06-13-07 Minutes - GPCTOWN OF LOS GATOS
110 East Main Street, Los Gatos, CA 95030 (408) 354-6872
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SUMMARY MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF TH E GENERAL PLAN
COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS JUNE 13, 2007 HELD IN THE TOWN
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CIVIC CENTER, 110 EAST MAIN STREET, LOS GATOS,
CALIFORNIA.
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The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm by Acting Chair, John Bourgeois.
ATTENDANCE
Members present: Joe Pirzynski, Barbara Spector, John Bourgeois, Tom O=Donnell, Marcia
Jensen, Joanne Talesfore and Barbara Cardillo.
Members absent: Jane Ogle and Margaret Smith
Staff present: Bud Lortz, Community Development Director; Randy Tsuda, Assistant
Community Development Director; and Sandy Baily, Associate Planner.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Ray Davis commented that the General Plan does not address the need for recreation for the
youth. Stated that the General Plan Committee needs to move toward creating a recreational
element of the General Plan.
ITEM 1 PLACER OAKS ROAD
Baily summarized the background of the project and the current proposal.
Lortz discussed State and ABAG housing unit requirements and that the loss of these units must
be allocated elsewhere. These requirements will be discussed at a future meeting.
The following comments were raised by the Committee:
• If access is from Placer Oaks Road, higher density would not be good for the Placer
Oaks neighborhood.
• To what extent should the Town encourage or force the three property owners to
work together?
• Project has been in the works since 1999 and the odds are that it will remain vacant
for a period of time if down zoning is not permitted.
• As a compromise, consider a medium density development with access to Placer
Oaks Road with a stub towards Blossom Hill Road in the event there is a possibility
in the future to connect.
General Plan Committee Minutes
June 13, 2007
Page 2 of 2
Jensen moved to not recommend a General Plan Amendment and Zone Change to encourage the
original plan and to encourage the property owners to work together. Does not believe it is in the
best interest of the Town to separate the parcels and it is not fair to impact the Placer Oaks
neighborhood. The Town needs to be proactive to get the type of development the Town wants.
Spector seconded, and the following discussion ensued:
• Concerns were expressed that the applicant does not have enough leverage to work
something out with the other property owners.
• Doubtful this motion will get the action the Committee is hoping for.
• Is the Town giving up too soon or is the Town punishing the applicant?
• The motion is a creative alternative to have property owners and neighbors talk and to
keep the doors open for the approved Planned Development.
• Access to the site is the key concern. This motion is not intended to send a message that
access to the site for a higher density development should be from Placer Oaks Road.
• The density was a major issue at the time of approval. It is possible that the approved
Planned Development is not the best density.
Jensen moved to modify her motion to recommend approval of the General Plan Amendment
and Zone Change. The basis for the modified motion is that the subject parcel is unique by itself.
Although the Committee is concerned with the loss of housing, the Committee is equally
concerned about not impacting the existing Placer Oaks neighborhood. The Town has a
responsibility to consider the neighborhood.
Spector accepted the modified motion. Motion passes 6 to 1 (Bourgeois opposed).
ITEM 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
O’Donnell moved to approve the minutes of May 23, 2007. Jensen seconded, motion passed
unanimously.
ITEM 3 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m. by Bourgeois to the next regularly scheduled meeting of
June 27, 2007.
Prepared by:
Sandy L. Baily, Associate Planner
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