M 06-10-91TOWN OF LOS GATOS
CALIFORNIA
TOWN COUNCIL/PARKING AUTHORITY
June 10, 1991
Minutes
TOWN COUNCIL
The Town Council/Parking Authority of the Town of Los Gatos met in the Council Chambers
of the Town Hall, 110 East Main Street, at 7:40 p.m., Monday, June 10, 1991, in special
session.
ROLL CALL
Present:Randy Attaway, Joanne Benjamin, Steven Blanton,
Eric D. Carlson and Mayor Brent N. Ventura.
Absent:None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Given by all in attendance.
CLOSED SESSION
Katherine Anderton, Town Attorney, reported that Council had met in Closed Session prior to
this evening's meeting pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(b) to discuss Threat
of Litigation regarding West Parr Avenue. There is no report from that discussion at this
time.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6, Council met to discuss Labor Relations.
There is no report from that discussion at this time.
AFSCME LOCAL 101/MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING/RESOLUTION 1991-132
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Attaway that Council adopt Resolution 1991-
132 entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS APPROVING
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AND
AFSCME LOCAL 101. Carried unanimously.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following person from the audience spoke to an issue:
Rosalie Frankel, 15480 Palos Verdes, spoke regarding her concern for the new library fees.
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HEARINGS
PARR AVE W. 634/HOUSING DEVELOPMENT/MID-PEN HOUSING COALITION
ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION/HEARING
Mayor Ventura stated that this was the time and place duly noted for public hearing to
consider a change of zone from "O" (Office) and R-1:8000 (single-family, 8,000 sq. ft.
minimum lot size) to O-PD on approximately 3½ acres of property on the south side of Parr
Avenue, east of Dardanelli Lane to permit the construction of a 68 unit multiple family
development, day care facility, the relocation of the rear property line, and demolition of an
existing single-family
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HEARINGS CONT.
PARR AVE W. 634/HOUSING DEVELOPMENT/CONT.
residence. A Negative Declaration is being prepared for this development. If no significant
environmental impacts are identified as a result of this project, a Negative Declaration will be
recommended and an Environmental Impact Report will not be required. Property located at
634 W. Parr Avenue. Zone Change Application Z-91-2. Negative Declaration ND-91-3.
Subdivision Application M-91-3. Architecture and Site Application S-86-24B. Property
located at 634 W. Parr Avenue. Property Owner: Mid Peninsula Housing Coalition.
Mr. Attaway stated for the record that he went to the neighborhood meeting and that he
also met with the Mid Peninsula Housing Coalition.
Mrs. Benjamin questioned the Town Manager regarding possibility of closing Parr
Avenue because of the traffic issue with the residents.
The following people from the audience spoke to this issue:
Steven Cohn, 1056 Audrey Avenue, Campbell, objected to the three minute time limit
for speakers. He donated his time to Chet Mallory.
Chet Mallory, 1073 Lucot Way, Campbell, spoke regarding the possible traffic
problems that could result from development of W. Parr Ave. He also submitted a
petition from local residents. He was not in favor of the project.
Matt Schwarz, Mid Peninsula Housing Coalition, 430 Sherman Avenue, Palo Alto, spoke in
favor housing project addressing parking and traffic.
Richard Olmsted, 77 Water Street, San Francisco, stated that he was the project architect
and addressed allocating the parking equally.
John Lien, 196 College Avenue, stated that he was in support of this project and addresses
mitigation of parking.
Mary-Lyle Rempel, 17831 Skyline Boulevard, President of West Valley Open Doors, co-
sponsor of the project, spoke in favor of the project regarding parking and traffic. She urged
Council to address the problems brought up.
Lee Peterson, 1156 Audrey Avenue, Campbell, spoke regarding the heavy concentration of
housing faced by his neighborhood and the problem of parking.
Maggie Desmond, 1491 Hack Avenue, Campbell, concerned about the emergency
vehicles on West Parr Avenue.
Al Verdoia, 1179 Audrey Avenue, Campbell, invited the Council to his house for a bike ride
through the area.
