Exhibit 17 of Attachment 1TOWN OF LOS GATOS
110 East Main Street, Los Gatos, CA 95030 (408) 354 -6872
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SUMMARY MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE GENERAL PLAN
COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS ON AUGUST 14, 2013, HELD IN THE LOS
GATOS TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS, AT 110 E. MAIN STREET, LOS GATOS,
CALIFORNIA.
The meeting was called to order at 5 :35 p,m. by Chair John Bourgeois.
ATTENDANCE:
Members present: Bob Beyer, John Bourgeois, Barbara Cardillo, Charles Erekson, Todd Jarvis,
Matthew Hudes, Joe Pirzynski, Marico Sayoc, Barbara Spector
Members absent: None
Staff prese nt: Sandy BaiIy, Community Development Director; Suzanne Avila, Senior Planner;
Erwin Ordonez, Senior Planner
Others Present:
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
ITEM i APPROVAL OF MINUTE
Bob Beyer made a motion to approve the minutes of June 26, 2013. The motion was seconded
by Joe Pirzynski and passed 6 -2 (Sayoc and Spector abstained as they were not at the meeting).
ITEM 2 AHOZ DRAFT DESIGN GUIDELINES AND ZONING ORDINANCE
AMENDMENT
Sandy Baily presented a revised AHOZ timeline and indicated that we are on track to make the
targeted Planning Commission and Council meeting dates. She briefly reviewed the proposed
sites at Oak Rim, Higgins Business Park, Los Gatos Lodge, and South Bay.
Erwin Ordonez commented that a redline version of the proposed changes to design guidelines
was provided along with the guidelines that were previously developed by the Committee. The
draft will be reformatted with photos like the original document. He noted that staff looked at
the sites and drafted the diagrams showing circulation, landscape, and building massing for the
Higgins, Oak Rim, and Los Gatos Lodge sites. For the design guidelines, staff is asking the
Committee to review and affirm the redline revisions and site location criteria noted.
Erwin Ordonez stated that along with the AHOZ design guidelines, there are necessary Zoning
Ordinance Amendments required for the implementation of the AHOZ program. These
EXHIBIT 17
of Attachment
General Plan Committee Minutes
August 14, 2013
Page 2 of 5
amendments included four specific areas for the Committee's review: site development
standards, required affordability levels, allowable concessions, and allowable density bonus. He
reviewed each item and also presented development standards in table format with proposed
criteria for each site. He noted the recommendations for the tables were based on the work of the
Committee in establishing standard for the prior sites.
Barbara Spector asked about attendance at the neighborhood meetings. Erwin Ordonez said the
meeting on June 4, 2013, had about 20 -30 attendees.
Barbara Spector asked if there were any concerns raised. Erwin Ordonez said that Marcia
Wright a resident who was speaking for the County pocket areas expressed concern about
density along Los Gatos Boulevard, but was referring to projects that have already been
approved and are under construction (Laurel Mews and Montecitc).
Public Comment:
Jeff Loughridge commented that the outreach meeting had about 15 -20 people. He stated that
none of the specific details being discussed during this meeting were presented at the
informational meeting. Staff only gave an overview with an update of the Committee's actions
and the upcoming schedule. He had the impression from the prior Committee members'
comments that the Committee indicated that the number of developer concessions was going to
be reduced to only what is required by the State. He stated that it does not make sense to go
further than what the State requires in terms of concessions and density bonus. Erwin Ordonez
clarified that as presently drafted and presented to Council in January 2013, the AHOZ Zoning
Ordinance Amendments allow a developer to request up to four concessions while the State
Density Bonus Law allows up to three. He noted that this is why the Committee is being asked
to review it.
Lee Quintana agreed with the comments made by Mr. Loughridge. She asked if slopes and
riparian habitat on some of the sites have been taken into consideration and if the density has
been adjusted accordingly. She has concerns about the concessions and how it is determined if a
guideline is being adhered to. Erwin Ordohez clarified that the AHOZ is looking at a
programmatic level of detail for potential development and that each site would be required to
comply with the California Environmental Quality Act should a formal development application
be submitted. He further noted that it was likely that once a detailed development plan is
received for an AHOZ site and further detailed environmental analyses are conducted, that
proposed project may have to be reduced or scaled back to avoid potential impact or as a
mitigation measure. He gave the example of potential increased setbacks from the slopes or
riparian corridors noted.
General Plan Conunittee Minutes
August 14, 20I3
Page 3 of S
Committee Discussion:
Afarico Sayoc asked staff to walk through the environmental review process, and if there will be
site specific review done if a project comes forward. Erwin Ordonez affirmed that yes,
environmental review would be required for specific development proposals given the site
criteria noted, and that some of the sites would likely require an EIR. He gave an overview of
the Staff Technical Review process and noted different Town departments and outside agencies
provide comments regarding proposed projects.
