M 02-04-02TOWN OF LOS GATOS
CALIFORNIA
TOWN COUNCIL/PARKING AUTHORITY
JOINT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
February 4, 2002/Minutes
TOWN COUNCIL
The Town Council/Parking Authority/Redevelopment Agency of the Town of Los Gatos met in
the Council Chambers of the Town Hall, 110 East Main Street, at 7:04 p.m., Monday, February 4,
2002, in joint regular session.
ROLL CALL
Present:Steven Blanton, Sandy Decker, Steve Glickman,
Joe Pirzynski, and Mayor/Chairman Randy Attaway
Absent:None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Given by all in attendance.
CLOSED SESSION (XX.28)
Town Attorney, Orry Korb, reported that Council had met in Closed Session prior to this
evening’s meeting and prior to the Council retreat held on January 26, 2002, pursuant to
Government Code Section 54956.8(a), regarding Real Property Negotiations concerning Property
at 17 and 25 Fiesta Way. Negotiating Parties: Town of Los Gatos and Rich and Bethany Pfaff
(17 Fiesta Way) and Robert Broenen, Daniela Salvadori, Rick and Bethany Pfaff (25 Fiesta Way).
Price and terms of payment under negotiation. Council gave direction. No final action was
taken.
APPOINTMENTS (XX.12)
Mayor Attaway announced the continuation of interviews and the reopening of the
notices of vacancies for the Arts Commission and the Planning Commission setting
interviews for March 18, 2002. Council consensus.
SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS (01.28)
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Glickman, to accept and file informational
report regarding currently scheduled public hearings. Carried unanimously.
TOWN CALENDAR OF MEETINGS/COUNCIL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS (03.28)
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Glickman, to accept and file informational
item presenting future Town Meetings for Council and other Town Boards and
Commissions for February 2002 and March 2002 as presented in the addendum to this
item. Carried unanimously.
RATIFICATION OF PAYROLL/JANUARY 2002 (05.V)
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Glickman, that Council ratify the check
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registers for the payroll of January 6, 2002 through January 19, 2002, paid on January
25, 2002 in the amount of $516,091.86. Carried unanimously.
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ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/RATIFICATION/JANUARY 2002 (06.V)
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Glickman, that Council ratify the accompanying
check registers for accounts payable invoices paid on January 18, 2002, and January 25, 2002 in
the amount of $567,148.61. Carried unanimously.
MINUTES OF JANUARY 22, 2002 (07.V)
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Glickman, that Council approve the Minutes of
January 22, 2002 Town Council/Redevelopment Agency Meeting as submitted. Carried
unanimously.
MAIN STREET 210 E./LOS GATOS HOTEL/EXTERIOR CHANGES/REPORT (08.15)
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Glickman, that Council accept Architectural
Standards/Hillside Committee recommendation and approve the requested exterior changes.
Carried unanimously.
PROPOSITION 42/CONSIDER APPROVAL/RESOLUTION 2002-11 (10.28)
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Glickman, that Council adopt Resolution
2002-11 entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS SUPPORTING
PROPOSITION 42. Carried unanimously.
COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT (CAFR) INTERNAL CONTROL (13.09)
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Glickman, that Council, on the recommendation
of the Town Council’s Finance Committee, accept the 2000-2001 Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report (CAFR) and memorandum on internal control structure. Carried unanimously.
STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS/PROJECT 0108/NORTH SANTA CRUZ AVE. (14A.25)
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Glickman, that Council authorize a budget in the
amount of $233,760 including an increase in consultant fees of $176,060 for improvements to
seven (7) intersections along North Santa Cruz Avenue (from Almendra Avenue to Bean Avenue)
and replacement of sidewalks within these limits and intersections of East main Street at
University Avenue and College Avenue. Carried unanimously.
STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS/PROJECT 0108/NORTH SANTA CRUZ AVE.
RESOLUTION 2002-12 & 2002-1RD (14B.25)
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Glickman, that Council/Agency adopt
Resolution 2002-12 and 2002-1RD entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS
GATOS TOWN COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZING THE TOWN
MANAGER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE
AGREEMENT WITH MESITI-MILLER ENGINEERING TO PROVIDE ENGINEERING
DESIGN SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE NORTH SANTA CRUZ
STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS. Carried unanimously.
