Approval of Draft Minutes of June 10, 2015DRAFT
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JUNE 10, 2015
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on Wednesday, June
10, 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 Erekson led the Pledge of Allegiance. The audience was invited to participate.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 13, 2015
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Talesfore to approve the meeting minutes of May 13,
2015.
Seconded by Commissioner Kane.
VOTE: Motion passed 7-0.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
REQUESTED CONTINUANCES
None.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Conceptual Development Advisory Committee
Commissioner O’Donnell
- The 6/10/15 CDAC meeting considered one matter:
- 401-409 Alberto Way.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS (AUDIENCE)
John Shepardson
- Commented that in Cupertino the sheriff costs $300 less per citizen than the Los Gatos Police
Department. That $300 difference multiplied by 30,000 Los Gatos citizens comes to $9 million
annually that could potentially be saved by contracting with the sheriff.
Commission members asked questions of Mr. Shepardson.
CONSENT CALENDAR
None.
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Planning Commission Minutes June 10 , 2015
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS
Chair Burch stated that Agenda Item #2 would be heard before Agenda Item #1.
2. 657 University Avenue
Conditional Use Permit U-15-001
APN 529-10-083
Property Owner: Edward Rhodas
Applicant: Gary Nishita
Project Planner: Jocelyn Puga
Requesting approval of a Conditional Use Permit to operate an auto repair and paint
business (Bi-City Paint and Body)
Chair Burch opened the public hearing.
Jocelyn Puga, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report.
Commission members asked questions of staff.
Gary Nishita
- Commented that he understood the concerns regarding safe use of the space. They have
designed the space so cars can drive in, turn around, and pull out going forward. They are
proposing to put mirrors on the sides of the garage doors to prevent accidents. He acknowledged
the one bay space was small, but said the portable spray booth can be used not just for painting
vehicles but also for prepping them.
Commission members asked questions of Mr. Nishita.
Commission members asked questions of staff.
Mark Mander
- Commented that he does not agree with the proposed use of the site, mainly because of parking.
Parking in the area is challenging and already maxed out 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday. He added that there are already four body shops in the near vicinity with their customers
also using parking.
Commission members asked questions of Mr. Mander.
Dennis Gilman
- Commented that he is the manager of South Bay Auto Body and finds it hard to believe that only
one person could maintain a business of this caliber. Safety equipment, storage of hazardous
waste, and spraying of the vehicles needs to be carefully investigated. Portable spray booths are
not legal. It does not sound possible that customers could turn their vehicles around in such a
small building.
Commission members asked questions of Mr. Gilman.
Jim Malamatenios
- Commented that he is the owner of South Bay Auto Body and the owner of several buildings on
the street. He was told there would be no more Conditional Use Permits allowed for spray booths
when the Town revoked the one that he had at 601 University. In this same building there is
another “satellite” body shop that takes Los Gatos customers and their dollars to work sites in
San Jose, Cupertino, etc., to fix their cars.
Commission members asked questions of Mr. Malamatenios.
Page 3 of 5
Planning Commission Minutes June 10 , 2015
Gary Fowler
- Commented that he owned Preferred Image Body Shop. It would be impossible for him to do this
by himself given the many things he does daily to run his business. The street has a red curb by
the building, causing frequent accidents for cars backing out. All the body shops know that a new
spray booth is not allowed, and what is being proposed, although portable, is a spray booth.
There are seven auto body shops in Los Gatos.
Commission members asked questions of Mr. Fowler.
Gary Nishita
- Commented that it is not true that every auto body shop has a down d raft spray booth, or that
they are required. His business cannot be compared to South Bay Auto because they are three
times larger. South Bay has left wrecked autos on the street, illustrating that everyone on the
block uses the street for parking and it is unfair to say his business will take it all up. He can find
parking on the street any weekday. There is nothing in the Town Code that says there are to be
no more spray booths in the Town of Los Gatos.
Commission members asked questions of Mr. Nishita.
