HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-18-2019 Written CommunicationsGood Evening Mister Mayor and city council members
For the record my name is Sudhir Rao, I am the owner of the property at 15261
Norton Road. I say property owner, not resident. This is because my property is not
developable after a series of mudslides that have taken place over the last two
winters. Mudslides due to uncontrolled water from a culvert on Kittridge road that
drains onto my neighbor's and my properties.
The reason I am here tonight is to bring awareness to the city council of a pending
development - one that could result in a serious problem for the city. Last winter,
the water, mud and debris from the mudslide spilled onto Norton Road and caused
serious damage. If ignored, next winter could bring more harm - this could result
in the closure and reconstruction of Norton road if the same drainage issue that has
eroded my property is not addressed.
I have spoken with the city planning director and the head of public works, both of
whom have dis-regarded this from being a serious matter. I have also sent e-mails
and certified letters to both the Mayor and the city manager. But have received no
response.
So, as a concerned citizen I am hear tonight to enlighten the city council of this
situation. One that left unattended could leave the city with numerous liabilities.
- Regular seasonal clearing of Norton Road of mud slide debris
- Reconstruction of Norton Road itself when it is ultimately washed out
- Safety liability of residents on Norton and Kittridge roads should Norton
Road be closed for an extended period of time.
I know the city cannot take action on this matter tonight. But please take the time
to drive up Norton Road yourself and see what damage un-controlled storm water
can inflict.
Here are copies of the letters I have mailed to the Mayor and City Manager.
Thank you for this opportunity to speak.
Sudhir Rao
Sudhir Rao
1450 Salamanca Court
Fremont, CA 94539.
May 20, 2019
Manny Capello
Mayor
City of Saratoga
13777 Fruitvale Avenue
Saratoga, CA 95070.
Dear Mr. Capello,
I am reaching out to you regarding an application submitted on behalf of us
by Walter Chapman, Chapman Design Associates (our architectural firm)
that is under review by city staff. We are not necessarily seeking assistance
in this matter, as much as wanting to inform you about a pending problem
that could be of concern to the city. This is in regard to a recent mudslide
that blocked Norton Road in late February 2019. 1 have attached a letter
pertaining to a meeting on March 21, 2019 with the city's planning and
public works directors where this application, as well as the mudslide were
discussed (see attached).
We have tried to explain the severity of the situation to staff, while offering a
long-term solution to what could be an expensive and embarrassing
development for the city, a situation where inaction by the city could also be
construed as negligence. What I am referring to is the potential washout of
Norton Road. If proper, proactive measures are taken, a repeat of the
recent mudslide or eventual washout of Norton Road can be avoided.
It appears that the root cause of the problem is a badly placed storm water
drain that exists on Kittridge Road above our Norton Rd property. The
uncontrolled water that pours out of the drain onto the uphill neighboring lot
makes it way down to our Norton Rd property gathering debris, momentum,
energy and high velocity. Along the way the water has caused landslides
the last two winters at different locations — the latest being pretty close to
Norton Road. The water is eventually stopped when it reaches Norton
Road.
Staff however does not seem concerned with this pending problem even
though the most recent event (last winter) cost the city $30,000 to clear the
road. A washout will cost the city substantially more money to repair the
road but still will not address the cause. Without a solution, this cycle will
repeat itself, getting worse each year. Please visit the site at 15261 Norton
Road and see for yourself the damage that uncontrolled water can impart.
Solving the problem at its source is the solution -- the redirecting of storm
water from the storm drain that exists on Kittridge Road down to Norton
Road in a controlled manner. This has already been identified as a potential
solution by the city's geotechnical consultants — Cotton, Shire & Associates
in a letter dated May 11, 2017 (see attached). A drainage system design
has been prepared and presented at the March 21, 2019 meeting but has
been rebuked by staff. The reason being, that in order for the drainage
system to be installed there would need to be a drainage easement through
the Kittridge property. That Kittridge Rd property owner is willing to grant
the easement but has requested a variance for his property as
compensation. This is something planning staff has said they are not willing
to do.
At this point of time we are at an impasse. We cannot fix this drainage
issue on our own, and until it is resolved we cannot get clearance to build
our home. Meanwhile, it appears that every winter the damage caused gets
worse as evidenced by the effect on Norton Road last winter. Any further
impact on Norton Road affects all the home owners who live uphill who
may be cut off from their homes while the road is repaired/rebuilt.
Please contact me or our architect Walter Chapman if you wish to learn
more about this matter.
Sincerely,
Sudhir Rao
ps: our contact numbers
Sudhir Rao
650.336.3927
Walter Chapman, Chapman Design Associates 650.941.6890