TOWN PLAZA RECONSTRUCTION/PROJECT 0107/RESOLUTION 2002-13 & 2002-2RD
(15.25) Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Glickman, that Council/Agency adopt
Resolution 2002-13 and 2002-2RD entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
TOWN COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY APPROVING THE PLANS AND
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SPECIFICATIONS FOR PROJECT 0107 - TOWN PLAZA RECONSTRUCTION AND
AUTHORIZING STAFF TO ADVERTISE THE PROJECT FOR BIDS. Carried unanimously.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS (XX.28)
Juvenile Apprehension:
William Stewart, III, PO Box 1951, Los Gatos, CA, spoke regarding Police Department actions
concerning his son who was found in possession of a spray paint can which he did not know was
illegal. Mr. Stewart requested resolutions dropping his son’s charges and giving notice to the
High School of the rights of minors to consent to search. Mayor Attaway responded that staff
would look into the issue.
General Plan Amendment:
Ray Davis, resident, directed his discussion to the residency of Councilmember Blanton and the
lack of a special report being sent to Council regarding a General Plan amendment and re-zoning
on the Winchester Ave. Sobrato property.
Winchester-Daves Taffic Safety Issues:
Doug McNeil, 17413 Pleasant View Ave, Monte Sereno, spoke supporting the traffic studies and
found the studies to be consistent. Options have been evaluated and findings have been
consistent. He suggested using the Sobrato project’s traffic mitigating funds to be used for an
arterial study and implementation of improvements along Winchester Boulevard for the benefit of
the community.
Monte Sereno Neighbors:
Mark Brodsky, Monte Sereno, listed the similar taxes paid by Monte Sereno residents as those
paid by Los Gatos residents. He requested that Monte Sereno residents be accepted as equal
participants in Los Gatos government decisions as neighbors and part of the community.
HEARINGS
LOS GATOS BOULEVARD 15047/ZONE CHANGE/HEARING (16.15)
Mayor Attaway announced that this was the time and place so noted for public hearing to consider
a request for approval of a zone change for approximately 37,000 square feet of property from
RC to CH. No significant environmental impacts have been identified as a result of this project,
and a Negative Declaration is recommended. Zone Change Application Z-01-3. Negative
Declaration ND-01-0013. Property Location: 15047 Los Gatos Boulevard. Property Owner: Yuki
Farms. Applicant: Thomas and Miyoko Yuki.
Speakers from the audience:
Milton Mintz, 16360 Shannon Road, spoke to the lot line adjustment on this property, noting that
it was not a lot split or subdivision, and that the proposed zoning is consistent with the General
Plan. He spoke of the water lines along the back property line, and about back line being
consistent with the back lines of the neighboring properties. He noted that the balance of the
property would remain part of the Yuki Farms orchard and requested Council’s approval of the
zone change.
Ray Davis, resident, spoke about the building adjacent to this property being in violation of the
PUD regarding retail on the first floor. He requested that the plans for this proposal include only
retail on the first floor.
Motion by Mrs. Decker, seconded by Mr. Glickman, to close the public hearing. Carried
unanimously.
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Motion by Mr. Glickman, seconded by Mr. Pirzynski, to make the Negative Declaration listed as
Exhibit D of Attachment 3. Carried unanimously.
HEARINGS CONTINUED
LOS GATOS BOULEVARD 15047/ZONE CHANGE/HEARING CONT. 6.15)
Motion by Mr. Glickman, seconded by Mr. Pirzynski, that Council finds that the zone change is
consistent with the General Plan. Carried unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Glickman, seconded by Mr. Pirzynski, to waive the reading of the Proposed
Ordinance. Carried unanimously.
The Deputy Town Clerk read the Title of the Proposed Ordinance.
Motion by Mr. Glickman, seconded by Mr. Pirzynski, to introduce the Proposed Ordinance
entitled, AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AMENDING THE ZONING
MAP FROM RC TO CH FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 15047 LOS GATOS
BOULEVARD. Carried unanimously.
WINCHESTER BOULEVARD 14300-14350/ZONE CHANGE/PUBLIC HEARING (17.15)
Mayor Attaway announced that this was the time and place so noted for public hearing to consider
a request for approval of a General Plan Amendment from High Density Residential and
Neighborhood Commercial to Light Industrial, and a zone change from CM to CM:PD to
construct a Research and Development office campus and 135 apartments. This matter may have
a significant impact on the environment and an Environmental Impact Report has been prepared
as required by the California Environmental Quality Act. Planned Development Application PD-
00-4. Environmental Impact Report EIR-01-1. Property Location: 14300-14350 Winchester
Blvd. Property Owner: Sobrato Interests III a CAL. L.P. Applicant: Kenneth Rodrigues &
Partners, Inc.
