Item 2 - Exhibit 06 - September 1, 2020 Development Review Committee meeting minutes110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6874
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
COMMITTEE REPORT
MINUTES OF THE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
SEPTEMBER 01, 2020
The Development Review Committee of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular
Teleconference Meeting on September 01, 2020, at 10:00 a.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 COVID-19
pandemic and was conducted via Zoom. All committee members and staff participated from
remote locations and all voting was conducted via roll call vote. In accordance with Executive
Order N-29-20, the public could only view the meeting online.
ROLL CALL
Present: Sally Zarnowitz, CDD Planning; Robert Gray, CDD Building; Mike Weisz,
PPW Engineering; and Tracy Staiger, SCCFD.
Absent: None
Staff: Joel Paulson, CDD Planning; Sean Mullin, CDD Planning; Robert Schultz, TAO; Lynne
Lampros, TAO; and Kenny Ip, SCCFD.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 10:00 AM
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
-None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1.101 Broadway
Architecture and Site Application S-20-003
Requesting approval for demolition of an existing single-family residence and
construction of a new single-family residence located in the Broadway Historic District
on property zoned R-1D:LHP. APN 510-45-041.
PROPERTY OWNER: ZKJ LLC
APPLICANT: Jay Plett
PROJECT PLANNER: Sean Mullin
Sean Mullin, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
EXHIBIT 6
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DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
Opened Public Comment
Jay Plett
He is the architect for the project, speaking on behalf of the request. The proposed
project has been designed to be consistent with Town policies and the immediate
neighborhood. The house is stepped up the hill per the guidelines. They have sensitively
designed the windows to be minimized and set back from neighboring properties.
Karen Kurtz
She is the adjacent uphill neighbor and has submitted written comments. She wants a
new home that blends in with the historic neighborhood. She has concerns about the
compatibility of the characteristics, aesthetics, values, and profile of the proposed project with
the historic neighborhood. She has concerns that the project will block her sunlight from the
east and take away privacy from her outdoor living area. She also has concerns about the fire
safety of the project construction given its proximity and height. She states that the guidelines
recommend the size and bulk should relate to the neighborhood, respect established site
patterns, harmonize with the existing buildings, and be especially sensitive to the height and
scale of adjacent homes. She has submitted photos of the shadow effects of the project.
Larry Brandhorst
He owns the adjacent downhill neighboring property. During the process of rebuilding,
his property went through extensive design review, and the size was limited. The proposed
project has a second story that is higher and a footprint that is deeper than those of the existing
house. He has concerns about the privacy of outdoor areas, and the compatibility of the
historic character and size with the historic neighborhood. He states that the Town’s Hillside
Development Standards and Guidelines encourage sight lines and windows to be placed to
maintain privacy. The lots in this area are narrow with minimum side yard setbacks, therefore
outdoor areas are designed in the front and rear yards.
Ilona Merli
She is a neighbor and was not originally against this project. She states that rules and
guidelines address general building questions, but that it is important for people to see this
project. The street is historical and has topography. She has concerns about how the height
would affect the privacy, views, and quality of life of the neighbors. She states that this is a
beautiful lot with lots of space and opportunities to design a project that does not impact the
historical character of the neighboring properties.
Jay Plett
He is the architect for the project making closing comments on behalf of the request.
They submitted Exhibit A illustrating how the windows have been moved back from the
downhill neighbor at 93 Broadway and they have also offered to move the terrace back. They
minimized the windows per the request of the uphill neighbor at 107 Broadway and the
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DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2020
shadow studies show no significant shadows on that property. Exhibit C shows how the project
blends into the neighborhood. Exhibit B shows sight lines to the neighboring houses. They
have moved the balcony back and are offering to lower the height by two feet to address the
views.
Mark De Mattei
He is the owner of De Mattei Construction, Inc. They have worked hard to make the
house blend in and address the concerns of the neighbors.
Closed Public Comment.
Committee members discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Robert Gray to continue to September 15, 2020 to allow the
applicant to further respond to the concerns of the neighbors voiced at
the hearing. Seconded by Mike Weisz.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously 4-0.
OTHER BUSINESS
- None
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
September 1, 2020 meeting as approved by the
Development Review Committee.
Prepared by:
_____________________________________
/s/Sally Zarnowitz, Planning Manager
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