Draft Mins 03.22.17
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
MEETING DATE: 04/12/2017 ITEM NO: 1
DRAFT
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 22, 2017
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on
Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at 7:00 p.m.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Vice Chair D. Michael Kane, Commissioner Mary Badame, Commissioner Kendra Burch,
Commissioner Melanie Hanssen, Commissioner Matthew Hudes, and Commissioner Kathryn
Janoff.
Absent: Chair Tom O'Donnell
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Janoff led the Pledge of Allegiance. The audience was invited to participate.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMISSION MATTERS
Historic Preservation Committee
Commissioner Hudes
- The 3/22/17 HPC meeting considered three items:
o 125 Tate Avenue
o 16707 Shannon Avenue
o 231 University Avenue
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
Genaro Meza Roa
- The mountains are the aesthetic backdrops of daily life in Los Gatos, but the ability to enjoy
them is threatened by development proposals that would block them from view. Los Gatos
is not a town for tall buildings and should not attempt to compete with other cities for
available retail and office space. Los Gatos needs to protect the beauty of the environment.
PAGE 2 OF 7 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 22, 2017 MARCH 30, 2017
N:\DEV\MINUTES - PC\2017 GRANICUSMINS.PC\DRAFT\Draft PC ACTION MINUTES 3-22-17.docx
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approval of Minutes – March 8, 2017
2. 401 to 409 Alberto Way
Architecture and Site Application S-15-056
Conditional Use Permit Application U-15-009
Environmental Impact Report EIR-16-001
APN 529-23-018
Property Owner: CWA Realty
Applicant: Shane Arters, LP Acquisitions, LLC
Project Planner: Jennifer Armer
Requesting approval to demolish three existing office buildings and construct two new
two-story office buildings with underground parking on property zoned CH. It has been
determined that this matter may have a significant impact on the environment and an
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been prepared as required by the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Continued from 1/11/2017. The Applicant has
requested a continuance and this item is being continued to the April 12, 2017 Planning
Commission meeting.
3. 15860, 15880, and 15894 Winchester Boulevard
Architecture and Site Application S-16-023
Subdivision Application M-16-002
Negative Declaration ND-16-003
APNs 529-11-013, -038, -039, and 040
Property Owner: South Beach Partners LLC/Cumulus Capital Holdings, LLC
Applicant: Valley Oak Partners - Doug Rich
Project Planner: Jocelyn Puga
Requesting approval to demolish three existing single-family residences, remove a
secondary unit, remove large protected trees, and merge four lots for the purposes of
constructing a new two-story office building with below grade and at grade parking. No
significant environmental impacts have been identified as a result of this project and a
Mitigated Negative Declaration is recommended. Continued from 1/25/2017. The
Applicant has requested a continuance and this item is being continued to the April 26,
2017 Planning Commission meeting.
PAGE 3 OF 7 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 22, 2017 MARCH 30, 2017
N:\DEV\MINUTES - PC\2017 GRANICUSMINS.PC\DRAFT\Draft PC ACTION MINUTES 3-22-17.docx
4. 360 Bella Vista Avenue
Architecture and Site Applications S-15-053 and S-15-054
APN 529-22-038
Property Owner: John Brady
Applicant: Michael Black
Project Planner: Jocelyn Puga
Requesting approval to demolish an existing two-family residence and construct two
new single-family residences on property zoned R-1:8. Continued from 3/8/2017. The
Applicant has requested a continuance and this item is being continued to the April 12,
2017 Planning Commission meeting.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Badame to approve adoption of the Consent
Calendar. Seconded by Commissioner Burch.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously
PUBLIC HEARINGS
5. 30 Roberts Road and 6 Forrest Avenue
Architecture and Site Application S-16-070
Subdivision Application M-16-009
APN 529-10-003
Property Owner: Tannka, LLC
Applicant: Gary King
Project Planner: Levi Hill
Requesting approval to demolish one multi-family dwelling with three units and one
single-family dwelling, construct one multi-family dwelling with four units, and merge
two lots into one lot on property zoned R-M:5-12.
Levi Hill, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Tom Sloan
- He is the project architect. Their design is a new prototype for residential projects that
would induce clients away from building in the hillsides; features include upper end living in
the center of town, with ease of walking and biking; expansive homes on compact lots;
units are 100% accessible, allowing aging in place; and use of green technologies,
construction methods, and products. Roberts Road is unique and eclectic neighborhood
PAGE 4 OF 7 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 22, 2017 MARCH 30, 2017
N:\DEV\MINUTES - PC\2017 GRANICUSMINS.PC\DRAFT\Draft PC ACTION MINUTES 3-22-17.docx
with six different zoning districts. The three-story building reads as two stories, because
they set the top story back 25 feet from the lower face of the building. Cars would be out of
view, and the sidewalk would be extended to promote a friendlier neighborhood.
Steve Glenn
- He is the owner of LivingHomes. They are known for sustainable work and have done 24
LEED Platinum homes. They plan to prefabricate the building, cutting construction time in
half, with far less neighborhood disruption and a dramatic reduction of waste.
Art Vorilioms
- He lives next door to the proposed project, which would be gigantic in this neighborhood of
single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums representing the small town
character of Los Gatos. The project also does not fit within the Los Gatos 2020 General
Plan; although it complies with the letter of the General Plan, it fails to comply with the
spirit of his unique Los Gatos neighborhood.
