07-27-22 Minutes - PC
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 27, 2022
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on
Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at 7:00 p.m.
This meeting was conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent with
Government Code Section 54953, as Amended by Assembly Bill 361, in response to the state
of emergency relating to COVID-19 and enabling teleconferencing accommodations by
suspending or waiving specified provisions in the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code §
54950 et seq.). Consistent with AB 361 and Town of Los Gatos Resolution 2021-044, 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 Melanie Hanssen, Vice Chair Jeffrey Barnett, Commissioner Kylie Clark,
Commissioner Kathryn Janoff, Commissioner Steve Raspe, 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 – July 13, 2022
2. Review and Recommendation of the Draft Objective Standards to the Town Council
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Janoff to approve adoption of the Consent
Calendar. Seconded by Commissioner Thomas.
VOTE: Approval of minutes of July 13, 2022 Planning Commission meeting
passed 5-0 with Commissioner Raspe abstaining. Continuation of Draft
Objective Standards to August 24, 2022, passed unanimously.
PAGE 2 OF 5 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 27, 2022
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. 16195 George Street
Architecture and Site Application S-20-025
Subdivision Application M-20-008
APN 529-18-051
Applicant: Hometec Architecture
Property Owner: Robert Bothman, George St. Partners
Project Planner: Ryan Safty
Requesting approval for demolition of an existing residence, construction of four
condominium units that will exceed the floor area ratio standards, and site
improvements requiring a Grading Permit on property zoned R-M:5-12.
Planning Manager Armer reported that the applicant for 16195 George Street was absent
from the meeting and recommended a continuance.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Chair Barnett to continue the public hearing for 16195
George Street to a date certain of August 10, 2022 due to there being no
applicant representative at the hearing. Seconded by Commissioner
Thomas.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Jennifer Armer, Planning Manager
• The Town Council has been recessed for the month of July.
• The next Housing Element Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for August 4, 2022.
• Review and Recommendation of the Draft Objective Standards to the Town Council has
been continued to the August 24, 2022 Planning Commission meeting. Any further
Planning Commission questions or comments should be submitted to staff by August 12,
2022.
PAGE 3 OF 5 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 27, 2022
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMISSION MATTERS
Historic Preservation Commission
Commissioner Clark
- HPC met July 27, 2022:
o Request to remove a property from the inventory.
o Request for alterations to the exterior awnings of 50 University Avenue, adding blue
at the bottom, but did not approve a change to the shape of the awnings.
o Reviewed and provided feedback regarding a property that will apply for
demolition.
- Added a new fifth member, Susan Burnett.
Planning Manager Armer reported that the applicant for 16195 George Street had joined the
meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. 16195 George Street
Architecture and Site Application S-20-025
Subdivision Application M-20-008
APN 529-18-051
Applicant: Hometec Architecture
Property Owner: Robert Bothman, George St. Partners
Project Planner: Ryan Safty
Requesting approval for demolition of an existing residence, construction of four
condominium units that will exceed the floor area ratio standards, and site
improvements requiring a Grading Permit on property zoned R-M:5-12.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Clark to rescind the continuance of the public
hearing for 16195 George Street and to hear the item. Seconded by
Commissioner Thomas.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Thomas disclosed that one of the property owners is her former landlord, but
she believed she could make an impartial decision based on the information provided by the
Town.
Ryan Safty, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
PAGE 4 OF 5 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 27, 2022
Greg Mussallem, Applicant
- The back units are a little larger than the front units. The density and unit sizes are typical
for the neighborhood and is smaller than the buildings across the street in the Planned
Development zoning. We went before the CDAC and worked with staff on the design.
Originally, we had the back units in the setbacks and the front homes pushed up more and
they had their own driveway aprons, and that made the houses in the 2,100-2,200-square
foot range. When we moved the units to comply with the required setbacks, we built
within that envelope. We wanted a first floor bedroom and bathroom in each unit to
accommodate older occupants, and that shaped our design and the overall square footage.
Although we exceed the FAR, the units are not egregious in size. What is more important is
we are under the lot coverage for the project and our FAR is compatible with the
neighborhood. We are a little taller than the houses across the street, but we are still three
feet under the maximum allowable height, and we did the slab foundation so we can avoid
Tree 884 and minimize height. Our plate heights are nine feet, and our roof is at 5:12 and
does not max out the height. The landscape plan shows the open space and that the units
have usable yards. Changes were made to accommodate comments from the consulting
architect and staff on the design. Although our project exceeds the FAR, it meets the spirit
of infill development in this transitional area that has multi-family and commercial.
Greg Mussallem, Applicant
- We followed the CDAC’s direction and worked closely with staff on the project. We had
some challenges. We lost our architect towards the end, so making small detail revisions
was difficult, but staff worked with us. We are happy to make small adjustments to make
the project good for the community, but we feel the project fits in and is in the spirit of the
need for housing and infill. It is a good project because people prefer having a single-family
home. Being a good neighbor and maintaining upkeep can be enforced in CC&Rs. These
are good, functional homes that would allow families to live in the neighborhood and enjoy
the community.
Closed Public Comment.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Janoff to approve an Architecture and Site
Application and Subdivision Application for 16195 George Street, subject
to an additional condition of approval to add architectural detail in
accordance with recommendations made by the consulting architect to
be approved by Planning Manager or designee, and a modification to
Condition of Approval 61 to clarify the single driveway. Seconded by
Commissioner Clark.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PAGE 5 OF 5 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 27, 2022
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
July 27, 2022 meeting as approved by the
Planning Commission.
_____________________________
/s/ Vicki Blandin