Gary Mantalas, 1476 Walnut Drive, Campbell, addressed the traffic problem in Campbell.
He also questioned Mr. Bowman about the parking situation.
Kevin Klass, 1477 Theresa Avenue, Campbell, urged Council to vote against the proposal
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because of the overburdening of traffic and parking on the neighborhood. He also had a
concern about the cut through traffic on Theresa Ave.
Susan Daugherty, 1017 Lucot Way, Campbell, spoke about the elementary school and the
safety of the school children.
William Winter, 115 Calle Estoria, spoke against the project and complained about the
people going to the Courthouse. He suggested several other sites for this and also
suggested that it be dispersed throughout town.
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HEARINGS CONT.
PARR AVE W. 634/HOUSING DEVELOPMENT/CONT.
Speakers continued:
Carolyn Monig, 593 Vasona Avenue, spoke in support of the project. She would like to see
the traffic problems addressed. She would also like to see more affordable housing.
Donna Gates, 15101 Kennedy Road, stated that there can only be these kind of projects in
certain areas because of property values. She urged Council to vote yes.
Mark E. Biehl, 1113 W. Parr Avenue, Campbell, spoke about the access to the new
development.
Lothar Schicker, 1092 Lucot Way, Campbell, requested that Council vote no on this project.
He also said that if the project did go through that the access should be changed, and there
should be no access on West Parr and that fences be provided. Parking should be on
Knowles.
Terry Corbet, 662 W. Parr Avenue, Campbell, stated he is not in favor of the present
presentation of the project.
Nancy Castro, 17239 Verdes Robles & Winchester, spoke in favor of the project and asked
Council to vote yes on the project.
David Mackie, 1074 Lucot Way, Campbell, stated that he is not in favor of the project as it
is presently planned and felt there should be more cooperation from the Town over
mitigation of traffic.
Faith Schmidt, Saratoga, speaking on behalf of the Housing and Homeless Coalition in
Santa Clara County was in favor of the project and defended the site in regards to
traffic. She felt that projects of this type should follow transit corridors and felt Mid-
Peninsula was doing an excellent job.
John Palmer, 1019 Audrey Avenue, Campbell, voiced concern over the parking lot
area referring to the "marking out" of parking places in the parking lot by the Fire
Department to keep emergency access available. This would again reduce the number
of spaces available.
Dana DeMoulin, 114 Dardanelli Lane, #6, Los Gatos, supports the project but was
concerned by the added traffic flow and feels the access should be on Knowles.
Aaron Belansky, 1897 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, supports the project and would
not mind having a development like this across the road from himself.
Hal Hendrix, 1543 Hack Avenue, Campbell, stated the development should be built
elsewhere and that certain vital issues were not being addressed such as traffic,
parking, violations of the General Plan, and the EIR. He is against the project as
proposed and feels the access should be from Dardanelli Lane or Knowles.
Victoria Thomas, 694 W. Parr Avenue, Los Gatos, feels the Council does not
represent the residents and would like the decision extended to allow time for residents
to come up with alternatives such as access on Knowles.
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Nan Bixler, 104 Pinta Court, Los Gatos, supports the development and approves of
lower income housing in Los Gatos.
Marc Morris, 694 W. Parr Avenue, Los Gatos, questions the statements made by Mid-
Peninsula regarding parking and does not want to see all the affordable housing on one
site.
Charles Bilec, 1461 Theresa Avenue, Campbell, does not want any more affordable
housing in this area and wants access on Knowles or Dardanelli Lane.
Marlene Lamb, 105 Arroyo Grande Way, Los Gatos, supports development of this
project to give more opportunities for affordable housing in Los Gatos.
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HEARINGS CONT.
PARR AVE W. 634/HOUSING DEVELOPMENT/CONT.
Speakers continued:
Ed Washington, 1079 W. Parr Avenue, Campbell, feels the affordable housing in this
area will create a "ghetto" and have negative results. Extra traffic will make the area
hazardous.
Perley Payne, 15925 Quail Hill, Los Gatos, challenged the opponents of the
development to locate other locations as alternatives to this site.
