05-26-21 Minutes - GPC DRAFT
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
GENERAL PLAN COMMITTEE
REPORT
MEETING DATE: 10/26/2022
ITEM NO: 1
DRAFT
MINUTES OF THE GENERAL PLAN COMMITTEE MEETING
MAY 26, 2021
The General Plan Committee of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on May
26, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. via teleconference.
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 participated 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
Chambers.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 5:30 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Melanie Hanssen, Vice Chair Kathryn Janoff, Council Member Mary Badame,
Council Member Maria Ristow, Planning Commissioner Emily Thomas, Committee Member
Todd Jarvis, Committee Member Joseph Mannina, Committee Member Steven Piasecki, and
Committee Member Lee Quintana.
Absent: None.
Staff Present: Community Development Director Joel Paulson, Planning Manager Sally
Zarnowitz, and Town Attorney Robert Schultz.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approval of Minutes – January 13, 2021
MOTION: Motion by Committee Member Badame to Approve the Consent Item.
Seconded by Committee Member Piasecki.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Thomas abstained.
PAGE 2 OF 9
SUBJECT: DRAFT MINUTES OF THE GPC MEETING OF MAY 26, 2021
N:\DEV\GPC\GPC Staff Reports\2022\10-26-22\Item 1 - Meeting Minutes\05-26-21 Minutes - GPC DRAFT.docx 10/20/2022 9:09 AM
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
OTHER BUSINESS
2. Discuss and Provide Input to the Council Policy Committee Regarding the General Plan
Committee Enabling Documents and Application.
Open Discussion
Business Owner.
Kathryn Janoff/Melanie Hanssen
Clarify business owner paragraph, using language at the end in radio buttons.
Clarify if Business Owner is required on GPC, and if we don’t have a business owner, do
we need to hold position open?
Laurel Prevetti
Our practice has been to recruit one of four members be business owner with
residence.
Joseph Mannina
I’d like to see one Business Owner, resident or not, be allowed on GPC.
Maria Ristow
In the past, maybe more than one of the four was a business owner , so should
clarify at least one should be. Whether in general if allowing non -resident business
owner that isn’t resident would increase diversity, is larger discussion.
Name
Worth discussing further, and GPAC did discuss “community” and that wasn’t
just residents, including people who work in LG mainly.
Mary Badame
Non-residents can weigh-in during public testimony but should be resident.
What do other communities require?
Kathryn Janoff
Recommend issue discussed at high level.
PAGE 3 OF 9
SUBJECT: DRAFT MINUTES OF THE GPC MEETING OF MAY 26, 2021
N:\DEV\GPC\GPC Staff Reports\2022\10-26-22\Item 1 - Meeting Minutes\05-26-21 Minutes - GPC DRAFT.docx 10/20/2022 9:09 AM
Steven Piasecki
Wording should be clear Business Owner, rather than Business “Property” owner
Melanie Hanssen
Some members thought that offering non-resident Business Owner position may
increase diversity.
Kathryn Janoff
Encourage Business Owner/Resident but not required per Robert Shultz
regarding potential impact on vacancies.
GPC Scope of Duties.
Lee Quintana
GPC role narrowed and CPC expanded. Either CPC should be composed of PC
members and residents, or GPC duties should be expanded per previous GPC and Arch
Standards Committee duties. Not a very active Committee with many duties.
Kathryn Janoff
If two committees are overlapping, who sets the agendas? Ideas of combining
CPC and GPC is interesting one.
Melanie Hanssen
We have met maybe once a year and limited to how many GP amendments we
can make, and we’re only in a recommending position so PC could take on that duty.
Pretty powerful GPC, so is GPC scope the right role with the caliber of people on the
GPC? It does seem like some overlap with CPC, so maybe should be discussed.
Joel Paulson
Technically TC directs items to CPC.
Laurel Prevetti
If interest in expanding GPC scope, possibly Planning policy guiding documents
or Guidelines, particularly from the private sector, could be seen by GPC.
Lee Quintana
Zoning must meet GPC, and we used to have architectural and hillside standards
committee and we don’t now.
