09-13-2023 Minutes - PC (PDF)
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
SEPTEMBER 13, 2023
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on
Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Jeffrey Barnett, Commissioner Susan Burnett, Commissioner Melanie Hanssen,
Commissioner Kathryn Janoff, and Commissioner Emily Thomas.
Absent: Vice Chair Steve Raspe.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approval of Minutes – August 23, 2023
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Hanssen to approve adoption of the Consent
Calendar. Seconded by Commissioner Thomas.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. Town Wide – 2023-2031 Housing Element
Zoning Code Amendment Application 2-23-003
General Plan Amendment Application GP-23-003
Applicant – Town of Los Gatos
Forward a recommendation to the Town Council on a Request to Amend the General
Plan Land Use Designation of 16492 Los Gatos Boulevard and Assessor Parcel Number
(APN) 532-07-086 from Low Density Residential to Neighborhood Commercial; amend
the General Plan land use designation of Caltrans right-of-way adjacent to 14685 Oka
PAGE 2 OF 4
MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 13, 2023
Road from Low Density Residential to Medium Density Residential and from R:1 -8 to R-
M:14-22, and apply the Housing Element Overlay Zone to allow for increases to the
allowable density, height, floor area ratio, and lot coverage to the sites included in the
Sites Inventory Analysis of the 2023-2031 Housing Element: APNs 424-06-116, 424-07-
116, 424-08-029, 424-08-058, 424-08-059, 424-08-060, 424-08-074, 529-24-001, 529-24-
003, and 532-07-085; 401 through 409 Alberto Way; 620 and 14000 Blossom Hill Road;
16210, 16240, 16245, 16250, 16260, and 16270 Burton Road; Caltrans right-of-way
adjacent to 14685 Oka Road; 110 and 206 Knowles Drive; 445 Leigh Avenue; 440 Los
Gatos Almaden Road; 16603 Lark Avenue; 14823, 14831, 14849, 14859, 14917, 14925,
15300, 15349, 15367, 15405, 15425, 15480, 15500, 15795, 16151, 16203, 16392, and
16492 Los Gatos Boulevard; 50 and 165 Los Gatos Saratoga Road; 61 Montebello Way;
14800 and 14840 Oka Road; 50 Park Avenue; 101 South Santa Cruz Avenue. An
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) was prepared and certified for the 2040 General Plan
Update on June 30, 2022, which included the proposed General Plan amendments. No
further environmental analysis is required.
Jocelyn Shoopman, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Commissioner Thomas stated that she would recuse herself from participating in the public
hearing for Item 2, due to proximity to some of the subject sites.
Opened and Closed Public Comment.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Hanssen to recommend Town Council approval
of the proposed General Plan and Zoning Amendments .
Commissioner Hanssen amended the motion to include language regarding the minimum and
maximum density.
Seconded by Commissioner Janoff.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
3. Amendments to the Town Code Regarding Accessory Dwelling Units
Town Code Amendment Application A-23-002
Applicant: Town of Los Gatos
Location: Town-Wide
Project Planner: Sean Mullin
PAGE 3 OF 4
MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 13, 2023
Forward a recommendation to the Town Council on Amendments to Chapter 29 (Zoning
Regulations) of the Town Code regarding Accessory Dwelling Units. The proposed
amendments also correct outdated references to sections of the Town Code included in
sections pertaining to termination of nonconforming use status, requirements for a two-
unit development under Senate Bill 9 (SB 9), and civil penalties. The environmental
impacts of the proposed amendments to the Town Code were analyzed in the
Environmental Impact Report for the 2040 General Plan. Additionally, the proposed
amendments are exempt pursuant to CEQA, Section 15061(b)(3).
Sean Mullin, Senior Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Lee Fagot:
- I have a question on Table 1-2, Accessory Dwelling Unit Setback Requirements, including
the street side and the setback for new attached ADUs within an existing space of a primary
dwelling or accessory structure. For the rear and side it simply says, “Is sufficient for fire
and safety.” What is the definition of sufficient? Is it four feet or is it 11 feet as is the
guidance on emergency evacuation requirements for roadways and pathways?
Eric Beckstrom:
- I don’t know what the second story window was about in terms of regulations. Could you
map that out a little bit? As an architect who has worked in Europe I know that some
houses with transom windows look like they have bullet windows on the second floor. A
house is really a face and it welcomes people. I’ve worked in a lot of jurisdictions and when
those second floor windows are up high and are transoms, it takes away the humanity of
the space inside. Imagine a child with transom windows and all they see is the sky. With
taller windows they can actually see the neighbors.
Pradeep Khanel:
- I’m a resident of Los Gatos and considering converting my detached garage into an ADU in
the future. I want to understand if the new State changes have made the process stricter
or more relaxed? When I moved to Los Gatos I was told the Town was encouraging ADUs.
Is that still the sentiment or has that changed?
Closed Public Comment.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Janoff to recommend Town Council approval of
amendments to Chapter 29 of the Town Code regarding Accessory
Dwelling Units, with the recommendation that parking requirements be
eliminated from the ADU Ordinance and that Table 1.2, “Accessory
PAGE 4 OF 4
MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 13, 2023
Dwelling Unit Setback Requirements” included in the Addendum, be
incorporated. Seconded by Commissioner Hanssen.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Jennifer Armer, Planning Manager
• The Town Council meeting scheduled for September 19th will include discussion on an
appeal of the Planning Commission’s approval of the Winchester assisted living project ;
and a further discussion of the Housing Element work plan.
• A special Housing Element Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for September 28 th.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMISSION MATTERS
Housing Element Advisory Board
Commissioner Hanssen
• HEAB held its last monthly meeting on August 24th and continued progress to get the
Housing Element certified.
• Staff met on September 5th with HCD and our consultant with experience getting
housing elements certified.
• HEAB expects to see the draft Housing Element at its special meeting scheduled for
September 28th.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
September 13, 2023 meeting as approved by the
Planning Commission.
_____________________________
/s/ Vicki Blandin