwarfed by a number of Builder’s Remedy applications across town.
However, that didn’t quell dissent entirely.
On Nov. 11, for example, neighbor Julie Southern wrote to Planning Commissioners to comment on how the development would impact views from her property, tree impacts and worries about proper handling of harmful materials.
“Given that the site involves the demolition of older structures, there is a significant concern regarding the management of hazardous materials such as asbestos as has also been in the papers recently,” she said. “The developer must provide detailed plans for the abatement of such materials, adhering to all environmental regulations, to prevent health risks to the community.”
That same day, the Planning Department received an email from Evelyn Mitsunaga, who lives on Broadway Ext., in support of the redevelopment.
“In the re-design, I think they have bent over backwards to address the concerns of residents on Tait Avenue as well as those of the neighbors on Wood Road,” she wrote. “Including bridge units between buildings is an example of how they have come up with solutions to maintain the lower height and, at the same time, meet the financial feasibility of the project. I sincerely hope the revised plan of this important project gains your approval.”
Councilmember Rob Moore previously said he planned to press Front Porch on affordability levels at the facility when the item returns to Council—where it’s now headed.
