Item 2 - Exhibit 10 - September 8, 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 8, 2020
The Development Review Committee of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular
Teleconference Meeting on September 8, 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; Corvell Sparks,
PPW Engineering; and Katherine Baker, SCCFD.
Absent: None
Staff: Jennifer Armer, CDD Planning; Robert Schultz, TAO; Lynne Lampros, TAO; and
Kenny Ip, SCCFD.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 10:00 AM
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
-None.
CONSENT ITEMS
1.Approval of Minutes – August 4, 2020
2.Approval of Minutes – August 18, 2020
MOTION: Motion by Robert Gray to approve the consent calendar. Seconded by
Katherine Baker.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously 4-0.
EXHIBIT 10
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DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2020
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. 15 Loma Alta Avenue
Architecture and Site Application S-19-023
Requesting approval for demolition of an existing single-family residence and
construction of a new single-family residence with reduced setbacks on a
nonconforming property zoned R-1:8. APN 532-29-073.
PROPERTY OWNER: BAB Investment Group LLC
APPLICANT: Babak Homayouni
PROJECT PLANNER: Jennifer Armer
Jennifer Armer, Senior Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Bahar Masarati
She is a member of the architectural team for the project, speaking on behalf of the
request. The proposed project is a two-story house which is smaller than the maximum
allowed. It is a three-bedroom, three-bathroom, with below grade square footage. The style is
an up-to-date take on the Victorian style, designed to make sure that it fits with the privacy and
beauty of the immediate neighborhood, including the Oak trees and views. Being on a corner
lot, garage access is taken from Panghetti, so that the Loma Alta Avenue side would remain as a
beautiful façade.
James Lyon
He is a neighbor and has submitted written comments. He appreciates the reductions
made to the project, but does not believe that his concerns about the compatibility of the
modern style, materials, and height of the plates and steeply pitched metal roof with the
historic enclave of single story bungalows on this side of the street , have been adequately
addressed by the applicant. The comparable designs provided by the applicant are not in the
neighborhood.
Constance Christodulis
She is a neighbor. She appreciates the reductions made to the project and understands
the need for more square footage, but has concerns about her partially distorted view of the
mountains, the overall height, and the compatibility of the modern style with the traditional
styles in the neighborhood.
Rick Rutter
He is a neighbor and has submitted written comments. He has concerns about the
compatibility of the modern style with the historic homes in the vicinity, the size and height,
and the privacy presented by the second floor, with the neighborhood.
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DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2020
Kelly Luoma
She is an adjacent neighbor and would welcome a new home on the lot as the current
property is in poor condition. She is asking for something more reasonable for the size of the
lot. The current project size, scale, and design are not compatible with the existing homes and
the comparable designs provided by the applicant are not in the neighborhood. The project
blocks sunset and skyscape views from her backyard and she has privacy concerns.
Bahar
She is a member of the architectural team for the project making closing comments on
behalf of the request. Most of the concerns have been addressed in the written description
submitted for the project. There is no longer a deck posing direct privacy concerns to the
neighbor. For the views, diagrams were provided addressing neighbors’ concerns from their
yards. For the style of the house, it is not ultra-modern in that it is not composed of steel,
concrete, or large glazing. The Victorian style would not be a copy but would use elements of
Victorian styles and existing homes in the neighborhood, as described in the project
description.
Babak Homayouni
He is the owner. Asked about the size of the home, he states that the project originally
proposed a larger size home, but that reductions to the height and square footage of the
proposed project were made.
Closed Public Comment.
Committee members discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Robert Gray to continue to September 22, 2020 to allow the
applicant to further respond to the concerns of the neighbors voiced at
the hearing regarding size, height, and style. Seconded by Kathy Baker.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously 4-0.
OTHER BUSINESS
- None
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned 10:36 a.m.
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DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2020
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
September 08, 2020 meeting as approved by the
Development Review Committee.
Prepared by:
_____________________________________
/s/Sally Zarnowitz, Planning Manager