The following people from the audience addressed this issue:
John Shenk, Senior Vice-President of Sobrato Development Co., spoke of the Los Gatos
Gateway project, and the process of review for designing the project addressing the goals and
policies of the General Plan. He noted the need in Los Gatos for affordable housing and the
ability of this proposal to place such units in the vacinity of public transportation corridors. He
believes the project addresses traffic control issues and housing supply. He requested certification
of the EIR and approval of the planned development
Kenneth Rodrigues, FAIA, 18 N. San Pedro Street, San Jose, spoke of the mixed use
development incorporating 135 apartments with underground parking. He spoke of those units to
be dedicated to firefighters, police and teachers and which will double the number of affordable
housing units in Los Gatos. He noted that there will be no traffic impacts caused by ingress and
egress, and there will be no visual impacts. This project will support the Town’s commitment to
the Vasona Light Rail project
Rick Ardizzone, 214 Los Gatos-Saratoga Road, spoke of housing values in Los Gatos, sustaining
family life in town, and an overall quality of life for residents including the ability of children of
residents to purchase homes in their home town. He was in support of the project being able to
access light rail offering greater job opportunities and reducing traffic.
Ken Marchbank, 17540 Farley Road, West, spoke of traffic issues on Winchester concerning
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student safety as they walk back and forth to school.
Michael Silva, PO Box 1599, Los Gatos, is in favor of the proposal. Small town character is
reflected in the downtown area and should not be a concern in this location. The issues of traffic
safety, reduced traffic, and transit accessibility and affordable housing should be the concerns.
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HEARINGS CONTINUED
WINCHESTER BOULEVARD 14300-14350/ZONE CHANGE/HEARING (17.15)
Speakers continued:
Mark Brodsky, 17306 Grosvenor Court, Monte Sereno, spoke of the impacts to Winchester
Boulevard and requested mitigation fees to be attached to the project to help with the traffic safety
issues of this street.
Leonard Pacheco, 50 Hernandez Avenue, spoke of the PD being used to bring housing to this
site. He believes there are better ways to do this. He does not see excellence of design. He
thinks rentals should be closer to town businesses and the community. He does not think the
height limitations should be modified nor the story pole requirement waived.
Doug McNeil, 17413 Pleasant View Avenue, spoke of having to drive his children to school
because of the traffic impact at the Winchester-Daves intersection. He would like the Winchester
traffic issues addressed with mitigation assessments from this development.
Ray Davis, resident, spoke of proceeding with a referendum if this project goes forward.
Joanne Rodgers, 15287 Top of the Hill Court, not in favor of this large project. Supports
following the General Plan, and keeping a small town flavor.
Nancy Burbank, 108 Belcrest Drive, favors affordable housing but believes this project is too
large. There will be a need for more schools and increased police services to control traffic safety
issues.
Susan Burnett, 85 Ellenwood Avenue, spoke of expecting strong leadership from Council. She
does not believe that this project relates to Los Gatos nor does it follow the General Plan. All
residents should be able to expect to fit into the fabric of the community.
Dale Hill, 150 Robin Way, representing the League of Women Voters, spoke in favor of housing
and the jobs that will be created. Favors mixed use and rental housing. The below market value
units and teacher units have been increased which is supported by the League in areas near
transportation corridors. The height and density of residential development is also supported near
these corridors. She noted the shuttle service that is offered pending completion of the Light Rail
to Vasona Station and the use of sustainable building techniques which minimize environmental
concerns. She noted that the community input during the Planning Commission hearings was
mostly positive. She spoke of interpretation of the General Plan as largely subjective.
Guy LaMar, 14561 Winchester Boulevard, believes that this project is one of the best brought to
Los Gatos. It blends well with the surrounding community in his opinion.
Terry Rutledge, 815 Pollard Road, representing the Los Gatos Community Hospital, spoke in
favor of the proposal and its mixed use element. He spoke of housing for nursing staff.
Jack Bonno, 200 Willow Hill Court, asked that the General Plan be considered and that further
communication take place regarding the proposal. He asked that Council weigh the benefits to be
derived from this project against those benefits that could come be generated by a different
proposal.
Kaye Little, 453 Monterey Avenue, spoke in concern of the magnitude of the project and asked
for an alternative that would enhance the Town.
Iddo Hadar, 388 Knowles Drive, spoke of reduction in property values due to the project, and
the major impacts to the area that the project would bring.
Roy Hatter, 1691 Yale Drive, Mountain View, is an advocate for affordable housing and admires
the project. He spoke of the jobs and affordable housing that will be supplied by the project and
the use of shuttle to aid transportation while awaiting Light Rail at Vasona Station.
