Planning Commission
Regular MeetingLos Gatos, CA · April 10, 2024
Minutes
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
APRIL 10, 2024
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on
Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Steve Raspe, Vice Chair Emily Thomas, Commissioner Jeffrey Barnett,
Commissioner Susan Burnett, and Commissioner Adam Mayer
Absent: Commissioner Melanie Hanssen and Commissioner Kathryn Janoff
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approval of Minutes – March 13, 2024
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Burnett to approve adoption of the Consent
Calendar. Seconded by Vice Chair Thomas.
VOTE: Motion passed 4-0 with Commissioner Barnett abstaining.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
2. Amendments to Town Code Chapter 29 (Zoning Regulations) for Senate Bill 9
Town Code Amendment Application A-24-003
Project Location: Town Wide
Applicant: Town of Los Gatos
Project Planner: Ryan Safty
Forward a recommendation to the Town Council on amendments to Chapter 29 (Zoning
Regulations) of the Town Code for Senate Bill 9 regarding a change to required second
story step-backs and other clarifying revisions. The proposed amendments to the Town
Code are not considered a project under Section 15378 of the California Environmental
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF ARIL 10, 2024
Quality Act, and in accordance with Government Code Section 66411.7(n) and
66452.21(g), Senate Bill 9 Ordinances are not a project subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act.
Ryan Safty, Associate Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Tony Jeans, Architect
- The Town of Los Gatos SB 9 Ordinance is working very well, but I would like the process to
run more smoothly. A current example is delayed because we haven’t recorded the Parcel
Map for the lot split, but that is because it has gone through multiple iterations of staff
review. As to the wording of the amendments, I want you to distinguish between a
conservation easement, which is being added, and open space easement, which should not
be restrictive. If there is an open space easement that is not a conservation easement, that
should not restrict someone from doing an SB 9 lot split.
Closed Public Comment.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Barnett to forward a recommendation to the
Town Council on Amendments to Chapter 29 (Zoning Regulations) of the
Town Code for Senate Bill 9 regarding a change to required second story
step-backs and other clarifying revisions as identified in Exhibit 4, with
the required findings in Exhibit 1, and with the additional recommended
changes from Exhibit 5 in the Desk Item that the majority of the
Commission voted on for inclusion in the Town Council recommendation.
Seconded by Chair Raspe.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
REPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Jennifer Armer, Planning Manager
The Town Council met on March 19, 2024, and April 2, 2024, to consider ordinances for
modifications to the Historic Preservation Committee regulations, and the rezoning of
the properties on Downing Oak Court. Both will go into effect on May 2, 2024.
The Town Council will meet on April 16, 2024, to consider potential Story Pole Policy
modifications, and a resolution to rescind the Land Use and Community Design
Elements of the 2040 General Plan.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF ARIL 10, 2024
Spring into Green will be at Town Plaza Park on Sunday, April 21, 2024, from 10:00 a.m.
to 1:00 p.m.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMISSION MATTERS
Historic Preservation Committee
Commissioner Burnett
- The HPC met on March 27, 2024.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
April 10, 2024 meeting as approved by the
Planning Commission.
_____________________________
/s/ Vicki Blandin
Agenda
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA
APRIL 10, 2024
110 EAST MAIN STREET
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7:00 PM
Steven Raspe, Chair
Emily Thomas, Vice Chair
Jeffrey Barnett, Commissioner
Susan Burnett, Commissioner
Melanie Hanssen, Commissioner
Kathryn Janoff, Commissioner
Adam Mayer, 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 www.LosGatosCA.gov/TownYouTube.
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/81224586881?pwd=rvL9I24IouaQLUkvf61o1BWu0N8eHw.oZBjTqaV1diE7Seu.
Passcode: 059739. You can also type in 812 2458 6881 in the “Join a Meeting” page on the Zoom
website at https://zoom.us/join and use passcode 059739.
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 planning@losgatosca.gov 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
planning@losgatosca.gov 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 March 13, 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. Forward a Recommendation to the Town Council on Amendments to Chapter 29 (Zoning
Regulations) of the Town Code for Senate Bill 9 Regarding a Change to Required Second-
Story Step-Backs and Other Clarifying Revisions. The Proposed Amendments to the
Town Code Are Not Considered a Project Under Section 15378 of the California
Environmental Quality Act, and in Accordance with Government Code Section
66411.7(n) and 66452.21(g), Senate Bill 9 Ordinances Are Not a Project Subject to the
California Environmental Quality Act. Town Code Amendment Application A-24-003.
Project Location: Town Wide. Applicant: Town of Los Gatos.
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.)
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].
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.
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