Planning Commission
Regular MeetingLos Gatos, CA · February 25, 2026
Minutes
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT
MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
FEBRUARY 25, 2026
The Planning Commission of the Town of Los Gatos conducted a Regular Meeting on
Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 7:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Kendra Burch, Vice Chair Jeffrey Barnett, Commissioner Susan Burnett,
Commissioner Joseph Sordi, Commissioner Rob Stump, and Commissioner Emily Thomas.
Absent: Commissioner Adam Mayer.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS
Member of the Public
- Shared concerns pertaining to ICE and what the Town is doing to protect the Town.
CONSENT ITEMS (TO BE ACTED UPON BY A SINGLE MOTION)
1. Approval of Minutes – January 14, 2026
2. Approval of Minutes – January 28, 2026
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Stump to approve adoption of the Consent
Calendar. Seconded by Commissioner Sordi.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
3. 16135 Cerro Vista Drive
Architecture and Site Application S-25-036
Conditional Use Permit Application U-25-006
APN 537-30-018
Applicant: Gary Kohlsaat
Property Owner: Ruben Caballero
Project Planner: Suray Nathan
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF FEBRUARY 25, 2026
Consider a request for approval for site improvements requiring a Grading Permit and a
Conditional Use Permit for a vineyard greater than 3,000 square feet on property zoned
HR-2½. Exempt pursuant to CEQA Section 15303(a): New Construction or Conversion of
Small Structures, and Section 15304: Minor Alterations to Land.
Suray Nathan, Assistant Planner, presented the staff report.
Opened Public Comment.
Joel Lemons (Applicant)
- This presentation will talk about the exception for the patio that sticks out because we
have a floor level that goes from the ADU to the patio to the outdoor kitchen, and it sticks
out of the ground a little more than it is supposed to. Then additional grading of 231 cubic
yards for the space underneath for storage of pool supplies, and it is not usable space,
because it is under the height limit for habitable space. Then the stairway going down to
access that requires a deeper cut, but it will still only have a 6’-7” head room inside, so it is
more for mechanical and storage.
Anonymous Member of the Public
- Shared insights on cutting into the hill, grade cut, and how to best support this project
request.
Closed Public Comment.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Barnett to approve an Architecture and Site
Application and Conditional Use Permit for 16135 Cerro Vista Drive.
Seconded by Commissioner Stump.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Joel Paulson, Director of Community Development
None.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF FEBRUARY 25, 2026
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/COMMISSION MATTERS
Conceptual Development Advisory Committee
Commissioner Barnett
- The CDAC met last week concerning a proposal for an eight-story memory care and assisted
living project on a property located in the North Forty plan area. Major concerns discussed
were height, neighborhood compatibility, and secondary access.
Historic Preservation Committee
Commissioner Burnett
- The HPC met on February 2nd . Several items were discussed, with one item pulled to return
later. Emily Thomas was appointed the new chair for 2026, and the new Vice Chair is
Martha Queiroz.
Commission Matters
Commissioner Sordi
- Commissioner Sordi suggested the pre-1941 house survey be agendized for Planning
Commission discussion. He suggested having a Town consulting historic expert opinion on
some or all of them; or maybe a more open-ended, structured discussion regarding
addressing the ambiguous designation path they have had on some of these projects.
Commissioners discussed the matter.
MOTION: Motion by Commissioner Sordi to agendize at a future date to be
determined by staff discussion of the process for evaluating pre-1941
houses. Seconded by Commissioner Stump.
Commissioner Thomas requested the motion be amended to include other than just the pre-
1941 houses, to start with the work plan that was proposed by HPC and went to Council, so
the things the Council decided to prioritize, providing feedback, because looking at it in that
sense would be more aligned with what the ideas already are.
The Maker of the Motion accepted the amendment to the motion.
The Seconder of the Motion accepted the amendment to the motion.
VOTE: Motion passed unanimously.
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MINUTES OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING OF FEBRUARY 25, 2026
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a true
and correct copy of the minutes of the
February 25, 2026 meeting as approved by the
Planning Commission.
