06a Minutes - Study SessionDRAFT Council Agency Meeting April 3, 2006
Item #
TOWN OF LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
TOWN COUNCIL/PARKING AUTHORITY
JOINT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
March 20, 2006/STUDY SESSION MINUTES
Los Gatos Civic Center
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
TIME
ITEM
ACTION ON ITEM
TOWN COUNCIL
The Town Council/Parking
Authority/Redevelopment Agency of the Town of
Los Gatos met in the Council Chambers of the
Town of Hall, 110 East Main Street, at 5:15 PM,
March 20, 2006, in a study session session.
5:30 PM
ROLL CALL
Present: Steve Glickman, Joe Pirzynski, Barbara
Spector, Mike Wasserman, and Mayor/Chairman
Diane McNutt.
Absent: None
5:31 PM
OPEN/CLOSED
None.
VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
5:31 PM
PRESENTATION
Discuss suggested process to review
redevelopment proposals for automobile
AUTOMOBILE
dealership sites.
DEALERSHIP
DISCUSSION
Staff report made by Bud Lortz.
5:39 PM
COUNCIL COMMENT
. Clarification regarding used car lots in
Los Gatos.
• Questioned if proposed applications
would have to, comply with California
Environmental Quality Act requirements. .
• Questioned advantages regarding the
Planned Development process.
• Clarification regarding a letter sent to the
Town by representatives from Swanson
Ford.
Clarification regarding the process
relating to the 10-mile rule.
• Would like to hear more information on
variables regarding the 10-mile rule
relating to potential expansion of
dealerships in Town.
Town Council Minutes
Redevelopment Agency
March 6, 2006
Los Gatos, California
5:47 PM AUTOMOBILE
DEALERSHIP
DISCUSSION
Continued
OPEN PUBLIC
COMMENT
Mr. Bruce Swanson
• Commented that there has been no
interest from other dealership franchises
wanting to locate in Los Gatos.
• Supports alternative number one (No
action) regarding redevelopment of auto
dealership properties in. Los Gatos.
• Commented on the abundance of
dealerships on Stevens Creek Boulevard.
Commented that larger parcels of land
are more favorable environments for auto
malls.
• Commented on Swanson Ford's attempts
to remodel in the past 11 years.
Council Comment
• Clarification regarding remodel attempts
at Swanson Ford.
• Questioned if any auto dealers have
made offers to lease or purchase
Swanson Ford.
Ms. Bowen
• Commented that business is changing,
and asked Council to work with the
property and business owners.
• Supports alternative number one
regarding redevelopment of auto
dealership properties in Los Gatos.
• Commented that empty buildings will not
bring revenue to the Town of Los Gatos.
• Commented that most points contained in
the resolution are covered under the
General Plan.
Council Comments
• Questioned if sales tax revenue could be
considered as part of a proposed
application process.
• Clarification on the "peer review" process
as part of a proposed application
process.
• Suggested looking to the Planned
Development process for all potential
changes to dealerships.
Mr. Moore
• Supports alternative number one
regarding redevelopment of auto
dealership properties in Los Gatos.
• Suggested that the Town provide
incentives to attract dealerships to Los
Gatos.
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Town Council Minutes
Redevelopment Agency
March 6, 2006
Los Gatos, California
AUTOMOBILE
Mr. Moore (Continued)
DEALERSHIP
Commented on the decrease in sales for
DISCUSSION
the last two years.
Continued
. Commented that the General Plan
addresses a majority of the requirements
listed in the proposed resolution.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Commented on the 10-mile rule.
• Suggested a fast track permit process for
the dealerships.
Council Comments
• Commented on the negative impact if
there where no dealerships in Town.
• Commented on working as a team to
attract new dealers to the community.
Clarification regarding the benefit of
having many dealerships verses fewer
dealerships in a community.
• Clarification on the amount of property
desirable for dealerships.
Mr. Robert Swanson
• Commented that no auto dealer has
made an offer on his property.
• Supports alternative number one
regarding redevelopment of auto
dealership properties in Los Gatos.