Terry Duryea
- He lives up the street from the proposed project. He agrees with Mr. Vorilioms that the
project would be massive at 12,000 square feet, and would also be the only three-story
building in the neighborhood. The owner and her brother would occupy two of the four
units, so there are only two units available to induce people to not build in the hillsides.
The project also does not meet the Town’s parking requirements.
Park Miller
- He has practiced as an architect in the Los Gatos area for 30 years. The applicants had
neighborhood outreach, but they were blind to the neighbors’ input. The height and
translucent wall material could generate a lantern effect into the neighbor’s yards. He liked
the design, but it is not scaled properly for the context of the neighborhood.
Reshma Rae
- The project would invade her backyard privacy. She agrees with the previous speakers’
comments.
Alicia Barela
- Her property is located diagonally from the proposed development. She doesn’t care for
the boxy, pre-fab nature of the design, and she was struck by the height of the project,
which is out of keeping with the neighborhood. Her kitchen view is now trees, but will be
the building with no trees if the project is built. She doesn’t believe a person looking for a
3,000 square foot home would choose one so compacted with other units.
PAGE 5 OF 7 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 22, 2017 MARCH 30, 2017
N:\DEV\MINUTES - PC\2017 GRANICUSMINS.PC\DRAFT\Draft PC ACTION MINUTES 3-22-17.docx
Genaro Meza Roa
- He lives two blocks from the proposed project. The design is hideous and extremely
angular. The removal of large trees is a detriment to the air quality. One of the structures
to be demolished was only recently built, and for it to be demolished to build another
structure is absurd. The older building to be demolished was built in 1949 and is deserving
of preservation, because it provides a touch of nostalgia and aesthetic beauty to the area.
Paul Vieth
- He lives four doors down from the proposed project. He is disappointed in the process that
allowed this project, which is so obviously out of character with the neighborhood, to get
to this point. The developer is trying to squeeze as much as possible onto the property.
People in the area have equity built on privacy and a neighborhood feel; if this project
moves forward, hundreds of thousands of dollars in equity would be taken from any
resident within a block.
Ted Floor
- He lives directly across from the proposed project. He supports the project going in, but he
is concerned about the height. He cited four townhouses built recently on Hubbell Road as
an example of a well-done project that matches the neighborhood.
Kevin Falini
- He lives diagonally across the street from the proposed project. He supports the project
and does not share the neighbors’ objections to height, style, and lack of neighborhood
character, saying there is no clear architectural style or theme in the surrounding
neighborhood. The development would provide quality housing stock to pull the
neighborhood forward.
Anne Lamborn
- The architecture of the project is massive and blocky, but she has seen houses of this style
merge in with their neighborhoods. She liked the idea of the elevators. The neighborhood
is an ideal place to live, with extraordinary amenities and excellent access to the Los Gatos
Creek Trail.
Lee Quintana
- She is not opposed to the type of design, but the building is out of scale for the
neighborhood. She noted the covered balconies, which add to the apparent mass of the
building. If the town stops allowing any evolution of style, they will live in the past forever.
Sites that are zoned for multi-family or higher density are intended that they be smaller in
size so the units fit the neighborhood better.
PAGE 6 OF 7 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 22, 2017 MARCH 30, 2017
N:\DEV\MINUTES - PC\2017 GRANICUSMINS.PC\DRAFT\Draft PC ACTION MINUTES 3-22-17.docx
Grant Barnes
- He lives across the street from the proposed project. Not every house in town needs to
look like a Craftsman style, and while this building’s architecture is forward, it is unique
from anything else in town, which may be a good reason to build it, because it is important
to allow the creativity of architectural diversity in the town. The structure doesn’t seem too
large to him. He is impressed by the design and green aspects, which the town should
embrace and use as a showcase for standards for future buildings.
Steve Glenn
- The third story is 40% less than the second story and recessed back from the street to
diminish it. They have designed a green wall for a neighbor. They have held neighborhood
outreach meetings, worked with the neighbors, and made many adjustments to the plans
to provide privacy. They have eliminated the east elevation balcony and raised the window
off the ground so as to not project private spaces out to the neighbors. The neighborhood
is quite eclectic, with massive three-story apartment buildings down to cottages.
Closed Public Comment.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Badame to continue the public hearing for 30
Roberts Road to a date certain, subject to Planning Commission direction.
Seconded by Vice Chair Kane.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Opened Public Comment
Closed Public Comment
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Burch to make the date certain for the next
public hearing May 24, 2017. Seconded by Vice Chair Kane.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PAGE 7 OF 7 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 22, 2017 MARCH 30, 2017
N:\DEV\MINUTES - PC\2017 GRANICUSMINS.PC\DRAFT\Draft PC ACTION MINUTES 3-22-17.docx
OTHER BUSINESS
6. Report from the Director of Community Development
Joel Paulson, Director of Community Development
• Town Council met 3/21/17; adopted a policy regarding ancillary office use and parking in
the LM zone; began consideration of the 15215 Shannon Road planned development
and continued the hearing to April 4, 2017.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:01 p.m.
TOWN OF LOS GATOS PLANNING COMMISSION
MARCH 22, 2017
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________
Joel Paulson
Community Development Director
Prepared by
_____________________________
/s/ Vicki Blandin