_____________________________
/s/ Vicki Blandin
Agenda
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA
FEBRUARY 25, 2026
110 EAST MAIN STREET
TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7:00 PM
Kendra Burch, Chair
Jeffrey Barnett, Vice Chair
Susan Burnett, Commissioner
Adam Mayer, Commissioner
Joe Sordi, Commissioner
Rob Stump, Commissioner
Emily Thomas, 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 at the end of this
agenda. The live stream of the meeting may be viewed on television and/or online
at www.LosGatosCA.gov/TownYouTube.
To watch and participate via Zoom, please go to:
https://losgatosca-gov.zoom.us/j/88436489094?pwd=EsA5rW7LuC5mDayk1uQf1SJm1orUDw.1
Enter Passcode: 011614
MEETING CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS (Members of the public are welcome to address the Planning
Commission on any matter that is not listed on the agenda and is within the subject matter
jurisdiction of the Commission. The law generally prohibits the Commission from discussing or
taking action on such items. Town resources may not be used to facilitate audio or visual
presentations. To ensure all agenda items are heard, this portion of the agenda is limited to 30
minutes. In the event additional speakers were not heard during the initial Verbal
Communications portion of the agenda, an additional Verbal Communications will be opened
prior to adjournment. Each speaker is limited to no more than three (3) minutes or such time as
authorized by the Chair.)
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CONSENT ITEMS (Consent Items are considered routine Town business and may be approved by
one motion. Any member of the Commission may remove an item 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 located at the end of this agenda. If an item is
removed, the Chair has the sole discretion to determine when the item will be heard. Each
speaker is limited to no more than three (3) minutes or such time as authorized by the Chair.)
1. Approve the Draft Minutes of the January 14, 2026, Planning Commission Meeting.
2. Approve the Draft Minutes of the January 28, 2026, Planning Commission Meeting.
PUBLIC HEARINGS (Presentations during the Public Hearings portion of the agenda by
appellants and applicants, including any expert or consultant assisting with the presentation,
shall be limited to a total of no more than five (5) minutes for all speakers. Appellants and
applicants shall be provided no more than three (3) minutes to rebut at the end of the public
hearing. Visual presentations that require the use of staff resources shall be limited to
appellants and applicants. Members of the public testifying at public hearings shall be limited to
no more than three (3) minutes, or such time as authorized by the Chair.)
3. Consider a Request for Approval for Site Improvements Requiring a Grading Permit and
a Conditional Use Permit for a Vineyard Greater than 3,000 Square Feet on Property
Zoned HR-2½. Located at 16135 Cerro Vista Drive. APN 537-30-018. Architecture and
Site Application S-25-036 and Conditional Use Permit Application U-25-006. Exempt
Pursuant to the CEQA Section 15303(a): New Construction or Conversion of Small
Structures, and Section 15304: Minor Alterations to Land. Property Owner: Ruben
Caballero. Applicant: Gary Kohlsaat. Project Planner: Suray Nathan.
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 require special
assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Clerk’s Office at (408) 354-6834.
Please notify the Clerk’s Office at least two (2) business days prior to the meeting so that
reasonable arrangements can be made to ensure accessibility in compliance with 28 CFR
§35.102-35.104 and related provisions.
NOTICE REGARDING SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS - Materials related to an item on this agenda
submitted to the Commission after initial distribution of the agenda packets are available for
public inspection in the Clerk’s Office at Town Hall, 110 E. Main Street, Los Gatos and on the
Town’s website at www.losgatosca.gov. Planning Commission agendas and related materials
can be viewed online at https://losgatos-ca.municodemeetings.com/.
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HOW TO PARTICIPATE
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/88436489094?pwd=EsA5rW7LuC5mDayk1uQf1SJm1orUDw.1.
Passcode: 011614. You can also type in 884 3648 9094 in the “Join a Meeting” page on the
Zoom website at https://zoom.us/join and use passcode 011614.
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 855-758-1310 US Toll-free or 408-961-3927 US. (Webinar ID: 884
3648 9094). 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 planning@losgatosca.gov with
the subject line “Public Comment Item #__” (insert the item number relevant to your
comment).
(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.
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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