Commission members asked questions of staff.
Commission members discussed the matter.
Chair Burch closed the public input portion of the hearing and returned to the Commission for
deliberation.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner O’Donnell to deny Conditional Use Permit U-15-001,
because required findings noted in Exhibit 2 of the staf f report dated June 10,
2015 could not be made.
Seconded by Commissioner Talesfore.
VOTE: Motion passed 7-0.
Planning Manager Joel Paulson cited the appeal rights.
Commissioner O’Donnell stated he would recuse himself from the public hearing of 25 E. Main
Street, because he lives within 500 feet of the project site.
1. 25 E. Main Street
Architecture and Site Application S-12-102
APN 529-28-027
Property Owner: Al Mansoorian
Applicant: Bob Flury
Project Planner: Marni Moseley
Requesting approval to construct a new second story addition to a commercial space (I Gatti
Restaurant) for separate living quarters on property zoned C-2.
Chair Burch opened the public hearing.
Marni Moseley, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Commission members asked questions of staff.
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Planning Commission Minutes June 10 , 2015
Bob Flury
- Commented that he did not plan to make a presentation, but he and the property owner are
available to answer questions.
Commission members asked questions of Mr. Flury.
Mike Condo
- Commented that his construction company has done many jobs Downtown. They will restrict the
hours when they can bring materials in and will not do so during school traffic hours. They will use
trucks no larger than 16 feet. There will be flaggers and they won’t stop traffic for more than a
couple of minutes when bringing in materials. They will use the two parking space s in the back
except on days they are working on the side of the building.
Commission members asked questions of Mr. Condo.
Hennessey Zander
- Commented that she represents her mother, Harriet Zander, who owns the property next door at
23 E. Main. They are concerned about the safety of the new wall next to her mother’s building
and how it would be erected. She asked where the construction personnel would park.
Commission members asked questions of Ms. Zander.
Bob Flury
- Commented that they have dialogued with the Zanders, but have not actually gone through the
plans with them. It would be more difficult for them if the terrace was in the back of the building
and it would necessitate an awkward walkway to get to it. They have tried to design the second
story to be compatible with the nearby historic buildings.
Commission members asked questions of Mr. Flury.
Chair Burch closed the public input portion of the hearing and returned to the Commission for
deliberation.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Erekson to continue Architecture and Site Application
S-12-102 to a date to be determined after questioning the applicant.
Seconded by Commissioner Talesfore.
Commission members discussed the matter and provided the following direction to the applicant:
No veranda in front
No sliding glass doors in front
Windows need to be in keeping with historic area
The addition needs to maintain the integrity of the existing building and its first story
The applicant should meet with the adjacent owner about the construction plan
A second story front setback is fine, however, it should be “non -ambulatory” (i.e., no access to a
useable outdoor area)
Chair Burch reopened the public portion of the public hearing.
Chair Burch asked questions of Mr. Flury.
Commission members asked questions of staff.
Chair Burch closed the public input portion of the hearing and retur ned to the Commission for
deliberation.
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Planning Commission Minutes June 10 , 2015
Commissioner Erekson amended his motion to continue the public hearing for 25 E. Main Street
to the meeting of August 12, 2015.
The seconder accepted the amendment to the motion.
VOTE: Motion passed 6-0-1, Commissioner O’Donnell recused.
NEW OTHER BUSINESS
3. Report from Community Development Director, Laurel Prevetti
Town Council met 5/19/15, approved the Tree Protection Ordinance, heard the
Santella Court property appeal, and remanded it back to the Planning
Commission. The Council met 6/2/15, continued the North 40 Specific Plan
discussion to June 17, 2015, and continued the Union Avenue appeal to June 16,
2015.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:52 pm.
TOWN OF LOS GATOS PLANNING COMMISSION
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
___________________________________________
Kendra Burch, Chair
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND ATTEST:
_____________________________
Joel Paulson
Planning Manager