03-13-2024 - PC Minutes
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 13, 2024
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on
Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Steve Raspe, Commissioner Susan Burnett, Commissioner Melanie Hanssen,
Commissioner Kathryn Janoff, and Commissioner Adam Mayer.
Absent: Vice Chair Emily Thomas.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approval of Minutes – February 28, 2024
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Hanssen to approve adoption of the Consent
Calendar. Seconded by Commissioner Janoff.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. 124 Garden Hill Drive
Fence Height Exception Application FHE-23-005
APN 424-23-084
Property Owner/Appellant: Rushikesh Kulkarni
Project Planner: Ryan Safty
Consider on remand an Appeal of a Denial of a Fence height Exception Request for
Construction of a 6-Foot-Tall Fence Located Within the Required Front Yard Setback,
Street Side Yard Setback, and Corner Sight Triangle on Property Aoned R-1:8.
PAGE 2 OF 4 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 13, 2024
Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303: New Construction or
Conversion of Small Structures, and Section 15301: Existing Facilities.
Ryan Safty, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Rushikesh Kulkarni
- We have reached a point of consensus between the Planning Department and myself and
believe we can achieve a happy medium where my security concerns as a parent of two
toddlers who play in that side of the yard can be addressed. One concern is coyote
sightings in the neighborhood, leading to the need for a 6-foot-high fence, as well as an
occasion where a dog jumped the fence into our yard. We erected the bamboo fence as a
temporary arrangement. I believe we have addressed all concerns the Planning
Commission and Public Works had. If the appeal is granted, we will remove the solid fence
and install the wrought iron fence as shown in the plans.
Closed Public Comment.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Hanssen to grant an Appeal of a Denial of a
Fence Height Exception for construction of a 6-foot-tall fence located
within the required front yard setback, street side yard setback, and
corner sight triangle on property zoned R-1:8 for 124 Garden Hill Drive
with the Special Circumstance finding in Town Code Section
29.40.0320(e)) for the configuration of the property and lack of a rear
yard. Seconded by Commissioner Burnett.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
3. 666 North Santa Cruz Avenue
Conditional Use Permit Application U-22-004
APN 529-10-141
Property Owner/Applicant: Samir Dave, HDLM Associates
Project Planner: Jocelyn Shoopman
Requesting Approval of a Modification to an Existing Conditional Use Permit for a
Convenience Market that Includes the Sale of Beer and Wine at an Automobile Service
Station on Property Zoned C-1. Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines
Section 15301: Existing Facilities.
PAGE 3 OF 4 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 13, 2024
Jocelyn Shoopman, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Kurt Wagenknecht, K12 Architects
- It is common today to have beer and wine sales within convenience stores and most of
them provide chilled beer and wine, which is a competitive sale item.
Gary Fowler
- I’ve been in Town for 36 years and know Sam and his family. He is a hardworking
businessperson and a really good guy, and he and his family run a great business. I don’t go
to Sam’s convenience store for beer or wine, but I run in for milk or eggs, as will the 500
new residents of the North Forty and the 500 members of the Los Gatos Lodge. There are
only two other convenience stores in town, and with limited parking. I think Sam has a
great idea.
Eric Monsef
- I grew up in Los Gatos and have known Sam for 15 years. Sam is a person I can rely on as a
friend and a neighborhood helper. Sam, his family, and his business are one of the anchors
of the community. That particular location serves as a visual gateway to the town, so
having a person and business of such integrity there is a big upgrade to the Town.
Closed Public Comment.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Hanssen to approve a modification to an
existing Conditional Use Permit for a convenience market that includes
the sale of beer and wine at an automobile service station on property
zoned C-1 with a modification of Condition 5 to modify the hours of
operation to 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7:00
a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Seconded by Commissioner
Janoff.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
REPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Jennifer Armer, Planning Manager
• The Town Council met March 5, 2024:
PAGE 4 OF 4 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 13, 2024
o Discussed the Housing Element and approved a motion to move forward with
the process. The Draft Housing Element is currently in the seven-day public
review period with the goal of submitting it to HCD on March 18, 2024.
o An appeal of Planning Commission approval of the new home at 212 Thurston
Street was considered. The Town Council denied the appeal and upheld the
Planning Commission’s decision.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMISSION MATTERS
Historic Preservation Committee
Commissioner Burnett
- The HPC met March 13, 2024 and considered three items.
o Two items had returned to the Committee for a final resolution, which was
accomplished.
o The third item was alterations to a storefront on a pre-1941 building on North Santa
Cruz Avenue.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
March 13, 2024 meeting as approved by the
Planning Commission.
_____________________________
/s/ Vicki Blandin