09-08-21 Minutes - PC DRAFT
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
MEETING DATE: 09/22/2021 ITEM NO: 1
DRAFT
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
SEPTEMBER 8, 2021
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on
Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.
This meeting was conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent with
State of California Executive Order N-29-20 dated March 17, 2020, regarding the COVID19
pandemic and was conducted via Zoom. All planning commissioners and staff participated
from remote locations and all voting was conducted via roll call vote.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Kathryn Janoff, Vice Chair Kendra Burch, Commissioner Jeffrey Barnett,
Commissioner Melanie Hanssen, Commissioner Jeffrey Suzuki, and Commissioner Emily
Thomas, Absent: Commissioner Reza Tavana.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approval of Minutes – August 25, 2021
MOTION: Motion by Vice Chair Burch to approve adoption of the Consent
Calendar. Seconded by Commissioner Suzuki.
VOTE: Motion passed 5-0-1 with Commissioner Thomas abstaining and
Commissioner Tavana absent.
PAGE 2 OF 4 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2021
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. 17200 Los Robles Way
Lot Line Adjustment Application M-20-012
APNs 532-36-075, -076, and -077
Appellants: Alison and David Steer, Terry and Bob Rinehard, Nancy and Jim Neipp, Gary
and Michelle Gysin, and Gianfranco and Eileen De Feo
Applicant: Tony Jeans
Property Owners: Daran Goodsell, Trustee and Mark Von Kaenel
Project Planner: Ryan Safty
Consider an Appeal of a Development Review Committee Decision approving a Lot Line
Adjustment between three adjacent lots on properties zoned R-1:20.
Ryan Safty, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Alison Steer (Appellant)
- The Subdivision Map Section 66412 is overly broad. The Subdivision Map Act is silent on
when lot line adjustment procedures can be used, whereas the Town Ordinance is explicit
that it cannot be used under these circumstances and therefore takes precedence. The
Subdivision Map Act in fact allows jurisdictions to decide how they regulate lot line
adjustment procedures and loosely provides the minimum requirements that need to be
met. There is no legal access to Parcel 2 and therefore Town Code requires denial of the
application.
Tony Jeans (Applicant)
- These are three legal lots recognized by the Town of Los Gatos. A Certificate of Compliance
has been recorded. Their current plan is a much more appropriate use of the space than
the current configuration. There is a good amount of space reasonably available for
building without dramatically impacting trees. Parcel 1 retains better use of the land for the
existing house, Parcel 3 would have good access for a buildable area in the center, and
Parcel 2 would have an almost one-acre area with room to get separation from existing
homes on the adjacent lots.
Tony Jeans (Applicant)
- They had to comply with the Town zoning rules and Subdivision Map Act. They have
removed as many of the existing nonconformities in the new proposed configuration,
which is substantially better than what currently exists, and he asks for the Commission’s
approval.
PAGE 3 OF 4 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2021
Alison Steer (Appellant)
- The Subdivision Map Act allows jurisdictions to decide how they regulate Lot Line
Adjustment procedures. The Town Ordinance says they need legal access, and a
turnaround and Parcel 2 does not have those today. The appellants ask that the Lot Line
Adjustment be denied, and the appeal granted, and also, that the Commission maintain the
existing primary access for these parcels along Los Robles Way. They respectfully disagree
with the Town Attorney and asked for court cases as proof, as they believe that the Town
Ordinance is valid and should be followed.
Closed Public Comment.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Chair Burch to Deny an Appeal of a Development Review
Committee Decision for 17200 Los Robles Way. Seconded by
Commissioner Barnett.
VOTE: Motion passed 5-0-1 with Commissioner Hanssen abstaining.
3. Provide the public with an opportunity to give verbal comments on the Draft
Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Draft 2040 General Plan. No action will be
taken at this meeting. Project Planner: Jennifer Armer.
Jennifer Armer, Senior Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Giulianna Pendleton, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society
- Lighting is a serious issue for species, habitats, and humans. Recent findings are beginning
to identify light pollution as a significant driver for the current insect apocalypse. Lighting is
not listed as a potential biological impact to the surrounding area in the biological report of
the Draft EIR. There should be a town-wide environmental review for lighting incorporated
within the EIR.
Closed Public Comment.
PAGE 4 OF 4 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2021
OTHER BUSINESS
REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Joel Paulson, Director of Community Development
• The deadline to apply to join the General Plan Committee to form the Housing Element
Advisory Board for the 2023-2031 Housing Element is September 10th at 4 p.m.
• There will be a joint study session between the Planning Commission and Town Council
regarding the Draft 2040 General Plan on September 20th at 4 p.m.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMISSION MATTERS None.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
September 8, 2021 meeting as approved by the
Planning Commission.
_____________________________
/s/ Vicki Blandin