PAGE 4 OF 9
SUBJECT: DRAFT MINUTES OF THE GPC MEETING OF MAY 26, 2021
N:\DEV\GPC\GPC Staff Reports\2022\10-26-22\Item 1 - Meeting Minutes\05-26-21 Minutes - GPC DRAFT.docx 10/20/2022 9:09 AM
Robert Shultz
Ordinance amendments like tree protection to GPC? Would that be overkill?
Current resolution states specifically GP/SP Amendments.
Mary Badame
If design issue, typically it comes before PC to decide.
Maria Ristow
Don’t want to see committee talent wasted, but don’t want to meet just to
meet. But with GP 2040 big changes are coming and will there be more to look at? Or
will State Law preclude multiple committee reviews?
Joel Paulson
Just finished GPAC and upcoming HE. State will do what it does, and many changes
coming. We can stick with the broad.
Laurel Prevetti
You are all welcome to come to the Policy Committee, tentatively June.
Steven Piasecki
I’m concerned taking on more duties could elongate the bureaucratic process
with too many layers. Would also like to make concerted effort to increase diversity and
inclusivity, which may also mean reaching outside the Town to professional or other
groups, while still stating must be resident. Town wide mailings done by some
communities. Should clarify use of Powers and Duties, doesn’t clarify Powers .
APPLICATION
Kathryn Janoff
Add a question speaking to diversity to application, that should be on all
applications.
Lee Quintana
The Democracy Tent talked about committees and response from younger
person, they looked at the application and interpreted as having to have a College
Education (p.3). That questions should be revised if it’s being interpreted College
Student or Grad required, should be eliminated.
PAGE 5 OF 9
SUBJECT: DRAFT MINUTES OF THE GPC MEETING OF MAY 26, 2021
N:\DEV\GPC\GPC Staff Reports\2022\10-26-22\Item 1 - Meeting Minutes\05-26-21 Minutes - GPC DRAFT.docx 10/20/2022 9:09 AM
Emily Thomas
“Everyone brings something to the table, what do you bring with your life
experience, world view…” Would allow people to talk about their diversity in the
application. Also agree w/Quintana re: University.
Maria Ristow
As Council met with committees, office, committees, universities could be seen
as barriers. Merge together and don’t use such high standards. Could be phrased in a
way that doesn’t create barriers. Could broaden Land Use Experience to lived/life
experience.
Kathryn Janoff
Combine questions and say if you have background tell us how.
Melanie Hanssen
Instead of having you attended GPC meeting, since we don’t meet often, say
have you read any part of GP with link, and tell us what you thought?
Maria Ristow
Issues around the GP come to this GPC, could you read a section and tell us what
it says to you, so it tells us they’ve looked at the Plan and will read a staff report .
Kathryn Janoff
Maybe provide a link to a specific element to orient everyone around the same
thing and make it more approachable excerpt.
Lee Quintana
Thinking of scratching have you ever attended GP meeting box, and agree with
those comments. Maybe that questions and at bottom of p 5 could be combined. What
is the purpose of the Town’s General Plan, how familiar are you with the GP, or have
you read the GP?
Todd Jarvis
To increase inclusivity, ask how they would improve LG in the future. The target
being their creativity, rather than their knowledge of the GP. What their concerns and
passions are, and how they think.
PAGE 6 OF 9
SUBJECT: DRAFT MINUTES OF THE GPC MEETING OF MAY 26, 2021
N:\DEV\GPC\GPC Staff Reports\2022\10-26-22\Item 1 - Meeting Minutes\05-26-21 Minutes - GPC DRAFT.docx 10/20/2022 9:09 AM
Emily Thomas
I like the idea about getting creativity, and also like idea of options for GP
element links to read and discuss. Having more preface to questions gets better
responses and less intimidating when you’re given the information and don’t need to
research on your own.
Steven Piasecki
Like Jarvis’s suggestion as a separate questions. Eliminate 2nd question on p 5.
(Janoff)
Agree with Jarvis and add something so we get down to what’s motivating. Ask what
you like most and least about LG? Separate or modified ok.
Emily Thomas
Maybe include a question about vision for the future?
Melanie Hanssen
On p 4 don’t need question re: role of committee without arming with background.
