Utility Waiver- Denied - 2010CITY of CAMPBELL
Community Development Department
May 28, 2010
Richard Castaneda
113 Christopher Avenue
Campbell, CA 95008
Re: Underground Utility Waiver -File No: PLN2010-105
113 Christopher Avenue
Dear Mr. Castaneda:
It was a pleasure meeting with you and Todd on Tuesday, May 25 to discuss your concerns
with the City's decision to deny your request to waive the City's undergrounding requirements
associated with your development project at the subject property. At the conclusion of the
meeting, staff agreed to take another look at remodel projects on your street to determine if the
City's decision was inconsistent with previous decisions. Staffs research revealed the
following:
1. Properties located on Christopher Avenue, between Campbell Avenue
and Bucknall Avenue, were selected in the research area.
2. One Underground Utility Waiver request is on record, filed by Mr.
Fariborz Gharaati in 2003 for property located at 124 Christopher
Avenue. This project involved a substantial rebuild of asingle-family
residence. This request was denied on August 12, 2003 and a recent
site inspection revealed that the utilities are underground.
3. Another property in the research area involved a remodel to an existing
two-story single-family residence in 2006, located at 83 Christopher
Avenue. Staffs review of the project plans revealed that the remodel
did not involve new floor area. Rather, the work included interior
improvements (e.g., bath, kitchen, master bedroom), and exterior
cosmetic improvements. No waiver request was submitted and the
utilities were not placed underground. The decision to waive or
otherwise exempt this project from the undergrounding requirements is
commensurate with the extent of improvements.
There remains no compelling justification to change the City's decision. As we last
spoke, the City is optimistic that we can agree to a deferred improvement solution
should you decide not to perform the improvements now. Please contact Bill
Bruckart at 866-2132 to continue discussion on a deferred improvement option.
Sincerely,
Paul Kermoyan
Planning Manager
C: Todd Gotham; 113 Christopher Avenue, Campbell
Bill Bruckart, Building Official
Page 2