Planning Commission
Regular MeetingLos Gatos, CA · July 27, 2022
Minutes
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 27, 2022
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on
Wednesday, July 27, 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 – July 13, 2022
2. Review and Recommendation of the Draft Objective Standards to the Town Council
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Janoff to approve adoption of the Consent
Calendar. Seconded by Commissioner Thomas.
VOTE: Approval of minutes of July 13, 2022 Planning Commission meeting
passed 5-0 with Commissioner Raspe abstaining. Continuation of Draft
Objective Standards to August 24, 2022, passed unanimously.
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
PAGE 2 OF 5
MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 27, 2022
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. 16195 George Street
Architecture and Site Application S-20-025
Subdivision Application M-20-008
APN 529-18-051
Applicant: Hometec Architecture
Property Owner: Robert Bothman, George St. Partners
Project Planner: Ryan Safty
Requesting approval for demolition of an existing residence, construction of four
condominium units that will exceed the floor area ratio standards, and site
improvements requiring a Grading Permit on property zoned R-M:5-12.
Planning Manager Armer reported that the applicant for 16195 George Street was absent
from the meeting and recommended a continuance.
MOTION: Motion by Vice Chair Barnett to continue the public hearing for 16195
George Street to a date certain of August 10, 2022 due to there being no
applicant representative at the hearing. Seconded by Commissioner
Thomas.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Jennifer Armer, Planning Manager
The Town Council has been recessed for the month of July.
The next Housing Element Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for August 4, 2022.
Review and Recommendation of the Draft Objective Standards to the Town Council has
been continued to the August 24, 2022 Planning Commission meeting. Any further
Planning Commission questions or comments should be submitted to staff by August 12,
2022.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 27, 2022
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMISSION MATTERS
Historic Preservation Commission
Commissioner Clark
- HPC met July 27, 2022:
o Request to remove a property from the inventory.
o Request for alterations to the exterior awnings of 50 University Avenue, adding blue
at the bottom, but did not approve a change to the shape of the awnings.
o Reviewed and provided feedback regarding a property that will apply for
demolition.
- Added a new fifth member, Susan Burnett.
Planning Manager Armer reported that the applicant for 16195 George Street had joined the
meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. 16195 George Street
Architecture and Site Application S-20-025
Subdivision Application M-20-008
APN 529-18-051
Applicant: Hometec Architecture
Property Owner: Robert Bothman, George St. Partners
Project Planner: Ryan Safty
Requesting approval for demolition of an existing residence, construction of four
condominium units that will exceed the floor area ratio standards, and site
improvements requiring a Grading Permit on property zoned R-M:5-12.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Clark to rescind the continuance of the public
hearing for 16195 George Street and to hear the item. Seconded by
Commissioner Thomas.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Thomas disclosed that one of the property owners is her former landlord, but
she believed she could make an impartial decision based on the information provided by the
Town.
Ryan Safty, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 27, 2022
Greg Mussallem, Applicant
- The back units are a little larger than the front units. The density and unit sizes are typical
for the neighborhood and is smaller than the buildings across the street in the Planned
Development zoning. We went before the CDAC and worked with staff on the design.
Originally, we had the back units in the setbacks and the front homes pushed up more and
they had their own driveway aprons, and that made the houses in the 2,100-2,200-square
foot range. When we moved the units to comply with the required setbacks, we built
within that envelope. We wanted a first floor bedroom and bathroom in each unit to
accommodate older occupants, and that shaped our design and the overall square footage.
Although we exceed the FAR, the units are not egregious in size. What is more important is
we are under the lot coverage for the project and our FAR is compatible with the
neighborhood. We are a little taller than the houses across the street, but we are still three
feet under the maximum allowable height, and we did the slab foundation so we can avoid
Tree 884 and minimize height. Our plate heights are nine feet, and our roof is at 5:12 and
does not max out the height. The landscape plan shows the open space and that the units
have usable yards. Changes were made to accommodate comments from the consulting
architect and staff on the design. Although our project exceeds the FAR, it meets the spirit
of infill development in this transitional area that has multi-family and commercial.
Greg Mussallem, Applicant
- We followed the CDAC’s direction and worked closely with staff on the project. We had
some challenges. We lost our architect towards the end, so making small detail revisions
was difficult, but staff worked with us. We are happy to make small adjustments to make
the project good for the community, but we feel the project fits in and is in the spirit of the
need for housing and infill. It is a good project because people prefer having a single-family
home. Being a good neighbor and maintaining upkeep can be enforced in CC&Rs. These
are good, functional homes that would allow families to live in the neighborhood and enjoy
the community.
Closed Public Comment.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Janoff to approve an Architecture and Site
Application and Subdivision Application for 16195 George Street, subject
to an additional condition of approval to add architectural detail in
accordance with recommendations made by the consulting architect to
be approved by Planning Manager or designee, and a modification to
Condition of Approval 61 to clarify the single driveway. Seconded by
Commissioner Clark.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 27, 2022
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
July 27, 2022 meeting as approved by the
Planning Commission.
_____________________________
/s/ Vicki Blandin
Agenda
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA
JULY 27, 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/86161746130?pwd=a2hmcFk3U2RCZlBOd1QxaCsxWmxZZz09.
Passcode: 828712.
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
JULY 27, 2022
7:00 PM
MEETING CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
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.
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 13, 2022 Planning Commission Meeting
2. Review and Recommendation of the Draft Objective Standards to the Town Council.
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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 Demolition of an Existing Residence, Construction of Four
Condominium Units that Will Exceed the Floor Area Ratio Standards, and Site Improvements
Requiring a Grading Permit on Property Zoned R-M:5-12. Located at 16195 George Street. APN
529-18-051. Architecture and Site Application S-20-025 and Subdivision Application M-20-008.
PROPERTY OWNER: Robert Bothman, George St. Partners. APPLICANT: Hometec Architecture.
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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