2011060602 - Town Council/Planning Commission Joint Study Session - North 40 Specific PlanDRAFT Council/Agency Meeting 06/02/11
Item # .
MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION JOINT STUDY
SESSION - MAY 25, 2011
The Town Council and the Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a
Special Meeting on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 6:00 P.M.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
The study session was held at the Police Operations Building located at 15900 Los
Gatos Boulevard, Los Gatos, California 95032.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Joe Pirzynski, Vice Mayor Steve Rice, Council Member Steven
Leonardis, Council Member Diane McNutt, Council Member Barbara Spector, Chair
Marico Sayoc, Vice Chair Marcia Jensen, Commissioner John Bourgeois,
Commissioner Charles Erekson, , Commissioner Jane Ogle (late arrival), and
Commissioner Joanne Talesfore.
Absent: Commissioner Thomas O'Donnell
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS (Three -minute time limit)
Members of the public commented on the following issues regarding the N. 40 Specific
Plan:
▪ Preference for no development on the site
▪ Concern for school impacts related to residential development on the site.
▪ Concern about traffic circulation and traffic impacts.
• Concern about the potential of the N. 40 to compete with the Downtown.
▪ Concern about the lack of respect for the history of the site and the amount of
hardscape on the site.
• Concern about density and the lack of open space.
® Request to see the site more integrated into Los Gatos.
▪ Concern about inconsistency with the General Plan.
DISCUSSION TOPICS
1. North Forty Specific Plan
Debbie Rudd from RRMDesign Group reviewed input received to -date from Community
Workshops and the Advisory Committee.
MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION JOINT STUDY
SESSION - MAY 25, 2011
PAGE TWO
David Shiver from Bay Area Economics presented preliminary findings from the market
study being conducted for the N. 40 Specific Plan.
Don Capobres from Grosvenor reviewed a conceptual vision development plan based
on input received to -date.
Town Council members and Planning Commissioners asked questions and provided
input following each presentation.
2. Discussion on new revised process of C-2 Zone District Conditional Use Permits
Mayor Pirzynski noted that the reason for the Council action revising the process for C-
2 Zone Conditional Use Permits (CUPs) was to reinforce the message to Downtown
property owners regarding conversion of retail space to formula retail or other uses.
Council comments:
• Planning Commission input on CUPs is very important.
■ Issues are raised and vetted at Planning Commission prior to coming to Council.
■ Process for Council consideration of CUPs is not yet determined.
Planning Commission comments:
• Concern about multiple meetings for applicants.
■ Need for additional policy direction from Council.
■ Concern about communication regarding the change in process.
■ Message to property owners makes sense.
■ Need for additional opportunities, such as retreats and/or Mayor/Chair meetings
to discuss specific issues and policies.
Public Comment:
Lee Quintana commented that the dialogue between the Town Council and Planning
Commission was good, and agreed with need for more specific policy direction from the
Council.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 9:26 p.m.
Minutes taken by:
Attest:
Pamela Jacobs, Assistant Town Manager Jackie D. Rose, Clerk Administrator