Recommend eliminating the questions. (Straw pole: none opposed)
[On p. 3, Out of Order: Joel- Question re: Balancing Interest. PC discussed setting aside
biases and demonstrating impartiality]
Lee Quintana
Important thing is to be impartial and set aside personal views.
Maria Ristow
Important for people to understand there are rules, regulations, broader roles,
can you vote for something that meets rules whether you like it or not .
Steven Piasecki
I just interpreted as conflict of interest question, we need to be specific or
eliminate it.
Kathryn Janoff
Keep the impartiality question, make sure all language is consistent across
applications.
PAGE 7 OF 9
SUBJECT: DRAFT MINUTES OF THE GPC MEETING OF MAY 26, 2021
N:\DEV\GPC\GPC Staff Reports\2022\10-26-22\Item 1 - Meeting Minutes\05-26-21 Minutes - GPC DRAFT.docx 10/20/2022 9:09 AM
Lee Quintana
Should be rephrased that it’s clear we’re asking you may have personal opinions
and desires, but regulations exist when you review applications – how would you deal
with that?
Mary Badame
Last question gets to this too.
Lee Quintana
Agree, but giving an example of where personal interest is in conflict with regulation,
and question being how do you handle that?
Kathryn Janoff
General question is good because people have different interests. Keep it and keep it
general.
Page 5
Kathryn Janoff
Like idea of more than just land use or design, generally list elements and ask
what experience do you have that would help in any of these areas?
Maria Ristow
Would not want to drop this question because it would be very helpful to TC, as
long as not intimidating, and spur on more discussion.
Melanie Hanssen
Ask about interest and/or experience. Helpful to focus on one element in GP Update.
Mary Badame
Agree with Ristow. Keep question, but doesn’t just need to be land use. Looking
for diverse applications, so we don’t want all development related experience to add to
discussion, consensus and decision-making.
Last Page
Maria Ristow
Expand planning staff to or another committee member. Could provide a link to
staff contact.
PAGE 8 OF 9
SUBJECT: DRAFT MINUTES OF THE GPC MEETING OF MAY 26, 2021
N:\DEV\GPC\GPC Staff Reports\2022\10-26-22\Item 1 - Meeting Minutes\05-26-21 Minutes - GPC DRAFT.docx 10/20/2022 9:09 AM
Steven Piasecki
Leave the who out – just ask if discussed with member of planning staff, GPC, or
TC, and what did you learn.
Emily Thomas
Adding a contact is important, because not everyone feels they have the agency
to just reach out. And add what did you learn?
Kathryn Janoff
Say “We encourage you to speak to a member of Planning Staff, if you would like
contact someone let us know at ….”
Melanie Hanssen
What community needs would you represent question – maybe add diversity
needs.
Joseph Mannina
Process can be daunting. Do we have a lack of applications?
Joel Paulson
Depends on Committee or board. Some we have have hard time filling. Think
this conversation is getting to diversity and inclusion .
Joseph Mannina
3-minute interview really painful. Can we upload a resume to provide context?
Maria Ristow
Great suggestion, Mr. Mannina. Maybe additional interview qu estion, what else
do you want us to know? And be sure people have space to fill the box, or give word
count as you go. Also, think the interview may be changed as well. Possibly everyone
gets asked the same questions.
Melanie Hanssen
I’d be concerned asking for resume would be daunting or create obstacle to
some. So is there anything else we should know about you is good idea.
Lee Quintana
PAGE 9 OF 9
SUBJECT: DRAFT MINUTES OF THE GPC MEETING OF MAY 26, 2021
N:\DEV\GPC\GPC Staff Reports\2022\10-26-22\Item 1 - Meeting Minutes\05-26-21 Minutes - GPC DRAFT.docx 10/20/2022 9:09 AM
Agree no Resume, but if box is too big for what else, that may be daunting.
Kathryn Janoff
Interface is dated.
Maria Ristow
If true you can go beyond the box, remove the big red writing about the box.
Joel Paulson
I will speak with Clerk about user-friendly interface improvements.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Chair Janoff to re-elect Melanie Hanssen as Chair of the
General Plan Committee. Seconded by Committee Member Quintana.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
May 26, 2021 meeting as approved by the
General Plan Update Advisory Committee.
Joel Paulson, Director of Community Development
This Page
Intentionally
Left Blank