Planning Commission
Regular MeetingLos Gatos, CA · February 23, 2022
Minutes
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
FEBRUARY 23, 2022
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on
Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at 7:00 p.m.
This meeting was 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, 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 PM
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Melanie Hanssen, Vice Chair Jeffrey Barnett, Commissioner Kylie Clark,
Commissioner Kathryn Janoff, Commissioner Steve Raspe, Commissioner Reza Tavana, and
Commissioner Emily Thomas
Absent: None.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
Jeffrey Suzuki
- As Planning Commissioners, please support the Draft 2040 General Plan. It needs to be
done for our community, because the housing crisis is a threat to the community, working
class families, the homeless, and senior residents. While the General Plan is not the ideal
solution, we need something that is functional, so please support it.
Susan Burnett, 85 Ellenwood
- I am concerned about houses coming before the Planning Commission and the Historic
Preservation Commission and being taken out of our inventory. We started with 1,300
homes and 270 have already been taken out. We should be adding homes to our list, as
many cities do. Now, with SB 9, the committees have to tighten up their views as to what
should happen to pre-1940 homes in order keep Los Gatos the way it is.
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF FEBRUARY 23, 2022
Ali
- I support the Draft General Plan and am in favor of a push toward affordable housing, the
lack of which contributes to homelessness. There is a fair amount of homeless in Los Gatos,
and everyone here deserves a roof over their heads. We often destroy historic homes to
build mega-homes for the wealthy, but build nothing for workers whose salaries cannot
keep pace with the rising costs of housing.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approval of Minutes – February 9, 2022
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Raspe to approve adoption of the Consent
Calendar. Seconded by Commissioner Clark.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. 16509 Bonnie Lane
APN 532-42-013
Property Owner/Applicant/Appellant: Pamela Kee
Project Planner: Ryan Safty
Consider an Appeal of a Community Development Director decision to deny a Fence
Height Exception request for construction of a six-foot fence located within the required
front yard setback on property zoned R-1:8.
Commissioner Barnett announced that he would recuse himself from participating in the
public hearing for 16509 Bonnie Lane due to a conflict of interest based on the proximity of
his residence to the subject property.
Ryan Safty, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Pamela Kee, Owner/Applicant/Appellant
- Last summer the Town engineer asked me to stop construction of the fence, so the fence is
not complete. This is my daughter’s project. We have spoken with the neighbors and tried
to be mindful of the community. In particular, we want to add lighting to our very dark
street as part of the proposal.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF FEBRUARY 23, 2022
Alexandra Kerlee
- I am the daughter of 16509 Bonnie Lane’s owner. We are seeking a fence over three feet
because of the headlights from the driveway up the hill. When residents from the three
homes drive down the hill their headlights shine directly into our home, including my
bedroom, and five feet is the minimum fence height to block the majority of that light. We
were unaware of the 2019 three-foot height limit when we built the fence last summer and
stopped construction after speaking to the Town and applied for an exception.
Closed Public Comment.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Raspe to Deny an Appeal of a Community
Development Director Decision to Deny a Fence Height Exception for
16509 Bonnie Lane. Seconded by Commissioner Thomas.
VOTE: Motion passed 5-1-1 with Commissioner Tavana dissenting and Vice
Chair Barnett recused.
OTHER BUSINESS
None.
REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Joel Paulson, Director of Community Development
An introductory community meeting regarding objective standards was held on
February 22nd. Feedback was given that will be used in preparing a draft document with
objective standards for multifamily and mixed-use development, which will go back to
the community for additional input, then to the Planning Commission for a
recommendation, and then to Town Council for final action.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMISSION MATTERS
Housing Element Advisory Board
Chair Hanssen
- HEAB held its third meeting on February 17th and discussed the process for selecting sites
that could be used to achieve the Town’s RHNA numbers. Staff is using a Housing Element
Site Selection tool that helps to map out potential housing, and a Balancing Act tool, which
the public can utilize, that is used in determining sites. The Balancing Act tool will be
introduced to the public at a community meeting at the end of March.
Historic Preservation Committee
Commissioner Clark/Commissioner Raspe
- HPC met on February 23rd and considered four items.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF FEBRUARY 23, 2022
o Recommended alterations to an existing property.
o Denied a request to remove an historic property from the inventory.
o Approved a request to remove an historic property from the inventory.
o A preliminary review for a technical demolition of an historic property.
- A member of the public expressed concern regarding the historic housing inventory losses
the Town has sustained over time, finding affordable housing, and how development
would impact the preservation of the Town’s historic inventory.
Commission Matters
Chair Hanssen
- Asked staff for an update on the Draft General Plan. Staff responded the current tentative
date is March 23, 2022 for the Planning Commission to begin review of the Draft General
Plan.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
February 23, 2022 meeting as approved by the
Planning Commission.
_____________________________
/s/ Vicki Blandin
Agenda
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA
FEBRUARY 23, 2022
110 EAST MAIN STREET
LOS GATOS, CA
Melanie Hanssen, Chair
Jeffrey Barnett, Vice Chair
Kylie Clark, Commissioner
Kathryn Janoff, Commissioner PARTICIPATION IN THE PUBLIC PROCESS
Steven Raspe, 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:
www.LosGatosCA.gov/TownYouTube
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/82467567047?pwd=b2I4Nkc0amttN05MeDlRZWNodWxYQT09.
Passcode: 977816.
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 MELANIE HANSSEN, VICE
CHAIR JEFFERY BARNETT, COMMISSIONER KYLIE CLARK, COMMISSIONER KATHRYN
JANOFF, COMMISSIONER STEVEN RASPE, COMMISSIONER REZA TAVANA, AND
COMMISSIONER EMILY 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
FEBRUARY 23, 2022
7:00 PM
RULES OF DECORUM AND CIVILITY
To conduct the business of the community in an effective and efficient manner, please follow
the meeting guidelines set forth in the Town Code and State law.
The Town does not tolerate disruptive conduct, which includes but is not limited to:
· Addressing the Planning Commission without first being recognized;
· Interrupting speakers, Planning Commissioners, or Town staff;
· Continuing to speak after the allotted time has expired;
· Failing to relinquish the microphone when directed to do so;
· Repetitiously addressing the same subject.
Town Policy does not allow speakers to cede their commenting time to another
speaker. Disruption of the meeting may result in a violation of Penal Code Section 403.
MEETING CALL 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 February 9, 2022 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. Consider an Appeal of a Community Development Director Decision to Deny a Fence
Height Exception Request for Construction of a Six-Foot Fence Located Within the
Required Front Yard Setback on Property Zoned R-1:8. Located at 16509 Bonnie Lane.
APN 532-42-013. Property Owner/Applicant/Appellant: Pamela Kee. Project Planner:
Ryan Safty.
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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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