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Planning Commission

Regular Meeting

Los Gatos, CA · August 25, 2021

AgendaPacketMinutes

Minutes

TOWN OF LOS GATOS PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 25, 2021 The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. This meeting was conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent with State of California Executive Order N-29-20 dated March 17, 2020, regarding the COVID19 pandemic and was conducted via Zoom. 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 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: Chair Kathryn Janoff, Vice Chair Kendra Burch, Commissioner Jeffrey Barnett, Commissioner Jeffrey Suzuki, Commissioner Reza Tavana, Absent: Commissioner Melanie Hanssen, Commissioner Emily Thomas VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS None. CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION) 1. Approval of Minutes – July 28, 2021 Chair Janoff announced that the Appeal for Item 2 of the Consent Calendar had been withdrawn. 2. 15897 Camino Del Cerro Architecture and Site Application S-20-006 APN 523-24-044 Applicant: Robin McCarthy Appellant: Jack Hardin Property Owners: Francesco Iacopino and Leire Carbone Aguero Project Planner: Ryan Safty Consider an Appeal of a Development Review Committee decision approving a request for demolition of an existing single-family residence, construction of a new single-family 110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832 www.losgatosca.gov PAGE 2 OF 4 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF AUGUST 25, 2021 residence to exceed floor area ratio (FAR) standards, and site work requiring a Grading Permit on property zoned R-1:8. MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Barnett to approve adoption of the Consent Calendar. Seconded by Commissioner Tavana. VOTE: Motion passed unanimously. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. Wood Road Architecture and Site Application S-21-003 APN 510-47-045 Applicant: Gary Kohlsaat, Architect Property Owners: Omari and Kavita Bouknight Project Planner: Sean Mullin Consider approval for construction of a new single-family residence and site improvements requiring a Grading Permit on vacant property zoned HR-5. Sean Mullin, Associate Planner, presented the staff report. Opened Public Comment. Kavita Bouknight, Owner - They revised their proposal according to the Planning Commission’s feedback. They modified their roof design to be flat, which reduces the height by 3’ in the most visible area and 2’ in the least visible sections. They also propose screening trees. Utilizing these two methods has reduced their visibility from 34.9-percent to 24.2-percent. Simon Lawnsdale, Templeton Lane - The proposed home is not visible from Bella Vista Avenue. The applicants have tried to fit in with the Town’s character with their approach. He appreciates the applicants as a family moving into Los Gatos and he approves of the project. Adam Wright, Vista Del Mar - He supports the applicants and their project. He is a long-time friend of the applicants and is thrilled they have chosen to be part of the Los Gatos community. The applicants have been diligent and sincere in their effort to live up to the spirit of the guidelines and would be a tremendous addition to the community. PAGE 3 OF 4 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF AUGUST 25, 2021 Justin Draa, Neighbor - He is the neighbor who granted the exclusive use easement and is directly affected by this project. He is thrilled at the prospect of the vacant lot being developed because it attracts vandalism. He supports the project and was pleased to see the screening trees plan. The home’s design conforms well to the neighborhood and he likes the tiered approach that follows the slope of the hillside. David Ebrahimi - Before they purchased their property they made sure everything was in-line for the right- of-way and access to the one-acre lot. The access and right-of-way to that lot has always been there. With the lot line adjustment he did not know how it could be diminished. They have done detailed research and have an engineer. Jiajun Lin, Neighbor - People in his neighborhood work together to beautify areas and it is his understanding that the applicant intends to do something to beautify the entrance of Wood Road. He fully supports the project. Dave Pierce - He has known the applicants for many years and knows they will be outstanding members of the community. It appears they have done their due diligence with respect to home design. Kavita Bouknight, Owner - With respect to the right-of-way and easement, they respect Mr. Ebrahimi’s right to access his parcels and have met with him twice. There is clearly an access road to get up to the parcels. They are happy to address this and work out the issue privately with the goal that he will be able to access his parcels. Closed Public Comment. Commissioners discussed the matter. MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Barnett to approve an Architecture and Site application for Wood Road. Seconded by Commissioner Tavana. VOTE: Motion passed 4-1 with Commissioner Burch dissenting. PAGE 4 OF 4 MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF AUGUST 25, 2021 OTHER BUSINESS REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Joel Paulson, Director of Community Development  The Draft 2040 General Plan and its accompanying EIR for are out for circulation and public comment. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to receive verbal comments reading the EIR on September 8, 2021, and written comments will be accepted until September 13, 2021 at 5:00p.m.  The Town is getting ready to update its Housing Element and is recruiting for up to four additional public members to join the General Plan Committee to form the Housing Element Advisory Board, which will conduct that review and recommend a draft Housing Element to the Planning Commission and Town Council.  The Town Council and Planning Commission will hold a study session on September 20, 2021 at 4:00p.m. to discuss the Draft General Plan.  Town Hall (Clerk’s Department, Parks and Public Works, and Community Development Department) will reopen for the public to enter next week. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMISSION MATTERS None. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. This is to certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the minutes of the August 25, 2021 meeting as approved by the Planning Commission. _____________________________ /s/ Vicki Blandin

