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Planning Commission

Regular Meeting

Los Gatos, CA · July 27, 2022

AgendaPacketMinutes

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. PAGE 3 OF 5 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. PAGE 4 OF 5 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. PAGE 5 OF 5 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] Page 1 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. Page 2 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. Page 3 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. Page 4

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