Staff Report.380 Blackwell Drive
PREPARED BY: SEAN MULLIN, AICP
Senior Planner
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Community Development
Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 08/15/2023 ITEM NO: 6
DATE: August 10, 2023
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Granting an Appeal of a Planning Commission Decision to
Approve a Fence Height Exception Request for Construction of an Automated
Vehicular Gate Exceeding the Maximum Height and with Reduced Setbacks
on Property Zoned R-1:8. Located at 380 Blackwell Drive. APN 424-12-027.
Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303 (e): New
Construction or Conversion of Small Structures. Fence Height Exception
Application FHE-23-002. PROPERTY OWNER: Larry Cesnik and Martha
Johnson. APPELLANT: Larry Cesnik. APPLICANT: Ramin Zohoor. PROJECT
PLANNER: Sean Mullin.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution granting an appeal of a Planning Commission decision to approve a fence
height exception request for construction of an automated vehicular gate exceeding the
maximum height and with reduced setbacks on property Zoned R-1:8, located at 380 Blackwell
Drive.
REMARKS:
On August 1, 2023, the Town Council considered the appeal of the Planning Commission
decision and received testimony from the appellant/property owner, which included additional
information not available to the Planning Commission. The Council found that a special security
concern and special circumstances exist and that the Planning Commission decision was lacking
important information. The Council continued the matter to the August 15, 2023, meeting with
direction to staff to prepare a Resolution granting the appeal of the Planning Commission
decision. This Resolution is included as Attachment 8.
PAGE 2 OF 2 SUBJECT: 380 Blackwell Drive/FHE-23-002 DATE: August 10, 2023
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachments previously received with the August 1, 2023 Staff Report:
1. June 14, 2023, Planning Commission Staff Report, with Exhibits 1 through 10
2. June 14, 2023, Planning Commission Desk Item, with Exhibit 11
3. June 14, 2023, Planning Commission Action Letter
4. June 14, 2023, Planning Commission Verbatim Minutes
5. Appeal of the Planning Commission decision, received June 21, 2023
6. Annotated Driveway Exhibit Prepared by Staff
7. Draft Resolution to Deny the Appeal and Uphold the Planning Commission Decision
Attachment received with this Staff Report:
8. Draft Resolution to Grant the Appeal of the Planning Commission Decision