Loading...
Draft Minutes of the October 8, 2025, Planning Commission Meeting 110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832 www.losgatosca.gov TOWN OF LOS GATOS PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT MEETING DATE: 11/12/2025 ITEM NO: 1 DRAFT MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 8, 2025 The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 PM ROLL CALL Present: Chair Emily Thomas, Vice Chair Kendra Burch, Commissioner Susan Burnett, Commissioner Steve Raspe, Commissioner Joseph Sordi, Commissioner Rob Stump Absent: Commissioner Jeffrey Barnett PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS Anonymous Member of the Public - Commented on concerns related to recent national and political events. CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION) 1. Approval of Minutes – September 10, 2025 2. Approval of Minutes – September 24, 2025 Chair Thomas indicated that an anonymous member of the public requested Item 1, Minutes of the September 10, 2025 Planning Commission meeting be pulled from the Consent Calendar. Anonymous Member of the Public - Commented on concerns related to pathways in the Town and recent national and political events. MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Stemp to approve adoption of the Consent Calendar. Seconded by Commissioner Sordi. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously. PAGE 2 OF 3 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF OCTOBER 8, 2025 PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. 24 Pleasant Street Request for Review PHST-25-013 APN 529-26-016 Property Owner/Applicant/Appellant: Swapnil Raut and Rashmi Jadhav Project Planner: Suray Nathan Consider an Appeal of a Community Development Director to deny a request to remove a pre-1941 property from the Historic Resources Inventory for property zoned R-1D. Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). Suray Nathan, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report. Opened Public Comment. Swapnil Raut (Applicant) - They are requesting removal of their property from the Historic Resources Inventory. This home no longer meets the criteria of historic designation due to loss of integrity and substantial alterations over time. The original front and side windows have been replaced, and key character defining features are no longer present. A major rear addition has significantly changed the home footprint plan and design from its documented historic condition. The rear is completely visible and not aligned with the original roofline, and our architect could not guarantee that this is as per the code. The current roofline and exterior do not reflect the original architectural style, making the structure inconsistent with its period of significance. It also does not represent Mediterranean Revival, lacking the distinctive details and defining features. The Historic Preservation Committee’s decision was not unanimous, indicating expert disagreement regarding eligibility and reinforcing that the property does not meet that threshold for listing. Their request is simply to allow them the flexibility to make thoughtful updates that support their family’s needs, while staying aligned with the community’s visual traditions. Swapnil Raut (Applicant) - They want to say thank you for your time and we appreciate all the Town’s efforts. They understand the guidelines and the historic nature of the City, and their actions will not dent that history of the Town. Their only intention is to accommodate their family’s needs and follow the rules. Closed Public Comment. Commissioners discussed the matter. MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Sordi to grant the appeal and allow removal of 24 Pleasant Street from the Historic Resources Inventory, subject to PAGE 3 OF 3 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF OCTOBER 8, 2025 findings for CEQA Section 15061(b)(3), and subject to findings and considerations in Section 4.6 of the Residential Design Guidelines. Seconded by Vice Chair Burch. VOTE: Motion passed 5-1 with Commissioner Burnett dissenting. REPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT Joel Paulson, Director of Community Development • A joint Planning Commission/Town Council study session regarding CEQA will be held on October 21st. • The regularly scheduled October 22nd Planning Commission meeting has been cancelled. • Apologized for staff not putting discussion related to Cellar Square Footage and FAR on tonight’s agenda, but it will come forward on a future agenda. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMISSION MATTERS None. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m. This is to certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the October 8, 2025 meeting as approved by the Planning Commission. _____________________________ /s/ Vicki Blandin This Page Intentionally Left Blank