Jim Derryberry, 16505 Shady View Lane, representing Chamber of Commerce, recommended
approval stating that it is consistent with the General Plan. It is an appropriate improvement for
this area of Town. It can support commercial uses, the Valley Transportation Light Rail will be
coming to this location and economic housing will be supplied. The EIR has found no significant
impacts.
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HEARINGS CONTINUED
WINCHESTER BOULEVARD 14300-14350/ZONE CHANGE/HEARING (17.15)
Speakers continued:
Stephan McNulty, 4727 Hacienda Avenue, lives near the proposed project and is in favor of it for
its ability to support public transportation. He believes that the proposal will be a strong incentive
for bringing in the light rail.
Sherman Naymark, 218 Forrester Road, supported the well planned project which will give the
Town additional housing and employment. He does not believe that there will be additional
traffic impact especially as the Vasona Light Rail should be servicing this area before long.
Mike Abkin, 122 El Olivar, deny without prejudice and work with Sobrato on the future of
Winchester Blvd.
David Matsuo, 17240 Clearview Drive, asked for denial without prejudice so it can return with
additional work. It is contrary to the General Plan and needs to look at the impacts to Winchester
Boulevard.before the approvals are given. He noted that there are no guarantees from the VTA to
complete the Light Rail in this direction.
Tom Albanese, 15435 Pepper Lane, Saratoga, representing Campo di Bocce, favored the proposal
which provides an economic base and housing for employees.
Rod Diridon, Sr., 870 Camino Drive, Santa Clara, representing Mineta Transportation Inst.,
noted that the project will increase the value of the area and that Proposition 42 will increase the
funding to the VTA to complete the Vasona Station Light Rail proposal.
Don Gralnek, 371 Pennsylvania Avenue, spoke of a quality project that looked at the broader
issues of jobs, transportation and traffic impacts. He spoke of the ability of this project to meet the
needs of the Los Gatos community.
Paul Stewart, 1525 Meridian Avenue, #101, San Jose, representing Santa Clara County Board of
Realtors Affordable Housing Task Force and member of the Housing Action Coalition supported
the Gateway proposal. He noted the 25% of BMP housing which will be supported by public
transportation.
Lezli Logan, 136 Loma Alta Avenue, believes that the proposal appears to come directly out of
the General Plan supplying the needs of affordable housing and providing transportation and
employment. She stated approval of the forward thinking proposal.
Sandra Foster, 49 Chester Street, asked that the proposal be sent back to Planning. As planned it
will bring more traffic and congestion.
Mike Denevi, 224 Danville Drive, is in favor of the well designed proposal which will meet the
needs of his employees supplying both homes and jobs.
Peter Larko, 313 Albert Drive, spoke of the site as the perfect location for this proposal. He
served on the General Plan and believes this proposal does serve the community needs and values.
Bruce Edwards, 14103-B Winchester Blvd., manager of Vasona Station for twenty years has
watched the traffic in this vacinity and does not believe there is or will be a traffic problem in this
particular location. The project will have little impact on the neighborhoods south of Lark Ave. as
the traffic will dissipate on the various transportation corridors before it arrives in other areas of
Los Gatos. There is a close shopping plaza to meet the immediate needs of the employees and
residents.
Neil Struthers, 1566 Mackey Avenue, CEO of the Santa Clara and San Benito Building and
Construction Trade Council spoke in support of the Sobrato Development. He spoke of the
company’s high quality work on all its projects and how this proposal supports the residents,
employees, businesses, and transportation links.
Gary Manning, 116 Charter Oaks, spoke of the increased traffic impacts at Lark and the
problems of egress from Charter Oaks onto Lark, and the need for the project to address and
mitigate the traffic impacts that will be associated with this development.
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HEARINGS CONTINUED
WINCHESTER BOULEVARD 14300-14350/ZONE CHANGE/HEARING (17.15)
Speakers continued:
George Montanari, 160 Longmeadow Drive, spoke of the very unique proposal that will offer
jobs, housing, low income housing, transportation links, and an attractive development.
Carl Guardino, 190 Airport Parkway, San Jose, representing Silicon Valley Manufacturing
Group, spoke of the great need for affordable housing and how this project addresses that issue
with an attractive proposal with transportation links.
Frank Alam, 14345 Capri Drive, lives next to route 85, and realizes that this property will not
remain vacant for long. He is impressed with the proposal and asks for its approval believing that
it will be a major improvement for his neighborhood.