Agenda

TOWN OF LOS GATOS PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA AUGUST 25, 2021 110 EAST MAIN STREET LOS GATOS, CA Kathryn Janoff, Chair Kendra Burch, Vice Chair Jeffrey Barnett, Commissioner Melanie Hanssen, Commissioner PARTICIPATION IN THE PUBLIC PROCESS Jeffrey Suzuki, Commissioner Reza Tavana, Commissioner Emily Thomas, Commissioner How to participate: The Town of Los Gatos strongly encourages your active participation in the public process, which is the cornerstone of democracy. If you wish to speak to an item on the agenda, please follow the participation instructions on page 2 of this agenda. If you wish to speak to an item NOT on the agenda, you may do so during the “Verbal Communications” period, by following the participation instructions on page 2 of this agenda. The time allocated to speakers may change to better facilitate the Planning Commission meeting. Effective Proceedings: The purpose of the Planning Commission meeting is to conduct the business of the community in an effective and efficient manner. For the benefit of the community, the Town of Los Gatos asks that you follow the Town’s meeting guidelines while attending Planning Commission meetings and treat everyone with respect and dignity. This is done by following meeting guidelines set forth in State law and in the Town Code. Disruptive conduct is not tolerated, including but not limited to: addressing the Commissioners without first being recognized; interrupting speakers, Commissioners or Town staff; continuing to speak after the allotted time has expired; failing to relinquish the podium when directed to do so; and repetitiously addressing the same subject. Deadlines for Public Comment and Presentations are as follows:  Persons wishing to make an audio/visual presentation on any agenda item must submit the presentation electronically, either in person or via email, to the Planning Department by 1 p.m. or the Clerk’s Office no later than 3:00 p.m. on the day of the Planning Commission meeting.  Persons wishing to submit written comments to be included in the materials provided to the Planning Commission must provide the comments to the Planning Department as follows: o For inclusion in the regular packet: by 11:00 a.m. the Friday before the meeting o For inclusion in any Addendum: by 11:00 a.m. the day before the meeting o For inclusion in any Desk Item: by 11:00 a.m. on the day of the meeting Planning Commission meetings are broadcast Live on KCAT, Channel 15 (on Comcast) on the 2 nd and 4th Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. Live and Archived Planning Commission meetings can be viewed by going to: https://www.kcat.org/government-meetings IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, IF YOU NEED SPECIAL ASSISTANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS MEETING, PLEASE CONTACT THE CLERK DEPARTMENT AT (408) 354-6834. NOTIFICATION 48 HOURS BEFORE THE MEETING WILL ENABLE THE TOWN TO MAKE REASONABLE ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY TO THIS MEETING [28 CFR §35.102-35.104] Page 1 IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING This meeting is being conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent with State of California Executive Order N-29-20 dated March 17, 2020, regarding the COVID- 19 pandemic. The live stream of the meeting may be viewed on television and/or online at: https://meetings.municode.com/PublishPage/index?cid=LOSGATOS&ppid=4bc370fb-3064- 458e-a11a-78e0c0e5d161&p=0. In accordance with Executive Order N-29-20, the public may only view the meeting on television and/or online and not in the Council Chamber. PARTICIPATION If you are not interested in providing oral comments real-time during the meeting, you can view the live stream of the meeting on television (Comcast Channel 15) and/or online at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFh35XRBWer1DPx-F7vvhcg. If you are interested in providing oral comments in real-time during the meeting, you must join the Zoom webinar at: https://losgatosca-gov.zoom.us/j/85494108942?pwd=LzZ1VEh3T0FMWDdGWXdMS1lTZjA2UT09. Passcode: 137979. Please be sure you have the most up-to-date version of the Zoom application should you choose to provide public comment during the meeting. Note that participants cannot turn their cameras on during the entire duration of the meeting. During the meeting:  When the Chair announces the item for which you wish to speak, click the “raise hand” feature in Zoom. If you are participating by phone on the Zoom app, press *9 on your telephone keypad to raise your hand. If you are participating by calling in, press #2 on your telephone keypad to raise your hand.  