01 Minutes ss
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 10/03/2023 ITEM NO: 1
DRAFT
Minutes of the Joint Town Council and Planning Commission Study Session
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
The Town Council and the Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a special
meeting in person and utilizing teleconferencing means on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at
7:00 p.m. to discuss state laws pertaining to housing.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Maria Ristow, Vice Mayor Mary Badame, Council Member Matthew Hudes,
Council Member Rob Moore, Council Member Rob Rennie, Commissioner Emily Thomas
(arrived 7:36 p.m.), Commissioner Melanie Hanssen, Commissioner Kathryn Janoff,
Commissioner Susan Burnett, and Planning Commission Chair Jeffrey Barnett
Absent: Planning Commission Vice Chair Steven Raspe
OTHER BUSINESS
1. Receive and Discuss Information Regarding Statewide Housing Laws that Apply to
Applications for Housing Development Projects in the Town.
Gabrielle Whelan, Town Attorney, stated the parameters for discussion and introduced Barbara
Kautz.
Joel Paulson stated the locations in which a SB330 pre-application or formal application has
been submitted.
Barbara Kautz, consultant, gave a presentation on state housing laws.
The Town Council Members and the Planning Commissioners asked preliminary questions.
Mayor Ristow opened public comment.
Tina Johnson
- Commented on concerns regarding a potential development in the Belwood area, traffic
safety, and infrastructure.
James Bowen
- Asked about the transparency of development plans, and environmental impact and traffic
studies.
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April Maiten
- Commented on traffic safety concerns and requested speed humps in the Belwood area.
Jeff Suzuki, Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition
- Commented on concerns regarding exclusion of economically disenfranchised
communities.
Miles Tasker, Los Gatos Anti Racism Coalition
- Commented on his experience in a lower income household, and requested the Town
consider allowing denser development and economically sensible housing.
Ronald Meyer
- Commented on concerns with the Housing Element work plan timeline and the Town’s
previous Housing Element consultant.
Sandra Livinghouse
- Commented on concerns with the process of certifying the Housing Element and inquired
about the builder’s remedy.
Mike Maiten
- Commented on concerns regarding the approval of the Housing Element and asked about
Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs).
Alba Levitas
- Commented on concerns with traffic safety in the Belwood area and asked about the
process for purchasing land for development.
Tony Alarcon
- Commented on potential legislation to help small Towns’ rights to build more moderate
housing and commented on fire safety and traffic concerns.
Lee Fagot
- Commented in support of additional safety requirements for new developments and
requested they have multiple access points for vehicles.
Lee Quintana
- Inquired if the Town’s density bonus ordinance is consistent with state law and requested
clarification on the Martinez versus the City of Clover decision.
Mitzi Anderson
- Asked a question about builder’s remedy.
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Bryce Wat
- Inquired about lot size density bonus reductions.
Jak Van Nada
- Inquired about builder’s remedy applications.
Calvin Louie
- Commented on racism and asked questions about the Regional Housing Need Allocation
(RHNA) numbers.
Sutton
- Inquired about dates to certify the Housing Element, potential penalties, housing costs per
affordability levels, and a study on water and sewer infrastructure.
Bill Kraus
- Commented on racism, inquired if traffic could be considered an objective standard for
limiting development, and asked about requiring higher fees for special applications to
cover the cost of consultants.
Nika S.
- Commented on her personal experience and the need for affordable housing in Los Gatos.
Jake Wilde
- Commented on the purpose of planning and zoning requirements, concerns with
segregation, and requested Los Gatos go above and beyond demands for housing.
Jim Lyon
- Commented on concerns with the cost of building housing, infrastructure, revenue loss
from the conversion of commercial to residential, and inquired about property tax
revenues.
Ali Miano, Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition
- Commented on issues with the unhoused and in support of affordable housing.
Kinsey Lee, Los Gatos Anti-Racism Coalition
- Commented in support of the current Housing Element.
Sandrine Chaumette
- Commented in support of housing for essential workers.
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Albert Lustre, Carpenters Union Local 405
- Commented on Assembly Bill 2011 related to construction workers and future
developments.
Mayor Ristow closed public comment and called a recess at 9:25 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 9:42 p.m.
Staff answered questions raised during the public comment period.
The Town Council Members and the Planning Commissioners asked additional questions and
discussed the information.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:34 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
_____________________________________
Jenna De Long, Deputy Town Clerk