M02-13-12 Special MeetingP a g e 1
Council/Agency Meeting 3/5/12
Item #1a
MINUTES OF THE TOWN COUNCIL/PARKING AUTHORITY
FEBRUARY 13, 2012
The Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Study Session on Monday,
February 13, 2012 at 6:00 P.M.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Steve Rice, Vice Mayor Barbara Spector, Council Member Steven
Leonardis, Council Member Diane McNutt, and Council Member Joe Pirzynski.
Absent: None
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS (Up to three minutes may be allotted to each
speaker to address matters that are not on tonight’s agenda.)
There were no verbal communications for this meeting.
DISCUSSION TOPICS
Develop the vision for the North Forty Specific Plan
Greg Larson, Town Manager, and Wendie Rooney, Director of Community
Development, presented the staff report.
Open the Public Hearing
Mr. Capobres
- Commented that Grosvenor is committed to the public process of developing the
North 40.
Mr. Arzie
- Commented that the North 40 Specific Plan must be developed in conjunction with
the Boulevard Plan.
Ms. Abbati
- Commented on the North Forty Specific Plan in relation to Los Gatos K -12 schools.
P a g e 2
North Forty Specific Plan Vision - Continued
Ms. Despars
- Commented on the North Forty Specific Plan and the need for retail and restaurant
establishments.
Mr. Dean
- Commented on the North Forty Specific Plan in relation to Los Gatos K -12 schools
Mr. Hudes
- Commented that several guiding documents should be drafted after the vision
statement.
Mr. Needon
- Commented that the Town Manager’s staff report captured the needs for the
development of the North 40.
Ms. Roach
- Commented on the need for open space in the North 40.
Ms. Briones
- Expressed concern about the traffic impacts.
Mr. Barry
- Questioned the impact of the development of the North 40 on local employment.
Mr. Larson, Town Manager
- Commented that the North 40 is privately owned. Therefore, any use for parks,
schools, or open space would require an acquisition of property.
Closed the Public Hearing
P a g e 3
North Forty Specific Plan Vision - Continued
Council Discussion
Unmet Needs
Senior housing
Hotel/Conference Center
Town’s unmet needs
Northern community has little commercial opportunities
Schools – Their needs yet unmet
Sensitive to impact on schools
Sensitive to traffic impacts
Potential Edits to the 1999 N40 Vision Statement
Hierarchy for meeting unmet needs:
- Future residents of the N40
- Residents in the immediate area
- Residents of the Town in general
- Residents in the greater area/region
- Visitors
Vision Statement is too long and general
Vision statement should become litmus test for appropriate uses
In general, vision statements should be broad statements that are simple and short
There is a difference between a vision statement and vision
Guiding Principles for Vision Statement/Vision
Provide for the Town’s unmet needs
Continuity of Town character
Sensitivity to infrastructure impacts
Vision Statement – Common Themes
Unmet needs
Natural setting:
- Agricultural legacy
- Mountains
Sensitive to impacts on schools/traffic
Continuous flow of community character
P a g e 4
North Forty Specific Plan Vision - Continued
Four Components (Pillars) of Vision Statement
Unmet needs
Grown organically with continuity of community character
Without overburdening infrastructure (schools/traffic)
Environment, natural assets (hillside/trees), and historic assets
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
Attest:
/s/Mazarin A. Vakharia
Clerk Administrator