Item 2 - Staff Report with Attachments 1 through 5.220 Belgatos Rd
PREPARED BY: Jocelyn Shoopman
Senior Planner
Reviewed by: Planning Manager and Community Development Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6872
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
GENERAL PLAN COMMITTEE
REPORT
MEETING DATE: 06/26/2024
ITEM NO: 2
DATE: June 21, 2024
TO: General Plan Committee
FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Requesting Approval for Subdivision of One Lot into Two Lots and a General
Plan Amendment to Change the Land Use Designation of Parcel A from Public
to Low Density Residential on Property Zoned R-1:10. APN: 527-25-
005. CEQA Review is Pending. Subdivision Application M-24-011 and General
Plan Amendment Application GP-24-002. Project Location: 220 Belgatos
Road. Property Owner: Union School District. Applicant: Robson Homes, LLC.
Project Planner: Jocelyn Shoopman.
RECOMMENDATION:
Consider a request for subdivision of one lot into two lots and a General Plan amendment to
change the land use designation of Parcel A from Public to Low Density Residential for a
property zoned R-1:10, located at 220 Belgatos Road.
BACKGROUND:
The subject parcel is 9.10 acres and located south of Blossom Hill Road, situated between
Belgatos Road and Belvue Drive (Attachment 1). The property was previously occupied by
Mirassou Elementary School which closed in 1989. Presently, the site is leased by the Union
School District to the Stratford School and Bright Horizons Preschool. Concurrently with the
General Plan amendment application that is currently under review by the Town, the applicant
has submitted a Subdivision application to subdivide the 9.10-acre property into two lots,
resulting in an approximate 4.3-acre parcel (Parcel A) and an approximate 4.8-acre parcel
(Parcel B). The existing school uses and existing General Plan designation of Public would be
retained for Parcel B (Attachment 4).
On September 1, 2023, a preliminary application under Senate Bill 330 was deemed submitted
to the Town for the subject property. The preliminary application proposed a subdivision, 24
PAGE 2 of 4
SUBJECT: 220 Belgatos Road/M-24-011 and GP-24-002
DATE: June 21, 2024
BACKGROUND (continued):
detached single family homes, and three duet/duplex buildings. After submitting a preliminary
application, an applicant has 180 days to submit a full application or the preliminary application
expires. On March 13, 2024, the preliminary application for the property expired.
The role of the General Plan Committee (GPC) is to assist the Planning Commission and Town
Council on matters relating to the General Plan or any specific plans. As a legislative item, the
Planning Commission will make a recommendation to Town Council on the entire project,
including the General Plan amendment.
DISCUSSION:
The following is a brief list of issues and topics for consideration by the GPC. Staff has not
reached conclusions on these topics and provides them to help frame the discussion and to
solicit input. The main question for the GPC is whether the applicant’s request to change the
General Plan land use designation is consistent with the General Plan.
A. General Plan Land Use Designations
The applicant is proposing a General Plan amendment to change the land use designation
from Public to Low Density Residential for the approximate 4.3-acre portion of the property
designated as Parcel A in Attachment 5. The applicant is not requesting a change to the
land use designation of the property designated as Parcel B. The proposed General Plan
amendment is discussed in a project description letter and letter of justification from the
applicant included as Attachments 2 and 3.
The proposed Low Density Residential land use designation provides for the following:
• A low density (0-5 dwelling units per net acre), single-family residential properties
located on generally level terrain. It encourages single-family residential development
in either the standard development established by traditional zoning or by innovative
forms obtained through planned development.
The existing Public land use designation identifies public facilities in the Town such as the
Civic Center, courthouse, schools, parks, libraries, hospitals, churches, and fire stations.
The parcels to the north, east, west, and south have a Low Density Residential designation,
and are all (including the subject parcel) zoned R-1:10. A table of the surrounding General
Plan land use designations and zoning is provided on the following page.
PAGE 3 of 4
SUBJECT: 220 Belgatos Road/M-24-011 and GP-24-002
DATE: June 21, 2024
DISCUSSION (continued):
Existing Land Use Existing General Plan Existing Zoning
North Residential Low Density Residential R-1:10
South Residential Low Density Residential R-1:10
East Residential Low Density Residential R-1:10
West Residential Low Density Residential R-1:10
The present use of the subject property is a school use. The area described as Parcel A is a
currently unused portion of the existing parcel. The applicant has submitted an application
for a two-lot subdivision to enable a portion of the site (Parcel B) to retain the school and
Public land use designation, while allowing the proposed General Plan amendment from
Public to Low Density Residential for the portion of the property designated as Parcel A
(Attachment 5). The subdivision application does not include any proposal for future
development or improvements to the property.
B. General Plan Goals/Policies/Strategies
Applicable 2020 General Plan Goals and Policies that will be used to evaluate the proposed
General Plan amendment for this site include, but are not limited to the following:
Land Use Goals
▪ LU-1 – To preserve, promote, and protect the existing small-town character and
quality of life within Los Gatos.
▪ LU-4 – To provide for well-planned, careful growth that reflects the Town’s existing
character and infrastructure.
▪ LU-6 – To preserve and enhance the existing character and sense of place in residential
neighborhoods.