Carol LaMarre, 204 Charter Oaks Circle, member of the General Plan Committee is looking for
small town ambiance. She spoke of a tunnel effect caused by the project and the impact of
additional traffic impacting Charter Oaks’ ability to exit onto Lark.
Helga Ruby, 18400 Overlook Road, #9, spoke of the Town’s great need to supply rental housing
for its teachers, nurses, police officers and firefighters. She believes that the traffic issue in this
location is exaggerated.
Bob Hines, 792 Meridian Way, Suite A, San Jose, representing Tri-County Apartment
Association, is in favor of the proposal and its mixed use capabilities. He spoke of the desperate
need for rental units and below market rate units. He also noted the quality of the proposal.
John Machado, 16411 Matilija Drive, favors the additions to the residential base and the
doubling of BMP units in Los Gatos. He favored the location and the ability of residents to access
transportation corridors.
Scott Kuschel, 65 Whitney Ave., in favor of the proposal and the benefits to the community.
Jonathan Carter, 216 Bacigalupi Drive, spoke of the mixed use design and campus like working
environment. Noted that this project will encourage the light rail to be brought into Los Gatos.
Linda Lubeck, 120 Carlton Avenue #54, spoke of the historic aspects of the General Plan noting
that past Councils had pushed incredibly hard to plan for Route 85 to include mass transit
provisions in the median. She noted that if Council didn’t plan aggressively for this transportation
corridor and provide for its use, it probably won’t happen in Los Gatos. She believes that this
proposal does adhere to the General Plan.
Jon Anderson, 18951 Bear Creek Road, spoke of intense traffic being caused by the A to Z
nursery but the benchmark Sobrato project addresses traffic issues and can offer mitigation plans.
David Andris, 1690 Dell Avenue, representing South Bay Development, favors this proposal as
the Northern Gateway to Los Gatos. He is in support of this project redefining this section of the
Town into its own neighborhood and being the catalyst to bringing the light rail to Los Gatos.
Joanne Talefore, 52 Hernandez Avenue, asked that the process for approval go more carefully
and slowly to ensure a quality project that fulfills all criteria.
Jim Pierson, 3331 N. First Street, Director of Planning and Development for the Valley
Transportation Authority, spoke of the VTA requirements and statistics and noted that the
proposed project will help in making the decision to bring in the Vasona light rail.
Janet Stone, representing Greenbelt Alliance which is dedicated to preserving open space and
fostering more livable communities. The Alliance supports this outstanding project supporting
many community benefits. It provides a thoughtful and well designed site plan, provides 25%
affordable housing and improvements to the community. It is a pedestrian and transit orientated
development and provides improvements for the Los Gatos trail.
HEARINGS CONTINUED
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WINCHESTER BOULEVARD 14300-14350/ZONE CHANGE/HEARING (17.15)
Speakers continued:
Woody Nedom, 16280 Azalea Way, spoke of the General Plan Committee not working on the
Route 85 Corridor as a mission and wish that had been an assignment. He believes they did deal
with character and vision of the Town and that this proposal does not fit that view. He believes
the proposal is in violation of that vision as the traffic studies do not address the accumulative
effect of the additional traffic, which will be significant.
Joseph Gemignani, San Jose Redevelopment Agency’s Finance Manager, favors the project and
the 25% low income housing that will be included. He is amazed that this developer is able to
give that much to affordable housing since other developers in the Valley are barely able to give
1% or maybe up to 12%. To be able to receive 25% is a great benefit to Los Gatos.
No one else in the audience came forward to speak.
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Glickman, to close the public hearing. Carried
unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Pirzynski, seconded by Mr. Glickman, to certify the EIR. Carried unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Pirzynski, seconded by Mr. Glickman, to adopt the Mitigation Monitoring Plan.
Carried unanimously.
Motion by Mrs. Decker, (dies for lack of a second) to return this proposal to the Planning
Commission. This is the largest project to impact the Town of Los Gatos and we have an
incredible opportunity here. What I am looking for is for this audience to understand the
commitment that Los Gatos has to transit and to affordable housing, and to good design. There is
time to take a look at this project and I would like the Planning Commission to have an
opportunity to have this developer do what they asked, In this case each thing that the Planning
Commission asked of the developer was not granted but modified. I think its important that that
be reviewed in the context that the developer was asked to add more housing units, he added 22
more market rate units and only 7 affordable units, after meeting the requirement, the requirement
was 27. So there’s a lot to talk about, about the mix of opportunity here, yes we’ve got housing
units but we’ve got them behind R&D building. We don’t do this in Los Gatos, we can make this
work, we can make this liveable, we and make some open space available. There’s a lot of design
elements that I believe as a community need to be re-reviewed. I hope it’s Sobrato I think they do
a good job. I’ve looked at a lot of their developments. but it’s a job we can do in Los Gatos. So
my real concern here tonight is that we take 740 linear feet along Winchester and we make sure it
fits into this community. That’s two and a half football fields folks. That’s a very large impact.
