02-20-24 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
FEBRUARY 20, 2024
The Development Review Committee of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a regular meeting on
February 20, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Jocelyn Shoopman, CDD Planning; Robert Gray, CDD Building; Corvell Sparks, PPW
Engineering; and Kenny Ip, SCCFD.
Absent: None.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 10:00 AM
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT ITEMS
1. Approval of Minutes – January 30, 2024
MOTION: Motion by Corvell Sparks to approve the consent calendar. Seconded by
Kenny Ip.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. 37 E. Main Street
Conditional Use Permit Application U-23-009
Requesting Approval for a Minor Restaurant on Property Zoned C-2. APN 529-28-020.
Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301: Existing Facilities.
Property Owner/Applicant: Peter R. Hoffman Revocable Trust and Amy L. Diffenderfer
Revocable Trust
Project Planner: Jocelyn Shoopman
The project planner presented the staff report.
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Opened Public Comment.
Applicant presented the project.
Peter Hoffman, Owner/Applicant
During the past ten years, the space was formerly used as an art gallery, antique store,
and mattress store. These all failed since there is not enough foot traffic. Also, retail
businesses have changed. The applicant has brought four new restaurants: Epernay, Namaste,
Auzzy Bear, and Nina’s, into the block. All are thriving and doing well. They’ve installed
parklets and these are attracting the interest of prospective tenants. The space has been
vacant for six years. Adding another restaurant will benefit the other restaurants and retail
businesses by increasing foot traffic. They hope to reach 100 percent occupancy with these
two sites.
Tom Spilsbury, Neighbor
In 1998, they bought the office building next door at 61 E. Main Street. They share a
common driveway between the two properties. They are very concerned about giving a CUP to
an unknown restaurant. A retail store will have one to three employees while a restaurant will
have three to five employees. Parking is the issue. High school is in session nine months of the
year. They have reserved parking on the top of his business. He has been relegated to being
the parking police. He rents those spaces to the office tenants. Parking is at a premium.
Where do the customers park?
Peter Hoffman, Owner/Applicant
The parking requirement for a retail business is the same as for a restaurant. The
building has eight available spaces behind the building. The building at 47 E. Main Street has 16
available behind building. This is a total of 26 spaces. The issue is the restaurant designation.
The parklets helped reinvigorate the businesses. Without these businesses there is no Main
Street. Their aim is 100 percent occupancy.
Closed Public Comment
Jocelyn Shoopman, Project Planner
The Town Code states that a restaurant and retail use require the same amount of
parking. Any prospective restaurant tenant must comply with the conditions of approval which
address the use and hours of operation. The parking issues that have been described are on
private property, which does not involve enforcement by the Town.
MOTION: Motion by Corvell Sparks to approve with required findings and
recommended conditions of approval. Seconded by Kenny Ip.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
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Appeal rights were recited.
3. 47 E. Main Street
Conditional Use Permit Application U-23-010
Requesting Approval for a Minor Restaurant on Property Zoned C-2. APN 529-28-032.
Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301: Existing Facilities.
Property Owner/Applicant: Peter R. Hoffman Revocable Trust and Amy L. Diffenderfer
Revocable Trust
Project Planner: Jocelyn Shoopman
The project planner presented the staff report.
Opened public comment.
Peter Hoffman, Owner/Applicant
The site has been vacant for six years. In the past, it was a dance studio, a gym, and
then a car dealership. It is the biggest space on that street. It is a large space with 16 parking
spaces in the rear. As the property owner, we have someone constantly watching the parking
in the rear lot. A letter is issued that says we have your license number and will tow if you
return. What is working is having restaurants and giving people more food choices.
Prospective restaurant tenants are attracted to the 60 feet of installed parklets.
Closed public comment.
Jocelyn Shoopman, Project Planner
Like the prior project discussed, the proposed restaurant use is not resulting in a parking
intensification pursuant to the Town Code.
MOTION: Motion by Kenny Ip to approve with required findings and recommended
conditions of approval. Seconded by Corvell Sparks.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Appeal rights were recited.
OTHER BUSINESS
None.
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ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned 10:23 a.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
February 20, 2024 meeting as approved by the
Development Review Committee.
Prepared by:
________________________________________
/s/ Robert Gray, CDD Building