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Staff Report with Exhibit.PC Application PREPARED BY: Joel Paulson Community Development Director Reviewed by: Parks and Public Works Director, Planning Manager, and Community Development Director 110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6872 www.losgatosca.gov TOWN OF LOS GATOS PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT MEETING DATE: 04/14/2021 ITEM NO: 4 DATE: April 9, 2021 TO: Planning Commission FROM: Joel Paulson, Community Development Director SUBJECT: Discuss and Provide Input to the Town Council Regarding the Planning Commission Application. RECOMMENDATION: Discuss and provide input to the Town Council regarding the Planning Commission application . BACKGROUND: The Town of Los Gatos currently has 13 Boards, Commissions, and Committees which act in various advisory and regulatory roles to the Town Council. The Planning Commission is one of seven of the Town’s Commissions that serve a specific function. On February 23, 2021, the Town Council directed staff to work with each of the Town Boards, Commissions, and Committees to review and discuss their application for new members, keeping in mind that requiring specific professional or degree qualifications can hinder recruitment. The Commission should therefore review the application and forward any suggested changes or general input to the Town Council. CEQA: This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required. EXHIBITS: 1. Planning Commission Application and Case Study This Page Intentionally Left Blank TOWN OF LOS GATOS BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPLICATION Contact: Clerk Department 110 East Main Street, Los Gatos, CA 95030 (408) 354-6888 or Clerk@LosGatosCA.gov General eligibility requirements: A resident of the incorporated limits of the Town of Los Gatos. Other requirements may apply to specific Boards, Commissions, or Committees. If you would like to apply for more than one Board, Commission, or Committee, place a number next to the Board, Commission, or Committee, in order of your preference, for which you would like to apply. A separate application is required to be submitted for each Board, Commission, or Committee you are applying for. Only applications for current openings will be considered at this time. Applications for future openings will be kept on file for one year. Qualified applicants will be notified for an interview with Town Council. __ Arts and Culture Commission __ Building Board of Appeals __ Community Health and Senior Services Commission __ Complete Streets and Transportation Commission __ Council Finance Committee – Resident __ General Plan Committee __ Historic Preservation Committee __ Library Board __ Parks Commission __ Personnel Board __ Planning Commission __ Sales Tax Oversight Committee IMPORTANT NOTICES Please note that all information provided on the application becomes a public record after it is officially filed. All appointed applicants are required to file the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Statements of Economic Interest (Form 700), which are also a public record. Applicants appointed to the Planning Commission are also required to complete Ethics Training AB 1234 every two years. CONTINUE TO PAGE 2 EXHIBIT 1 PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICATION Contact: Clerk Department 110 East Main Street, Los Gatos, CA 95030 (408) 354-6888 or Clerk@LosGatosCA.gov Note: Only the text that shows in the boxes is visible. Please do not go beyond the borders of the boxes. FIRST NAME: LAST NAME: ADDRESS: CITY: ZIP CODE: CELL PHONE: WORK PHONE: EMAIL ADDRESS: HOME PHONE: EMPLOYER: JOB TITLE: HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN LOS GATOS? *If appointed your name, phone number, and email address will be made available to the public. Please list all previously held elected or appointed governmental positions. Include the Position/Office held and the associated dates. (e.g. Mayor, City of San Jose, 1990-1994) Please list any civic charitable organizations you have belonged to. Include the Position/Office held and the associated dates. (e.g. Coach, Little League, 1982-1989) Please list any schools that you have attended or are currently attending. Include your major subject area and/or grade level. (e.g. San Jose State University, BA in History) CONTINUE TO PAGE 3 Why are you interested in serving on the Planning Commission? Have you ever attended a Planning Commission meeting? If yes, please provide a summary of your observation. If not, why not? How do you view the role of a Planning Commissioner in relation to the Town Council in planning matters? CONTINUE TO PAGE 4 How will you balance your personal interests with the broader role of the Commission? What design or land use experience do you have that would be useful on the Commission? CONTINUE TO PAGE 5 How do you describe your philosophy of planning? The Planning Commission meets at least twice a month and requires a significant amount of homework. Are you prepared to make the commitment to spend the amount of time required to attend regular meetings, committee meetings, do site visits, and study the packet material? Yes No CASE STUDY: All Planning Commission applications must include a completed case study (see next page. Please complete the case study before submitting your signed application. Thank you. CONTINUE TO PAGE 6 PLANNING COMMISSION CASE STUDY PROPERTY LOCATION: 170 Smith Boulevard PROPERTY OWNER: John Smith APPLICANT: Superior Commercial Development OVERVIEW: Existing Proposed General Plan Designation Neighborhood Commercial Neighborhood Commercial Zoning Designation C-1 C-1 Existing Use Vacant Vacant Property Size 15,000 Square Feet PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant proposes to construct a 10,000-square foot two-story office building with underground parking that will be 32 feet tall. The maximum height allowed by Town Code is 35 feet and the maximum lot coverage would allow a 15,000-square foot building. The surrounding area on Smith Boulevard is comprised of other commercial buildings and single-family homes are located behind the existing parcel. NEIGHBORHOOD REACTION: The surrounding neighborhood is divided on the issue of development. Some of the neighboring property owners are in support of the project and think it will provide needed office space, while others are opposed to the project because they feel it will create a significant traffic impact. PROCESS: •The proposed project has been reviewed by staff and complies with all of the Town’s technical requirements. •A Traffic Impact Analysis has been prepared by the Town’s Traffic Consultant. •The Traffic Impact analysis shows that there would not be a significant traffic impact based on th e Town’s existing traffic policies. •There are a number of residents at the Planning Commission meeting opposing the proposed project based on potential traffic impacts. CONTINUE TO PAGE 7 What is your initial reaction to the above referenced project? CONTINUE TO PAGE 8 What issues do you feel will need to be investigated further? CONTINUE TO PAGE 9 How would you weigh your personal observations or experience regarding traffic and the professional input and recommendations of Town staff and Town consultants? All applicants are required to be interviewed to be considered for appointment as a Commissioner. Applicants will be contacted via email with the interview date and time. Signature: Date: IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, IF YOU NEED SPECIAL ASSISTANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INTERVIEW PROCESS, PLEASE CONTACT THE CLERK DEPARTMENT AT (408) 354-6834. NOTIFICATION 48 HOURS BEFORE THE MEETING WILL ENABLE THE TOWN TO MAKE REASONABLE ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY [28 CFR §35.102-35.104] This Page Intentionally Left Blank