09-25-13 Minutes - GPCDRAFT
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
110 East Main Street, Los Gatos, CA 95030 (408) 354-6872
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SUMMARY MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE GENERAL PLAN
COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2013, HELD IN THE
LOS GATOS TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS, AT 110 E. MAIN STREET, LOS GATOS,
CALIFORNIA.
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The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chair John Bourgeois.
ATTENDANCE
Members present: John Bourgeois, Barbara Cardillo, Charles Erekson, Todd Jarvis, Matthew
Hudes, Joe Pirzynski, Marico Sayoc, Barbara Spector
Members absent: Bob Beyer
Staff present: Sandy Baily, Community Development Director; Suzanne Avila, Senior Planner;
Erwin Ordoñez, Senior Planner
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
Beverley Bryant thanked the Committee for all its work.
ITEM 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Joe Pirzynski made a motion to approve the minutes of August 14, 2013, as submitted. The
motion was seconded by Charles Erekson and passed unanimously.
ITEM 2 REVIEW ILLUSTRATED DRAFT AHOZ DESIGN GUIDELINES AND
REVISED SETBACK RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AHOZ ZONING
ORDINANCE DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA
Erwin Ordoñez commented that at the last meeting on August 14, 2013, the Committee reviewed
and approved the redlines for the design guidelines, reached consensus on the majority the
AHOZ Zoning Ordinance Development Criteria (with the exception of setbacks for the four new
sites), affirmed maintaining the AHOZ site base density at 20 dwelling units per acre, deleted
additional density bonuses as a potential developer concession, and requested that the Consulting
Architect provide his own recommended setbacks and more refined design guideline schematics
after a review of the four new sites. Erwin Ordoñez then noted that the architect had competed
the work requested by the Committee and had provided a final fully illustrated draft for its
review. He then gave an overview of the document and the architect’s recommended setbacks for
the new sites.
General Plan Committee Minutes
September 25, 2013
Page 2 of 4
Oak Rim-Blossom Hill Road Site
• Existing apartment complex with 30 units.
• Two buildable pads at different elevations with a steep grade between them with tree canopy.
• Recommendations for 15-foot side setbacks adjacent to Higgins site unless combined, 25-
foot setback on Blossom Hill Road, and 10-foot setback from Highway 17.
Barbara Spector asked about retention of the tree buffer recommended by Mr. Prizynski and the
slope/topography considerations recommended by the other members of the Committee, and if
those recommendation have been addressed by the architect. Erwin Ordoñez commented that on
page 39 there is documentation on the vegetation.
John Bourgeois clarified that the circular “AS” symbol on the illustrations indicates that open
space amenities are needed in that general area. He suggested that the architect provide a note
defining the symbol in the final draft.
Marico Sayoc asked if a future environmental review process for a development determines that
units should be further from the freeway than the recommended 10 feet, would revisions be
required. Erwin Ordoñez said that typically when a formal application is received, an initial
study is prepared which would identify potential impacts and mitigations, and the developer
would have to address them as part of the environmental and entitlement process. He noted that
as part of the review process, the developer could accept the mitigations, change the project, or
work with the Town and consultant to develop other alternative mitigations to address the
concern noted.
Higgins Business Park
Recommendations are for 15-foot side yards adjacent to Oak Rim site unless combined, 10-foot
setback from Highway 17, and that the setback on the east property line will be based on a
geology report and set as part of the Architecture and Site Review process. No comments from
the Committee.
Los Gatos Lodge Sites A and B
Recommendations for 25-foot setback on Los Gatos-Saratoga Road, 20-foot setback from Los
Gatos High School, and a setback from the 360-foot topographic contour on the east property
line. Erwin Ordoñez noted that the elevation contour ranged from a few feet to approximately 95
feet from the property line and that the architect had recommended a minimum of 15-foot
setback that would increase depending on the location of the contour. Internal setbacks would be
established by the Architecture and Site Review process.
John Bourgeois commented that he did not see the “unless the sites are combined” comment
under the Lodge sites illustration. Erwin Ordoñez said staff will clarify with the architect and that
can be added if it was inadvertently left out.
General Plan Committee Minutes
September 25, 2013
Page 3 of 4
Matthew Hudes asked about the side setbacks from the shared property line. Erwin Ordoñez said
that the corresponding dashed lines on the Lodge main parcel can be added for clarification after
confirming with the architect.
Matthew Hudes commented that provision of an emergency vehicle access to the high school
might be premature and asked about the Town’s contact with the high school. Erwin Ordoñez
said that it is common to have potential emergency access required with a development
application. He also noted that the Town Manager is facilitating the discussion with the school
district.
John Bourgeois asked about the setbacks from the common property line and why it is 20 feet on
one side and 25 feet on the other. It would be more consistent to have both setbacks 20 feet.
He noted that he was comfortable with the 20 feet but wanted that confirmed with the architect.
Barbara Spector commented that she agrees unless the Architect made that recommendation
based on topography or another consideration. Erwin Ordoñez noted that would be confirmed
with the architect and reflected in the final draft.
Marico Sayoc said she would like to have both setbacks 20 feet unless the Consulting Architect
provides a valid rationale for the setbacks being different.
South Bay Site - No changes were made.
Erwin Ordoñez asked the Committee to affirm the consensus from the previous meeting and
summarized the following items associated with the proposed AHOZ Zoning Ordinance
amendments that would be recommended to the Planning Commission and Town Council:
• Site Development Standards (Committee is OK with everything including new setbacks)
• Unit Affordability ratios (Committee is OK with proposed ratios)
• Allowable concessions (Committee deleted density concession and is OK with list)
• Density of 20 units/acre (Committee recommends no density bonus above 20 units/ac)
He then restated the following requested changes to be made to the final design guidelines
recommended by the Committee:
• Site amenities symbol to be defined
• Setbacks on common property line for Los Gatos Lodge sites to be 20 feet and verified
with the consulting architect.
Barbara Spector made a motion to recommend approval to the Planning Commission and Town
Council as summarized by Mr. Ordoñez. The motion was seconded by Joe Pirzynski.
General Plan Committee Minutes
September 25, 2013
Page 4 of 4
Public Comments
Jeff Loughridge commented that no exceptions to height should be allowed. He would prefer to
have the Town allow the minimum number of concessions that are being required by the State
(i.e. only three for the density bonus ordinance), and no more than that.
Lois Sklar commented that she lives near Lark Avenue and it is becoming unbearable to live in
Los Gatos. The traffic keeps getting worse. She believes that crime will increase with addition
of affordable housing.
Chris Cowan, resident on Oka Road, asked if density bonus is being required or if is being
recommended by staff. Erwin Ordoñez responded that the Committee is recommending a
maximum density of 20 units per acre and to not allow any density bonus as part of the developer
concessions. He stated that the intent of the AHOZ is to develop guidelines for housing types
that are more compatible with the Town character and to encourage developers to apply under
the AHOZ instead of the Density Bonus Ordinance. He noted that up to four concessions could
be requested in AHOZ (while the State requires three to be provided under the Density Bonus).
He noted examples of concessions. Erwin Ordoñez noted that Committee has made significant
changes to the AHOZ guidelines and development criteria in response to the public input it has
received since the Town Council asked the committee to reconsider the AHOZ sites in January
2013.
The motion passed unanimously.
Erwin Ordoñez commented that this matter will be considered by the Planning Commission on
October 9, 2013. The Addendum EIR will be available for the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:00 pm.
ITEM 4 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 28,
2013.
Prepared by:
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Suzanne Avila, Senior Planner
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