Highway 17 Single-Family Residence

The Highway 17 Single-Family Residence project, identified as file PLN21-141, involves building site and grading approval for a new residence and related improvements on a 12.8-acre parcel in unincorporated Los Gatos, California. The scope of work includes the construction of a home with an attached garage, a new driveway featuring a fire truck turnaround, an on-site wastewater treatment system, and fire safety infrastructure consisting of water tanks and a hydrant. Technical specifications require the project to adhere to the California Building Code Chapter 7A for Wildland-Urban Interface requirements, State Minimum Fire Safe Regulations, and California Public Resources Code 4291 for defensible space. Grading estimates include 920 cubic yards of cut and 191 cubic yards of fill, with retaining walls up to 4 feet in elevation. The project is subject to a Mitigated Negative Declaration, meaning it is expected to have no significant environmental effects provided specific mitigation measures are implemented. Key requirements include mandatory environmental and cultural resources training for all construction personnel, conducted by qualified biologists and archaeologists. Pre-construction biological surveys for the California Giant Salamander and Santa Cruz Black Salamander must be performed within 72 hours of project start. Additionally, the project must implement a fuel spill prevention and clean-up plan and follow strict stormwater best management practices for erosion and sediment control. The County of Santa Clara Department of Planning and Development serves as the lead agency, with Associate Planner David Horwitz acting as the primary point of contact.