Planning Commission
Regular MeetingLos Gatos, CA · May 25, 2022
Minutes
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MAY 25, 2022
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on
Wednesday, May 25, 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, and Commissioner Emily Thomas
Absent: Commissioner Reza Tavana
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approval of Minutes – Draft Minutes of the May 2, 2022 Planning Commission Special
Meeting
2. Approval of Minutes – Draft Minutes of the May 11, 2022 Planning Commission
Meeting
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Raspe to approve adoption of the Consent
Calendar. Seconded by Commissioner Thomas.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF MAY 25, 2022
3. 147 Arroyo Grande Way
Minor Residential Development Application MR-21-027
APN 424-23-030
Applicant: Bilal Ilter
Property Owner: Ayhan Mutlu
Project Planner: Sean Mullin
Requesting approval for construction of a new second-story addition to an existing
single-family residence on property zoned R-1:8.
Sean Mullin, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Ayhan Mutlu (Owner)
- We need additional space to help care for our parents and children. Our goal is to have five
bedrooms to accommodate everyone as well as our work from home needs. A single-story
design would have required major compromises such as keeping 50% of the walls, the
garage in the middle, dividing the house into two regions, and an awkward style. Moving
the garage would have required removing protected trees in the front. We began neighbor
outreach in April 2021, seven months before our application. We decided on a two-story
design after consulting with all our immediate neighbors and accommodating their
requests, and also accommodating the Town consulting architect’s requests. Our
neighbors support our project. Our remodel is neighborhood friendly, with major
compromises such as 8-foot plate heights; a roof as low as possible at 23 feet, 30% less
than allowed; no second-story side windows except small stained glass in the bathroom;
minimal wall expansion towards the neighbors; and yard landscaping for privacy. This
would be the largest home in the neighborhood, but we have the second largest lot and are
in compliance with the allowable FAR, coverage, and setbacks. We tried reducing the
second-story bulk after the consulting architect’s feedback, but it would have resulted in
extending the house to the right, leading to a non-stylish, small second story and large first-
story design. There are 11 two-story homes in the neighborhood.
Ayhan Mutlu (Owner)
- The construction of this home is almost as costly as buying a new home, which we
considered, but we love it here and are invested in the neighborhood and our neighbors,
and that is why we decided to remodel our home.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF MAY 25, 2022
Levent Aksin (Project Architect)
- From the beginning we did many studies for a single-story home to address the Mutlu’s
needs. We tried to avoid having a second floor because it would be much more costly, but
due to the odd shape of the lot and a significant 10-foot public utility easement on the right
side, we could not come up with a successful working design. Our two-story design totally
complies with the zoning regulations in terms of height, FAR, building coverage, and
setbacks. The height is still 7 feet below the allowable 30-foot height, and the plate heights
are at minimum, which is 8 feet. The roof slope is almost at the minimum as well at 4:12.
The home’s height is only 6 inches higher than similar two-story homes on the same block.
Our project is not the only large two-story home in the immediate neighborhood; there are
other two-story homes on the next street to the back. We have addressed the Town
consulting architect’s concerns. There are two homes in the neighborhood that have larger
FARs.
Closed Public Comment.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
Opened Public Comment.
Commission questions of the applicant.
Closed Public Comment
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Thomas to continue the public hearing for 147
Arroyo Grande Way to a date certain of June 22, 2022. Seconded by
Commissioner Raspe.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Jennifer Armer, Planning Manager
Town Council will consider the Draft Sites Inventory as recommend by the Housing
Element Advisory Board at its June 7, 2022 meeting.
Town Council will hold a special meeting on June 20, 2022 to consider the Draft 2040
General Plan and Final EIR.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMISSION MATTERS
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF MAY 25, 2022
Historic Preservation Committee
Commissioner Raspe
- HPC met on May 25, 2022 and considered eight matters: three requests for exterior
alternations; two requests for removal from historic inventory; two technical demolitions;
and one preliminary review.
Housing Element Advisory Board
Chair Hanssen
- HEAB met on May 19, 2022 to discuss the Draft Housing Site Inventory, which will be
considered by the Town Council at its June 7, 2022 meeting.
- It is hoped that the public will take advantage of the Balancing Act tool that is set up for the
public to decide where new housing could be built. Balancing Act is accessible on the
Housing Element website.
Commission Matters
None.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
May 25, 2022 meeting as approved by the
Planning Commission.
_____________________________
/s/ Vicki Blandin
Agenda
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA
MAY 25, 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://losgatos-ca.municodemeetings.com/.
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/89186962894?pwd=cDMyL3JLOGZIUTRUT3pHZnRLZytmZz09.
Passcode: 841635.
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 JEFFREY 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
MAY 25, 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
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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 May 2, 2022 Planning Commission Special Meeting
2. Draft Minutes of the May 11, 2022 Planning Commission Meeting
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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. Requesting Approval for Construction of a New Second-Story Addition to
an Existing Single-Family Residence on Property Zoned R-1:8. Located at
147 Arroyo Grande Way. APN 424-23-030. Minor Residential Development Application
MR-21-027. PROPERTY OWNER: Ayhan Mutlu.
APPLICANT: Bilal Ilter. PROJECT PLANNER: Sean Mullin.
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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