When called to speak, please limit your comments to three (3) minutes, or such other time as the Chair may decide, consistent with the time limit for speakers at a Council meeting. If you are unable to participate in real-time, you may send an email to PlanningComment@losgatosca.gov with the subject line “Public Comment Item # ” (insert the item number relevant to your comment) or “Verbal Communications – Non Agenda Item.” Comments will be reviewed and distributed before the meeting if received by 11:00 a.m. on the day of the meeting. All comments received will become part of the record. The Chair has the option to modify this action on items based on comments received. REMOTE LOCATION PARTICIPANTS The following Planning Commissioners are listed to permit them to appear electronically or telephonically at the Planning Commission meeting: CHAIR KATHRYN JANOFF, VICE CHAIR BURCH, COMMISSIONER BARNETT, COMMISSIONER HANSSEN, COMMISSIONER SUZUKI, COMMISSIONER TAVANA, AND COMMISSIONER THOMAS. All votes during the teleconferencing session will be conducted by roll call vote. Page 2 TOWN OF LOS GATOS PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA AUGUST 25, 2021 7:00 PM MEETING CALLED TO ORDER ROLL CALL VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS (Members of the public may address the Commission on any matter that is not listed on the agenda. Unless additional time is authorized by the Commission, remarks shall be limited to three minutes.) CONSENT ITEMS (Items appearing on the Consent Items are considered routine Town business and may be approved by one motion. Any member of the Commission may request to have an item removed from the Consent Items for comment and action. Members of the public may provide input on any or multiple Consent Item(s) when the Chair asks for public comments on the Consent Items. If you wish to comment, please follow the Participation Instructions contained on Page 2 of this agenda. If an item is removed, the Chair has the sole discretion to determine when the item will be heard.) 1. Draft Minutes of the July 28, 2021 Planning Commission Meeting 2. Consider an Appeal of a Development Review Committee Decision Approving a Request for Demolition of an Existing Single-Family Residence, Construction of a New Single- Family Residence to Exceed Floor Area Ratio (FAR) Standards, and Site Work Requiring a Grading Permit on Property Zoned R-1:8. Located at 15897 Camino Del Cerro. APN 523-24-044. Architecture and Site Application S-20-006. Property Owners: Francesco Iacopino and Leire Carbone Aguero. Applicant: Robin McCarthy. Appellant: Jack Hardin. Project Planner: Ryan Safty. PUBLIC HEARINGS (Applicants/Appellants and their representatives may be allotted up to a total of five minutes maximum for opening statements. Members of the public may be allotted up to three minutes to comment on any public hearing item. Applicants/Appellants and their representatives may be allotted up to a total of three minutes maximum for closing statements. Items requested/recommended for continuance are subject to the Commission’s consent at the meeting.) 3. Consider Approval for Construction of a New Single-family Residence and Site Improvements Requiring a Grading Permit on Vacant Property Zoned HR-5. Located on Wood Road. APN 510-47-045. Architecture and Site Application S-21-003. Property Owners: Omari and Kavita Bouknight. Applicant: Gary Kohlsaat, Architect. Project Planner: Sean Mullin. Page 3 REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS / COMMISSION MATTERS ADJOURNMENT (Planning Commission policy is to adjourn no later than 11:30 p.m. unless a majority of the Planning Commission votes for an extension of time) Writings related to an item on the Planning Commission meeting agenda distributed to members of the Commission within 72 hours of the meeting are available for public inspection at the reference desk of the Los Gatos Town Library, located at 100 Villa Avenue; the Community Development Department and Clerk Department, both located at 110 E. Main Street; and are also available for review on the official Town of Los Gatos website. Copies of desk items distributed to members of the Commission at the meeting are available for review in the Town Council Chambers. Note: The Town of Los Gatos has adopted the provisions of Code of Civil Procedure §1094.6; litigation challenging a decision of the Town Council must be brought within 90 days after the decision is announced unless a shorter time is required by State or Federal law. Page 4

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