21 Staff Report - 1991 Final Market StudyCOUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: October 28, 1998
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT:
MEETING DATE: 11/02/98
ITEM NO. cZ 1
CONSIDER REPORT ON GENERAL PLAN COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION TO
UPDATE 1991 FINAL MARKET STUDY AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
REPORT FOR NORTH 40 SPECIFIC PLAN AREA.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider report on General Plan Committee recommendation to update 1991 Final Market Study and Business
Development Strategy Report for North 40 Specific Plan area.
DISCUSSION:
On October 14, 1998, the General Plan Committee (GPC) recommended that the Council authorize an update of the 1991
economic study prepared by Economic Research Associates (ERA) for the Town Commercial Specific Plan Committee
Report. The GPC made this recommendation due to the age of the report and its concerns that the recommendations for
the North 40 Specific Plan area may no longer be valid given recent changes to the economy. The 1991 report
recommends destination retail, a 250 to 300 room hotel with conference center, or offices uses for the North 40 Specific
Plan Area. The Committee is concerned that these uses may no longer be viable for this area because of the construction
of new development with these types of uses in adjacent cities such as San Jose, Campbell, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and
Cupertino.
In preparation for possible Council action on the General Plan Committee's recommendation, the Planning Department
contacted ERA to obtain a cost estimate and time schedule for an update of their original report. ERA estimates that an
update will take 90 days and cost approximately $30,000. The consultant can begin an update as early as the first week
of December 1998 and finish by the end of February 1999. Retaining ERA to update its earlier report is the most
practical way to ensure that the update is completed by the time the draft North 40 Specific Plan is anticipated. Staff
anticipates that the draft North 40 Specific Plan will be available for review by the end of February 1999. ERA still has
the original data from the Town's economic analysis and is familiar with the nature of the Town's budget and local
economy. Additionally, ERA's earlier work was very well done.
If Council prefers that staff prepare a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the update, the project will be delayed two to
three months after the first draft for the North 40 Specific Plan and midway during the public hearing process.
With Council's concurrence, staff will draft a contract with ERA for Council action on November 16, 1998.
(Continued on Page 2)
PREPARED BY: LEE E. BOWMAN C,
PLANNING DIRECTOR
Reviewed by: Attorney
Finance Revised: 10/28/98 10:19 am
Reformatted: 10/23/95
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: UPDATE 1991 FINAL MARKET STUDY AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
REPORT
October 28, 1998
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS:
Is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The update of the 1991 economic study prepared by ERA will cost approximately $30,000. Approximately $124,150
is in Account 100-26751 to fund the General Plan Update.
LEB:EO
N:DEV\CNCLRPTSIERA UPDTE.TC I
Town Council Minutes November 2, 1998
Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California
LAND CLEARING IN THE HILLSIDE ZONE CONT.
Mike Burke, 16769 Hicks Road, spoke of hillside protection. He talked of environmental and
land use issues.
No one else from the audience addressed this issue.
Council accepted and considered report.
Staff noted that soil erosion was being monitored and that the Town was working with the
Regional Quality Control Board and the Urban Runoff Pollution Protection Standards.
RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES (18.14)
Council Consensus:
Council reviewed staff report establishing risk management policies for the Town. Mayor
Lubeck requested some additions as follows: Section I, That the committee consult with other
department heads, all of who have a responsibility for insuring that the policies are followed
within their own departments; Section II, That private sector practices be reviewed also;
Section III, That the town manager solicit input from the committee considering what the
appropriate policies should be and then implement the procedures; Section IV, That after the
audit is accomplished and the committee has reviewed it that there be some sort of annual
report; and overall that the policies be ordered for better flow of activities. This report should
return to Council November 16, 1998.
GENERAL PLAN COMMITTEE/MARKET STUDY/NORTH 40 SPECIFIC PLAN (21.47)
Motion by Mr. Attaway, seconded by Mr. Blanton, to accept the staff recommendations to
update 1991 Final Market Study and Business Development Strategy for North 40 Specific Plan
area. Carried with 4 ayes. Mr. Hutchins voted no as he did not feel comfortable with the
process.
PLANNING COMMISSION/POLICIES AND PROCEDURE/ADDRESSING APPLICANTS (22.47)
The following people from the audience spoke to this issue:
Gary Schloh, 213 Bean Ave., enjoys an interchange between the Planning Commission, Council,
Neighbors and clients.
Lee Quintana, 5 Palm Ave., prefers identifying a method for open feed back early in the
planning procedure.
No one else from the audience addressed this issue.
Council Consensus to return to Council with the following changes for consideration:
1) That there be a uniform policy for the Planning Commission.
2) That an avenue for informal feedback with the Planning Commission be made available
before meeting formally with the Commission.
3) That impromptu meeting with the applicant should not result in punitive measures.
4) That disclosure of any contact with applicant be expected.
5) That Planning Commissioners be expected to attend DRC meetings to hear the open
discussions prior to being heard at the Commission.
6) That Section 13.2 of the Planning Commission Policies and Procedures be rewritten to allow
public meetings prior to DRC action.
7) That the potential exists for a study session to be held with the Planning Commission once
the DRC application is filed and it appears that there should be a neighborhood meeting.
8) That the DRC be used as an information gathering situation for the Planning Commission.
TC:D10:MM110298
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