Planning Commission
Regular MeetingLos Gatos, CA · March 13, 2024
Minutes
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MARCH 13, 2024
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on
Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Steve Raspe, Commissioner Susan Burnett, Commissioner Melanie Hanssen,
Commissioner Kathryn Janoff, and Commissioner Adam Mayer.
Absent: Vice Chair Emily Thomas.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approval of Minutes – February 28, 2024
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Hanssen to approve adoption of the Consent
Calendar. Seconded by Commissioner Janoff.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. 124 Garden Hill Drive
Fence Height Exception Application FHE-23-005
APN 424-23-084
Property Owner/Appellant: Rushikesh Kulkarni
Project Planner: Ryan Safty
Consider on remand an Appeal of a Denial of a Fence height Exception Request for
Construction of a 6-Foot-Tall Fence Located Within the Required Front Yard Setback,
Street Side Yard Setback, and Corner Sight Triangle on Property Aoned R-1:8.
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
PAGE 2 OF 4
MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 13, 2024
Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303: New Construction or
Conversion of Small Structures, and Section 15301: Existing Facilities.
Ryan Safty, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Rushikesh Kulkarni
- We have reached a point of consensus between the Planning Department and myself and
believe we can achieve a happy medium where my security concerns as a parent of two
toddlers who play in that side of the yard can be addressed. One concern is coyote
sightings in the neighborhood, leading to the need for a 6-foot-high fence, as well as an
occasion where a dog jumped the fence into our yard. We erected the bamboo fence as a
temporary arrangement. I believe we have addressed all concerns the Planning
Commission and Public Works had. If the appeal is granted, we will remove the solid fence
and install the wrought iron fence as shown in the plans.
Closed Public Comment.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Hanssen to grant an Appeal of a Denial of a
Fence Height Exception for construction of a 6-foot-tall fence located
within the required front yard setback, street side yard setback, and
corner sight triangle on property zoned R-1:8 for 124 Garden Hill Drive
with the Special Circumstance finding in Town Code Section
29.40.0320(e)) for the configuration of the property and lack of a rear
yard. Seconded by Commissioner Burnett.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
3. 666 North Santa Cruz Avenue
Conditional Use Permit Application U-22-004
APN 529-10-141
Property Owner/Applicant: Samir Dave, HDLM Associates
Project Planner: Jocelyn Shoopman
Requesting Approval of a Modification to an Existing Conditional Use Permit for a
Convenience Market that Includes the Sale of Beer and Wine at an Automobile Service
Station on Property Zoned C-1. Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines
Section 15301: Existing Facilities.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 13, 2024
Jocelyn Shoopman, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Kurt Wagenknecht, K12 Architects
- It is common today to have beer and wine sales within convenience stores and most of
them provide chilled beer and wine, which is a competitive sale item.
Gary Fowler
- I’ve been in Town for 36 years and know Sam and his family. He is a hardworking
businessperson and a really good guy, and he and his family run a great business. I don’t go
to Sam’s convenience store for beer or wine, but I run in for milk or eggs, as will the 500
new residents of the North Forty and the 500 members of the Los Gatos Lodge. There are
only two other convenience stores in town, and with limited parking. I think Sam has a
great idea.
Eric Monsef
- I grew up in Los Gatos and have known Sam for 15 years. Sam is a person I can rely on as a
friend and a neighborhood helper. Sam, his family, and his business are one of the anchors
of the community. That particular location serves as a visual gateway to the town, so
having a person and business of such integrity there is a big upgrade to the Town.
Closed Public Comment.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Hanssen to approve a modification to an
existing Conditional Use Permit for a convenience market that includes
the sale of beer and wine at an automobile service station on property
zoned C-1 with a modification of Condition 5 to modify the hours of
operation to 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7:00
a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Seconded by Commissioner
Janoff.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
REPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Jennifer Armer, Planning Manager
The Town Council met March 5, 2024:
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 13, 2024
o Discussed the Housing Element and approved a motion to move forward with
the process. The Draft Housing Element is currently in the seven-day public
review period with the goal of submitting it to HCD on March 18, 2024.
o An appeal of Planning Commission approval of the new home at 212 Thurston
Street was considered. The Town Council denied the appeal and upheld the
Planning Commission’s decision.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMISSION MATTERS
Historic Preservation Committee
Commissioner Burnett
- The HPC met March 13, 2024 and considered three items.
o Two items had returned to the Committee for a final resolution, which was
accomplished.
o The third item was alterations to a storefront on a pre-1941 building on North Santa
Cruz Avenue.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
March 13, 2024 meeting as approved by the
Planning Commission.
