07-13-21 Minutes - DRC
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6874
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
COMMITTEE REPORT
MINUTES OF THE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
JULY 13, 2021
The Development Review Committee of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular
Teleconference Meeting on July 13, 2021, at 10:00 a.m.
This meeting was conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent with
State of California Executive Order N-29-20 dated March 17, 2020, regarding the COVID-19
pandemic and was conducted via Zoom. All committee members and staff partic ipated from
remote locations and all voting was conducted via roll call vote. In accordance with Executive
Order N-29-20, the public could only view the meeting online and not in the Council Chamber.
ROLL CALL
Present: Jennifer Armer, CDD Planning; Robert Gray, CDD Building; Mike Weisz, PPW
Engineering; Corvell Sparks, PPW Engineering; Kenny Ip, SCCFD.
Absent: None.
Staff: Ryan Safty, CDD Planning; Robert Schultz, Town Attorney.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 10:00 AM
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
- None.
CONSENT ITEMS
1. Approval of Minutes – June 22, 2021.
MOTION: Motion by Robert Gray to approve the consent calendar. Seconded by
Mike Weisz.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously 4-0.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. 17200 Los Robles Way
Lot Line Adjustment Application M-20-012
Requesting approval for a lot line adjustment between three adjacent lots on properties
zoned R-1:20. APNs 532-36-075, -076, and –077.
PROPERTY OWNER: Daran Goodsell, Trustee and Mark Von Kaenel
APPLICANT: Tony Jeans
PROJECT PLANNER: Ryan Safty
The project planner, Ryan Safty, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Tony Jeans, Applicant
This application is to take three non-conforming lots and make them more conforming.
Parcel 1 will have the house and access from Los Robles, Parcel 2 will be enlarged to comply
with Town Code with access from Worcester Ln, and Parcel 3 will remain one acre of land and
will take access from Worcester Ln. No construction is being proposed with the Lot Line
Adjustment application. He is available for questions.
Alison Steer, Neighbor
She wants clarification on the access of Parcel 2 from Worcester Ln as there hasn’t been
documentation of this and no access has been granted. It has always been from Los Robles. She
also stated that the APNs on the site plans are incorrect (should be 532 vs 533) and asks that
they be corrected. She noted that she thought this application was withdrawn because it was
removed from the website. She wants to know why that was. She wants to understand what is
happening today as far as what is being approved. She understands that it is for the lot line
adjustment, but it leads to fear of next steps with building on the lands. She is concerned with
the necessary tree removals and that more than just a lot line adjustment is being approved .
Geoff Defeo, Neighbor
He has four major concerns. First, is water run-off and flooding associated with future
construction and impervious surfaces. Second, Lot 3, as proposed, would have a fire truck turn -
around directly adjacent to their property. Third, he is concerned that several mature trees will
need removal. Lastly, the future cul-de-sac would also require several tree removals and the
removal of existing right-of-way improvements.
Terry Rinehart, Neighbor
They want to confirm whether this access to Parcel 3 from Wo rcester Ln as there hasn’t
been approval in the past. It has always been from Los Robles. There is concern that in the lot
line adjustment conceptual plan has building sites on them which would cause trees to be
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removed. There has been no soil or earthquake analysis as of yet but should take place as there
are concerns.
Nancy Neipp, Neighbor
There are general concerns on this lot line adjustment around tree removal requirement
as well as possible damages occurring when building starts later. There is concern with the
stability of the hillside where these lots are. She questioned who is responsible if damages
occur to her property during construction.
Tony Jeans, Applicant
Most of the comments are related to the future construction, which is not being
reviewed with this Lot Line Adjustment application. These concerns will be reviewed in detail
once Architecture and Site application are submitted . Regarding Worcester Lane access, the
two properties border Worcester Lane, which is a public street. He stated that a future sewer
line would be oriented to avoid tree removals. Regarding construction run-off, he commented
on the construction requirements that already address this. Lastly, he will discuss moving the
house on Parcel 3 up the hill for the neighbor.
Closed Public Comment.
Committee Discussion.
Ryan Safty, Planner
He was not aware that the application was removed from Pending Projects. It may have
been removed by mistake when the Certificate of Compliance project was being removed. This
project is on the Pending Projects website for viewing at this time, and required noticing was
completed. Staff clarified that the conceptual driveways and building footprints were requested
by staff so the Town can ensure that future development is feasible. He reit erated that the only
thing being approved and reviewed at today’s DRC hearing is the request to move lot lines.
Mike Weisz, Engineering
The properties in question have access on Worcester Lane . All future construction notes
on the plans are conceptual and in no way approved at this time. There is no easement being
proposed or approved at this time. At Architecture and Site application stage, a detailed study
on geotechnical impacts will be conducted. He clarified that the developer is responsible if
damages occur during construction.
MOTION: Motion by Robert Gray to approve with the required findings and
recommended conditions of approval. Seconded by Corvell Sparks.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously 4-0.
Appeal rights were recited.
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3. 15897 Camino Del Cerro
Architecture and Site Application S-20-006
Requesting approval for demolition of an existing single -family residence, construction
of a new single-family residence to exceed the floor area ratio standards, and site
work requiring a grading permit on property zoned R-1:8. APN 523-24-044.
PROPERTY OWNER: Francesco Iacopino and Leire Carbone Aguero
APPLICANT: Robin McCarthy
PROJECT PLANNER: Ryan Safty
The project planner, Ryan Safty, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Robin McCarthy, Applicant and Architect
Representing a family of four who are excited for this new farm-house style single-story
home. Because the Town requires the first 10 feet of the property to be dedicated to the Town,
they have had to downsize the original plan to accommodate this. They feel the design is
modest in size and fits the neighborhood.
Tiffany Finocchio, Neighbor
They are very excited about this project as it will replace an existing unsightly building.
Jack and Barbra Hardin, Neighbors
They are very happy to welcome this young family to our neighborhood. They are
excited about the design to come. The one concern they have is that their views of their hillside
for the last 31 years will be considerably diminished. They are requesting the roofline be
adjusted a bit to allow no distribution of their views. They would also like learn about what
trees would be planted.
Robin McCarthy, Applicant
Solar panels will be part of the building permit and will go on the north facing side. We
plan to plant some young ornamental trees at the front of the home since there are already so
many beautiful, mature trees. The proposed roof is only increasing by a few feet, and the
existing 13.5-foot detached garage in the rear yard would be removed. The home owner is
happy to meet with the Hardins to discuss further.
Francesco Lacopino, Owner
He would be happy to discuss further any issues neighbors may have.
Closed Public Comment.
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MOTION: Motion by Robert Gray to approve with the required findings and
recommended conditions of approval. Seconded by Kenny Ip.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously 4-0.
Appeal rights were recited.
OTHER BUSINESS
- None.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned 10:51 AM
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
July 13, 2021 meeting as approved by the
Development Review Committee.
Prepared by:
________________________________________
Jennifer Armer, Senior Planner