The builders of Newtown in Los Gatos submitted a brand new software on Nov. 13, considerably paring down the variety of items they’re planning to construct.
Newtown was a builder’s treatment venture proposed by Inexperienced Valley Company, a building firm affiliated with San Jose-based common contractor Swenson Builders. They submitted their preliminary software for Newtown on March 19, 2024. They initially deliberate to demolish the prevailing business and retail buildings on the location at at 15495 Los Gatos Blvd. and assemble two house buildings with a complete of 238 items, with 48, or 20%, of them to be put aside as inexpensive.
The builders initially tried to argue that their venture would qualify for a restricted environmental influence report as a consequence of an exemption within the California Environmental High quality Act for infill initiatives beneath a sure acreage. Nevertheless, city workers mentioned the venture didn’t qualify as a result of its density was too excessive for the relevant Normal Plan land use designation.
The venture clocked in at 61.7 dwelling items per acre. In keeping with the city, the utmost density allowed by the Normal Plan is 20 dwelling items per acre. City workers additionally mentioned the venture didn’t qualify for waivers beneath state Density Bonus Legislation for that reason and that in the event that they needed to deviate from the city’s goal necessities, they would wish to invoke builders’ treatment.
As a substitute, Swenson went again to the drafting board and submitted an software for a brand new venture referred to as “Residence at Newtown” a brand new residential neighborhood that will occupy about 3.86 acres zoned for business freeway use. The venture consists of 80 three-story townhomes unfold throughout 10 buildings. Plans name for 33 three-bedroom items and 47 four-unit bedrooms. Every constructing could be a most top of 40 toes.
The builders plan to supply areas for strolling and gathering, with landscaped paseos, a canine run, barbecue areas and out of doors gathering areas distributed all through the location. In keeping with their venture description, they plan on drawing from Craftsman and Farmhouse types for the buildings’ structure.
“Residence at Newtown redevelops an underutilized commercial property into a thoughtfully designed residential neighborhood that aligns with the town’s housing and design objectives, enhances the streetscape along Los Gatos Boulevard and provides high-quality housing opportunities consistent with local and state housing policies,” the builders wrote within the venture description.
The brand new plan nonetheless must be vetted by city planners earlier than being despatched to the planning fee and city council for approval.
