M09-20-21TOWN OF LOS GATOS MEETING DATE: 10/05/2021
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Minutes of the Special Joint Study Session of the Town Council and Planning
Commission
September 20, 2021
The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a special meeting via Teleconference via
COVID-19 Shelter in Place Guidelines on Monday, September 20, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. to hold a
Joint Town Council and Planning Commission Study Session.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 4:01 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Council Members Present: Mayor Marico Sayoc, Vice Mayor Rob Rennie, Council Member Mary
Badame, Council Member Matthew Hudes, Council Member Maria Ristow. (All participating
remotely).
Absent: None
Planning Commissioners Present: Chair Kathryn Janoff, Vice Chair Kendra Burch, Commissioner
Jeffrey Barnett, Commissioner Melanie Hanssen, Comm issioner Jeffrey Suzuki and
Commissioner Emily Thomas (joined at 5:44 p.m.). (All participating remotely).
Absent: Commissioner Reza Tavana.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
Dashiell Leeds
- Commented in support of including plant -based diet ideas in the General Plan.
OTHER BUSINESS
1. Joint Town Council and Planning Commission Study Session regarding the Draft 2040
General Plan.
Jennifer Armer, Interim Planning Manager, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Lisa Wade, Plant -Based Advocates
- Commented in support of including a plant -based education program in the General Plan.
Lee Quintana
Commented that the General Plan is not specific enough and inquired if the Housing
Element, General Plan, and Objective Standards work could move forward together to form
a more cohesive document.
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 • 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
PAGE 2 OF 4
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Joint Town Council and Planning Commission Study Session of
September 20, 2021
DATE: September 21, 2021
Other Business Item #1—continued
Felix Sterling (FL)
- Requested the Town reject the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) number due to
safety and Town character concerns; inquired if the General Plan could have a time horizon
of 4 to 8 years.
Rob Moore
- Commented the General Plan can be used as a tool to bring the community together and
help overcome systemic barriers.
Deborah Parsons, Plant -Based Advocates
- Commented in support of including a plant -based education program in the General Plan.
LVM Parent
- Requested the Town reject the State assigned RHNA number due to fire safety and traffic
concerns.
DMAC (Barbara)
- Requested additional community outreach regarding the General Plan Update and the
Town reject the State assigned RHNA number due to fire safety and traffic concerns.
Jack Van Nada, Los Gatos Community Alliance
- Commented his written public comment that was submitted prior to 11 a.m. to staff was
not published in the agenda packet.
Susan Burnett
- Requested the Historic Preservation Element guidelines be amended to address any primary
structure constructed pre-1961.
Lani Harr
- Requested the Town reject the State assigned RHNA number due to fire safety and traffic
concerns.
Ying
- Commented on her experience of feeling welcome in Town; requested additional
community outreach regarding the General Plan Update; and inquired why the Town
proposed to increase the housing units beyond the State requirement.
PAGE 3 OF 4
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Joint Town Council and Planning Commission Study Session of
September 20, 2021
DATE: September 21, 2021
Other Business Item #1—continued
Lee Fagot
- Requested additional community outreach regarding the General Plan Update; commented
that the Town decrease the proposed number of housing units and amend the Draft
General Plan to allow iterations of the Housing Element be part of an 8-year review within
the 20-year plan.
Yanyi He
- Requested additional community outreach regarding the General Plan Update and the
Town reject the State assigned RHNA number due to fire safety and traffic concerns.
Vivian Tan
- Commented that increasing housing units will lower demand and the increase in housing
will not attract younger generations.
Ellen Lee
- Commented on concerns regarding increasing housing.
Janice Carter
- Requested additional community outreach regarding the General Plan Update and the
Town reject the State assigned RHNA number.
Roy Moses
- Requested additional community outreach regarding the General Plan Update and
commented on concerns regarding increasing housing.
Debbie
- Requested the Council address potential traffic increases and infrastructure concerns.
James Lyon
- Commented that 20 years for the General Plan is too long and that traffic, parking, safety
issues, land use, and housing are not adequately addressed.
Suzanne Daley
- Commented that increasing housing will change the character of the Town.
Rachel Black
- Requested additional community outreach regarding the General Plan Update and
commented on concerns regarding increasing housing.
PAGE 4 OF 4
SUBJECT: Minutes of the Joint Town Council and Planning Commission Study Session of
September 20, 2021
DATE: September 21, 2021
Other Business Item #1—continued
Closed Public Comment.
Town Council and the Planning Commission discussed the information.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Jenna De Long, Deputy Clerk