• Commented regarding the 10-mile rule
process.
Council Comments
• Questioned if alternative number two
would be a consideration to the
automobile dealers.
Mr. Morici
• Commented regarding his property
located on Los Gatos Boulevard, and
asked Council to consider releasing his
property from the overall process.
Mrs. McHugh
• Supports alternative number one
regarding redevelopment of auto
dealership properties in Los Gatos.
Mr. Stansbury
• Commented on a retail analysis relating
to potential sales tax revenue for the
Swanson property.
• Commented on retail proposals for the
Swanson property.
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Town Council Minutes
Redevelopment Agency
March 6, 2006
Los Gatos, California
AUTOMOBILE
Council Comments
DEALERSHIP
Clarification regarding square footage
DISCUSSION
and sales tax revenue.
Continued
Mr. Claxton
PUBLIC COMMENT
. Commented on encouraging retail
business for Los Gatos Boulevard.
• Supports alternative number one
regarding redevelopment of auto
dealership properties in Los Gatos.
• Supports fewer restrictions for
redevelopment on dealership properties.
Council Comments
• Clarification regarding the process for
Planned Developments on dealership
properties.
• Clarification on Land Use requirements
relating to re-zoning of automobile
dealership properties.
Mr. Hirschman
• Commented on the effects the resolution
would have on his property.
• Supports alternative number one
regarding redevelopment of auto
dealership properties in Los Gatos.
6:46 PM
MOTION TO CONTINUE
Motion by Mr. Wasserman to continue study
THE STUDY SESSION
session following the regular Council meeting.
Seconded by Mr. Glickman.
6:46 PM
MAYOR CALLED THE
Carried unanimously.
QUESTION
7:40 PM
STUDY SESSION
RESUMED
7:41 PM
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Davis
Continued
Commented regarding the Conditional
Use Permit at the former auto dealership
located on Los Gatos Boulevard.
7:44 PM
CLOSED PUBLIC
]
COMMENT
I
I
I ]
7:44 PM
AUTOMOBILE
. Commented on supporting the Town's
DEALERSHIP
automobile dealerships.
DISCUSSION
. Suggested looking into alternatives that
Continued
provide similar benefits to the Town.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
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Town Council Minutes
Redevelopment Agency
March 6, 2006
Los Gatos, California
AUTOMOBILE
. Expressed support for Alternate number
DEALERSHIP
two.
DISCUSSION
. Suggested working with the dealerships
Continued
to maintain their vitality in the community.
• Would like information on sales per
square foot for retail.
• Would like information regarding existing
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
controls and processes for proposals that
have a change in the land use of a site.
• Preferred that Planned Development be
required for any change in use.
• Clarification relating to process if an
applicant does not go through a Planned
Development.
• Commented that Los Gatos Boulevard is
at a pivotal point relating to auto
dealership businesses.
• Would like to create an environment that
is conducive to a healthy vibrant auto
dealer business in Los Gatos.
• Suggested that any application that will
have short or long term impacts on the
community go through the Council.
• Would like information on impacts to the
community.
• Clarification regarding the Commercial
Guidelines, relating to the option of used
car lots. Suggestion would be to include
input from auto dealers if this was an
option.
• Suggested staff come up with a package
to include:
a. Town would prefer to keep
auto dealers in town.
b. Any changes to an auto
dealer property site should
come through Council.
C. Council is provided with
complete information for
proposals that have a
change in the land use of a
site.
d. Encourage the current
automobile dealers to
upgrade their property to
make their business as
successful as possible.
e. Suggested staff to come up
with some incentives
including financial and permit
streamlining incentives.
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Town Council Minutes
Redevelopment Agency
March 6, 2006
Los Gatos, California
AUTOMOBILE
Mrs. Figone clarified that a report could be
DEALERSHIP
brought back to Council on April 17, 2006.
DISCUSSION
Continued
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
7:57 PM
MEETING ADJOURNED
Submitted by:
Jackie D. Rose, Deputy Clerk
ATTEST:
MarLyn Rasmussen, Clerk Administrator
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