Item 1 - Draft Minutes of October 14, 2020
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
MEETING DATE: 10/28/2020
ITEM NO: 1
DRAFT
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
OCTOBER 14, 2020
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on
Wednesday, October 14, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.
This meeting was conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent with
State of California Executive Order N-29-20 dated March 17, 2020, regarding the COVID19
pandemic and was conducted via Zoom. All planning commissioners and staff participated
from remote locations and all voting was conducted via roll call vote.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Melanie Hanssen, Vice Chair Kathryn Janoff, Commissioner Mary Badame,
Commissioner Jeffrey Barnett, Commissioner Kendra Burch, Commissioner Matthew Hudes,
and Commissioner Reza Tavana
Absent: None.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approval of Minutes – September 23, 2020 Planning Commission Meeting
2. Approval of Minutes – September 28, 2020 Special Planning Commission Meeting
Commissioner Barnett requested the draft minutes of September 23, 2020 and September 28,
2020 be pulled from the Consent Calendar.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. 205 Lester Lane
Tree Removal Permit T-20-074
APN 424-17-015
Property Owner/Applicant/Appellant: Cynthia Jaen
Project Planner: Ryan Safty
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Consider an Appeal of the Replacement Tree Requirement for a Tree Removal Permit on
property zoned R-1:8.
Ryan Safty, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Cynthia Jaen/Owner, Applicant, and Appellant
- The tree was considered dead by the tree service who cut it down and per Town Code does
not require replacement. The tree was also dangerous, having dropped several limbs over
her property several times. The tree service pointed out that the tree was rotte d inside and
leaning toward the neighbor's property. Her appeal is reasonable. She has several trees on
her property, more than any of her neighbors. The Town Arborist and Commissioners who
visited did not knock on her door to see the property, so they all viewed the tree from the
street.
Cynthia Jaen/Owner, Applicant, and Appellant
- For her to put three trees where the removed tree was would cause an issues with power
lines running over her property, and there is no other space available on her property f or
those trees.
Closed Public Comment.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Badame to deny the appeal of a Replacement
Tree Requirement for a Tree Removal Permit for 205 Lester Lane.
Seconded by Commissioner Burch.
VOTE: Motion passed (6-0), Commissioner Hudes abstaining.
4. Approval of Minutes – September 23, 2020 Planning Commission Meeting
Approval of Minutes – September 28, 2020 Special Planning Commission Meeting
Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Badame to approve the minutes of September
23, 2020, and September 28, 2020. Seconded by Commissioner Tavana.
VOTE: Motion passed (5-1), Commissioner Hudes dissenting and Commissioner
Burch recused.
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DATE: OCTOBER 14, 2020
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REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Joel Paulson, Director of Community Development
• Town Council met October 6, 2020 and considered:
o Planning Commission recommendations for modifications to the BMP Program
and Lighting.
o Economic recovery efforts. Town Council provided direction to staff on items
moving forward.
• Town Council will meet October 20, 2020 to consider:
o An appeal of the Planning Commission decision for the North 40 modification.
o A second reading and approval of two items heard at the October 6, 2020
meeting, the BMP Program and Lighting.
o Recommendation from the Planning Commission on the Hillside Development
Standards and Guidelines.
• A community workshop on community culture via Zoom will be held on October 22,
2020 at 7:00 p.m.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMISSION MATTERS
Conceptual Development Advisory Committee
Commissioner Barnett
- CDAC met October 14, 2020 and considered 15299 Top of the Hill Court.
General Plan Advisory Committee
Commissioner Hanssen
- GPAC met October 1, 2020 and took a second look at Public Facilities, Services, and
Infrastructure Element.
- The next meeting GPAC meeting will be on October 15, 2020 to review the next draft of the
Environment and Sustainability Element.
- GPAC will review the Land Use Element and Community Design Element in November 2020.
Commission Matters
Commissioner Hanssen
- Commissioner Burch has agreed to chair the newly formed Subcommittee on Objective
Standards.
- She requested that documents from the Commission members for review by the Planning
Commission should be submitted in advance of public hearings and adhere to the deadline
for desk items at a minimum.
- Because of the complex issues surrounding the North 40 it would be helpful to have
training for the Commission in early 2021 about the Housing Accountability Act and
changing laws, among other topics, to give everyone the same level of understanding.
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ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
October 14, 2020 meeting as approved by the
Planning Commission.
_____________________________
/s/ Vicki Blandin