▪ LU-7 – To use available land efficiently by encouraging appropriate infill development.
Land Use Policies
▪ LU-1.4 – Infill projects shall be designed in context with the neighborhood and
surrounding zoning with respect to the existing scale and character of surrounding
structures, and should blend rather than compete with the established character of
the area.
▪ LU-4.2 – Allow development only with adequate physical infrastructure (e.g.
transportation, sewers, utilities, etc.) and social services (e.g. education, public safety,
etc.).
▪ LU-4.4 – Project applicants shall evaluate and provide appropriate mitigation measures
to reduce impacts on urban services including schools, utilities, police, and fire.
PAGE 4 of 4
SUBJECT: 220 Belgatos Road/M-24-011 and GP-24-002
DATE: June 21, 2024
DISCUSSION (continued):
▪ LU-6.1 – Protect existing residential areas from the impacts of nonresidential
development.
▪ LU-6.4 – Prohibit uses that may lead to the deterioration of residential neighborhoods, or
adversely impact the public safety or the residential character of a residential
neighborhood.
▪ LU-6.5 – The type, density, and intensity of new land use shall be consistent with that of
the immediate neighborhood.
▪ LU-6.7 – Continue to encourage a variety of housing types and sizes that is balanced
throughout the Town and within neighborhoods, and that is also compatible with the
character of the surrounding neighborhood.
▪ LU-7.1 – Allow redevelopment of unused school sites commensurate with the
surrounding residential neighborhood and availability of services.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
At the time of this report, no public comments were received.
CONCLUSION:
The GPC should consider the existing and proposed General Plan land use designations and
make a recommendation to the Planning Commission and Town Council on whether the
proposed General Plan amendment from Public to Low Density Residential for the portion of
the subject property designated as Parcel A is consistent with the Town’s General Plan.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Location Maps (Showing Existing and Proposed General Plan Designations)
2. Project Description
3. Letter of Justification
4. Site Photos
5. Tentative Parcel Map
Low Density Residential
Open Space
Hillside
Residential
Public
L
Neighborhood
Commercial
Medium Density
Residential
Low Density Residential
l
BLOSSOM HILL RD
BELGATOS RDW
E
S
T
H
I
L
L
D
R
BELBLOSSOM WY
BELVUE DRBACIGALUPI DRB
E
L
G
L
E
N
W
Y
220 Belgatos Road
Existing Land Use Designation
dd,D Edϭ
Low Density Residential
Open Space
Hillside
Residential
Public
L
Neighborhood
Commercial
Medium Density
Residential
Low Density Residential
l
BLOSSOM HILL RD
BELGATOS RDW
E
S
T
H
I
L
L
D
R
BELBLOSSOM WY
BELVUE DRBACIGALUPI DRB
E
L
G
L
E
N
W
Y
220 Belgatos Road
Proposed Land Use Designation
220 Belgatos Road Los Gatos, CA 95032
527.25.005
9.10 Acres (396,511 SF)
Union School District
Robson Homes, LLC
Public
R-1:10
General Plan Amendment & Subdivision (Tentative Map)
into two parcels (Identified by applicant as Parcel A & Parcel B):
Parcel A: 186,242 SF (Approx 4.3 Acres)
Parcel B: 210,269 SF (Approx 4.8 Acres)
Applicant proposes an amendment to the General Plan for
Parcel A only from Public to Low Density Residential.
No change to the General Plan Designation for Parcel B.
No change to existing zoning is requested by Applicant.
WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT
Applicant requests to subdivide property from a 9.1 Acre parcel
General Plan Amendment Request:
Address:
APN:
Owner:
Lot Size:
Applicant:
Current General Plan Designation:
Application Request:
Current Zoning Designation:
Subdivision Request:
Zoning Request:ATTACHMENT 2
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ATTACHMENT 3
220 Belgatos, Los Gatos, CA 95030
APN: 527-25-005
Site Map:
ATTACHMENT 4
Site Photos:
Photo #1:
Photo #2:
Photo #3:
Photo #4:
Photo #5:
Photo #6:
Photo #7:
Photo #8:
Photo #9:
Photo #10:
Photo #11:
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DETAIL A
DETAIL B
LEGEND MAP REFERENCES
ABBREVIATIONS PREPARED FOR:CALIFORNIALOS GATOSCivilEngineeringAssociates••VICINITY MAP
SITE
Belgatos RdHarwood RdBlossom Hill Rd
Los Gatos Almaden Rd
Leigh AveUnion Ave85
----TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP----220 BELGATOS ROAD----TM1
OWNER
DEVELOPER & SUBDIVIDER
ENGINEER
NOTES
BASIS OF BEARINGS
BENCHMARK
TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP
220 BELGATOS ROAD
LOS GATOS CALIFORNIA
ATTACHMENT 5
PREPARED FOR:CALIFORNIALOS GATOSCivilEngineeringAssociates••----TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP----220 BELGATOS ROAD----TM2
LEGEND
ABBREVIATIONS
ABBREVIATIONS
LEGEND PREPARED FOR:CALIFORNIALOS GATOSCivilEngineeringAssociates••----TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP----220 BELGATOS ROAD----TM3
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