I’m not asking for you to go away, Sobrato, I see by your logo that you are a community partner,
let’s make this work. We’ve got a chance to partner. Let’s partner with VTA, let’s partner with
Mr. Sobrato and let’s make it our project. So that’s a few of our concerns. I don’t see any reason
to exacerbate or mitigate. So let’s take a look at this again and give it some time. So my motion
is that we stop for 20 seconds and give this application a chance to breath and to really take a look
at how we can make it live in a community like ours. Don’t go away, just make it work here.
Dies for lack of a second.
HEARINGS CONTINUED
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WINCHESTER BOULEVARD 14300-14350/ZONE CHANGE/HEARING (17.15)
Motion by Mr. Glickman, seconded by Mr. Blanton, to approve the project and make the
required findings as indicated in Attachment 1 of the staff report.
Council comments:
Mr. Blanton How struck I was tonight that both sides claimed the mantle of the General Plan,
both sides claimed the mantle to be speaking for the public good, both sides were represented by
individuals from this community, both sides had individuals from this community and outside of
this community. Both sides had members of the General Plan Committee, and to me that speaks
of diversity of opinion on a project such as this. I think it is good and healthy to have vigorous
debate but it just points to the fact that reasonable people can look at things and have a different
interpretation of where that outcome ought to be. There have been a lot of excellent points made
and a lot of discussion. In the end I come down on the side that this is very much in conformance
with the General Plan. I look to the recommendation from the General Plan Committee itself
made on that point. and certainly to my involvement in the history of this area it is very much in
conformance, not only with the General Plan but our other governing documents as well.
Someone asked the question,”Will you be proud of this project?” Can you take them to this
project and say, “ I approved that.” My answer to that is an emphatic yes. I think that this project
is a winner for Los Gatos and in a short period of time it is going to become a landmark in the
area. It is exactly the sort of thing we ought to encourage. There are concerns about the housing
and whether it is appropriate or not. To me this is innovative and important. Others in the
audience said that if they were to work there they would like to live there. You reduce commutes
to zero that way. You have people walk to work that way. I think that is an important aspect and
maybe its not quantifiable at this point but certainly provides the incentive. I do think the
architecture is superior and has community benefits that are numerous and far reaching. For all of
those reasons I’m proud to support the project.
Mr. Glickman In my comments I will also touch on the findings that the motion I made requires
to make. Starting with the finding: That the proposed General Plan Amendment and Zone
Change are internally consistent with the General Plan and its Elements . Having read both and
having looked at all of the massive amounts of information that we got relating to the projects, I
concur with those people who spoke to us tonight and found that in fact it is consistent with our
General Plan. We are required to find: That the benefits of the project outweigh the impact in
order to approve the project. Speaking of traffic. I think if we are truly committed to a project
like this then no matter where we put it there is going to be some traffic impact. If we say that’s a
reason not to do it then we are just not going to do projects like this, and that will be our position.
I believe that the benefits in terms of enhanced light rail, of doing what we are required to do to
address some of the housing issues in the valley, to provide more jobs, to provide local jobs and in
particular to work along the direction of including ourselves in the County wide transit plan.
Certainly those benefits outweigh some traffic which might be added. I suspect that a lot of it will
end up on Lark Avenue as it accesses the 17/85 interchange, but if we were to do this anywhere
else the impact would be worse, at least it is very close to the entrances to our local highways and
arterials. We need to find: That it contributes to the surrounding neighborhood, and I believe that
it will. To eliminate a blighted area. I walked the area on Saturday with Mr. Shank, and a friend
from Mountain View that is deeply involved with housing and that is a blighted area and this
project will improve it. It is designed to be in context with the neighborhood and surrounding
zoning. I believe that is also the case. It’s a mixed industrial residential area. If we were
proposing this in the middle of downtown I think we would find differently, but I think if we are
going to do it this is the certainly the best place in town to do it. It
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HEARINGS CONTINUED
WINCHESTER BOULEVARD 14300-14350/ZONE CHANGE/HEARING (17.15)
Mr. Glikman cont.
