M 04-29-02-Study-AutoDealerships and Los Gatos LodgeTOWN OF LOS GATOS
TOWN COUNCIL
SPECIAL STUDY SESSION
Los Gatos Auto Dealerships/Los Gatos Lodge
April 29, 2002
TOWN COUNCIL
The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos met in the El Gatos Room of the Los Gatos Lodge, 50
Los Gatos/Saratoga Road, Los Gatos, California at 4:30 p.m., Monday, April 29, 2002, in special
study session.
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Present:Steven Blanton, Sandy Decker, Steve Glickman,
Joe Pirzynski, and Mayor Randy Attaway.
STAFF PRESENT
Debra Figone, Town Manager; Bud Lortz, Director of Community Development; Police Chief Larry
Todd; Marty Woodworth, Redevelopment Manager; Kevin Rohani,Town Engineer; Orry Korb,
Town Attorney.
OTHERS PRESENT
Ray Davis, Jim Derryberry, Dennis Lowery, Don Kim, Mel Cels, Gloria Wang, Ron Nelson, Al and
Marilyn Friesen, Steve Swanson, Bruce Swanson, Ron Battistella, George Jensen, Bob Gross, Paul
Cimoi, Don McKim, Bill Hirschman,Grant Bishop, Mary Kay Oliphant. Joe Hood, Nancy Bowen,
Greg Stowers
VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Ray Davis spoke in the public interest regarding the Los Gatos Lodge.
ITEM 1: DISCUSSION OF ISSUES AND CONCERNS REGARDING LOS GATOS AUTO
DEALERSHIP
Randy Attaway, Town Mayor, stated that it has been many years since the last time that Council has
met to discuss issues regarding the Auto Dealerships and Los Gatos Lodge.
Debra Figone, Town Manager, discussed the staff report that was sent to Council. The report
discussed Marty Woodworth getting acquainted with key businesses and heard the issues from the
business perspective. The discussion gave businesses an opportunity to feel heard.
Marty Woodworth, Redevelopment Manager, discussed that in January, held individual meetings
with all 7 dealerships. The meetings were to find out what is working for the dealers and looked at
the overall situation. The common threads that came from these meetings were challenges,
opportunities and findings such as:
ར The Auto Dealerships bring a lot to the Town, and residents like to have their car serviced in the
Town. The community enjoys not having to go to San Jose for services.
ར The Auto Dealerships generate revenue (approximately $2 million annually) used for the General
Fund.
ར The competition, such as Capital Expressway and the Stevens Creek Auto Row, have a higher
volume which makes it more difficult to compete.
N:\CLK\Council Minutes\2002\M042902-AutoDealerships.wpd
1
Town Council Minutes April 29, 2002
Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California
ITEM 1: DISCUSSION OF ISSUES AND CONCERNS REGARDING LOS GATOS AUTO
DEALERSHIP CONT.
∗Facilities in Los Gatos are outdated and not up to the 21st century. The need is for more modern and
bigger facilities.
ར Space is limited on the dealership sites to accommodate inventory. Customers do not want to have
to wait 1-2 weeks for a car.
ར Los Gatos is a good niche market for higher-end vehicles.
ར If there was more land, dealerships would be able to bring in additional brands of vehicles, but
finding a location is challenging.
Randy Attaway, stated it was good to hear everything, including the comments for the future and
will continue to hear any complaints or comments.
George Jensen, Los Gatos Auto Mall, stated Auto Dealerships were scared to ask Council for
anything and that the process is difficult.
Randy Attaway, discussed practices in the past are not always the same situation.
Ron Bastistella, Los Gatos Auto Mall, discussed the difficulty in making improvements to the
Dealerships was difficult and resulted without change.
Randy Attaway, discussed the importance of the community and residents while still trying to
accommodate the Dealerships.
John Moore, Moore GMC, discussed an example of the building process and its restrictions on
Dealerships.
Randy Attaway, stated things such as fire sprinklers are not under the Council’s control. However,
the permit process that includes approval of overhangs, and awnings are items that will be discussed
with staff.
Bud Lortz, Director of Community Development, discussed different Town Codes and how it
pertains to the Dealerships.
