Draft Mins 03.26.14DRAFT
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 26, 2014
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on Wednesday, March
26, 2014, at 7:00 PM.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Chair Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Margaret Smith, Vice Chair Kendra Burch, Commissioner Mary Badame,
Commissioner Marico Sayoc, Commissioner Joanne Talesfore
Absent: Commissioner Charles Erekson, Commissioner Tom O’Donnell
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner Badame led the Pledge of Allegiance. The audience was invited to participate.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 26, 2014 and MARCH 12, 2014
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Sayoc to approve meeting minutes of February 26,
2014 and March 12, 2014
Seconded by Vice Chair Burch.
VOTE: Motion passed 5-0.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
Desk Item for Items 1, 2 and 3.
REQUESTED CONTINUANCES
None.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
None.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS (AUDIENCE)
None.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. 15551 Union Avenue
Conditional Use Permit Application: U-14-003
APN: 523-41-036
Property Owner: DS Downing, LP
Applicant: Jana Vickers
Project Planner: Suzanne Avila
Requesting approval to conduct group fitness classes (Core Evolution Studio) on property
zoned C-1.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Talesfore to approve Consent Item #1.
Seconded by Vice Chair Burch.
VOTE: Motion passed 5-0.
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Planning Commission March 26, 2014
NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. 81 West Main Street
Conditional Use Permit Application: U-14-002
APN: 529-01-025
Property Owner: Vermont Building, LLC/Sue Farwell
Applicant: Anna Pizzo
Project Planner: Jennifer Savage
Requesting approval to increase seating and provide full alcoholic beverage service for a
restaurant (Zona Rosa) on property zoned C-2:LHP.
Chair Smith opened the public hearing.
Jennifer Savage, Associate Planner, presented a staff report.
Commission members asked questions of staff.
Anna Pizzo
- Commented that Zona Rosa has been a well-received and profitable business since it opened in
2012. They have no plans to create a bar with seating, count er service or happy hour. Drinks are
served with meals.
Commission members asked questions of Ms. Pizzo and Ms. Farwell.
Chair Smith 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 Talesfore to recommend that the Town Council
approve Conditional Use Permit U-14-002 subject to the conditions of approval
as noted in Exhibit 3 of the staff report dated March 26, 2014 with the added
Conditions of Approval that the CUP would not include a standalone bar,
that electronic pagers be considered for crowd control with waiting
patrons, and that Town Staff come up with language to address bottle
disposal. The required findings were made as noted in Exhibit 2 of the staff
report dated March 26, 2014,
Seconded by Vice Chair Burch.
Vice Chair Burch requested that a community benefit of a public bench be included in the
Conditions of Approval.
The maker of the motion accepted the addition to the motion.
Commission members discussed the matter.
VOTE: Motion passed 5-0.
CONTINUED OTHER BUSINESS
3. Interpretation of the Sign Ordinance regarding the definition of a Tenant Directory sign
Chair Smith opened Continued Other Business.
Joel Paulson, Planning Manager, presented a staff report.
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Planning Commission March 26, 2014
Commission members asked questions of staff.
Commission members asked questions of Monica Renn, Los Gatos Economic Vitality Manager.
Camarin Madigan
- Commented that a well designed sign compliant with the Design Guidelines can also be multi-
tenant. She encourages the Commission to adopt the modified policy statement.
Commission members asked questions of Ms. Madigan.
Jim Foley
- Commented that tenants in the rear of his building want their presence to be k nown but don’t
have signage on the street; therefore, he supports the modified definition that would allow a sign
that could give those tenants street presence.
Commission members asked questions of Mr. Foley.
Todd Trekell
- Commented that having a tenant sign in their building would help their Mom and Pop businesses.
He encourages the Commission to concur with the interpretation that a tenant directory sign is
any sign that advertises more than one business and includes the business information and that a
tenant sign is not a building directory sign.
Commission members asked questions of Mr. Trekell.
Chair Smith 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 Talesfore to accept the interpretation of the Sign
Ordinance and adopt a policy as outlined in Exhibit 5 with the modified language
in the staff report for the March 26, 2014 meeting.
Seconded by Commissioner Sayoc.
VOTE: Motion passed 5-0.
Planning Manager Joel Paulson cited the appeal rights.
NEW OTHER BUSINESS
4. Report from Director of Community Development
Planning Manager Joel Paulson
- Development Review Committee met 3/18/14, approved an A&S application for
14300 Arnerich Road, approved an A&S application for 222 Bella Vista Avenue.
- Town Council met 3/17/14, appointed various members to boards, committees and
commissions; considered the project at 258 Union Avenue and remanded it back to
the Planning Commission; and vacated the public right-of-way associated with the
Albright Way project.
- Town Council met 3/24/14, approved the subdivision for the Sisters of the Holy
Names, approved the tasting room for Fernwood Cellars on North Santa Cruz
Avenue, and discussed and modified two traffic fee items.
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Planning Commission March 26, 2014
5. Commission Matters
- Commissioner Sayoc indicated that the Housing Element Advisory Board would hold
its first meeting 3/27/14, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
- Commissioner Sayoc indicated she would be absent from next Planning Commission
meeting on 4/9/14.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:42 pm.
TOWN OF LOS GATOS PLANNING COMMISSION
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
___________________________________________
Margaret Smith, Chair
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND ATTEST:
_____________________________
Joel Paulson
Planning Manager