Marico Sayoc asked if a detailed environmental analysis for a project results in increased riparian
setbacks, would the ordinance need to be amended. Erwin Ordonez said that as part of the
established development review process, the setbacks noted could be increased by the detailed
environmental analysis to mitigate potential impacts and would not require the AHOZ ordinance
be amended.
Marico Sayoc asked about unit affordability and what would happen if a developer presented
information indicating that a required ratio cannot be met. Erwin Ordoilez clarified that as
presently drafted, the ordinance allows a developer with the Planning Commission's
recommendation to the Council, to submit evidence showing that an affordability level is not
feasible without a density bonus and to ask for a modification. The Town Council has the
authority to modify affordability ratios noted for any project only if the number of required units
for the applicable Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) categories is being achieved.
Marico Sayoc asked how facilitation of the potential shared access for the Los Gatos Lodge Site
and the high school could be accommodated. Erwin Ordonez said that if a development
application was being considered, the school district would be contacted and the developer
would be encouraged to discuss the access opportunities.
Todd Jarvis asked about traffic generation and if that could reduce the number of potential units.
Erwin Ordonez said that the general practice of the Town is to mitigate impacts. The burden is
on the developer to show that appropriate mitigations are being incorporated. It may be that the
number of units could be reduced based on environmental impacts and this would affect the
number of trips generated.
Afatihew Hudes asked about high school access and if there has been any discussion with the
high school district regarding pedestrian and /or vehicular access through the Lodge site. Erwin
Ordonez said that there has not been discussion with the district regarding this specific item.
Barbara Spector asked about density bonus. Erwin Ordonez said that the density bonus would
only be applicable to the South Bay site based on how the existing ordinance is drafted unless the
Committee decided to recommend revisions.
John Bourgeois clarified that density bonus is a concession that could be requested, and is only
for the South Bay site.
General Flan Committee Minutes
August 14, 2013
Page 4 of 5
Marico Sayoc commented that the reason the Committee adopted the 20% density bonus for the
South Bay site was because the site is designated for high density residential and its proximity to
the proposed Vasona Station. Erwin Ordonez said that the Committee did not formally discuss
or vote on the applicability of density bonus for any sites, and in fact, indicated a strong
preference to maintain a maximum density of no more than 20 units per acre. He noted that in
2012 the Committee shifted potential density bonus units that could have been considered for the
Oka Road AHOZ sites and instead shifted them to the South Bay and Courthouse sites.
Todd Jarvis asked for clarification on the parking concession. If parking is reduced for seniors,
it could mean that no parking is provided. Erwin Ordonez said that a minimum of one space per
unit would always be required for a senior unit.
!Mathew Hudes asked about the unit affordability for the Oak Rim and Higgins sites, and what
the rationale is for having different levels for other sites. Erwin Ordonez said that the smaller
size of these sites was a consideration and the ratios were similar to what was proposed for the
multifamily zoned AHOZ sites that the Committee considered in 2012. He noted that the South
Bay and Lodge sites were similar in approximated size.
John Bourgeois asked for comments on Attachments 3 and 4 (there were none).
Marico Sayoc made a motion to recommend approval of the AHOZ Design Guidelines revisions
and exhibits (Attaclmients 3 and 4). The motion was seconded by .foe Pirzynski and passed
unanimously.
John Bourgeois suggested that a larger setback on the Bella Vista side of the Lodge site should
be considered. Joe Pirzynski agreed and asked staff to return with specific setback
recommendations for the four new sites that the Committee can review. Barbara Spector
concurred that more information is needed and agreed with the Committee's action on the
guidelines but wanted more detailed work on the zoning ordinance amendments.
John Bourgeois commented that riparian and sloped areas should be taken into account for the
setback recommendations.
Joe Pirzynski commented that the tree buffer on the Higgins site is important to maintain. He
also suggested that staff discuss the access opportunities with the school district.
General Plan Connnittee Minutes
August 14, 2013
Page 5 of 5
Concessions:
Marico Sayoc asked if the density bonus concession can be conditioned based on a prerequisite
that the VTA light rail extension and Vasona Station are constructed.
Barbara Spector commented that the additional 20% density bonus is of concern to her and she
would appreciate more information before this is considered.
Joe Pirzynski commented that he prefers to hold at a maximum of 20 units per acre. Other
Committee members concurred.
Erwin Ordoilez clarified that the Committee's recommendation will be noted as no density bonus
concession for any sites; staff will contact the High School District and will return with more
information on setbacks.
ITEM 4 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 28,
2013.
Prepared by:
Suzanne Avila, Senior Planner
NADEVWM2013 Minutes \CPC- 072413.doe
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