Bruce Swanson, Swanson Ford, stated more examples of the Town’s process and how it was
difficult to get anywhere in the process without becoming frustrated.
Randy Attaway, confirmed the main topics that were being presented in the meeting are auto
storage, zoning, and review the building process.
Public Speaker , discussed advertisement along Highway 85 would be helpful for the Dealerships.
Randy Attaway, stated that it is out of Los Gatos jurisdiction and that CalTrans owned the property.
Steve Blanton, discussed the building and fire code problems along with the CUP and approval
process.
Randy Attaway, continued to thank participants for their suggestions and feedback. The
information gathered is helpful in directing staff.
Bud Lortz, discussed the General Plan and that auto storage issues will be scheduled for Council in
June.
Ron Batistella, Los Gatos Auto Mall, discussed the Planning Commission process and the concerns
with the agenda.
Steve Glickman, discussed the perception of the process from the Auto Dealership viewpoint.
Joe Hood, Anderson Chevrolet, discussed Town’s policies on auto storage and zoning limitations
and explained the reasons Auto Dealers would leave the Town.
Bud Lortz, discussed the auto storage problem and the policies that are being reviewed for update.
ITEM 1: DISCUSSION OF ISSUES AND CONCERNS REGARDING LOS GATOS AUTO
DEALERSHIP CONT.
N:\CLK\Council Minutes\2002\M042902-AutoDealerships.wpd
2
Town Council Minutes April 29, 2002
Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California
Sandy Decker, stated the feedback is very helpful and will continue to hear suggestions from
businesses.
John Moore, Moore Buick, discussed revenues that are generated could be increased if apartments
were on the lot vs. cars.
Joe Pirzynski, discussed suggestions such as Planning Commission meetings dedicated to
Commercial and Planning Commission meetings dedicated to Residential.
John Moore, Moore Buick, discussed the need to bridge the gap between the factory and the Town
of Los Gatos.
Joe Pirzynski, discussed the characteristics of Los Gatos and the need to continually work with the
Auto Dealers.
Randy Attaway, discussed the process, and that staff cannot change policy. The policies that need
to be revised or changed go to Council for approval. Also, a subcommittee was discussed that
would involve Council working with dealerships and staff.
Steve Blanton, discussed the need to distinguish between a regular parking lot and auto storage.
Sandy Decker, suggested that Auto Dealers work with Bud Lortz on the storage problem.
John Moore, Moore GMC, discussed the storage problem for Auto Dealers and how more efficient
storage would benefit the customer.
Joe Pirzynski, discussed the standards of parking lots and recommended Planning Commission and
Town Council reconsider the review of the building permit process, special events and zoning
issues.
Randy Attaway, discussed that the Council is receptive to reviewing the building permit process,
special events, and zoning issues, but would need further education on these items.
John Moore, Moore GMC, discussed that 12 years ago, the North Forty Committee discussed the
potential of an Auto Mall.
Randy Attaway, stated that the community was not behind it.
John Moore, discussed and asked questions regarding the North Forty property.
Bud Lortz, stated North Forty discussions will happen in the near future.
Public speaker, suggested that the Town assist the dealers with advertising.
Steve Blanton, discussed the disclaimer on the Town advertising for the Auto Dealers.
Steve Glickman, discussed the appropriate spending of Town money and that the Town provide
staff support.
Sandy Decker, discussed the relation between the Town and Auto Dealers needs to be a package,
and would encourage ways to work with staff to explore options in making the process more
efficient.
Randy Attaway, discussed that there is money in the budget to support staff assistance.
Marty Woodworth, recommended more ideas for staff.
Steve Glickman, discussed how the neighborhoods might be impacted by the Auto Dealers and the
problems neighbors might have with changes. The Auto Dealers and neighbors are both important
in making any decisions.
Randy Attaway, stated the effectiveness of everyone taking this problem serious.
Ray Davis, spoke in the public interest.
ITEM 1: DISCUSSION OF ISSUES AND CONCERNS REGARDING LOS GATOS AUTO
DEALERSHIP CONT.
