04-04-23 Minutes - DRC (PDF)
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
APRIL 4, 2023
The Development Review Committee of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a regular meeting on
April 4, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Jennifer Armer, CDD Planning; Robert Gray, CDD Building; Corvell Sparks,
PPW Engineering; and Kenny Ip, SCCFD.
Absent: None.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 10:08 AM
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
- None.
CONSENT ITEMS
1. Approval of Minutes – January 31, 2023
2. Approval of Minutes – March 14, 2023
MOTION: Motion by Corvell Sparks to approve the consent calendar. Seconded by
Kenny Ip.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously 4-0.
PAGE 2 OF 3 DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES OF APRIL 4, 2023
N:\DEV\DRC\MINUTES\Min 2023\04-04-23 Minutes - DRC.docx
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. 17121 Pine Avenue
Architecture and Site Application S-23-001
Requesting Approval for Technical Demolition of an Existing Single-Family Residence,
Construction of a New Single-Family Residence, and Site Improvements that May
Require a Grading Permit on Property Zoned R-1:8. APN 529-20-052. Categorically
Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303: New Construction or Conversion
of Small Structures.
PROPERTY OWNER: Jerome Bellotti
APPLICANT: Michael Metiu
PROJECT PLANNER: Ryan Safty
The project planner presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Jerome Bellotti, Owner
We had a conversation prior to the start of this meeting regarding the grading permit.
We are asking for clarification on what is necessary to put into record at this point of time, for
the process as part of the application or a revision of the application, so that another meeting is
not necessary, and the project can move forward.
Jennifer Armer, Planning Manager
Asked staff to provide clarification as to whether the concerns from the applicant about
the soils report requirement is covered by the current draft conditions of approval or if further
modification needs to be made.
Corvell Sparks, Assistant Engineer
The conditions states that a soils report “may be” required, so the condition is okay to
leave as is. A soils letter that was discussed earlier and agreed upon with the owner, is the
easier way to go and could result in no soils report requirement. If in the future, the owner no
longer wants to provide a soils letter, the alternative requirements are documented.
Jennifer Armer, Planning Manager
Would the letter be from a professional stating the structure as proposed and
constructed can comply with regulations without requiring a further soils report?
Corvell Sparks, Assistant Engineer
Specifically, it is a letter from either a licensed geologist/geotech, or the civil engineer
on the job stating that the latest design is adequate for the current soil conditions.
PAGE 3 OF 3 DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES OF APRIL 4, 2023
N:\DEV\DRC\MINUTES\Min 2023\04-04-23 Minutes - DRC.docx
Jerome Bellotti, Owner
With this one condition, which is a “may be”, and with a letter forthcoming, will the
project able to move forward?
Closed Public Comment.
Jennifer Armer, Planning Manager
Asked staff to clarify what an approval of this project today would allow and what the
next steps in this process would be.
Ryan Safty, Project Planner
An approval from the Development Review Committee is followed by a 10-day appeal
period. During the appeal period, revised plans addressing the conditions of approval can be
submitted for the building permit application. One thing to clarify, in addition to the soils
letter, grading quantities need to be provided so that Parks and Public Works can confirm that
no grading permit will be required.
MOTION: Motion by Corvell Sparks to approve with the required findings and
recommended conditions of approval with added language to Conditions
of Approval 44 and 45, specifying that a soils letter stating that the latest
design is adequate for the current soil conditions could address these
conditions. Seconded by Robert Gray.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously 4-0.
Appeal rights were recited.
OTHER BUSINESS
- None.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned 10:21 a.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
April 4, 2023 meeting as approved by the
Development Review Committee.
Prepared by:
________________________________________
/s/ Jennifer Armer, AICP, Planning Manager