Draft Mins 01.08.14DRAFT
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JANUARY 8, 2014
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on Wednesday,
January 8, 2014, at 7:00 P.M.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Chair Erekson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Charles Erekson, Vice Chair Margaret Smith, Commissioner Mary Badame,
Commissioner Kendra Burch, Commissioner Tom O’Donnell, Commissioner Joanne Talesfore
Absent: Commissioner Marico Sayoc
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Badame led the Pledge of Allegiance. The audience was invited to participate.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 13, 2013
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Talesfore to approve meeting minutes of November
13, 2013.
Seconded by Commissioner Burch.
VOTE: Motion passed 6-0.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
REQUESTED CONTINUANCES
None.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
Historic Preservation Committee Matters
Commissioner O’Donnell
- The 1/8/14 HPC meeting considered two matters:
- 371 Pennsylvania Avenue
- 145 Glenridge Avenue
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS (AUDIENCE)
Jeff Loughridge
- Commented that the Albright project was passed by the City Council who disregarded the
Planning Commission’s wishes for the developer to modify plans to keep the project in line with
the General Plan and he believes the process that allows a project with a negative
recommendation from the Planning Commission to be put before the Town Council for a vote
should be changed.
CONSENT CALENDAR
None.
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
Page 2 of 4
Planning Commission January 8, 2014
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. 16560 Shannon Road
Subdivision Application M-13-010
Architecture and Site Applications S-13-071 & S-13-080
APN 532-04-001
Property Owner/Applicant: JG Building, LLC
Project Planner: Erin Walters
Requesting approval to subdivide a 20,300 square foot parcel into two lots, demolish an
existing pre-1941 single-family residence and to construct two new single -family residences
on a property zoned R-1:8.
Chair Erekson opened the public hearing.
Erin Walters, Project Planner, presented a staff report.
Commission members asked questions of staff.
Greg Pinn
- Commented that they acquired the home a year ago as county property and annexed it into the
Town, they have worked with staff and are proud of the project.
Greg Simpson
- Commented that they had performed neighborhood outreach several months previously and they
hope to build two homes that will blend in with and enhance the neighborhood, and they have no
known opposition.
Commission members asked questions of architect Chris Spaulding.
Commission members asked questions of staff.
Lorraine Nunes
- Commented that her property borders the project and she supports the development.
Christopher Lane
- Commented he is a 20-year member of the First Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos and supports
the development so the project site can be cleaned up and brought up to neighborhood
standards.
Greg Pinn
- Commented on the immediate neighborhood rule and that the four-story church should be
thought of as part of the neighborhood when considering massing.
Chair Erekson closed the public input portion of the hearing and returned to the Commission for
deliberation.
Commission members discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Talesfore to approve Subdivision Application M-13-
010 subject to the conditions of approval as noted in Exhibit 3 of the staff report
dated January 8, 2014. The required findings were made as noted in Exhibit 2 of
the staff report dated January 8, 2014.
Seconded by Commissioner Burch.
Page 3 of 4
Planning Commission January 8, 2014
VOTE: Motion passed 6-0.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Talesfore to deny Architecture and Site Applications
S-13-071 and S-13-080 with the condition that the demolition must occur prior to
recording the map.
Seconded by Commissioner Burch.
Commission members discussed the matter.
Commission members asked questions of staff.
VOTE: Motion passed 5-1 with Commissioner Smith dissenting.
Planning Manager Joel Paulson recited the appeal rights.
2. 375 Knowles Drive
Planned Development Application PD-13-002
General Plan Amendment GP-13-001
Environmental Impact Report EIR-13-003
APN 406-28-032
Property Owner: County of Santa Clara
Property Applicant: KT Properties.
Project Planner: Suzanne Avila
Accepting public comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR), for a request
for a General Plan Amendment from Public to Office and a Planned Development for 45
residential units on property zoned O. An Environmental Impact Report has been prepared
for the project. No action will be taken at this meeting.
Chair Erekson opened the public hearing.
Jeff Loughridge
- Asked questions with respect to the Draft Environmental Impact Report and commented on the
increased traffic the development would bring, the Town’s traffic mitigation fee, and that if the
development is approved there should be greater set backs required for the lots fronting Knowles
and Capri.
Anne Robinson
- Commented she drives on Knowles every day and is concerned about the proposed reduced
setbacks and neighborhood compatibility.
Chair Erekson closed the public hearing.
Chair Erekson stated that the comment period for the Environmental Impact Report closes
January 17 at 5:00P.M.
NEW OTHER BUSINESS
3. Election of Planning Commission Chair and Vice Chair
MOTION: Motion by Chair Erekson to nominate Vice-Chair Smith to serve as Chair of
the Planning Commission in 2014.
Seconded by Commissioner O’Donnell.
Page 4 of 4
Planning Commission January 8, 2014
VOTE: Motion passed 6-0.
MOTION: Motion by Chair Smith to nominate Commissioner Burch to serve as Vice
Chair of the Planning Commission in 2014.
Seconded by Commissioner Erekson.
VOTE: Motion passed 6-0.
4. Report from Director of Community Development
Planning Manager Joel Paulson
- Development Review Committee met on 12/17/13 and approved demolition of
existing single-family home and building of a new single-family home at 150 Central
Avenue; approved technical demolition and construction of new single -family home at
268 Los Morados; approved Architecture and Site Application for exterior
modifications to 111 East Main Street; approved Architecture and Site Application for
exterior modifications to an existing commercial building and parking lot
improvements for the shopping center at the corner of Union and Los Gatos
Almaden.
- Town Council met 12/16/13, held study session regarding potential leaf blower
regulations, provided direction to staff, anticipated to come back in the spring of
2014; appointed members to various boards, commissions and committees; reviewed
application for new office building at 16268 Los Gatos Boulevard and remanded it
back to the Planning Commission.
5. Commission Matters
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
TOWN OF LOS GATOS PLANNING COMMISSION
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
___________________________________________
Charles Erekson, Chair
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND ATTEST:
_____________________________
Joel Paulson
Planning Manager