_____________________________
/s/ Vicki Blandin
Agenda
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA
MARCH 13, 2024
110 EAST MAIN STREET
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7:00 PM
Steven Raspe, Chair
Emily Thomas, Vice Chair
Susan Burnett, Commissioner
Melanie Hanssen, Commissioner
Kathryn Janoff, Commissioner
Adam Mayer, Commissioner
Vacant, Commissioner
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This is a hybrid/in-person meeting and will be held in-person at the Town Council Chambers at
110 E. Main Street and virtually through the Zoom webinar application (log-in information
provided below). Members of the public may provide public comments for agenda items in-
person or virtually through the Zoom webinar by following the instructions listed below. The
live stream of the meeting may be viewed on television and/or online at .
PARTICIPATION
The public is welcome to provide oral comments in real-time during the meeting in three ways:
Zoom webinar (Online): Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device: Please click
this URL to join: https://losgatosca-
gov.zoom.us/j/85000029016?pwd=BuPVC4VpZMmMtrZ4LtzvzeLNduTFOA.44VYRFyFnv7Yti5c.
Passcode: 823209. You can also type in 850 0002 9016 in the “Join a Meeting” page on the
Zoom website at and use passcode 823209.
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.
Telephone: Please dial (877) 336-1839 US Toll-free or (636) 651-0008 US Toll. (Conference
code: 686100). If you are participating by calling in, press #2 on your telephone keypad to
raise your hand.
In-Person: Please complete a “speaker’s card” located on the back of the Chamber
benches and return it to the Vice Chair before the meeting or when the Chair announces
the item for which you wish to speak.
NOTES: (1) Comments will be limited to three (3) minutes or less at the Chair’s discretion.
(2) If you are unable to participate in real-time, you may email to the subject line “Public
Comment Item #__” (insert the item number relevant to your comment) or “Verbal
Communications – Non-Agenda Item.” All comments received will become part of the record.
(3) Deadlines to submit written public comments are:
11:00 a.m. the Friday before the Planning Commission meeting for inclusion in the agenda
packet.
11:00 a.m. the Tuesday before the Planning Commission meeting for inclusion in an
addendum.
11:00 a.m. on the day of the Planning Commission meeting for inclusion in a desk item.
(4) Persons wishing to make an audio/visual presentation must submit the presentation
electronically to no later than 3:00 p.m. on the day of the Planning Commission meeting.
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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 (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION) (Before the Planning Commission
acts on the consent agenda, any member of the public Commission may request that any item be
removed from the consent agenda. At the Chair’s discretion, items removed from the consent
calendar may be considered either before or after the Public Hearings portion of the agenda.)
1. Draft Minutes of the February 28, 2024 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 on Remand an Appeal of a Denial of a Fence Height Exception Request for
Construction of a Six-Foot Tall Fence Located Within the Required Front Yard Setback,
Street Side Yard Setback, and Corner Sight Triangle on Property Zoned R-1:8. Located at
124 Garden Hill Drive. APN 424-23-084. Fence Height Exception Application FHE-23-
005. Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303: New
Construction or Conversion of Small Structures and Section 15301: Existing Facilities.
Property Owner/Appellant: Rushikesh Kulkarni. Project Planner: Ryan Safty.
3. Requesting Approval of a Modification to an Existing Conditional Use Permit for a
Convenience Market that Includes the Sale of Beer and Wine at an Automobile Service
Station on Property Zoned C-1. Located at 666 North Santa Cruz Avenue. APN 529-10-
141. Categorically Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301: Existing
Facilities. Conditional Use Permit Application U-22-004. Property Owner/Applicant:
Samir Dave, HDLM Associates. Project Planner: Jocelyn Shoopman.
OTHER BUSINESS
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)
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ADA NOTICE In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special
assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Clerk’s Office at (408) 354- 6834.
Notification at least two (2) business days prior to the meeting date will enable the Town to
make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. [28 CFR §35.102-35.104]
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.
Planning Commission meetings are broadcast Live on KCAT, Channel 15 (on Comcast) on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
Live and Archived Planning Commission meetings can be viewed by going to:
www.LosGatosCA.gov/TownYouTube
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