Draft Mins 03.28.18
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
MEETING DATE: 04/11/2018 ITEM NO: 1
DRAFT
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 28, 2018
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on
Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at 7:00 p.m.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair D. Michael Kane, Vice Chair Matthew Hudes, Commissioner Mary Badame,
Commissioner Kendra Burch, Commissioner Melanie Hanssen, and Commissioner Tom
O’Donnell
Absent: Commissioner Kathryn Janoff
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Hanssen led the Pledge of Allegiance. The audience was invited to participate.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Historic Preservation Committee
Vice Chair Hudes
- Historic Preservation Committee met 3/28/18 and considered six items:
o 202 University Avenue
o 223 Massol Avenue
o 15 Loma Alta Avenue
o 25 West Main Street
o 16998 Kennedy Road
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approval of Minutes – March 14, 2018
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MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Badame to approve adoption of the Consent
Calendar. Seconded by Commissioner O’Donnell.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. 21 College Avenue
Conditional Use Permit Application U-18-004
APN 529-29-052
Property Owner: Shari Flick
Applicant: Nicholas Difu
Project Planner: Sean Mullin
Requesting approval for a restaurant with alcohol service (Nick’s Raw Bar) on property
zoned C-2:LHP.
Sean Mullin, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Nick Difu
- Nick’s Next Door has been a success since it opened five years ago, but he believes he can
do so much more with this larger space, which would be adjacent to his current restaurant,
making it easier for him to control both spots. Nick’s Raw Bar would be a full liquor raw bar.
There would be only a little construction inside with bathrooms, piping, water, et cetera, to
meet codes. Having a second restaurant in Town is about serving the town he pretty much
grew up in.
Caryl Pozos
- She is a member of EMQ Auxiliary that runs the Butter Paddle. Nick Difu runs a first class
operation, and hosts two charitable events for them each year at his expense. He is a great
role model.
Rod Teague
- He supports the application. He has frequented Mr. Difu’s restaurants for many years. After
losing an institution like CB Hannegan’s the Town has to expand to keep its economic
vitality going. The proposed restaurant would bring in more sales tax than the previous
business, and Nick’s food is some of the best in Town, if not the best.
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Scott Canali
- He lives across the street from Nick’s current restaurant and agrees that Mr. Difu is a
relationship builder, that the proposed restaurant would be very appropriate for the
downtown Los Gatos environment, and he cannot imagine a better tenant. He strongly
urged the Commission to support the application, and said it is a model of what the Town
should do more of.
Taylor Lowery
- He also lives across the street from the subject property and Mr. Difu’s current restaurant.
Nick has always been attentive and sensitive to his neighbors, and he cannot recall any
instances of egregious noise. He said it is exciting to think of something new on the site
that is a product of Mr. Difu, who has been a great neighbor.
Nick Difu
- He thanked his friends and neighbors for their support. He said he would do his best to
make the location better and serve the locals and visitors. Customers always come first in
his book, and that is why they are successful, and why the new restaurant would also be
successful.
Closed Public Comment.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Badame to forward a recommendation to
Town Council of approval of a Conditional Use Permit for 21 College
Avenue, with the additional condition of approval that signage be
installed with respect to keeping the noise down. Seconded by
Commissioner Burch.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
3. Town Code Amendment A-17-006 and General Plan Amendment GP-17-003
Applicant: Town of Los Gatos
Project Planners: Jennifer Armer and Ryan Safty
Consider amendments to Chapter 29 (Zoning Regulations) of the Town Code, the
General Plan, and other policy documents regarding Planned Development Ordinances
and the Conditional Use Permit Table.
Jennifer Armer, Senior Planner, presented the staff report.
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Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Chair Kane to forward the draft PD Ordinance, modifications
to the Conditional Use Table, and General Plan Amendments to the Town
Council with a recommendation for adoption, including comments from
the Planning Commission. Seconded by Commissioner Badame.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
COMMISSION MATTERS
Chair Kane:
- Inquired about “streamlining” under Senate Bill 35.
- Inquired regarding status of the project at 248 Jared Lane.
Vice Chair Hudes:
- Thanked staff for excellent work on the Planned Development and Conditional Use Permit.
OTHER BUSINESS
4. Report from the Director of Community Development
Joel Paulson, Director of Community Development
• Town Council met 3/20/18; discussed the Alberto Way project and continued it to the
next meeting; discussed decoupling of seats and parking, which will go to a second
reading at the next meeting; and at the next meeting that will also consider the Policy
Committee’s recommendation to rescind the Alcoholic Beverage Policy.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
March 28, 2018 meeting as approved by the
Planning Commission.
_____________________________
/s/ Vicki Blandin