Item 01 - Draft Mins 07.13.16DRAFT
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 13, 2016
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on Wednesday, July
13, 2016, at 7:00 pm.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Chair Badame called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Mary Badame, Vice Chair D. Michael Kane, Commissioner Charles Erekson,
Commissioner Melanie Hanssen, Commissioner Matthew Hudes, and Commissioner
Tom O’Donnell
Absent: Commissioner Kendra Burch due to recusal from Item 2
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Chair Kane led the Pledge of Allegiance. The audience was invited to participate.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Desk Item for Item 2.
REQUESTED CONTINUANCES
None.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS (AUDIENCE)
Robert Coyle
- Commented that the overlay of Oka Road and Oka Lane has recently been resealed and
regraveled, but gravel went into the storm drains and two drains were asphalted over.
Roy Moses
- Commented that he is concerned about the type of asphalt being put on the streets, because it is
rocky and not good for runners or bikers.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of Minutes
None.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. North 40 Phase 1
Architecture and Site Application S-13-090
Vesting Tentative Map M-13-014
APNs 424-07-024 through 027, 031 through 037, 070, 083 through 086, 090, and 100
Property Owners: Yuki Farms/ETPH, Grosvenor USA Limited, SummerHill N40 LLC,
Elizabeth K. Dodson, and William Hirshman
Applicant: Grosvenor USA Limited
Project Planners: Sally Zarnowitz and Joel Paulson
Requesting approval for the construction of a new multi-use, multi-story development
consisting of 320 residential units, which include 50 affordable senior units; approximately
Page 2 of 3
Planning Commission Minutes July 13, 2016
66,800 square feet of commercial floor area, which includes a Market Hall; on-site and off-site
improvements; and a Vesting Tentative Map.
Chair Badame opened the public hearing.
Joel Paulson, Community Development Director, presented the staff report.
Commission members asked questions of Don Capobres, Paula Krugmeier, BAR Architects; Tim Kelly,
Keysor Marston Associates; Wendi Baker, SummerHill Homes; Katie Cole, Fehr & Peers Transportation
Consultants; and Zach Lewis, agrarian consultant.
Chair Badame closed the public input portion of the hearing and returned to the Commission for
deliberation.
Commission members asked questions of staff.
Commission members discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Hudes to recommend to Town Council denial
of Architecture and Site Application S-13-090, and Vesting Tentative
Map M-13-014, based on findings that the project does not address
identified unmet needs; that the views are not addressed by the layout of
the site as required in the Vision Statement and Policy OS Policy 01,
page 2-11, the Commercial Design Guidelines, page 3-2, and additional
requirements for views on 3.2-6.B.I, page 3-9.
Commission members asked questions of staff.
Seconded by Commissioner Hanssen.
Commission members discussed the matter.
Commission members asked questions of staff.
VOTE: Motion failed 3-3.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner O’Donnell to continue the Planning
Commission meeting past 11:30.
Seconded by Vice Chair Kane.
Commission members discussed the matter.
Commission members asked questions of staff.
VOTE: Motion passed 6-0
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Hudes to recommend Town Council denial of
Architecture and Site Application S-13-090 and Vesting Tentative Map
Application M-13-014, based on findings that the project is not consistent
with the General Plan and North 40 Specific Plan; it doesn’t meet the unmet
needs, as it doesn’t address unmet housing needs for senior housing as
outlined in Section 2.4 and Appendix C of the North 40 Specific Plan; in
relation to views, it doesn’t incorporate views adequately in the layouts as
called out in Open Space Policy 01 and Design Guidelines 3.2.1.d; the
economic study from Section 2.4.2 of the Specific Plan was flawed because
it did not consider the downtown Conditional Use Permit requirements and
Page 3 of 3
Planning Commission Minutes July 13, 2016
parking requirements; the units should be smaller, typical of the examples
cited in the Planning Commission Staff Report for July 12th on page 6; that
Buildings 24 and 25 do not comply with Policy DG6; also under views it
doesn’t comply with 3.2.6.e.i., on page 3-9, which states, “Special care shall
be taken to avoid obstructing views to the surrounding hills.”
Seconded by Commissioner Hanssen.
Chair Badame requested the motion be amended to include that the Specific Plan envisions lower
intensity residential for the Lark District, based on information provided on page 6 of the Staff
Report.
The maker of the motion accepted the amendment to the motion.
The seconder of the motion accepted the amendment to the motion.
Commission members discussed the matter.
VOTE: Motion passed 4-2 with Commissioner O'Donnell and
Commissioner Erekson opposing.
Community Development Director Joel Paulson indicated there are no appeal rights.
NEW OTHER BUSINESS
5. Report from Community Development Director, Joel Paulson
None.
6. Commission Matters
• Commissioner Hudes said this application was the first test of the North 40 Specific Plan,
and there are areas that need to be addressed before another application comes in.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 12:12 pm.
TOWN OF LOS GATOS PLANNING COMMISSION
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
___________________________________________
Mary Badame, Chair
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND ATTEST:
_____________________________
Joel Paulson
Community Development Director