Bill Hirschman, spoke in the public interest in support of the Auto Dealers and discussed the
N:\CLK\Council Minutes\2002\M042902-AutoDealerships.wpd
3
Town Council Minutes April 29, 2002
Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California
problems the Auto Dealers have with the building permit process.
Mr. Derryberry, spoke in the public interest and applauded the efforts being made by Council and
staff.
Randy Attaway, stated the first part of the meeting is over.
ITEM 2: DISCUSSION OF RESOLUTION 1990-135 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT
GUIDELINES FOR THE LOS GATOS LODGE PROPERTY
Start Time: 6:05 p.m.
Randy Attaway, stated that the session was in order.
Bud Lortz, discussed the 12 year old resolution that was passed in 1990.
Randy Attaway, discussed the resolution.
Bud Lortz, discussed that there is no application pending.
Randy Attaway, discussed (a. Up to 300 rooms) of the resolution
Joe Pirzynski, discussed that more education would need to be provided for the Town to approve
300 rooms.
Steve Blanton, discussed concerns about additional rooms but would consider it.
Sandy Decker, concurred with Steve Blanton. Discussed the concerns with the property and
discussed that the design is important and it has to fit with the community.
Steve Glickman, discussed what would be acceptable.
Randy Attaway, discussed how up to 300 rooms would affect the public and Caltrans.
Joe Pirzynski, discussed that further information would need to be provided regarding significant
impact of traffic.
Sandy Decker, discussed the impacts of the Los Gatos Hotel and that there may be possible ways to
minimize the traffic.
Randy Attaway, discussed that the number of rooms was not decided. The next section in the
resolution is (b. conference facility containing approximately 10,000 square feet).
Joe Pirzynski, discussed the elements that a conference facility might bring to the community.
Steve Blanton, concurred with Joe Pirzynski.
Steve Glickman, concurred with Joe Pirzynski except that 10,000 square feet may not be
appropriate for the lodge.
Randy Attaway, discussed that 10,000 square feet is not decided but a conference facility is
acceptable. The next section of the resolution is (c. Up to three stories tall)
Steve Glickman, discussed the necessity for three (3) stories to accommodate the 300 rooms.
Randy Attaway, discussed the hillside and the placement of the units.
Steve Glickman, discussed that further information would need to be provided for three (3) stories.
Steve Blanton, discussed that design of the three (3) stories is essential.
Joe Pirzynski, discussed the importance of open space in the community and the neighborhoods
surrounding the property.
Randy Attaway, discussed the concerns and design of the three (3) stories and that the three stories
was not decided. The next part of the resolution (d. an underground parking facility) and Sale of
units.
ITEM 2: DISCUSSION OF RESOLUTION 1990-135 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT
GUIDELINES FOR THE LOS GATOS LODGE PROPERTY CONT.
Steve Blanton, stated the subject was previously discussed 12 years ago and there was an obstacle
collecting Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT).
N:\CLK\Council Minutes\2002\M042902-AutoDealerships.wpd
4
Town Council Minutes April 29, 2002
Redevelopment Agency Los Gatos, California
Steve Glickman, stated he was not enthusiastic about the idea.
Sandy Decker, concurred with Steve Glickman .
Joe Pirzynski, discussed that design would probably drive the project.
Randy Attaway, discussed that further education would have to be provided and how it has worked
for other communities. Overall, the Lodge would have to provide education on the a., b., c., d. of
the resolution for the development.
Joe Pirzynski, discussed lobby retail.
Randy Attaway, discussed how lobby retail should be inside.
Bud Lortz, discussed the possibility of a full service spa.
Steve Glickman, discussed the opportunity to upgrade to a high quality restaurant for business
meetings.
Randy Attaway, discussed the possibility of 1, or potentially 2, high-end restaurants for a banquet or
conference room.
Randy Attaway, discussed that any future development would be determined by design, traffic
impact and the public. Council is giving no solid direction, but giving clarification on the
resolution.
Public Comment:
Ray Davis, spoke in the interest of the public.
ADJOURNMENT
Randy Attaway, adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m.
ATTEST:
Bud Lortz
Community Development Director
Deputy Town Clerk
N:\CLK\Council Minutes\2002\M042902-AutoDealerships.wpd
5