demonstrates excellence in design. If we approve this the obvious doesn’t need to be stated. The
charge to Sobrato is that this project will set the example. Other communities will wrestle with
exactly the same question we wrestled with tonight, they’re going to hear the same issues raised
and if this is not well done it will be used as an example of why it should not be done elsewhere,
and if it is well done it will be used by those that support this kind of project. See your worries
are not entirely valid because look what they did in Los Gatos. That the project demonstrates
strong community benefit. I think that is clearly obvious. At least it is obvious to me, not just
because they are going to give us money to spruce up the trail, and not just because they are going
to landscape it well, but because it helps us meet our commitment to the housing problem in the
valley, and that’s the issue, if nothing else, that brings my support to the project. When local
control of our land use was threatened we stood up and told the County Housing Task Force and
the Board of Supervisors and the State Assembly Housing Committee that municipalities like Los
Gatos should not loose their local control because we were committed to meet our local
responsibility to provide our fair share of housing in general and affordable housing in particular,
and we made the same commitment to VTA and quite frankly to speak bluntly, “Now is the time
to put up or shut up.” This project meets everything we said we wanted, it’s appropriate for
transit oriented development, it’s adjacent to our major arterials, among the multiple school
districts in town it is in the one that can afford to absorb the students as opposed to others that are
overcrowded. The people who work there will patronize our local businesses. If we support this
policy then our message on where we stand on housing and our regional responsibility is made
loud and clear, and if we delay or minimize or don’t, we will also send a message that’s loud and
clear. The message I want to send is that this is the sort of thing that we stand behind and if we
wish to do it this is the best way I have seen to go about it.
Mr. Pirzynski I’ll make some comments to some of the things that were presented to us by the
public tonight. I think that it is very important that we look at our General Plan as a living and
whole document, and not just words on paper that are seen in isolation from the entire document.
I read the General Plan Committee reports when frequently Task Force One and Two reported
their progress to the General Plan Committee. I absolutely agree with the assumption of
responsibility of the General Plan Task Force on the work they engaged in. There were also
checks and balances demanded from the General Plan Task Force to the General Plan Committee
ultimately to the Planning Commission and then on to Council. And we approved the New
General Plan in 2000 as a community document expressing our desires as this small town. As
you read the document it is clear that we want to maintain our character but as I read the
document most recently I noticed innumerable times in which that small town character could not
be characterized by an image, but it was defined as character that was expressed in a multitude of
varying responses, including the issues of affordability and housing, of not becoming a
homogeneous community isolated in the upper reaches of the socio-economic ladder, open to our
region as a place in which people can come to enjoy themselves, and definitely focused on full
service. Those were snippets of language that I saw throughout the General Plan. And with due
respect to all those who used the term small town and have a particular image, I think that image
if you look at our town is a very heterogeneous image. It has a multiplicity of applications, and
our task as Council is to prevent this community from becoming in a great measure a single
source, or a single use, or a single vision. We want to maintain our neighborhoods, we want to
maintain our downtown business district, we want to maintain our
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WINCHESTER BOULEVARD 14300-14350/ZONE CHANGE/HEARING (17.15)
Mr. Pirzynski cont.
outlying districts, but each has its own character. I spent a great deal of time walking the site last
weekend looking at it from various angles, looking at it from across the freeway, from the
business park south of 85, driving Knowles to the very end to see why I viewed a massive wall
that fronts the Creek. We have not done what is needed to be done to make this an attractive
business park. Looking from the creek side site to the east into the Water District property, I’m
ashamed at what we’ve allowed the Water District to do, which is in effect to continue to maintain
a blighted infrastructure that is very apparent to people who are on the creek trail. My thought is
that we as a Council need to move forward to improve the riparian habitat, and improve the creek
environment. We have much to do in that regard. I would also like to comment on traffic as it’s
being projected. I heard several times tonight comments from people who are going to be
immediately affected. The Winchester Boulevard issue has been raised, and I think it’s a very
interesting idea, that we need to look at perhaps taking monies that are made available for a
gateway symbol and look to our arterial study that would actually be a greater benefit to our
community. If this project is the quality project that is being proposed then in and of itself it
would become a gateway. The other issue is the Charter Oaks folks. The area at Charter Oaks,
University and Lark is an impacted area. I would request that our traffic engineer take a look at
that intersection. He also spoke of the Vasona Station proposal, the shuttle service to the
Campbell light rail connection, and the possibilities of shuttle service being town wide to connect
to the light rail. This would only be possible if the light rail comes to Los Gatos and it would be
counter-productive to loose this opportunity by denying this proposal at this point We need to
support of the affordable housing opportunities and review plans in regards to mixed use
elements. There is potential for great value to the town with the implementation of this proposal.