Mr. Carlson had some questions to direct at Mid-Peninsula Housing Coalition. He
questioned why the Knowles access could not be constructed as an alternative to the
W. Parr Avenue access.
Fran Wagstaf, Executive Director, Mid-Peninsula Housing Coalition, explained that
the County and the Town of Los Gatos agreed to exchange parcels of land with the
hospital. She said it made sense for the County to swap in this situation because the
County gained approximately four-tenths of an acre. If they were to agree to an access
road through to Knowles they would loose too much of their parcel. She said they felt
the location was better for residential.
Mr. Carlson directed questions to Staff regarding extra density on the site. Staff replied
that County may not have enough property left after granting an easement for an
access road to place all their parking and buildings. Mr. Carlson asked if a
continuance could be made to discuss the merits of accessing Knowles Drive.
Al Starkey, 1520 Vail Avenue, Campbell, questioned what was to be done about the
parking at Villa Vasona. Parking should all be off street.
There was no one else from the audience to speak to this issue.
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mr. Blanton, to close the public hearing. Carried
unanimously.
Mr. Attaway questioned Mid-Peninsula about how a continuance would affect the
funding cycle with the State? The response was that there already was a signed
contract in place, however renegotiations could be considered.
Mr. Carlson asked if all that was needed to be decided at the meeting tonight was,
location and number of units. Mid-Peninsula said they needed zoning approval. They
also said they needed to submit the site plan, and didn't think it would be a major
problem to arrange the access. The application cycle with the State closes July 8,
1991.
Mr. Blanton asked what the absolute deadline for filing was. Mid-Peninsula replied
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that the initial application had to be filed by July 8, 1991, and the deadline for follow-up
information to be submitted was August 1, 1991. Mayor Ventura stated that the
Council's last deadline would be 5 days before July 1, 1991.
Mr. Carlson would like to have this project exit on Knowles Drive in order to alleviate the
additional traffic near the school. He would like to approve the concept of the project and
work further with the neighborhood on solving the traffic issues, and request that the Hospital
consider restricting access onto Parr, if so the Town may make exceptions regarding the
hospital's new project as to height, and other considerations so as to make the project more
economically feasible.
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HEARINGS CONT.
PARR AVE W. 634/HOUSING DEVELOPMENT/CONT.
Mr. Ventura stated that due to the traffic impacts to be generated by this project he would
like to see the hospital parking lot egress and ingress area off of Vail Ave. which empties
onto West Parr and force access onto Dardinelli, and to also consider closing Dardinelli
access to Parr. This to be shown in the draft ordinance.
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Attaway, that Council can make the CEQUA findings
in Attachment 7, Exhibit E, of the staff report, and make the Negative Declaration finding that
community benefits mitigate any traffic impacts and all impacts so far defined can be
mitigated. Carried unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mrs. Benjamin, that Council and staff study other
ways of traffic circulation for this project, such as negotiations for Knowles Ave. access, and
find that the community benefit for this project would outweigh the traffic impact. To proceed
with the best possible project, allowing that the Town would be willing to negotiate density,
even with dedication for street access to the project from Knowles, although most projects
are not allowed maximum buildout at any time. Carried unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mr. Blanton, that Council make the finding that a
community benefit mitigates traffic impacts, based upon Mr. Abkin's letter which appears in
the staff report, the findings provided by the Planning Commission which appear in the staff
report, and the response to the Town's Housing Element given several times by the State,
that in fact this project does help the Town achieve significant Community benefit and
significant regional benefit in providing the Town's fair share of what is per definition "low
income" housing. Carried unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mr. Attaway, that Council find the zone change
request is consistent with the General Plan insofar as the current office zoning would allow a
much more significant traffic impact than this project would generate, and the housing project
appears far more consistent with the General Plan. The Route 85 Committee findings have
been, that within this area, the Vasona Corridor and Route 85 Corridor, Los Gatos as well as
the other cities along these transportation corridors have been committed to increasing
densities within these areas and therefore this proposal is consistent with the
recommendations for modification of the General Plan. Sufficient access to mass transit,
jobs and housing will be provided in these proposed areas. This project also allows for the
development of moderate income housing called for in our current plan. This motion to
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include the findings within the staff report which finds that the zone change request is
consistent with the General Plan. Carried unanimously.
