Planning Commission
Regular MeetingLos Gatos, CA · October 13, 2021
Minutes
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
OCTOBER 13, 2021
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on
Wednesday, October 13, 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 Melanie Hanssen, Commissioner Jeffrey Suzuki, Commissioner Reza Tavana, and
Commissioner Emily Thomas.
Absent: None.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approval of Minutes – September 22, 2021
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Barnett to approve adoption of the Consent
Calendar. Seconded by Vice Chair Burch.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF OCTOBER 13, 2021
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. 16466 Bonnie Lane
Subdivision Application M-21-003
APN 532-02-053
Applicant: Tony Jeans
Property Owner: Mish Chadwick
Project Planner: Ryan Safty
Requesting Approval for Subdivision of One Lot into Two Lots on Property Zoned R-1:20.
Commissioner Barnett announced that he would recuse himself from participating in the
public hearing for 16466 Bonnie Lane because he lives within the prescribed radius for
proximity to the subject site.
Ryan Safty, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Tony Jeans, Applicant:
- The parcel is irregularly shaped, but is almost 2 acres in size in the R-1:20 zoning district, so
it is way bigger than anything else. They considered other alternatives for splitting the lot,
but decided to go with the current plan to introduce a “jog” in the division between the
parcels to give more room for a potential future house with more privacy for the neighbor
to the left. The irregular shape of the existing parcel would not be made any worse by this
lot split, rather it brings more conformity to the neighborhood, and the lot split of a 2-acre
parcel to permit this is almost required by the Subdivision Map Act, the General Plan, and
the zoning rules of the Town.
Tom Lippe, Attorney representing Patti and Erik Van Der Burg of 6417 Peacock Lane:
- The Town Code requires 100 feet of street frontage for this interior lot and the proposed
new parcel has only about seven feet of street frontage on Bonnie Lane. The plans dated
July 2021 show vehicle access provided by a new driveway from Bonnie Lane across an
unpaved easement area to the new lot, but the unpaved easement is a street and is not a
thoroughfare for vehicle travel affording the principle means of access, it is in fact
someone’s yard. The actual thoroughfare that provides vehicle access to this parcel is
Bonnie Lane and the new parcel does not have 100 feet of frontage on Bonnie Lane.
Les Kishler:
- He and his wife bought their property in the Ross Creek neighborhood in 1971. In the 1980s
the neighborhood was an unincorporated country island and he and his neighbors were
annexed to the Town of Los Gatos, and the Town agreed at that time to protect the
neighborhood’s character, such as low density. The Planning Commission at that time
spoke of the value of allowing neighborhoods in Los Gatos to keep their unique character
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF OCTOBER 13, 2021
and not push all of them towards greater density and he hopes the current Planning
Commission will continue that history.
Amir Segev, next-door neighbor:
- He hopes this is not some type of rubber-stamp ceremony without an opportunity to act on
the decision and that the neighbors will be heard. His objections and those of his neighbors
are not automatic objections. He would like to support this project, but a couple of things
prevent that: 1) This project would be detrimental to the quality of life for the neighbors
and the nature and character of the street with the increased density; and 2) He is terrified
that a monstrosity would be built on the site. The neighbors are not concerned about a
subdivision, but what that may bring later on and they are being kept in the dark regarding
the proposal.
Rebecca Guerra, 16500 Bonnie Lane:
- Her property includes the discussed driveway easement. She and her two immediate
neighbors are the properties that have right of easement on that driveway. She is trying to
understand the difference between a private driveway and easement versus street
frontage and how that is interpreted in this particular proposal.
Pamela Kee, 16509 Bonnie Lane:
- She lives across the street. Nothing has been said about whether sub-parcel 1 would be
built. If this is a shared driveway access sub-parcel 1 could be in violation of the Santa Clara
County Fire Standard and cause 16500 and 16510 Bonnie Lane to be in violation of the
standard also, because their driveways would be in excess of 250 feet from the nearest
hydrant.
Unidentified Speaker, Peacock Lane:
- He lives across the street from the Ross Creek riparian corridor, which is in a flood zone.
Because of this his insurance is triple. Because of this new construction and the other
construction upstream the potential for flooding is increased. The riparian corridor should
be increased to 100 feet or more to reduce the likelihood of flood damage. This has not
been investigated as much as it should be.
Tony Jeans, Applicant:
- With respect to the 50-foot wide easement on the 16500 Bonnie Lane property, this is a
50-foot wide dedication made in 1953 explicitly for road purposes, and all of that area is
singled out. The frontage is along the property line of that, not along the road itself, so the
fact that there was a 20-foot roadway or thoroughfare supposedly put on it does not
determine the frontage. The frontage is the edge of the 50-foot easement. He has done his
best to give additional space so that there is flexibility in designing a home for parcel 2 as to
location and the design of the house. Fire safety will be determined at the architecture and
site application phase. This is in flood zone D, which is not in the 100-year flood zone
district.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF OCTOBER 13, 2021
Closed Public Comment.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Hanssen to approve a Subdivision Application
for 16466 Bonnie Lane, including a condition of approval to include the
open space easement near the riparian corridor. Seconded by Vice Chair
Burch.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously with Commissioner Barnett recused.
OTHER BUSINESS
REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Joel Paulson, Director of Community Development
A General Plan community meeting was held October 6thand was well attended. The
Town is working with our consultants to determine the next steps for completing the
Final EIR and responding to public comments.
Recruitment is being held for various commissions and committees with a deadline of
December 3rd.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMISSION MATTERS
Conceptual Development Advisory Committee
Commissioner Barnett
- The CDAC met 10/13/21; discussed the request for a proposal for a preliminary review of
an amendment to the North Forty Specific Plan that concerns the construction of a two-
story commercial building at 15171 Los Gatos Boulevard.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
October 13, 2021 meeting as approved by the
Planning Commission.
_____________________________
/s/ Vicki Blandin
Agenda
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA
OCTOBER 13, 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]
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IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
This meeting is being conducted utilizing teleconferencing and electronic means consistent
with Government Code Section 54953, as Amended by Assembly Bill 361, in response to the
state of emergency relating to COVID-19 and enabling teleconferencing accommodations by
suspending or waiving specified provisions in the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code §
54950 et seq.). Consistent with AB 361 and Town of Los Gatos Resolution 2021-044 this
meeting will not be physically open to the public and the Council and/or Commissioners will
be teleconferencing from remote locations. Members of the public can only participate in the
meeting by joining the Zoom webinar (log in information provided below). 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 Chambers.
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/86250280552?pwd=WmFEK3VuZlVXcWRSVXhNWWREWHBGQT09.
Passcode: 688183.
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.
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TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA
OCTOBER 13, 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. Drafted Minutes of the September 22, 2021 Planning Commission Meeting.
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.)
2. Requesting Approval for Subdivision of One Lot into Two Lots on Property Zoned R-1:20.
Located at 16466 Bonnie Lane. APN 532-02-053. Subdivision Application M-21-003.
Property Owner: Mish Chadwick. Applicant: Tony Jeans. Project Planner: Ryan Safty.
OTHER BUSINESS (Up to three minutes may be allotted to each speaker on any of the following
items.)
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.
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