Mr. Attaway Reviewed the history of the Route 85 corridor and the possibilities of light rail
coming to Vasona. Between 1984 and 1994 the Town was very involved in the planning of the 85
corridor and with the good work of Los Gatos doing their work and holding their ground that
overpass would be 35 feet higher than what it is today. You should be very proud of the Council
at that time for doing its work. In 1992 Council took a proactive role in looking at transportation
issues and housing issues to find a location that would interact with the proposed light rail project.
The General Plan was designed to shape the future of this area and the prior Councils
accomplished their goal. He spoke of himself and Mr. Blanton going through all the hearings that
established these policies and set these goals for the future. The people’s voice at that time
supported these directions. In 1996 the Council established a General Plan Task force to assist the
General Plan update process and decided not to have the Task Force study the North 40 Plan and
the Los Gatos Boulevard Plan or Route 85 or Vasona Light Rail elements because these elements
had just recently been studied and decided over a two-year process. In 2000 Council approved
the General Plan with many significant changes but there were only minor changes to the Route
85-Vasona Light Rail Element. The decisions that were made concerning the 85 corridor were
made consistently over the years with a view to the future. Today I feel as if we are living up to
what the Council was committed to through those years. This is probably the only location in Los
Gatos that we could allow this to happen because it is a very unusual site. Council Member
Pirzynski will be in a position on the VTA to advocate for the interests of Los Gatos in getting the
Light Rail to this site. I think this project fits, it’s different for Los Gatos, but for where it’s at
and for what we’ve planned for it’s the only right thing to do.
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HEARINGS CONTINUED
WINCHESTER BOULEVARD 14300-14350/ZONE CHANGE/HEARING (17.15)
Mrs. Decker spoke of her support for the arrival of VTA. She would like to give the community
a little bit longer look at this enormous impact. Tonight we’re asked to approve the massive
footprint and the change in the General Plan and I have a hard time with that. If we had kept with
the General Plan as stated we would have had more residential and some community highway
commercial, where we might have been able to make some money. Office space instead of R&D
space which will not bring revenue. She spoke in full support of VTA and only asked that the
project work better with the community.
Bud Lortz, Community Development Director, spoke of having to go through Architecture and
Site for determination of the exact elevations and footprints, which will be done at public
hearings.
Motion Modification
Mr. Pirzynski requested the following wording “up to” 288,000 square feet for clarity as to the
size of the research and development part of the project.
Mr. Glickman, maker of the motion, accepted that as a friendly amendment. He also clarified his
motion. The intention of the motion is that the project is in fact consistent with the General Plan
and and therefore the GPA is unnecessary. Mr. Blanton, seconder of the motion, concurred.
Motion Carried with 4 ayes. Mrs. Decker voted no for reasons noted in the comments above.
The Deputy Town Clerk read the Title of the Proposed Ordinance.
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Glickman, to waive the reading of the Proposed
Ordinance. Carried unanimously.
Motion by Mr. Blanton, seconded by Mr. Glickman, to introduce the Proposed Ordinance
entitled, AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AMENDING THE ZONING
ORDINANCE EFFECTING A ZONE CHANGE FROM CM TO CM:PD AT 14300-14350
WINCHESTER BOULEVARD. Carried unanimously.
WINCHESTER BLVD. 14300-14350/SOBRATO/PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (09.15)
Ray Davis, resident, questioned wording in the report which addressed approval by Planning
Commission which should have read “no action taken.” He inquired about the referendum
process.
Motion by Mr. Pirzynski, seconded by Mr. Glickman, that Council accept report in the form of
Planning Commission Minutes regarding a Planned Development at 14300-14350 Winchester
Boulevard. Carried unanimously.
COUNCIL MATTERS (18.28)
Mr. Blanton noted that he had been elected to serve as the Chair of the Legislative Task Force of
the Santa Clara County Cities Association. He spoke of the Association’s request for support in
opposition to AB680 from the various cities in the Association. This legislation would co-mingle
city sales tax and redistribute according to a determined formula. He asked Council to consider
attending a legislative trip to Sacramento at beginning of April to lobby against the bill. Mr.
Pirzynski recalled that last years’s legislative trip was well worth the effort of attending.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Attaway closed this evening’s meeting a 10:33 p.m.
ATTEST:
MarLyn J. Rasmussen, Senior Deputy Town Clerk
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