Approval of Draft Minutes of March 25, 2015DRAFT
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 25, 2015
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Study Session on the Housing Element
from 5:30 p.m. to 6:55 p.m.
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on Wednesday, March
25, 2015, at 7:00 PM.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Chair Burch called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Kendra Burch, Vice Chair Mary Badame, Commissioner Charles Erekson,
Commissioner Melanie Hanssen, Commissioner D. Michael Kane, Commissioner Tom
O’Donnell, and Commissioner Joanne Talesfore
Absent: None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner O’Donnell led the Pledge of Allegiance. The audience was invited to participate.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 11, 2015
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Talesfore to approve the meeting minutes of March
11, 2015.
Seconded by Vice Chair Badame.
VOTE: Motion passed 7-0.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
REQUESTED CONTINUANCES – ITEM #3
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner O’Donnell to continue the public hearing for Item 3,
375 Knowles Drive, to April 8, 2015.
Seconded by Commissioner Erekson.
VOTE: Motion passed 7-0.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Historic Preservation Committee Matters
Commissioner Kane
- The March 25, 2015 HPC meeting considered three matters:
- 326 University Avenue
- 145 Glen Ridge Avenue
- Code language regarding historic demolition fines
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS (AUDIENCE)
John Shepardson
- Commented that 43% of the Los Gatos budget goes to the Police Department and questioned if it
is a sound use of the Town’s resources, because it impacts important issues such as land use,
property taxes, and town operations.
Commission members asked questions of Mr. Shepardson.
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Planning Commission Minutes March 25, 2015
CONSENT CALENDAR
None.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Zoning Code Amendment
Zoning Code Amendment: A-14-002
Applicant: Town of Los Gatos
Project Manager: Bob Kass
Consider the adoption of amendments to Chapter 26 (Trees and Shrubs) and Chapter 29
(Zoning Regulations – Tree Protection) of the Town Code. It has been determined that there
is no possibility that this project will have a significant impact on the environment; therefore ,
the project is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (Section 15061 (b)(3)).
Chair Burch opened the public hearing.
Bob Kass, Project Manager, presented the staff report.
Commission members asked questions of Mr. Kass.
Commission members asked questions of staff.
Lee Quintana
- Commented that this has been a good collaborative process. She asked the Commission to
seriously consider the recommendations by Dr. David Weissman in his letter. She also asked that
adjacent homeowners be notified regarding all tree removals, not just large trees, and that the
Zoning Code amendment include a provision that redwood trees should not be used as screening
between properties.
Commission members asked questions of Ms. Quintana.
Chair Burch closed the public input portion of the hearing and returned to the Commission for
deliberation.
Commission members asked questions of staff.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Kane to recommend to Town Council the approval of
Zoning Code Amendment A-14-002 to Chapters 26 and 29 of the Town Code,
and incorporate Item s 6 and 10 of Dr. David Weissman’s letter. The required
findings were made as noted in Exhibit 1 of the staff report dated March 25,
2015.
Commission members asked questions of staff.
Seconded by Commissioner Talesfore.
Commission members discussed the matter.
Commission members asked questions of staff.
Vice Chair Badame requested that the motion be amended to say that Section 29.10.0990, number 6,
would not be considered in hillside locations as defined by the Hillside Standards.
The maker of the motion accepted the amendment to the motion.
The seconder of the motion accepted the amendment to the motion.
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Planning Commission Minutes March 25, 2015
Commission members asked questions of staff.
Commissioner Hanssen requested the motion be amended to include Item 11 of Dr. Weissman’s letter.
The maker of the motion rejected the amendment to the motion.
Commission members asked questions of staff.
VOTE: Motion passed 7-0.
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. 10 Jackson Street
Tree Permit: T-14-004
APN: 529-34-018
Property Owner: 10 Jackson Street LLC
Appellant: Frank Garofalo and Sean Kali-rai
Project Planner: Jocelyn Puga
Appeal of a decision by the Director of Community Development denying a Tree Removal
Permit on property zoned C-1.
Chair Burch opened the public hearing.
Jocelyn Puga, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report.
Commission members asked questions of staff.
Commission members asked questions of Appellant Sean Kali-rai.
Sean Kali-rai
- Commented that staff has been great to work with.
Chair Burch closed the public input portion of the hearing and returned to the Commission for
deliberation.
Commission members asked questions of staff.
Chair Burch reopened the public portion of the hearing.
Commission members asked questions of Appellant Sean Kali-rai.
Chair Burch closed the public input portion of the hearing and returned to the Commission for
deliberation.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner O’Donnell to grant the appeal based on meeting the
Standards of Review set forth in 29.10.0990 because the tree’s continual impact
to the sidewalk impairs access, particularly to persons with disabilities.
Seconded by Commissioner Badame.
Commission members discussed the matter.
VOTE: Motion passed 7-0.
Planning Manager Joel Paulson cited the appeal rights.
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Planning Commission Minutes March 25, 2015
NEW OTHER BUSINESS
1. Report from Community Development Director, Laurel Prevetti
Town Council met March 17, 2015; approved a Conditional Use Permit for
Hillbrook School, denying all the appeals and modifying the conditions.
There are opportunities for positions on various boards and commissions.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:39 pm.
TOWN OF LOS GATOS PLANNING COMMISSION
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
___________________________________________
Kendra Burch, Chair
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND ATTEST:
_____________________________
Joel Paulson
Planning Manager