Motion by Mayor Ventura, seconded by Mr. Carlson, that the smaller parking lot not
access on Parr but only on Dardenelli. Carried unanimously.
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PARR AVE W. 634/HOUSING DEVELOPMENT/CONT.
Motion by Mayor Ventura, seconded by Mr. Carlson, that the adjoining parking lot that is
to have a covenant for sharing the parking have a gate or opening for freer access and that
the parking be available at 5:00 p.m. rather than at 6:00 p.m. Carried unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mr. Attaway, that the introduction of the draft
ordinance, revised mitigation monitoring plan, findings regarding the zoning ordinance, site
application, and lot line adjustment return to Council June 17, 1991. Carried unanimously.
OPERATING BUDGET 1991-92/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDING
Mayor Ventura stated that this was the time and place duly noted for public hearing to
consider 1991-92 Operating Budget Including the Use of Community Block Grant Funding.
The following people from the audience spoke to this issue:
Marlene Lamb, 105 Arroyo Grande Way, spoke in opposition to closing the circulation desk
in the Children's Library.
Rosalie Frankel, 15480 Palos Verdes, opposes moving the wall and having one check out
area, and opposes additional video tape fees.
Nan Bixler, 104 Pinta Court, opposes closing the children's library check out counter.
Mary-Lyle Rempel, 17831 Skyline Boulevard, supports the concept of a separate children's
library.
Bill Jacobson, 17470 High Street, chairman of the Library Board stated that the library had
to find $45,000.00. The Library Board would prefer to cut the book budget or the hours but
to have a common check out area for adult and children's library.
There was no one else from the audience to speak to this issue.
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mr. Blanton, to close the public hearing. Carried
unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mrs. Benjamin, not to charge the children for making
requests for books. Carries unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mrs. Benjamin, that Council not cut the library hours.
Carried by a vote of four Ayes, Mr. Attaway voting no stating that the book budget should not
be cut.
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Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mrs. Benjamin, that the proposed budget be
adopted, with the changes made at previous meetings and this evening, for adoption on
June 17, 1991. Carried unanimously.
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HEARINGS CONT.
OPERATING BUDGET 1991-92 CONT.
Council consensus that the $45,000 needed for the library would not come from cutting
hours, the book budget or charging for children's book requests but the use of some
suggestions by the Library Board could be implemented to balance the library budget.
TRANSIT ASSIST SUPERVAN/BID AWARD/CAPITOL FORD
Motion by Mr. Attaway, seconded by Mr. Carlson, that Council authorize purchase of one
1991 Ford stripped SuperVan from Capitol Ford Inc., at the sales price of $16,502.61
(including tax) for the Transit Assist program without contingency that point of sale be in Los
Gatos. Carried unanimously.
COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE REPORTS/POLICY ADVISORY BOARD
Mr. Carlson stated that the Policy Advisory Board of the Traffic Authority did vote to support
the staff's recommended actions for making up the 77 million dollar short fall. All mitigation
measures were preserved and all the interchanges were preserved and also the interchange
plan. Two actions were taken to make up the short fall, one was a delay in the construction
of the freeway as it goes through Los Gatos by approximately a year. The completion of the
freeway in Los Gatos will now move the end of 1993 to the end 1994. The second item was
a cut in the number of lanes from six to four. Regarding the Measure A tax, one hundred
percent of what was put forth for Route 101 will be completed; approximately ninety percent
will be completed on Route 85. Route 237 will only have seventy-five percent completed.
Alameda County should be assessed for the completion of Route 237.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Mayor Ventura, seconded by Mrs. Benjamin, that Council adjourn this
evening's meeting at 11:45 p.m. Carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
Wendy Marie Fries
Deputy Town Clerk
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Marian V. Cosgrove
Town Clerk
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